Understanding The Crochet Basics and How to Start Crochet If you are a beginner at crochet
What are the differences between US and UK crochet terminology?
I am in the UK and there IS a slight difference between UK crochet terminology and US crochet terminology.
All of LisaAuch Crochet Patterns are made in US Terms.
Well just to confuse you even more US and UK terms use the same stitch names, but they refer to different stitches.
UK stitch names are always one step up from the US ones. For example, a US double crochet (dc) is a UK treble crochet (tr).
The easiest way to recognise a US Term written crochet pattern is IF it has a Single Crochet Stitch (Sc)
SO REMEMBER : US terms start with single crochet (sc), while UK terms start with double crochet (dc).
How to Make a Slip Knot to Start Crochet
The first thing to learn is how to make a slip knot. Lay the end of the yarn over the left-hand palm side up. Wrap the yarn around the back of your fingers and bring the yarn up across the palm of your hand crossing over the other piece of yarn, bring yarn under the yarn wrapped around the back of your fingers and pull up. Slip Knot made. Insert a hook in the opening.
How to Hold a Crochet Hook
Hold the hook like a pencil or if you find a better way for you then do. There is no law saying you have to hold the hook a certain way.
Holding yarn: One way is to Hold a slip knot with the thumb and second finger of your left hand, loop the working yarn over the first finger of your left hand and hold it loosely across the palm of your hand with your remaining 2 fingers.
How to Make a Chain for crochet -
Making a Chain: Try not to work to tight, relax and work loosely. Place slip knot on hook, hold hook in right hand and working yarn and base of sliip knot in your lest hand, bring yarn over hook, draw yarn through slip knot. (first chain made). Make sure you always bring yarn over hook from back to front. If your hook slip out of your work be sure to reinsert it through the front of the stitch.
HOw to make the crochet stitches
I like to get people to make a small square and just keep repeating the process of the stitches
Single Crochet (Sc) : Chain 11 stitches loosely, (you need to be able to put your hook back through these chains to create the first row of the stitches.
Insert the hook into the back ridge of the second chain from the hook. Bring yarn over the hook and draw a loop through the ridge. You now have two loops on the hook, bring yarn over the hook again and draw through both loops on hook. Single Crochet Made.
When you get to the end of your chains you should have 10 single crochets made.
To begin the next row, you must make a turning chain to raise the yarn to the correct height to work next row.
Chain 1 for turning chain.
Turn work around, insert hook under both top loops of single crochet closest to hook, bring yarn over hook and draw loop through, bring yarn over hook again and draw through both loops on hook. Do not work into turning chain. Work at least 5 more rows for practice.
Finish or Fasten off: At end of last row, cut yarn leaving 4" end. Bring loose end through last loop on hook and thighten. Now your stitches won't unravel.
Half Double Crochet: (Hdc) Chain 11 stitches, loosely. Bring yarn over hook (keeping new loop on hook), insert hook in third chain from hook, yarn over again and pull up a loop, yarn over draw through all 3 loops on hook at once. Turning chain you chain 2 stitches and turn work.
Double Crochet:(Dc) Chain 12 stitches loosely. Yarn over hook, insert hook in fourth chain from hook, yarn over and pull up a loop (3 loops on hook). Yarn over and draw through first 2 loops on hook, yarn over and draw through remaining 2 loops on hook. Turning chain you chain 3 stitches and turn work.
Triple Crochet (Trc) (sometimes called Treble Crochet; Chain 13 stitches loosely.
Yarn over twice, insert hook in 5th chain from hook, yarn over and pull a loop ( 4 loops on hook), yarn over and draw through first 2 loops on hook, yarn over and draw through next 2 loops on hook, yarn over and draw through remaining 2 loops on hook. Turning chain you chain 4 stitches and turn work.
How to Increase in Crochet
Increasing: Most common way to increase is by working 2 stitches in the same stitch. Example: Single Crochet one row and turn, so you can see the increase in practicing Do the increase in the middle of your row, sc in next st, sc in the same stitch you just did your first sc in. This is an increase.
How to Decrease in Crochet
Decreasing: To decrease insert hook in next stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop, insert hook in next stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop, yarn over, and draw through all 3 loops at once. decrease made.
Abbreviations used in Crochet / Crochet Terminology
beg = begin or beginning
bl(s) = back loops
ch(s) = chains
dc = double
dec = decrease
hdc = half double
crochet
inc = increase or increasing
lp(s) = loops
patt = pattern
prev = previous
rem = remain or remaining
rep = repeat
rnd(s) = round(s)
sc = single
sk = skip
sl slip
sl st(s) = slip stitch(es)
sp(s) = space(s)
st(s) = stitch(es)
Ch = turning chain
tog = together
TrC = Triple Crochet
yo = yarn over
Working into the Front or Back loops
FL = Front loop - is the loop toward you at the top of the stitch
BL = Back loop - is the loop away from you at the top of the stitch.
Working into or AROUND the Posts of Stitches
The Post of the stitech - is the vertical (up and down) part of the stitch.
Fp = FRONT POST Crochet Stitch You will work around the FRONT Vertical Up and down part/POST of the specified Stitch
Bp = BACK POST Crochet Stitch You will work around the BACK Vertical Up and down part/POST of the specified Stitch
Crochet Symbols used in Crochet Patterns and their Meaning
* (asterisk) - used to mark the beginning of a portion of instructions which will be worked more than once; thus, "rep from *twice* means after working the instructions once, repeat the instructions following the asterisk twice more (3 times in all
( ) (parenthesis) - are used to enclose instructions that should be worked the exact number of times specified immediately following the parentheses, such as: (ch 3, dc) twice. They are also used to set off and clarify a group of stitches that are to be worked all into the same space or stitch, such as: in corner sp work (2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc).
[ ] (brackets) and ( ) parenthesis are used to provide additional information to clarify instructions.
Work even = means to continue to work in the pattern as established (exactly what you are doing), without increasing or decreasing.
Wrong Side = Wrong side of work. The side that will not show when the project is in use.
Right Side - The side that will show when the project is used or worn.
When reading crochet directions, it is important to read them just as you learned how to read a book in school. Start the sentence and remember to pause at punctuation marks, following the instructions to that point. After one punctuation mark, continue working until you reach the next punctuation mark or abbreviations following the instructions (pattern) to that point. Then continue on again.
When you atart learning how to crochet. You will be looking to bring all your newfound crochet knowledge into practive.
What can you crochet as a beginner? How about an easy Earwarmer Headband. Would you believe it is so simple to crochet a headband that most people start with an Easy Croche project like the Earwarmer?
EASY V Stitch - Great for a baby blanket
Advanced Crochet Stitches and Patterns