Step-By-Step Instructions on How to Crochet for Beginners
I first started to crochet when I was 10 years old. In fact I could crochet before I learned to knit. Once you learn a couple of the basic stitches such as the foundation chain stitch, which is dead easy and doubles and trebles you will soon be making your own blankets, cushion covers, baby's clothes etc.
Crochet dates from the sixteenth century. About 1840 it became fashionable in England, and has ever since been one of the most popular kinds of work. All the basics for crochet are dealt with in this article.
How to Crochet and What Cotton to Use
Choice of Cotton. - It varies in number from 000 to 60 - that is, from very coarse to very fine; 26, 28, 30 are useful for ordinary purposes, and 36, 40, 50, and 60 for very fine work.How to Crochet and What Hook to Use
Choice of Hook or Needle. - Choose a smooth one, and select it according to the thickness of the cotton. Hooks vary by half sizes, from 1 to 6, 4 1/2 being a good medium size. I prefer using a metal hook rather than the plastic or acrylic ones as the yarn slips off better with the metal crochet hooks.How to Crochet and How to Hold your Work
When working, hold the hook lightly in the right hand in a horizontal position, and with the left hand grasp the work and hold the last stitch between the thumb and forefinger. Put the cotton over first and second fingers, under the third, and over the little finger of the left hand (see illustration). Remember it is dangerous to carry hooks about without a holder.
How to Crochet Different Types of Crochet Stitches
How to Crochet using a Chain Stitch
Method
of Making a Chain
Stitch (Fig. 1) . The crochet instructions for
making a slip-knot (see sketch); put
needle through it, and cotton over hook, and draw it through loop on
needle, and proceed in this manner for length of chain required.How to Crochet using the First Stitches
First Stitches (Fig. 2) . A foundation of chain is necessary for working all the stitches in to form the pattern.
How to Crochet using a Double Stitch
Double Foundation (Fig. 3). - This is a row of chain and single crochet worked into it - viz., put the hook into a foundation stitch and draw the cotton through it, and the loop on needle at the same time.
How to Crochet using a Cord Foundation Stitch
Cord Foundation Worked with Two Threads (Fig. 4). Crochet instructions: Make a slip-knot, put hock through it. Do the same with another length of cotton, and put hook through it (two loops on needle), and draw through both loops with the cotton on the left-hand side; then make one chain with the cotton on the right-hand side and one with the cotton on the left-hand side, and continue this alternately. Draw the cotton tightly after each stitch. Note. - This, if worked in black silk, makes a nice thick cord for eyeglasses or for draw-strings for work-bags, etc.
How to Crochet using a Single Crochet Stitch
Single Crochet (Fig. 5) . - Crochet instructions: Put the hook through a foundation stitch, draw the cotton through it, and through the loop on hook at the same time.Double Crochet (Fig. 6) . - Put the hook through a foundation stitch, draw the cotton through, put cotton over -needle, and draw it through both loops together.
How to Crochet using a Half Treble Stitch
Half Treble (Fig. 7) . - Crochet instructions: Cotton over hook, put hook through foundation stitch, draw it through; cotton again over hook and draw it through all three loops together.
How to Crochet using a Treble Stitch
Treble (Fig. 8). - Crochet instructions: Cotton over hook, put hook into a foundation stitch, draw cotton through (three loops on needle), cotton over hook, and draw it through two loops; cotton again over hook and draw it through the last two loops.
How to Crochet using a Double Treble Stitch
Double Treble (Fig. 9) .- Crochet instructions: Cotton twice over hook; put hook through foundation stitch, draw cotton through, then cotton over and draw it through two loops; cotton over, draw it through two more loops, cotton over, and draw it through the last two loops.
How to Crochet using a Treble Treble Stitch
Treble Treble . Work this in the same way as a double treble, only put the cotton over the needle three times at the commencement instead of twice.How to Crochet using a Double and Treble Stitch
Double and Treble (Fig. 10). - The 1st and 2nd rows are of double crochet; 3rd row 4 doubles, then 3 trebles into the 1st row (see sketch); repeat throughout row; 4th and 5th rows the same as 1st and 2nd. 6th row the same as 3rd row, but work the 3 trebles into the 3rd row to commence with, as this alternates the pattern. Repeat from 1st row.
Note. - In turning, do one chain.
More Advanced Crochet Stitches
How to Crochet using French Knots
French Knots on Crochet Patterns. - Crochet instructions: Make six trebles into a stitch of former row; remove hook, place it through back loop of 1st treble, and draw loop of 6th treble through it.
How to Crochet using Solomon's Knots
A Solomon's Knot (Fig. 11). - Crochet instructions: Make an ordinary chain stitch; draw it out loosely on hook, and make a double crochet into the back part of the stitch.
To Form Them into a Group (as will be given later in fancy patterns). - Start by making two Solomon's knots, then put the crochet hook into the first knot made, and draw the cotton through into a long loop, and * make another Solomon's knot; put cotton over hook and draw it through the loops on hook. Make another Solomon's knot, then put hook into the centre of next knot on the left-hand side, and draw a long loop through, and continue from*.
How to Crochet using a Picot Design
A Picot. - Crochet instructions: Make a certain number of chain (say five or six) and then a double crochet into the first or second stitch from hook, and this will make a small tight loop; then do one or two chain (according to whether the first or second stitch is worked into) into the next stitch on the crochet foundation. These small loops are often seen on the last round of a pattern.
How to Crochet Fringes
Fringes . - Crochet instructions: To make these, use a piece of cardboard the depth required for the fringe, Work from left to right. Make a slipknot, insert hook, and hold in position at top edge of card. * Place the cotton over the hook round the front of card, then up at the back of card, and with hook draw the thread under the front thread and make a double crochet stitch to keep it in place; continue * until the fringe is the required length.On the top of fringe work a small edging of some kind. Picots form a good one - viz., five chain and a double crochet into the first stitch, and continue to work a picot into every other stitch all along.
After the cardboard is removed it is a matter of taste whether the loops are cut or left double. This kind of fringe is specially useful for toilet mats and covers and for edging bathroom towels.
Some Tips and Advice on Crocheting for Beginners
Note. - In doing double crochet, directions usually say whether it is better to crochet through the front thread, back thread, or through both threads together. In each case the patterns produced are different.
In finishing off crochet, draw the cotton thread, or wool, through the loop and pull firmly, then thread the strand through a needle and darn it in and out through the work, making it quite secure and neat.
Very useful garments and beautiful patterns can be made out of two or three different kinds of stitches when these are well understood and grouped together properly.
VIDEOS ON HOW TO CROCHET
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LEARNING HOW TO CROCHET
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Going to the next line in crocheting Not rated yet
Okay, I have managed to make my first row and now would like to start my next line. How do I do so and have them connected? I cannot seem to figure it …
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