When you first learn to crochet, it can be difficult to recognise how the stitches are formed and what you are looking at. It can be even more difficult to identify where you are in a project if you have put it aside for a few days, or weeks…

Learning the anatomy of the basic stitches like double crochet (US single crochet), half treble crochet (US half double crochet) and treble crochet (US double crochet) can help you to place your hook with confidence, gain a real understanding of how crochet stitches are formed and the resulting qualities of the fabric made.

Have no fear, you don’t need to make loads of swatches, I have done that for you!

Let me take you through the anatomy at the front of crocheted fabric for:

• Double crochet (US single crochet) in rows and rounds
• Half treble crochet (US half double crochet) in rows and rounds
• Treble crochet (US double crochet) in rows and rounds

If you need help with how to make the basic crochet stitches, links to my tutorials are here:

• Double Crochet (US Single Crochet) is here as a video tutorial, OR here as a photo tutorial.
• Half Treble Crochet (US Half Double Crochet) is here as a video tutorial, OR here as a photo tutorial.
• Treble Crochet (US Double Crochet) is here as a video tutorial, OR here as a photo tutorial.

Double Crochet (US Single Crochet)

Double crochet stitches look different when you are working in rows versus rounds and so both have been covered.

Anatomy of Double Crochet in Rows (US single Crochet)

Whether you are crocheting the wrong side or right side of your work, every double crochet stitch you make will form a V on the front. The reverse side of the stitch is made up of Vs are upside down.

Each two row repeat will show stacks of an upside down V, a horizontal bar, then a V above it.

Anatomy of Double Crochet in Rounds (US Single Crochet)

When double crochet is worked in the round, the right side only has Vs showing. If you turn the tube inside out, the fabric would be made of upside down Vs instead.

Anatomy of Double Crochet – Comparing Rounds to Rows

If you are a right-handed crocheter, your stitches will lean to the right. For a left-handed crocheter it they will lean to the left. This is why the crocheted swatch in the round has a right slant to it.

The same things doesn’t happen in rows because each row counteracts the slant of the previous row.

If you need help with how to make double crochet stitches (US single crochet), here as a video tutorial, OR here as a photo tutorial.

If you need help with how to make half treble crochet stitches (US half double crochet), here as a video tutorial, OR here as a photo tutorial.

Half Treble Crochet (US Half Double Crochet)

Half treble crochet stitches look different when you are working in rows versus rounds and so both have been covered.

Anatomy of Half Treble Crochet In Rows (US Half Double)

A half treble crochet stitch is made up of a triangle on the front. The reverse of the stitch is made up of a V with a horizontal bar which is also called the 3rd loop.

When the work is turned to start a new row, your hook should be placed underneath the front and back loops at the top of the stitch (as standard) and above the 3rd loop. This creates a horizontal line of 3rd loops in the fabric which is part of the distinguishing feature of half treble crochets worked in rows.

Anatomy of Half Treble Crochet In Rounds (US Half Double)

When half treble crochet is worked in the round, the right side only has triangles showing. If you turn the tube inside out, the stitches would be made of Vs with the horizontal bar of the 3rd loop above them.

Anatomy of Half Treble Crochet – Comparing Rounds to Rows

As with double crochet, your stitches will lean to the right if you are right-handed and to the left if you are a left-handed crocheter. The crocheted swatch in the round has a right slant to it because I am a right-handed crocheter.

The same things doesn’t happen in rows because each row counteracts the slant of the previous row.

If you need help with how to make half treble crochet stitches (US half double crochet), here as a video tutorial, OR here as a photo tutorial.

Treble Crochet (US Double Crochet)

Treble crochet stitches look different when you are working in rows versus rounds and so both have been covered.

Anatomy of Treble Crochet In Rows (US Double Crochet)

A treble crochet stitch is made up of a triangle with a V on top at the front. The reverse of the stitch is made up of a V at the bottom with four bars stacked on top (1 diagonal, 1 vertical and two horizontal). These two horizontal bars create a row that is similar to garter stitch in knitting.

Anatomy of Treble Crochet In Rounds (US Double Crochet)

Treble crochet stitches worked in the round, only have triangles, stacked with a V showing. If you turn the tube inside out, the stitches would be made of Vs at the bottom with four bars stacked on top.

Anatomy of Treble Crochet – Comparing Rounds to Rows

There is no lean on the treble crochet swatch in the round. My theory (this needs further investigation) is that there are two reasons for this:

• The long left diagonal bar of the V stacked in the triangle is pulling the stitch to the left and counteracting the right hand lean I get with double and half treble crochet.
• My use of a starting treble crochet at the beginning of each round rather than starting chains is also helping to counteract the usual lean to the right.

If you need help with how to make treble crochet stitches (US double crochet) here as a video tutorial, OR here as a photo tutorial.

Useful?

Hopefully you found the photos with graphics a helpful way to see what each double, half treble and crochet stitch is made up of.

Now, if you really want your mind to be blown, take a look at the blog post ‘Yarn Over or Yarn Under? Yes it Matters‘ on the difference that a yarn under instead of a yarn over makes! It’s like creating a whole new set of stitches for your crochet arsenal.