How to Crochet
Crochet is a term derived from the French croche. It is a technique of making fabric or other items from yarn or thin wires. You can make a variety of designs with only one yarn. Crocheting essentially starts with a loop through which another loop is pulled. The technique also involves using stitches.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
Making the Beginning Loop
-
1
Hold loose end of the yarn between the index finger and thumb of your left hand. Leaving about an inch of the yarn free is helpful.
-
2
Wrap the yarn once around your index finger and hold it again between the thumb and index finger. Notice your finger passes through a loop of yarn.
-
-
3
Use your right hand to free your left index finger from the loop. Continue to hold the yarn such that the loop is now free from the finger.
-
4
Hold the hook in your right hand and insert it through the loop.
-
5
Use the hook to pull yarn through the loop. It is similar to making a knot.
-
6
Pull the yarn held between the thumb and finger, while the hook is still inserted in the loop just pulled through. Note that this is the beginning loop made every time a new crochet project is started.
Holding and Positioning the Yarn and Hook
-
7
Complete the beginning loop. Hold the hook in your right hand as if to hold a knife.
-
8
Hold the loose end of the yarn between your right thumb and index finger.
-
9
Lay yarn across the center of your left palm. Your right hand should still be holding the hook and yarn as stated.
-
10
Enclose your little and ring fingers around working end of the yarn. The middle finger will automatically bend partially. Holding the yarn this way should make the yarn pass smoothly. Wrap the yarn few times over left index finger. The wraps should be neither too tight nor too loose.
-
11
Straighten the left index finger slightly so there is about 4 to 5 inches of taught yarn from the beginning loop.
-
12
Keep the loose end of the yarn between your middle finger and thumb of your left hand. You are now ready to crochet.
Making a Simple Chain
-
13
Make the beginning loop and position yarn and hook as stated.
-
14
Turn your right wrist so that the hook is under the stretched length of yarn. Notice the yarn is over the hook.
-
15
Start pulling back the hook while the yarn is still over it. Make sure the hook faces down.
-
16
Pull back the hook again through the beginning loop. Make sure the yarn over the hook also comes along with it through the loop. Notice, the beginning loop has been replaced by the new loop.
-
17
Continue doing a yarn over and pulling a loop back through the existing one to get a simple chain, foundation for any crochet project.
Making Single Crochet
-
18
Make a simple chain. Insert the hook in second chain from the hook.
-
19
Do a yarn over and pull back through the loop. Notice there will be two loops on the hook.
-
20
Do a yarn over again and pull back the hook through both loops.
-
21
Repeat for all remaining chains.
Making Double Crochet
-
22
Make a simple chain. Do a yarn over and insert hook in fourth chain from the hook.
-
23
Pull back a loop so that there are three loops on the hook.
-
24
Do a yarn over again and pull a new loop back through only the first two loops. At the end of this step, there will be only two loops on the hook.
-
25
Do a yarn over and pull the hook back through both the remaining loops so now there is only loop on the hook.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
There are at least two ways of holding a crochet hook. Try both and adhere to the one you are comfortable with.
Single crochet is a good option for creating a crocheted object. It can be embellished with stones and motifs.
Making a stitch may require you to have several loops on the hook. However, after the completion of a stitch, the hook should always have only one loop.
Try experimenting with mismatched yarns and hooks. For example, crocheting a thin yarn with a hook suitable for thicker yarns, gives the look of a mesh even with simpler stitches.
Crochet pattern instructions are depicted either through symbols or abbreviations. Both are standard.
British standard for hook sizes are different from those in the United States. Refer to relevant charts when shopping in different regions.
