In this article we are going to explore Single Crochet and its uses.

Single Crochet or Double Crochet for UK Crocheters (for ease however I'll refer to Single Crochet throughout this article) is a highly versatile stitch and one of my personal favorites. It is often over looked or dismissed as being a boring 'commodity' stitch however I believe it provides plenty of opportunities for variations! What I particularly like about the stitch is that depending on hook size and yarn, a compact sturdy fabric is produced, suitable for bags etc, or a lighter more lacy fabric which is good for items of clothing. When worked using a larger than normal hook with a lacy yarn the intricate way that the stitches are formed gives a very pleasing effect.

Another feature is the fact that the single crochet stitch takes on a different appearance depending on how it is produced. Single Crochet which is stitched in the round looks very different to stitches which have been created going back and forth turning the work - the front of the work can look very different to the back and can make an interesting change or contrast (there is no such thing as 'right' or 'wrong' side unless you want there to be - if it looks nice why hide it away on the back - why not have it as the right side!). Different effects too can be achieved by forming the stitch either by hooking through either both of the loops of the stitch below or just the front or back loop. When crocheting into only the back loop of the stitch below a definite 'ridge' is introduced in to the work (this can be seen in the photo opposite). By combining different ways of forming the Single Crochet stitch on a piece of work different textures can be achieved.

Single crochet works well crocheted in the round and as long as the number of stitches in each round is increased each time, the work will remain flat. By varying the number of inserts exciting '3d' crochet can be formed. By gentle increasing the number of stitches a conical shape will be formed.

Out of all the main crochet stitches Single Crochet is the most 'square', that is the stitch is nearly the same height as width making it a handy stitch to decrease and increase to make angular shapes and mitred squares. By simply decreasing the number of stitches per row corners can be turned and angles created - or by increasing in the same place squared edges can be produced.

Experiment and have fun! Buy some craft cotton or dishcloth cotton and make up some sample squares which can either be kept in a file with a note as to how you made the sample - or use as a dishcloth, or sew together to start a patchwork blanket etc.

Examples of all of the above aspects of Single Crochet have been brought together in the Pixie Purse project (see link below) which aims to demonstrate the versatility of the stitch whilst making a cute purse.

For step by step instructions on how to make the single crochet stitch we have an illustrated guide (see link below)