With so many different places and spaces to put your hook, it can be easy to wonder… where does my hook go in crochet?

Ever find yourself staring at your crochet project, wondering why your stitch count is off or why your edges look uneven?

Not sure where to put your first and last stitches in a row or round?

You’re not alone!

Stitch placement is one of the most common (and frustrating) challenges in crochet, but once you understand the basics, everything starts to fit into place – literally!

No matter if you’ve been crocheting for years or just picked up a hook for the first time, knowing where to place your stitches is essential.

It affects your stitch count, the shape of your fabric, and the overall look of your project.

Misplaced stitches can lead to unexpected gaps, wavy edges, or a pattern that just doesn’t seem to match the instructions.

So, if you’ve ever asked yourself:

  • What counts as a crochet stitch?
  • Where exactly do I insert my hook?
  • Do chains count as stitches?

Then you’re in the right place!

Let’s break it all down so you can confidently place your stitches and get your crochet looking just the way it should.

Estimated reading time: 8 minutes

This article may contain some affiliate links.

Where does my hook go in crochet - American Crochet Association

What Counts As A Crochet Stitch?

Chain, single, puff, shell…

With all the different types of stitches, and specialty stitches, it might seem like every crochet pattern is worked up in a very specific way: 

  • Skip these stitches.
  • Work into this space.
  • Don’t work into that space.

And sometimes, even if you think you’ve followed the pattern word for word, your stitch count doesn’t match up.

This is a frustrating but very common problem in crochet, and it’s not just you.

To understand what counts as a stitch in crochet, let’s start with some basics.

Raise your hand if you know the following stitches in crochet:

  • Chain
  • Single Crochet
  • Half Double Crochet
  • Double Crochet

If you have learned these, know that each one counts as a stitch when following a crochet pattern.

That’s right, every single one of these foundation stitches counts as a stitch when crocheting.

Find instructions and a video tutorial for each of these foundation stitches: How to Crochet: A Step-By-Step Guide for Beginne

Do Chains Count As Stitches?

Next time you’re wondering if a chain is a stitch… it is.

Chains are stitches, and they should be included in the stitch count of a pattern.

You can work into a chain or over it, but either way you should be counting them and working into them.

There is only 1 exception to this crochet rule: 

If a pattern states that the beginning (turning) chain does not count as a stitch, then you should ignore that portion – don’t count it! 

That’s it.

You can learn more about How To Count Crochet Stitches, with some tips and tutorials to help you with the concept.

Basic Crochet Stitch Anatomy

All crochet stitches have a front side, back side, top, and a bottom.

Even the smallest stitch (the chain) has a front and back side.

You might have missed this fun fact because the chain is so small that the top is the front and the bottom is the back.

Knowing the anatomy of each stitch will be helpful with stitch placement, especially when a pattern references a particular part of a stitch that you should work into, over, around or below… and more.

You can see examples and read more in this article: Right and Wrong Sides in Crochet – What does this mean?

What Part Of The Stitch Should I Crochet Into?

Where does my hook go in crochet?

While this might feel complicated, don’t overthink it.

Unless your pattern says otherwise, it is a universally understood rule that crochet stitches are worked into the tops of stitches from the previous row / round by working into the front and back loops of a stitch.

That means you’ll place your crochet hook under the front and back loops on the top of the stitch from the previous row / round, unless a pattern specifically states otherwise.

Specialty stitches include variations in stitch placement, so understanding the anatomy of a stitch will help you to determine where your hook should go.

Front Of The Stitch

Double crochet row showing back post, front post, back loop and front loop.

When looking at the front of a row, placement includes:

Back Loop

Work indicated stitch by placing crochet hook into the back loop only.

This leaves the front loop unworked and exposed.

Front Loop

Work indicated stitch by placing crochet hook into the front loop only.

This leaves the back loop unworked and exposed.

Back Post

Work indicated stitch by placing crochet hook around the post of a stitch, from the back, around the post, to the back again.

This pulls the post of a stitch to the back, leaving the front and back loops (top of the post), exposed and pushed outward.

Front Post

Work indicated stitch by placing crochet hook around the post of a stitch, from the front, around the post, to the front again.

This pulls the post of a stitch to the front, leaving the front and back loops (top of the post), behind the stitch created.

Because stitches look different on their front and back sides, it is important to know that some stitches are worked the same from either side.

Back Of The Stitch

Back Side of double crochet row showing back post, front post, back loop and front loop.

When looking at the back of a row, placement includes:

Back Loop

Work indicated stitch by placing crochet hook into the back loop only. This leaves the front loop unworked and exposed.

Note that the loop farthest from you, no matter which side of the stitch you’re facing, is the back loop.

Front Loop

Work indicated stitch by placing crochet hook into the front loop only. This leaves the back loop unworked and exposed.

Note that the loop nearest you, no matter which side of the stitch you’re facing, is the front loop.

Back Post

Work indicated stitch by placing crochet hook around the post of a stitch, from the back, around the post, to the back again.

This pulls the post of a stitch to the back, leaving the front and back loops (top of the post), exposed and pushed outward.

Front Post

Work indicated stitch by placing crochet hook around the post of a stitch, from the front, around the post, to the front again.

This pulls the post of a stitch to the front, leaving the front and back loops (top of the post), behind the stitch created.

Third Loop

Work indicated stitch by placing crochet hook into the horizontal loop directly under the front loop.

This is only visible on the back of tall stitches (half double, double), leaving the back and front loops exposed and pushed outward.

Crochet Patterns

Test Your Skills

Take a look at our pineapple stitch crochet swatch below.

Purple thread worked into a pineapple lace motif pinned onto a board.

If the instructions for the last row worked are:

Row 8: Ch 3 (first Dc), turn, work 2 Dc into same St, Ch 3, Sc into Ch-5 space, Ch 5, Sc into next Ch-5 space, (Ch 2, 2 Dc, Ch 1, 2 Dc, Ch 2) into next Ch-1 space, Sc into next Ch-5 space, Ch 5, Sc into next Ch-5 space, Ch 3, work 3 Dc into last St.

What is the final stitch count?

Take your time and pause here to think about the answer.

The answer is…

35 Sts; 10 Dc Sts + 21 Ch Sts + 4 Sc Sts

Let’s break that down into a list of each action:

  • Ch 3 (first Dc), 
  • turn, 
  • work 2 Dc into same St, 
  • Ch 3, 
  • Sc into Ch-5 space, 
  • Ch 5, 
  • Sc into next Ch-5 space, 
  • (Ch 2, 2 Dc, Ch 1, 2 Dc, Ch 2) into next Ch-1 space, 
  • Sc into next Ch-5 space, 
  • Ch 5, 
  • Sc into next Ch-5 space, 
  • Ch 3, 
  • Work 3 Dc into last St.

This is an important lesson for any crochet pattern you follow, especially when the instructions reference a lot of different stitches, spaces, and repeats.

  • Complete each section to the comma. 
  • Count each stitch referenced.
  • Check that the instructions match your work and final stitch count.

That’s all there is to it! 

Now that we’ve outlined what counts as a stitch in crochet, and where to place your hook when following instructions, test your new skills with these patterns:

Single Cluster Crochet Washcloth

Crochet Headband and Cowl

Granny Stitch Crochet Tote Bag

Video Chat

Learn more on this topic as I talk through each part of the article, right here: Where Does My Hook Go In Crochet

Are you finally confident about where your hook should go in crochet?

Let know in the comments, or Click Here to continue this conversation in our community!

Peace, Love & Crochet

Salena

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2 Comments

  1. Donna Criscione says:

    Salena – I just went through your instructions and video tutorials on where to Put Stitches (and what counts as stitches) and I learned so much from you!!!! I always struggled with this and you gave thorough clear concise explanations along with pictures and video tutorials to help me better understand this! Thank you so very much!! Donna

    1. Hooray! Thank you so much for taking time to give your feedback! I’m so glad you found this helpful 🙂