How to Properly Hold Yarn to Crochet

When you watch someone crochet, it appears that all their fingers are working together in a timed sequence. With a few tips on properly holding the yarn to crochet, you will be able to start producing hats and sweaters in no time at all. Use the following steps to learn how to hold the yarn properly to crochet.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Pull out a length of yarn from your spool or skein. Tie or knot around your crochet hook or needle with the yarn. If you are right-handed, you will hold the crochet hook in your right hand and your left hand will hold the yarn. If you are left-handed, switch hands so that the left hand holds the crochet hook and the right hand will hold the yarn.

2. Guide the yarn from the knot tied on the crochet hook with your little finger or your pinkie finger on your left hand. Move the yarn up in the palm of your hand, circling the little finger and continuing upward.

3. Loop the yarn between the index finger and middle finger, around the back of the index finger and back over to the open palm of the hand.

4. Use the middle finger and thumb on the left hand to hold the yarn as you crochet using the hook in your right hand.

5. Adjust the tension of the yarn with each crochet stitch by using the little or pinkie finger, the index finger and the middle finger of the left hand. With practice, you'll be able to properly gauge the right tension needed for each crochet stitch.