Learn Crochet: Part 1

Transcription

1 Mom s Crochet Patterns written by Sandy Marie Learn Crochet: Part 1 Includes: Beginner s Basics, Crochet Chain, Single Crochet and More. Plus the Single Crochet Potholder Pattern.

2 Learn Crochet: Part 1 Includes: Beginner s Basics, Crochet Chain, Single Crochet and More. Plus the Single Crochet Potholder Pattern. page number 1 To learn to crochet you need some yarn, a crochet hook, scissors, patience with yourself and a little time. Of all the fiber art crafts I believe crocheting is the easiest to learn. Beyond the crochet lessons are hundreds of things to create, do and learn. Trust a 40+ year veteran when I tell you that you'll never get tired of this craft. Because I can't sit down on the couch with you I've included lots of pictures, to show you how, as I'm also teaching you. To learn how to crochet is easy if you just follow the step-by-step process presented. You will need: Crochet Cotton: When you learn to crochet I prefer you use crochet cotton. The 'brand' (in this case Lily) and the color is not important. What is important is that its Worsted, 4-Ply. Generally you can find a 2 oz. ball for around $ $3.00 dollars. I prefer crochet cotton because its easy to work with and forms clean stitches, during your crochet instruction, that are easy to count. Oh - don't use black or real dark colors to start - they are harder to count stitches. I / MM Crochet Hook: This is a good beginner's size hook. It produces a nice size stitch that's easy to work with. I like metal hooks when giving crochet lessons because the fiber slides on them nicely and they do not break easily. Some people will switch to wood (bamboo) or plastic as they progress with their craft and that's perfectly okay. The aluminum crochet hooks usually cost between $ $3.00 each. A Small Scissors: Really, any size scissors will do - the small one is just a preference of mine because it fits nicely in my purse and crochet hook holder. I also find it easier to work with when clipping yarn in hard to reach areas of a finished piece. You can find a nice one for If you wish to sell items you ve made with this pattern please reference Mom s Crochet in your product description, as the place you purchased the pattern, and use this link: All text and photos are original. Copyright by Sandy Marie All rights reserved. No part of this document may be copied or reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without prior written permission from the author. You can contact Sandy Marie via Mom s Crochet ( or Mom s Crochet Shop ( MomsCrochetShop), on FaceBook ( or at: MomsCrochet@gmail.com.

3 around $ $6.00 dollars. page number 2 Patience With Yourself: All great crafters (no mater the craft) have to start at the beginning, and usually the first attempts are not perfect. Just relax! The more you practice, the better you'll become. A Little Time: You will honestly enjoy this more if you set a little time each day to play. Don't try to do a marathon. You could even make it 'special' YOU time by getting a cup of your favorite beverage and putting on some nice relaxing music in the background. As you learn to crochet, I'll also be including some wonderful patterns that will help you practice your new skill and make some nice things. Making A Slip Knot The crochet slip knot puts the yarn on the crochet hook in a manner that can be undone if you need to. I admit, when I started crocheting I didn't know how and simply tied the yarn onto the hook. As I made mistakes (and had to unravel) I ended up cutting a lot of yarn ends to get rid of the knot. Even after I learned how to make the slip knot, I thought it was a pesky step I didn't have to take. Now, I don't start a project without it. As you learn to crochet, take the time to learn this now and make it a habit right from the beginning. The nicest thing about this knot is that you can make it loose or tight and adjust it as you need. It also makes a nice first stitch that you can easily crochet into as you proceed with your project. The Pretzel I started calling this a Pretzel way back when I was young, it sort of stuck with me. Starting with the loose end you make a loop and bring the connected end over the loose end and around behind the loop. To thread the Knot on your Crochet Hook you pick up the yarn that went behind the loop, keeping the loop (top and bottom) behind the hook. You can practice this on a table top to get the hang of what a it does. When I'm teaching crochet for beginners I have them do a few on a table. However, most people want to do this using their fingers instead of a table top.

4 Making The Slip Knot On Your Fingers page number 3 Hold the yarn so the loose end hangs down, gently secure this with your thumb. Loosely wrap the yarn behind and around your index finger and middle finger. Gently secure both threads, where they cross, with your thumb. Drop your middle finger out of the loop. Allow the connected-to-the-yarn end to fall behind the loop. You've just made the pretzel on your fingers. Your crochet hook picks up the thread that fell behind. Basically it goes over the first thread, under the next, and over the last.

5 Tightening The Knot: page number 4 Holding the yarn in place, on the crochet hook, with your right index finger. Gently pull both threads to tighten the knot. Drop the loose end thread and pull on the thread that's connected to your yarn. This will move the knot up to the crochet hook. Not too tight, you need to be able to move the knot on your crochet hook. Congratulations! You've just attached the yarn to your crochet hook with a slip knot. Holding Your Yarn, Making A Chain Stitch The Chain Stitch is the hub of every crochet project. Every other stitch is a variation of it and your first row is connected to it. So why does it feel like the most boring part? I don't have the answer. All I know is that everyone I've taught feels this way. Maybe because its so easy? Maybe because people are waiting to 'actually' make something? No matter why - it is important to learn how to crochet a chain and practice it until you can do it evenly with little effort. However, before you even start making a crochet chain you need to figure out how to hold your yarn and crochet hook. Honestly, everyone does it a little different. The goal of holding your yarn is to create good tension (for even stitches) yet allow it to flow. The picture on the next page shows how I hold it. Try my way, use it for awhile and understand that you'll find what's right for you. Contrary to what many books say there is no RIGHT or WRONG way, so long as your end result comes out correct and its comfortable for you.

6 page number 5 By the way, its all going to feel strange and uncomfortable at first (* smile *). Creating The Chain Yarn Over The Hook: This is the way most books tell you to 'hook' your yarn. Holding the 'tail' of the slip knot with your thumb and finger, hook the yarn around the crochet hook. Pull the hooked yarn through the loop that is the slip knot. (I took my right hand out so I could get a better picture.) Yarn In Front Of The Hook: This way accomplishes the same result and may be easier for some people. Holding the 'tail' of the slip knot with your thumb and finger, hook the yarn from behind the crochet hook. Pull the hooked yarn through the loop that is the slip knot. And pull the loop through - making the next loop, or chain stitch. And pull the loop through - making the next loop, or crochet chain stitch. Try both ways of pulling the thread through loops and see which way makes the best and most even chain for you. I actually suggest practicing both methods as you may want to use one or the other depending on the yarn you pick for your project. I personally find that, with thicker fiber, I like to pull through from the front - however when working with very fine thread like fiber I like to hook it around (for security).

7 Single Crochet: One of the most basic crochet stitches. page number 6 The single crochet stitch is one of the most basic and most dense stitches in crochet. It makes beautiful warm sweaters, hats, scarves and much more. When you want to create a solid fabric this is the stitch to use. When you learn to crochet this is usually the place to start. This is a swatch of single crochet. Counting Chain Stitches (you need to know where to begin) The first thing that mystified me was counting chain stitches - where did I really start? When a pattern says, "Start in the third chain from the hook," what exactly was that third chain? When counting chains from the hook - never - count the loop that's on the hook itself. The picture to the left shows how you would count them. In single crochet you start in the second chain from the hook. I've marked that one with the tip of my scissors.

8 What Part of the Chain Loop Do You Pick Up? page number 7 If you look carefully at a chain stitch you'll see that there are 3 strings. The picture on the previous page shows you 2 and there is 1 string in the back. The back string is usually picked up (crocheting into the bottom loop) and rides on top of the hook. However, there are times when a pattern will tell you to just pick up the top loop - this is usually when finishing work needs to be done, or special sewing. Most of the time you will be picking up stitches in your chain like this picture. There will be one loop on the bottom of your hook and two loops on the top. This leaves a nice finished edge. When a pattern doesn't tell you how - this is usually the method to use. If items need to be sewn together or special things added, like fringe, you'll only pick up the top loop of your chain. This gives you working room, at the bottom, of your project. If picking up the top loop is important most patterns will tell you, however I've seen some that do not. If you're not told how, stop and think about your project - and remember - if you to need to work into the chain end, just pick up the top loop of the chain. This is another example of how I hold my yarn while working.

9 Making The Actual Single Crochet Stitch page number 8 Working into the top of the Chain (loop) Stitch is easier to photograph, so this is what I'm using. This will also set you up to make the first pattern, The Single Crochet Potholder. Hook the yarn and pull it through the loop. This leaves you with 2 loops on your hook. Hook your yarn again (this can either be done in front (pictured to the left) or around (pictured to the right). Pull that loop through BOTH loops on the crochet hook. You've just made your first stitch. Continue this across the chain.

10 At The End Of The Row, Chain One and Turn Your Work page number 9 When you reach the end of a row you will always need to chain a few stitches before you turn your work to go back in the other direction. In the case of Single Crochet you will Chain One and Turn. Simply chain one stitch into the loop that's on your crochet hook. Then turn your work so you are ready to go in the opposite direction. Crocheting Into The Next Row When crocheting back (the next row) you'll insert your hook under the two threads at the top. For a more ribbed look you can pick up just the back loop. Most patterns will tell you what loop to pick up. If they don't say, pick up both as you see in this picture.

11 page number 10 Just like before you'll pick up the yarn on the other side... and draw it through. This time make sure to bring it through both loops that your hook went under. With two loops on your crochet hook, draw another loop through both. This is the 'pattern' you'll follow for all your Single Crochet work. This is what 2 rows look like.

12 Counting Single Crochet Rows page number 11 Last, but not least, in crochet for beginners is counting rows. The following pictures show you how to count them. Row #1 Row #2 Row #3 Row #4 Single Crochet Potholder - Next The Single Crochet Potholder, pictured to the left, is the pattern that goes along with these instructions. If you wish to sell items you ve made with this pattern please reference Mom s Crochet in your product description, as the place you purchased the pattern, and use this link: All text and photos are original. Copyright by Sandy Marie All rights reserved. No part of this document may be copied or reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without prior written permission from the author. You can contact Sandy Marie via Mom s Crochet ( or Mom s Crochet Shop ( MomsCrochetShop), on FaceBook ( or at: MomsCrochet@gmail.com.

13 Single Crochet Large Potholder page number 12 This Crochet Potholder pattern goes with Lesson 1. It is completely single crochet, extra large (8.5 inches x 8.5 inches) making it a wonderful addition to the kitchen, double sided for protection, and beautiful. Match the colors of your kitchen and make a bunch of them! Once you use one of these I bet you put away all your smaller ones. Plus they make great trivets for baking / serving dishes on the table and it's even big enough to set a frying pan on. All beginner crochet patterns that I write are in full language with abbreviations in parenthesis. Always remember its helpful to read through the entire pattern before you begin. Materials and Tools: 2, 2 ounce balls of crochet cotton, worsted, 4 ply. I like picking a variegated (several related colors in one ball) color and a solid color that matches one of the colors in the variegated ball. A size I / mm Crochet Hook. If you go with a smaller crochet hook (like size H / mm) your stitches will be a little tighter and your crochet pot holder will be a little smaller. Naturally, a larger hook (like size J / mm) will make looser stitches and a slightly larger potholder. I would not go lower than size H or higher than size J. A small scissors (any scissors will do, you just need it to cut the cotton). Gauge is not important in this crochet potholder pattern. If you wish to sell items you ve made with this pattern please reference Mom s Crochet in your product description, as the place you purchased the pattern, and use this link: All text and photos are original. Copyright by Sandy Marie All rights reserved. No part of this document may be copied or reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without prior written permission from the author. You can contact Sandy Marie via Mom s Crochet ( or Mom s Crochet Shop ( MomsCrochetShop), on FaceBook ( or at: MomsCrochet@gmail.com.

14 Pattern Instructions: page number 13 You will start with the ball of cotton that you picked for the inside (or the business side) of your crochet potholder. Chain (ch) 31 stitches. Row 1: Crocheting into the Chain (ch) - Single Crochet (sc) in the second, top loop only, from the crochet hook. Crochet across the chain (ch) for a total of 30 single crochet (sc) stitches. (It may be easier to have a piece of scratch paper handy and log your rows with a hash mark on the paper. What you just finished would be row number 1.) Row 2: Chain (ch) 1 and turn your work. Picking up both loops at the top of each stitch, you will single crochet (sc), 30 stitches, back across.

15 page number 14 Rows 3-30: Continue to single crochet (sc) back and forth until you've complete a total of 30 rows. Always remember to chain (ch) 1 and turn your work at the end of each row. Do not be worried if it doesn't form a perfect square. It will square up during the last step. Cut your end yarn about 4 inches from the finished piece. Put the end through the loop and pull tight to make a knot. Next follow all the instructions again - only this time use your other ball of cotton (the one you picked as the outside or 'pretty' side of your crochet potholder). DO NOT cut the end this time.

16 Finishing Edge page number 15 To put the two pieces together you want one with rows going side to side and one with the rows going up and down. Not only will this pull your potholder into a square, but it will give you extra protection against heat when using it. Chain (ch) 1 and turn your work. Make sure that the inside piece is facing you and the outside piece is behind it. Line up the corners (one with rows horizontal and one with rows vertical). You will be single crocheting (sc) into both pieces at the same time. Go slow and make sure you catch each row and each stitch. Single crochet (sc) 30 stitches to the first corner. If you make sure you catch every row and every stitch the pieces will match up. If they don't match up you know you've missed some. In the corner (you have already crocheted one single crochet (sc) into it) single crochet (sc) 2 more stitches for a total of 3 in the corner. The next 3 sides will be 29 single crochet (sc) stitches to the corners - with 3 stitches in each corner.

17 The Hanging Loop page number 16 To create the hanging loop for your crochet potholder, chain (ch) 6 and connect with a slip stitch or simple knot. Here's a great trick to hide any threads left out! Insert your hook into one layer of the potholder and bring it back out as close to the loose thread as possible. Hook the yarn around and draw the thread inside between the layers. If you wish to sell items you ve made with this pattern please reference Mom s Crochet in your product description, as the place you purchased the pattern, and use this link: All text and photos are original. Copyright by Sandy Marie All rights reserved. No part of this document may be copied or reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without prior written permission from the author. You can contact Sandy Marie via Mom s Crochet ( or Mom s Crochet Shop ( MomsCrochetShop), on FaceBook ( or at: MomsCrochet@gmail.com.