How to Begin Crocheting

Similar to knitting, crocheting is pulling loops of yarn through other loops using a crochet hook. It has been around for a while and can be enjoyable to do while watching TV, at the ball game, or practically anywhere.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Crochet hook
• Yarn

1. Buy a crochet hook and some yarn. Look for a nice sized hook like H, I, or G. Then buy yarn that is meant to be used with that size hook. This information should be on the yarn label.

2. If you know someone who crochets, ask them to show you the basis of crocheting. It is easiest to learn by watching someone. If you don't know anyone who crochets, then consider for a moment how your learn best. Do you learn from example or seeing it in black and white? Either look for online how to videos or books on crocheting to get started.

3. At the heart of crocheting is the chain. To start hold the hook between your thumb and index finger. Hold the yarn with your other hand. Next wrap the yarn twice around the hook, then move the hook through the two loops to begin the chain. Basically you are making an anchor for your chain.

4. Next take the hook and grab the yarn. Then drag it through the chain. Most projects like making a granny square begin with the chain. You will have to do a chain of five or six to start your project. Now you know the very basics of crocheting: the chain.

5. Practice crocheting by finding easy, beginner patterns. There are several ways to do different crochet projects. Look for ones that specifically say that they are for beginners.

Tips & Warnings

• Use yarn for your first project since it's larger and easier to manage. Hold off on tackling dollies and other small threaded projects until you are comfortable with crocheting.
• If you mess up something, simply unravel to begin again.
• Working with cheap yarn can be frustrating since it becomes fuzzy and loose. Practice with it but use better quality yarn for actual projects.

[coachmac4]

on 6/20/2008 Thanks for this article! My mom taught me how to crochet but now I can't quite remember how to do it!