by Kate H.
Crocheting is one of the most versatile fiber arts to explore. It can also be very daunting due to the amount of information there is to learn all at once! This blog will provide some information on crochet basics to help get you started. Check out our Knitting and Crochet Kit from our Kit Library and follow along to start practicing your crochet skills!
Choosing Your Yarn and Hook
The size of the yarn you are working with will have a recommended hook size that corresponds to the thickness of the yarn. On a new ball of yarn, the yarn and hook will be indicated on the yarn label. If you aren’t buying new yarn and has lost the label, you can use this guide to measure your yarn to see what hook size is best. The chart below can also give you a feel for the recommended hook and yarn sizes that go together.
| Yarn Weight | Category Name; Recommended Yarn to Use | Crochet Hook Size |
| 0 | “Lace”: Fingering Crochet Thread | 6, 7, 8 Regular hook B–1 |
| 1 | “Super Fine”: Sock, Baby | B–1 to E–4 |
| 2 | “Fine”: Sport | E–4 to 7 |
| 3 | “Light”: DK, Light Worsted | 7 to I–9 |
| 4 | “Medium”: Worsted, Afghan, Aran | I–9 to K–10 1⁄2 |
| 5 | “Bulky”: Chunky, Craft, Rug | K–10 1⁄2 to M–13 |
| 6 | “Super Bulky”: Super Bulky, Roving | M–13 to Q |
| 7 | “Jumbo”: Jumbo, Roving | Q and larger |
Source: https://www.craftyarncouncil.com/standards/yarn-weight-system
Making a Slip Knot
A slip knot is used at the beginning of almost every crochet project. To make one, we need to know the different ends of the yarn. The end that is closest to the ball of yarn is called the “ball end” and the other end is called the “tail end”. We’re going to be holding the yarn in both hands with the tail end of the yarn in our right hand, leaving a couple of inches. In our left hand will be the ball end of the yarn – the end that’s closest to the ball.
Next, make a loop, crossing the tail end over the ball end of the yarn.
While holding onto where the two ends of the yarn cross over with your left hand, use your right hand to maneuver the tail end of the yarn so it’s behind the loop.
Holding both ends of the yarn, pull that loop up and through the circle.
Now place your crochet hook in your right hand and put the hook inside the loop we have made. Using your fingers, pull both ends of the yarn so the knot is secure around the shaft of the crochet hook.
How to Hold Your Crochet Hook
The most common way to hold your crochet hook is with an overhand grip. The overhand grip has the handle in the palm. The middle finger and palm meet between the thumb rest and handle. Our index finger will be on top to guide the hook. There are other grips to use, so find one that feels right for you.
How to Hold Your Yarn
There are a couple of different ways to hold your yarn. Choosing a way comes down to what is most comfortable for you. The way you hold the yarn directly affects how tightly or loosely the yarn is being pulled when your project is being made. This is called your “yarn tension.” To read more about yarn tension, follow this link.
To hold the yarn, start by holding it so the tail end is facing you in your right hand. Next, position your left hand so that your index and pinky fingers are under the yarn, while your middle and ring fingers are over it as seen below.
For more ways to hold your yarn, you can follow this link. There are other yarn holding techniques to get the right tension and for people who are left-handed, so find one that works for you.
Foundation Chain
A foundation chain is crucial when making a flat or oval crochet piece. After making a slip knot, make the chain by doing a technique called “yarning over” or “YO.” Yarning over is grabbing the yarn with the hook of the crochet hook and pulling that yarn through the loop that’s on the shaft of the hook. To yarn over, angle your hook to go behind the yarn so it can pull the yarn through the loop. This is one completed chain stitch. For practice do this 10 more times for a completed foundation chain.
If you lose track of how many stitches you have made, start by counting the “V” shapes after the slip knot. Counting stitches never includes the loop that’s on your hook, so make sure to not count that one!
Tip: You can undo stitches if you notice that you’ve made too many stitches or you don’t like the way one looks. Take your hook out of the loop and holding the yarn tail in your right hand pulling your working yarn to the left.
Single Crochet
Once you have made a foundation chain you can begin a crochet stitch called “single” crochet. The first step in doing single crochet is going to be using the 11 chains from the previous row (starting chain + row of 10). With the hook still in the loop, insert your hook into the upper part of the second stitch to the left of the hook. This will give the row its height.
At this point, you should have two loops on your hook. Next, yarn over. Position your hook so the yarn is wrapped around the hook, and pull your yarn through both loops that are on the hook.
To continue this row, you will insert your hook in the stitch closest to the hook and yarn over and pull through until you reach the end of the row.
To begin a 2nd row, make one extra chain and, while keeping your hook in the loop, turn your piece from left to right, so our tail end is on our right-hand side. You should be looking a the backside of your project. Next, insert your hook into the first stitch and yarn over, so you have two loops on the hook and then you will yarn over again and pull through both loops.
If you want to continue making more rows of single crochet, you will chain one (make your extra chain) and then repeat the single crochet stitch steps above. You will not repeat making a foundation chain.
Double Crochet
Double crochet stitch is similar to the single stitch, but with more height. Start practice the double stitch by making a foundation chain that has 14 loops on it. Then, you will skip to the fourth chain from the hook (not counting the chain on the hook already). After inserting your hook, yarn over and pull through the chain so that three loops are pulled up.
Next, yarn over and pull that yarn through the first two loops on the hook. Then yarn over and pull through the remaining loops. There should be one remaining loop on the hook when you’re done.
You will repeat all the steps previously listed to continue doing this stitch in a row, except for the step where you skipped to the fourth chain. That part is only for beginning your row.
For our second row, leave your hook in place and turn the piece so the yarn tail is on the right. Chain three extra stitches. Skip the stitch directly under our chain and yarn over before inserting our hook so it’s through both top loops. Continue making your double crochets across the row by yarning over, pulling through two of the loops on the hook, then pulling through the last two. Remember to only skip the four chains at the beginning of a row.
Magic Circle
Magic circles (or magic rings) are stitches used to begin projects that are shaped like a ball, like stuffed toys. Start a magic circle by laying your yarn over your index and middle finger on your left hand. Next, bring the yarn back around your fingers to form an “X” and use your thumb to hold down the intersection of the yarn. Turn your hand over so you’re looking at the back of your hand.
Looking at the strands from right to left, slide the hook under the first strand of yarn and over the second. Then pull the yarn while rotating the hook up so we end up with a loop on our hook. Then, use your hook to yarn over the left-hand side of the yarn and pull through the loop on our hook.
After making the first loop slide the ring off of your fingers. Start stitching in the magic ring by moving your hook through the middle of the circle and under the strands of the ring (or the tail ends of the yarn). Once the hook is positioned, yarn over and pull up a loop onto the hook and pull through both loops. That is one stitch in the magic ring.
Make more chains by pulling up your loops and going through the middle of the circle and under the two tail end strands. Tighten your ring at the end of each row by removing your hook and pulling the yarn tail. Begin the second row by inserting your hook into the loop of the stitch closest to the hook under both of the “V” shapes.
Tip: Use either safety pins or yarn clips to at the beginning of your rows to keep track of your stitches.
Next time you’re in Ignite check out our Knitting and Crochet Kit to give these stitches a try. Join us on the 2nd Thursday of every month for Fiber Friends to work on your crochet projects and get advice from your neighbors. Post your makes to the Ignite Community Discussion Board on Facebook, and Happy making!
