how to Crochet - Part 1

Note: This Crochet terminology is English, not American.

1. Holding yarn and hook

Holding hook between first finger and thumb of right hand and letting second finger rest near point of hook, make a loop by wrapping the yarn round first and second fingers of left hand. Place the hook under the front loop and draw the back loop through. Withdraw fingers from loop and draw loop up on hook.

2. Holding yarn and hook

Holding work, as it is formed, between first finger and thumb of left hand, pass yarn from ball over first and second fingers, under third and round little finger.

Chain stitch

(ch) Commencement of all crochet work:
Holding yarn and hook as described above and making a slip loop to begin with, * pass hook from left to right under yarn (held in left hand), draw this thread through loop already on hook and rep from * for length required.

Slip stitch

(sl st) Is chiefly used for joinings or in fancy patterns, and is the shortest in height of all crochet sts:
Make required length of chain.

1st row - Miss end ch (near hook), * pass hook through next ch, draw yarn through both sts on hook, rep from * to end of ch, turn.

2nd row - 1ch (1ch at beginning of row always forms last st of next row), * inserting hook in second single chain, draw yarn through both sts on hook, rep from * to end of row, turn.

Rep 2nd row for length required.

To work in rounds

Step 1 - make a chain of 5 stitches. Join with a slip stitch into 1st ch. to form a ring.

Step 2 - 1st round - make 8 double crochet (dc) into ring. Place a safety pin in the last dc of 1st round to mark end of round. Move the safety pin to the last dc of the following round.

Step 3 - 2nd round - 2 double crochet (dc) into each dc of previous round - an increase made in each dc. There are 16 dc in round.

Step 4 - 3rd round - * 2 double crochet (dc) into next dc - an increase made in last dc, 1 dc into next dc, repeat from * all round (24 dc in round) Continue working in rounds of double crochet as required, working increases wherever necessary in order to keep work flat and ending last round with 1 slst into each of next 2 dc. Fasten off.

To fasten off
Break off yarn, draw the end through the loop on the hook and pull up to fasten tightly.

Crab Stitch

(or Reversed Double Crochet) Is used as a decorative texture or edging. It consists of working double crochet stitches in the 'wrong' direction (from left to right for right handed knitters).

1 and 2. After a right side row, do not turn.

2 and 3.
Always starting with the hook facing downward, insert the hook to face upwards at the same time.Wrap the yarn and draw through, to finish off the dc as normally.

4. Insert the hook ready for next stitch