How to Crochet
Learning how to crochet isn’t that hard, at least when you’re talking about basic crochet stitches. Learn basic crotcheting techniques to get started and see whether you want to learn more advanced crochet stitches.
What Is the Difference in Crocheting and Knitting?
Knitting uses two pointed needles to make patterns, while crocheting uses one hooked needle with a hook on the end. Crocheting requires hooking loops and pulling them through stitches, while knitting works several knits or loops across one needle. The debate about which is more useful – knitting or crocheting – is a debate that still rages between the two camps.
Crochet Stitch Patterns
Let’s discuss the four basic crotchet stitch patterns: the chain stitch, the single stitch, the double stitch and the slip stitch. Learning these crocheting methods lets you master the basics of crochet.
Chain Stitch
The chain stitch is the basic crotchet stitch, that you need to know to begin crotcheting. Right-handed crotcheters should hold the knitting hook in their right hand, looping yarn under the left index finger. Hold the knot between your ring finger and thumb of your left hand.
Wrap your yarn back to front around the shaft, using your hook to manipulate it. Once you draw the yarn you’ve wrapped through the loop of the aforementioned hook, you have made a stitch.
Counting Stitches
How to Crochet
The first stitch you make should not be counted among the knots. Otherwise, count stitches and continue until your pattern tells you to stop. Once you reach this limit, use a slip stitch to connect the ends to form a circle.
Making Slip Stitches
Connect the ends of your crotcheting together, which should form the crochet circle. Put your hook through the first chain stitch you made, while holding the yarn firmly and drawing the hook all the way through the two stitches made to form a circle.
Practicing Slip Stitches
Practice the slip stitch before you try to crochet a finished piece. Do this by stitching a foundation chain of roughly fifteen stitches. Insert your hook into the next stitch, then yarn over. Draw yarn through the stitch and loop, which should make one slip stitch, but still leave a loop on your hook.
Single Crochet Stitches
You’ll also want to make a single crochet stitch, inserting the hook from the front to the back in the center of the second chain away from the hook. This should place two loops on your hook.
The yarn over technique is when you wrap yard from the back to the front around your hook, then bringing the yarn through the pair of loops you have on the hook. Continue with this move until you have the full crocheting row finished.
Double Crochet Stitches
Now that you know the single crochet stitch, it’s time to learn the double-stitch in crochet. Place the yarn on your hook once. Then place your hook into the center of the chain by inserting it from back to front. Draw the yarn over, then through the 2 loops on your hook.
That’s all there is to the double crochet.
Learning How to Crochet
Learning how to crochet is learning how to perform the basic crochet knits. Once you master the basic loops and knits, then learn how to finish a series of knits, you’ll have mastered the basics of crocheting. Master what I’ve discussed above, then move on to the more advanced crochet techniques.