The best part of crocheting is that you don’t have to be an expert to learn how to crochet. There are plenty of free instructions and free patterns out there for beginners to try out, which will help you create your own crocheted item.
If you’re looking to learn a new craft, crochet is a great option to go for. Most people learn how to crochet by following a pattern and making different crochet stitches using yarn and a crochet hook.
It can be used to make a wide variety of items, from blankets for babies to afghans for large families. It’s a great way to combine your love of fabric with your love of yarn, thread, and sewing needles. It’s also a great hobby for beginners and experienced crocheters alike.
What is Crochet?
The word crochet comes from the French word “crochet” meaning a small hook. When most people think of crochet, they think of a type of sewing. The basic concept of how to crochet is to use a hook and a ball of yarn to create a loop in the yarn.
This loop is then used to make a series of stitches in the yarn, which create a fabric or other object. The stitches can be made in whatever direction you want.
Crochet and knitting are both forms of hand-sewing, hand-stitching, a method of creating knitted or crocheted fabric using a crochet hook or needles to make a raised fabric loop, often with thread or yarn used in the loop, which is then worked in the desired pattern.
The main difference between crochet and knitting is that crochet uses a crochet hook instead of a needle to make the stitches. This allows you to create textured fabric, such as blankets and clothing, rather than just flat pieces of fabric. Another difference between the two is that in crochet, the loops are made using the yarn rather than being made separately and then being joined.
1. Crochet Basic Tools and Supplies
Whether you began learning how to crochet recently or you are an experienced pro, there are a few important pieces of knowledge to remember to get the best crocheting experience. These include some basic things including a crochet hook, yarn, and other tools, plus thread, which are essential for crocheting. It’s a good idea to have them handy when you learn to how to crochet.
1.1. A Crochet Hook
A crochet hook is the most basic tool that you can use to make a crochet. It is used to pick up loops of yarn for making a chain, single or double cross-stitch, or other crochet techniques. This hook is shaped like a hollow cylinder or a cone and is often made of metal, wood, or plastic.
Different types of crochet hooks are available for different types of yarns and different uses. For example, a large hook is best for thick yarns or yarns that are heavier than average, such as alpaca or acrylic.
A small crochet hook is best for thinner yarns or yarns that are on the lighter side, such as cotton or silk. In addition, some hooks are designed for specific types of crocheting, such as a tapestry crochet hook, which is designed specifically to make tapestry crochet stitches.
The smaller hook is better for making fine crochet stitches, such as single or double crochet, while a larger hook is better for making larger, bulkier stitches.
Some hooks have specialized tips that are better for certain types of stitches, such as a special tip for making double crochet stitches. Some hooks have built-in stitch markers so that you can keep track of where your current stitch ends, which is especially helpful if you are making larger crochet.
Crochet hooks come in various sizes, weights, and materials. A crochet hook generally comes in a range of sizes, but the most common sizes are U.S. size I (3.25mm), U.S. size II (2.75mm), and U.S. size III (2mm).
The size of the hook that you need will depend on the yarn and stitch used in the project. Most crochet hooks also come with a plastic or rubber grip at the end to make holding the hook easier. Some hooks also come with extra-long handles to make them easier to use.
1.2. Crochet Yarns
Crochet yarns are used to make crochet and knitting patterns, and are made from, or contain multiple fibers. They are available in a variety of weights, sizes, colors, and textures, and are often made from 100% natural materials such as cotton or wool.
The most common yarns include cotton and acrylic. Yarn is often made with a blend of natural and synthetic materials, such as silk and wool (sheep, goat, alpaca, and rabbit).
As a general rule, natural materials such as cotton and wool are more luxurious, resilient, and breathable than synthetic materials. There are many varieties of crochet yarns. Some are sold as acrylic yarn, others are sold as wool yarn, and some are sold as a blend of the two. The type of yarn that is used makes a difference in the final crochet project.
For example, many yarns have natural vegetable dyes added to them and, as such, are more likely to have permanent and natural colors, making them less likely to fade or run.
1.3. Stitch Markers
A stitch marker is an object that is used to mark the beginning and end of stitches or rows in a crochet project. Fiber-reactive fiberfill is often used in combination with stitch markers to help you keep track of what you have done.
Markers work well for holding the chain in place but prevent you from counting or marking your stitches, so you may use them to help you stay on track. It’s often helpful to divide chains into shorter sections and mark each one with a stitch marker before you start. This helps you know where you are in a particular project so you don’t get lost when you have several chains in the same area.
1.4. A Ruler or Tape
You can use rulers or a measuring tape to measure and keep track of your crochet project. Especially when a certain length of crochet project is required to be done.
1.5. A Darning Needle
You can use a darning needle or tapestry needle to weave in ends when you are finished crocheting. You can often find them at the end of a pair of scissors or as a separate piece of equipment.
1.6. A Yarn or Thread Snip
Crochet scissors, or shears, are the most basic type of cutting tools used for snipping yarn or thread. The classic design of these scissors is made from stainless steel or plastic and they have a long, thin, and fairly sharp blade.
They are usually used to cut yarn of a certain size, and they usually come in sets with several different sizes of blades. They can trim, cut, or snip several different yarn types with a minimum of fuss.
2. Steps to Learning Crochet
The easiest way to learn how to crochet is to follow step-by-step instructions for the most common crochet stitches and patterns:
2.1. Holding The Crochet Hook
You can hold the hook in several ways, but the most common is to hold it like a pen. The thumb and forefinger are wrapped around the hook, with the other three fingers extended.
This provides a comfortable grip, but you need to experiment to see which style works best for you. Most people learn to hold the hook with this style, but you can also hold it like holding a knife.
The crochet hook has a flat portion that faces forward, and a curved portion that faces back. The hook should be held so that the curved portion is facing away from your fingers. This position makes it easier to manipulate the hook.
2.2. Holding The Crochet Yarn
The yarn is held in the crocheter’s hand by wrapping it over a finger or between the pointer finger and middle finger, depending on the size of the hook.
Yarn is usually held with the small finger of the non-dominant hand, and the hook is held by the thumb of that hand, and the index finger of the dominant hand, wrapped around the small finger and middle finger.
Holding the yarn with your non-dominant hand helps prevent tangling of the yarn, while also preventing the strands from spreading out.
2.3. Making Slip Knot
One of the most basic crochet skills is making a slip knot. A slip knot is a simple knot that can be used when crocheting in a continuous line. The slip knot prevents the yarn from slipping off the hook and prevents the strands from spreading out, which helps keep the stitch uniform. This can be done in several ways, depending on the type of yarn being used and the type of stitch being made.
The yarn is wrapped around the middle finger a few times, then the loop is pulled tight and the yarn is held in place with the thumb. This creates a loop that is easy to manipulate but doesn’t slip. The slip knot is the most common way to hold the yarn when making a stitch.
2.4. How To Yarn Over
Yarnovers are made by wrapping the yarn around the hook and then pulling it through the loop. This causes a small amount of yarn to be left on the hook and can be used in many ways to create a different look and to provide variety.
You can use yarn to make a new look on your crochet project, and it also changes the look of your work when you make your first crochet chain. Yarn overs are used primarily to add texture to the crochet, but they can also be used to make new stitches.
2.5. Making a Starting Chain
A starting chain is the first chain you make in a crochet project. It helps you get settled into the pattern and allows you to practice your crochet stitches. It is the first step of the crochet process.
For starters, a crochet chain is a series of linked chains that look like a chain-link fence. As you chain each stitch, you will notice that each chain is made with two smaller chains joined together. This is the hook-up chain, and it will help to keep the yarn from getting tangled.
When crocheting a starting chain, you wrap the yarn a few times around the hook, then pull through the loop to make a stitch. You can make a chain of any size, but it is easiest to start with a large hook.
2.6. Making A Single Crochet
The next step in making a crochet project is making a single crochet. This is the most basic of all the crochet stitches. It is made by pulling the yarn through the loop on the hook. This creates a new stitch that is linked to the previous one, so the chain continues to grow.
The yarn should be wrapped around the hook a few times before pulling it through the stitch. This creates a small circle with a closed loop on the hook. You can chain multiple single crochet stitches together to make a chain stitch, which you can then chain again to make another stitch.
2.7. Turning Chain
Turning chain is the second step in the crochet process. It is made by turning the chain or chains so that the first row of stitches is facing away from you.
This is done by turning the work 180 degrees clockwise after making turning chains. The turning chain(s) is the first opportunity to change direction in the crochet chain. The number of turning chains for single crochet is one, for a half double crochet is two, for double crochet is three, and, for triple crochet is four.
Now that you’ve made a turning chain, you’ll crochet several rounds. Insert your hook into the top loop of the next stitch. Yarn over and pull up a loop to complete the single crochet. Repeat the same pattern till the last single crochet of the previous row and the next row is completed.
3. Easy Crochet Stitch Patterns
Simple stitch patterns are great for beginners and kids! Learn how to crochet one of these and start crocheting something cool. You can even make your crochet stitch patterns and publish them online. If you’re looking for more ways to engage your kids in crocheting, check out these free crochet stitch patterns!
3.1. Crochet Hearts
The commonly used heart pattern crochet includes three basic stitches– the slip stitch, chains, and the single crochet. The crochet starts with making a magic ring and single crochet or SC stitches on the magic ring.
The number of SC increases in the next rounds as you work 2 SC in each stitch of the 1st round. This step is repeated to get the two humps of the heart and then they are joined together and then the number of SC is decreased to form the point and make the complete heart shape. You can use polyfill stuffing to fill the heart and then stitch the heart with a yarn needle to complete the work.
3.2. Easy Crochet Bag
The crochet tote bag is very easy to make and beginners can have some fun doing this pattern. The two rectangles of the tote bag are made by the repeated turns of half double crochet or dc and chain stitches.
After making these rectangles you need to join them using either a slip stitch or you can use a yarn needle to join them. You can make the straps separately or on the joined rectangles and stitch them to complete the bag.
3.3. Crochet Basket
The basic crochet basket is made by crocheting a magic circle and then working with the single crochet stitch or sc stitches thereafter. This pattern is repeated for as many as you need to make the shape you want.
The best part is that the crochet basket is very durable and can be used for storing things. You can use the basket for storing your crocheted items, yarn, and even your plants.
3.4. Crochet Coasters
Crochet coasters are a great way to have fun and use up your yarn stash. They are simple to make and they can be used for a multitude of purposes!
You can make a circle or a square coaster and use good quality yarn to make them more durable. Square one is very easy to try first for beginners. You can start the pattern using the starting chain and then work single crochet or SC stitches into the starting chain. Repeat the SC on each row to make the square-shaped coaster.
3.5. Crochet Scarf
A crocheted scarf is an easy, quick, and stylish way to add warmth to a look. The main material used for crocheted scarves is usually cotton, although other types are available. Wrap, cinch, and finish the scarf in any way you prefer.
You will begin to crochet the scarf by making a chain with eleven chain stitches. For this, you will need to use your hook size of 9 mm, and the chain stitch is also essential for the perfect scarf. Now continue the scarf by adding more rows with single crochet stitches until it reaches the required length and then fastens off to end the work.
There are plenty of free patterns available for beginners to try, which will help you create the basics of your first crocheted item. If you’re new to the world of crocheting, you’ll find that it’s a great hobby for beginners to try out. You can learn how to crochet as a way to relax your mind.
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Last Updated on by Sathi