Tatiana

How to Crochet

Crocheting is much easier than knitting, and a lot more interesting. I learned how to crochet and started an afghan in three days. I may not be the ultimate crocheter, but I know quite a bit, and hopefully I'm not as dry as many of the instruction manuals are.

Materials:

1 crochet hook, 5.5mm or "h"

a skein of yarn

 

1)

The basic of crocheting is the chain stitch. Before you start crocheting, you must know how to hold the hook properly. With the hook part facing you, place your thumb in the large indented area and your middle finger behind it in the indented area on the other side. Place your index finger to the side of the hook on the rounded area directly above. Your middle finger and thumb should be firmly holding the hook, allowing your index finger to slide a bit.

2)

  The first thing you should know is that the first stitch, first row, or first whatever is always the hardest stitch, row, or whatever. It might take a few tries before you get a chain stitch, so don't give up. Drop about six inches over the right side of the hook (the skein is on your left). Hold it and the yarn from the skein in your left hand.

3)

With your left hand, wrap the yarn from the skein around the back of the needle and to the top front. Make sure you wrap the yarn all the way around, and you have two loops.

4)

  Now, pull the loop up underneath the hook, and push the lower loop over the top. You might have to use your right index finger to lift the stitch up and over, just the first time.

5)

Probably, you now have what looks like a pathetic twist. This is okay, just keep going. Make sure not to drop your first stitch as you continue. If you are not sure how to continue, follow steps 3 and 4.