| Have you been thinking about learning to crochet? | | | | insert |
| Many | | | | your hook into that chain. Put your yarn over the hook |
| people have told me that they would just love to be | | | | and draw that yarn through the chain stitch. There are |
| able | | | | |
| to crochet, but they feel it would be too hard for them | | | | now 2 loops on hook.Bring your yarn over the hook |
| to learn. They know nothing about yarn, hooks or | | | | from back to front, and |
| even how to begin.Actually, crochet is not difficult at | | | | draw it through both loops on hook. One loop remains |
| all. It's only hard if | | | | on the hook. You have completed your first single |
| you think it is, so you have to change your thinking by | | | | crochet stitch.Keep repeating the single crochet stitch |
| looking at the basics of crochet.Have you ever seen | | | | until the end |
| children (or perhaps you have done | | | | of the chain row. If you started with 20 chains, you |
| this yourself) playing with a piece of yarn or string? | | | | will 19 single crochet stitches in this row as you |
| They | | | | skipped |
| make a slip knot in the yarn or string using their | | | | the first chain and began in the second chain from |
| fingers, | | | | your |
| then make a loop and pass it through the first loop, | | | | hook.To do your next row of single crochet, first you |
| then | | | | make |
| another loop through that loop and so on. This is the | | | | a chain stitch by wrapping the yarn over your hook |
| same | | | | and |
| as the basic starting chain in crochet, except you are | | | | pulling it through the loop on your hook. Now you turn |
| using | | | | your work so that the last sc you made on the |
| a crochet hook instead of your fingers.How do you | | | | previous |
| choose your yarn? In selecting your yarn, | | | | row is now at the beginning. Make one single crochet |
| there are five basic types: baby/fingering, sportweight | | | | stitch in that stitch and in each remaining stitch of the |
| baby, | | | | previous row. Repeat this for every new row.You will |
| worsted weight, chunky and bulky. Worsted weight is | | | | notice that there are two loops on the tops of the |
| a | | | | completed single crochet stitches. You put your hook |
| good type for a beginner.Fingering and baby yarns | | | | through both those loops. I have noticed that a |
| are very fine, sportweight | | | | mistake |
| is usually 3 ply (ply means the number of strands that | | | | that some beginners make is by only going through |
| are twisted together to form the yarn). Worsted | | | | one |
| weight is a 4 ply yarn. Chunky and bulky are | | | | loop of the single crochet. That is a variation that |
| heavier yarns.Yarns can be made of synthetic or | | | | works |
| natural fibers. | | | | well in some patterns, but you will learn that later as |
| Acrylics are popular and easy to work with and | | | | your |
| wash. Cotton yarns are very easy to work with | | | | skills improve.Keep working your sample piece for |
| and make great crocheted dishcloths, an easy | | | | practice until you |
| project for beginners.For a beginner, you will want to | | | | get the feel for crocheting. This will help you to learn |
| stay away from | | | | how to hold your hook in a way that makes it easy to |
| using the fuzzy and fur yarns. They are soft and | | | | |
| very pretty, but more difficult to work with as it | | | | grab the yarn and it will also help you to get your |
| is hard to see your stitches. You can try them later | | | | tension |
| as your crocheting skills improve.To choose your yarn, | | | | on. You may find that you are crocheting too loosely |
| just look at the labels. They | | | | or |
| will tell you what you need to know. Some yarns | | | | too tightly at first. As you practice, you will learn how |
| even have free patterns inside the label. You will | | | | to keep your tension uniform throughout the whole |
| want to save those in your pattern collection, even | | | | project.Once you have practiced and feel you are |
| if you are not interested in making the item right | | | | ready to try |
| now. It's always great to build a pattern collection | | | | an easy pattern, you can do a search online for a |
| for later use.Next you will choose your crochet hook. | | | | scarf |
| Hooks | | | | pattern, which is what most beginners start out with. |
| can be made of aluminum, plastic, wood or steel. | | | | Or, as mentioned before, dishcloths are easy patterns |
| Steel hooks are very small and used in fine work | | | | for beginners.By searching online you will find |
| such as doilies and lace.As a beginner, you will be | | | | everything you need |
| learning with the worsted | | | | to know about crochet. There are free patterns, |
| weight yarn so you will want a H (5.00mm), I (5.5mm) | | | | charts |
| or J (6.00mm) hook. As you learn to crochet, you | | | | with crochet abbreviations used in patterns, charts for |
| will want to build a collection of the many different | | | | hook sizes, etc.I am sure that you will enjoy your |
| hook sizes.The problem I have found that most | | | | crochet experience. |
| beginners have is | | | | I find it very relaxing, a great stress reliever. It is also |
| getting the hook and yarn working together. But as | | | | fun |
| with anything, practice makes perfect. It doesn't take | | | | to work with the different yarn colors and textures. It |
| long before you will get the hang of it and be in the | | | | is |
| flow.Before you actually make an item you should do | | | | great to be able to make items for yourself and as |
| some | | | | gifts |
| practice pieces. Start out making a chain of about 15 | | | | for family and friends.You can do it while you are |
| to 20 chains. You do that by making a slip knot by | | | | watching TV, or while sitting |
| wrapping | | | | in a doctor's waiting room, or traveling as a passenger |
| the yarn around your finger and pulling loop through, | | | | in |
| then | | | | a vehicle. Just get yourself a crochet tote bag (or |
| put the slip knot onto your crochet hook. Pull on both | | | | crochet |
| ends of the yarn to tighten and adjust the slip knot. | | | | one yourself) and you are ready to go.I hope this |
| Then | | | | information has been helpful to you in making |
| bring your yarn over your hook from back to front, | | | | your decision to take up crochet as a hobby.By Sue |
| grab | | | | Norrad of |
| the yarn with your hook and pull through the loop on | | | | where she offers her own original crochet pattern |
| your | | | | designs for |
| hook. Repeat until you have 15 to 20 chain | | | | free. You will also find many craft resources such as |
| stitches.Now you will use the single crochet (sc) to | | | | a Craft and |
| make your | | | | Pattern Search Discussion Forum, craft supplies, |
| practice piece. In the second chain from your hook | | | | charts, and |
| (just count two chains away from the hook) and | | | | much more. |