We may receive a commission when you make a purchase from one of our links to sites such as eBay and others. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Thank you for support!
Once you learn how to crochet basic shapes, there is no limit to what kinds of things you can start making with crochet! You can make anything! In this free series, Crochet Basic Shapes, we will share everything you need to know to create any kind of shape in crochet in any size!
By the time you finish this series you’ll be able to crochet any shape – circles, triangles, rectangles, ovals, hexagons, octagons, trapezoids and more! We’ll also cover how to crochet half shapes such as semi circles.
Why Basic Shapes Are Revolutionary
Have you ever watched a drawing tutorial where they teach you to draw something using simple shapes like circles, squares, rectangles and triangles in the beginning? Creating things with crochet is very much like that!
Almost all projects in textile art are simply the joining of differently shaped fabrics. In crochet this is really no different – you are simply joining different shaped pieces of crocheted fabric.
Whether you are making amigurumi or even want to tackle your first sweater or make pillows, decorative items, 3D projects, or unique designs for blankets and throws, learning the basic shapes will open up a whole new world of possibilities!
In this series, we will cover how to make all the different basic shapes so you can easily master various crochet projects and patterns we share on our blog, and who knows? You might even be inspired to start designing your own projects!
Basic Crochet Shapes Tutorial Index
Our series of crochet basic shapes starts with some beginner-friendly tutorials that will teach you some of the foundational things you need to know if you are new to crochet. Then we will move on to step-by-step examples to make all of the different shapes!
Part 1: Techniques Needed for Making Basic Shapes
If you have a lot of crochet experience, you can probably skip these, although you might want to watch anyways because you may learn some new tips and tricks!
How to Make a Foundation Chain: This is one of the first things you probably learned in crochet!
How to Single Crochet: All of our basic shape tutorials are done with just one simple single crochet stitch. You will probably want to use this stitch to practice to get the basics down but afterwards you can always explore making projects with other stitches.
How to Crochet in the Round: Crocheting in the round isn’t a technique limited to just round objects – you can use it for a number of different things, such as granny squares! We will share some tips for learning how to get started and master increases to crochet things to lay flat.
Crocheting in the Round vs. Crocheting by the Row: Crocheting in the round and crocheting by the row can give you different textures to the fabric. Let’s look at some examples and what each means!
How to Increase in Crochet: An increase in crochet is a stitch technique to make the crochet fabric bigger.
How to Decrease in Crochet: This is the opposite of an increase and is used to make fabric smaller.
Once you have these basics down you are ready to move onto the tutorials for all of the different shapes!
Part 2: Basic Shape Tutorials and Patterns
How to Crochet a Square by the Row: Squares are a great shape to start with as a beginner to crochet – here are some tips to help make your square turn out square!
Crochet a Rectangle by the Row: Rectangles are much the same as squares, for rectangles you just crochet a different length or width.
How to Crochet a Right Angle Triangle: Crocheting a simple right angle triangle is a lot like square or rectangle, but we will work with decreases!
How to Crochet an Isosceles Triangle: An isosceles triangle is your basic triangle shape that has two sides that are the same length.
How to Crochet a Square in the Round: This is the foundational technique used for crocheting granny squares!
How to Crochet a Flat Circle: Say goodbye to uneven shapes, lumps and ruffles!
How to Crochet a Half Circle: Want half a circle? It’s not nearly as hard as it seems!
How to Crochet a Half Square Triangle in The Round: This is a very popular shape to use in shawls and wraps, but can also be used to make half square triangle shapes for crochet patchwork! It starts just like a half circle!
Part 3: More Shapes!
With the basics down, you are ready to crochet the next shapes!
How to Crochet an Oval: Here we combine techniques to make an oval – a great shape for rugs and more!
How to Crochet a Hexagon in the round: Once you have a circle mastered, learn how to make hexagons quickly and easily!
How to Crochet a Half Hexagon in the Round: Much like a half-circle – just more pointy!
How to Crochet a Diamond: Much like an isosceles triangle – you could even join two triangles if you really wanted!
How to Crochet a Kite Shape: Like a diamond, but one side is longer than the other to resemble a kite shape.
How to Crochet a Rhombus: Do you remember these from Geometry class?
How to Crochet an Octagon: Make an 8 sided shape!
How to Crochet a Star: Make an easy star shape – great for granny squares or even ornaments!
How to Crochet a Pentagon: 5 sides and one of my favorite shapes for making patchwork balls!
How to Crochet a Heart: A fun shape to use for sure!
How to Crochet a Crescent Moon: Crochet a crescent moon!
The Many Kinds of Things You Can Make With Basic Shapes
There is no limit to the types of things you can make once you master the basic shapes. You can join similar shapes for unique blankets, throws or pillows, or you can even combine different shapes and create 3D objects such as amigurumi plush.
Basic shapes are also a great way to help make the process of designing and creating crocheted clothes less intimidating. It’s a lot easier to make a sweater if you think of it as simply combining different shapes!
View our gallery of items and patterns created simply by using different basic shapes!
Once you finish our basic shapes crochet series you will be ready to tackle ANY project!
This series is available with both the written instructions on our blog, as well as video instruction on our YouTube channel. I hope you enjoy the process and I can’t wait to see all the different projects you create!