How to Crochet: Extended Single Crochet Stitches (exsc)
By Rachel Choi – 39 Comments| Extended single crochet stitches (exsc) are very similar to single crochet stitches, but as the name suggests, they are extended to be slightly taller.
Here is the abbreviated instructions for exsc – (pull up a loop in next stitch, yarn over, pull through 1 loop on hook, yarn over, pull though final 2 loops on hook) |
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Below is the step by step, picture tutorial that will walk you through how to make an extended single crochet stitch. This tutorial is for both right and left handed people. For left handed pictures, roll your mouse over the image and it will change for you.
Starting with a swatch to practice on, pull up a loop in the next stitch. To do so, insert your hook into the next stitch, yarning over (wrap the yarn around your hook) and pulling through the stitch on your hook. You should now have 2 loops on your hook.
Yarn over (wrap the yarn around your hook).
Pull the strand of yarn though 1 loop on your hook. You should now have 2 loops on your hook.
Yarn over (wrap the yarn around your hook).
Pull the strand of yarn through 2 loops on your hook. You should now have only 1 loop on your hook.
Congrats! You competed one extended single crochet! You may create a swatch of extended single crochets or use this stitch in combination with other crochet stitches. To create a swatch, chain 1 for your turning chain.
Need more help? Let me know and I’ll be sure to answer!
What is the difference between the extend single crochet and the half double crochet.
Hi Sarah, the steps are different in the stitches and they also look different. Here is the link to the half double crochet stitch tutorial so you can see for yourself: How to Crochet: Half Double Crochet Stitches (hdc)
Hi Rachel – Thanks for this info! What projects would this stitch work well with? What do you recommend?
Hi Marcy, extended single crochet will work well with a lot of different patterns. I have seen it used for scrubbies, socks and even scarves. My Spider Web Scarf uses extended single crochet in it.
Well glad to see that you added that one I’ve been doing that stitch for over a year and it’s really quick and easy once you get the hang of it. Making a dishcloth out of that stitch. Yes Rachel you are right I have made plenty of scarves out of that stitch I even made a wrap out of that stitch too and wow it works up really great I recommend everybody give that a stitch a try.
I like this stitch a lot. It gives an alternative to just increasing hook size if I’m having a hard time getting a gauge and it also gives a better drape to items that you don’t want to be too stiff. I’m currently making a cape from a pattern from the 1970’s that is done entirely in single crochet. I’m substituting extended single crochet and it drapes much more nicely than the one in the pattern photo.
Thank you so much for this tutorial!!
I’m a lefty, and do a LOT of crochet. But – some of the more complicated stitches (like the love knot) are almost impossible for me to figure out from the right-handed instructions.
I had to go through this several times, but finally it made sense and the mouseovers were instrumental in figuring out what you were talking about. I think I’ll be using this stitch quite a bit in my kitchen items.
theres a stitch that I do and I don’t know if it has a name. it goes something like this- you have your loop on the hook and yarn over( 2 loops on hook) then into the stitch pull the yarn through -like your gonna make a hdc- but instead pull the yarn through both loops. What would that be called?
Hmmm… I’m not sure Bananas. I don’t think I understand your instructions completely.
ok lets say your gonna make a hdc but instead of having the loop that you brought from the stitich (or chain) you pull that throught the other 2 loops, is this still confusing?
Ok, I think I know what your talking about Bananas. So you yarn over, insert your hook into the stitch, then yarn over and pull the strand of yarn through all the loops on your hook. Is that what you saying? If so I don’t know what it’s called. For now we can call it “Bananas’ Stitch” 🙂
Thanks for sharing this stitch, Rachel! I love how it looks in some of my projects!!
thats what I’m saying, cool name
I am so glad I found your site. I really appreciate that your photos can be reversed for us lefties. It’s hard sometimes to follow instructions and have to twist them around to fit the way I crochet–if you know what I mean.
I’m just getting back into crochet. Loonnngg ago my mother taught me, and I am amazed how quickly the basic stitches came back to me–chain, sc, dc, tr–but I never really did anything other than simple granny square things my first go-round. Now I’m trying to read patterns, etc, and it’s much more complex than I ever realized. So I have a general question: as a lefty, should I try to be reversing the pattern instructions considering I’m crocheting in the opposite direction from a right-handed person?
I was looking at some of the archived patterns on your site and wondered.
Hi Denise, you shouldn’t have to reverse a pattern, at least none of mine.
I just did a scarf in this stitch, but they called it a “locked sc”. I wonder if that’s British terminology? Anyway, it turned out nicely.
Rachel
I think your doing a superb job.
For that I tip my hat to you. I though I was doing good by teaching myself, but you have a gift
Hang in there for you never know what may be around the corner tomorrow.
God bless & Happy Holidays.
Your friend Jim
Thanks very much, this was very helpful. I love your site. Do you guys have a button I can post on my blog?
Hi Chanda, we don’t have a button at the moment, but feel free to use a regular link or even the header graphic that is at the top of the page.
I am following some instructions that are calling what I’m doing an Extended Single Crochet, but it is not the same as all the other ESC instructions I am finding. Is there another name for the stitch I am doing? The instructions are to sc in the first sc, then insert hook in same st, pull up a loop, insert hook into next st, pull up a loop, yo and pull through all 3 loops. It’s basically like a sc2tog but instead of doing it in the next 2 st creating a decrease, you do it in the current st plus next st which does not decrease. I can’t find anywhere else that shows this stitch!! (It makes a very thick fabric with a nice bumpy texture!)
I am working on a new pattern, it is a cocoon for a newborn. The pattern instructs me to ch 2 insert hook in 2nd ch from hook, YO and pull up a loop, YO and draw through one loop on hook (ch made), YO and draw through both loops on hook (first sc made), *insert hook in ch at base of previous sc, YO and pull up loop, YO and draw through one loop, YO and draw through both loops on hook (sc made).* The part I am having trouble with is where it says insert hook in chain at base of previous sc, where exactly is that and how does it look? I just doen’t seem to have a clue as to how to do this.
Hi Cindi!
It sounds like you’re making a foundation single crochet. Here’s a tutorial with pictures for that: http://www.crochetspot.com/how-to-crochet-foundation-single-crochet-fsc/
The two pics before the last pic shows the location of the chain.
Hello! I just found your site and love it! I have a question: what is a half single crochet stitch? The instructions I read are:”With loop on hook, go into a stitch, grab the yarn and pull it through both the stitch and the loop together. It comes out small (short) but it is very thick and tight.”
This seems to me to be a slip stitch. Am I missing something?
I love the “Bananas” stitch! Great!
Thanks,
robotabob
Yup, sounds like a slip stitch to me too!
Hello!
How is exsc different from fsc. The way you executed both look the same to me. Thanks
Hi Anna! They are really similar! Fsc is normally used to start a project to replace the beginning chain plus the first row of single crochet. Fsc are linked together with the next fsc made using the previous one. Exsc is used as stitch as part of the “body” of a project, like a single crochet but slightly taller.
Hey Rachel!
I know this is an old post but I was so glad to find it and I was tickled to see that others were still finding and commenting on it! I created a Möbius cowl pattern that uses this stitch almost exclusively. It works up super fast ( very important as I do not crochet very fast) and it has a gorgeous drape to it! I am in the process of creating a long vest pattern with it….. looking good so far. I’m SOOOO glad you posted about it. I had not seen it anywhere else. And it just goes to show folks that a beautiful stitch doesn’t have to be complicated.
I like Banana’s stitch, too. Makes a pretty edging. And I am going to try combining Ann’s no name stitch with Banana’s and a large hook for a lapgan!
You do a lovely job with this blog. Thank you so much for the time and effort you put into it for a whole lot of people, most of whom you’ve never even met! It is most certainly appreciated.
how would I do a increase for the extended single crochet stitch?
Hi Pam!
You can do an increase by making more than 1 extended single crochet into a stitch.
Can you make a granny square blanket using the extended single crochet and the double extended stitches?
Sure! I don’t see why not.
Do you have any sample swatches or pictures of how it would look?
Thanks
I haven’t worked a granny square using the extended stitches. But you can replace a sc with exsc or dc with exdc. Here’s a regular dc granny square that you can try the switch with: http://www.crochetspot.com/how-to-crochet-granny-squares-step-by-step/ Have fun experimenting!
Dear Rachel
Kindly help me.
If I want to make an adult’s blanket for a three quarter bed, made in extended single stitch, how many chains should I make for a foundation row? Secondly, do you think that this stitch is suitable for a large blanket?
Any pointers are welcome.
Thank you, Rachel.
Noelle
Hi Noelle,
It would depend entirely on the yarn you use, your crochet hook size, and your tension. With the yarn and hook you want to use, try making a small swatch/square with the stitch. Then measure the swatch and see how many stitches you used to create it. Then you can multiply the number of stitches to get the blanket size you want.
The extended single crochet stitch is a fairly short stitch so it will take a lot of time to make your blanket with it. But it is doable!
Hi Rachal
My problem isn’t the fav, well I guess it is as it has that stitch as a foundation chain, but when I make it, it comes out all different sizes, so I just stuck with reg. Foundation chain. I’m trying to make a summer top, but when I do the pattern, the tops gets to wide for me and I’ve changed my hook 3 times, starting with what was used in the pattern, 5.5 hook and it was to wide for me so tore it all out and started again with 2 sizes down from what I’m to use. The name of the pattern is called casual summer top, by Caron. I’m using loops and chains as its a worsted weight and I believe simply soft is a 4 ply too. If u have have any suggestions, I’d really appreciate hearing what to do
Thanks
Cw
Be sure to work the gauge that is in the pattern first. That will tell you exactly which hook is the correct size for you to use. Here is more information about gauges here https://www.crochetspot.com/what-the-heck-is-a-gauge/
Sorry spell check changed the wording, it’s Fsc, not fav.
Is this the stitch used to create extended moss stitch?