The Second Row with Single Crochet Stitches

Crochet Beginner’s Guide 7-2

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We previously made a row with single crochet stitches. Now, let’s move on to make the second row.

1. Take the first row you have made and place a stitch marker in the final stitch. Then, put the hook back into the big loop and pull the working yarn in the direction shown in the image to adjust the loop to an appropriate size that fits on the hook. Put the working yarn back in your hand.

2. Turn the piece you have made over to the other side, like turning a page. Make one chain stitch to form a turning chain.

• A turning chain helps achieve the proper height for the upcoming row. In general, if your upcoming row will be made with single crochet stitches, the turning chain will usually be formed by one chain stitch, and this one-chain-stitch turning chain usually does not count as a stitch. A pattern will specify if a turning chain counts as a stitch or not.
• Saying a chain or a stitch doesn’t count as a stitch means that you will not count that stitch when counting the total number of stitches in a row. Also, it implies that when you work on the next row, no stitch will be made into that uncounted stitch.

Where to start making new stitches for the second row?

The new stitches will be made into the stitches from the previous row, which are referred to as “the stitches of the row” or “the stitch of the row to work into.”

The first stitch of the row is the one that is the closest to the hook, where we’ve placed a stitch marker. This is also the final stitch from the previous row.

When identifying the first stitch of the row by looking for the “V shape,” be mindful that the chain stitch that formed the turning chain will also show a “V shape.” In the example in the image above, the turning chain is formed with one chain stitch. So, the first “V shape” from the hook represents the turning chain, and the second “V shape,” where the stitch marker is placed, represents the first stitch of the row.

Usually, when a new row will be made with single crochet stitches, the turning chain will not be considered a stitch. So, you will make the first new single crochet stitch for the new row into the first stitch of the row.

There will be situations when you might need to skip the first stitch of the row and make your new stitch into the second stitch of the row. Always follow a pattern’s instructions.

Let’s start to make the second row.

After identifying the first stitch of the row, remove the stitch marker and insert the hook into that stitch.

• When inserting the hook to make a new stitch, your hook should be placed under the two loops of the “V shape,” unless a pattern instructs differently.

The second stitch will be made into the next stitch of the row. Continue to make one single crochet stitch into each of the remaining stitches of the row. When the second row is finished, it should have the same number of stitches as the first row.

The method for making the subsequent rows is the same as making the second row. Try to practice by making more rows with single crochet stitches.

Counting the total number of stitches after finishing a row is a good habit to keep. It helps make sure that you have made the row correctly and that you are ready to move on to the next step. A crochet pattern will usually list the number of stitches in each row as a reference.

Below is a video tutorial about making the second row and beyond with single crochet stitches.

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