How to Crochet Left Handed

Left-handers constantly have to adapt to a world with a right-handed majority. This is also true in the case of crafting. Crocheting can be frustrating to learn with guides made for right-handers. By using the following simple steps and practicing the stitches, you'll be crocheting like a pro in no time.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Make a slipknot. Make a loop with the yarn and push a second loop through the first. Slip the hook through the second loop and tighten the yarn.

2. Hold the hook in your left hand. You can either hold the hook like a pencil (with the hook as the tip) or like a knife (with the hook as the blade). Try both positions and use what's most comfortable for you.

3. Control the yarn with your right hand to maintain tension. Grab the slipknot between the thumb and middle or ring finger of your right hand. Weave the yarn that leads to the ball or skein through the fingers of that hand and drape the yarn closest to the working area over the first finger.

4. Do a chain stitch through the slipknot. With your right hand, wrap the yarn clockwise around the front and over the top of the hook (called "yarning over"). Catch the yarn in the crook of the hook and pull it through the loop of the slipknot.

5. Continue chain stitching as instructed by your pattern or until you reach your desired length.

6. Start single crocheting in the second row. While holding the chain in your right hand, insert the hook into the loop of the chain stitch three stitches away from the hook. Yarn over and bring the yarn through. Yarn over once more and bring the yarn through both loops on the hook.

7. Carry on crocheting as instructed by your pattern or until you reach the end of the row.

Tips & Warnings

• You can double or treble crochet in a similar manner with only a slightly different technique.
• If using a picture pattern, realize they're usually for right-handers. You create your foundation row from right to left, instead of from left to right. Be sure to read the pattern accordingly, or the resulting picture on your project will be a mirror image to the pattern.