After learning how to make a slip knot and crochet chain, you are now ready.
So here's a step by step tutorial of how to make a single crochet.
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| How to make a Single Crochet |
Happy crocheting!
Crochet Basics: Single Crochet
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Crochet Basics: How to make a Chain
We are done with making a slip knot. Now we are ready to make chains.
Please click the photos to enlarge.
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| Crochet Basic Stitches from famgr.com |
It started with a slip knot. Insert the hook into the slip knot. yarn over and pull through. Now, here's how we can work in the chain.
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| Crochet Basic Stitches from famgr.com |
I always do the Method B. I insert the hook under the top two loops of chain. The illustration above is very important in reading crochet patterns. You need to know how to count the chains. For example, when the pattern say make a single crochet in the 2nd chain from the hook, then count the nearest chain to the hook and don't start with the loop into where the hook is inserted.
That's how to make and work in the chain. Next time I will show you how to make single, double and triple crochet.
Excited? Why not buy your own hook and yarn now? Just a tip, if you are just practicing how to crochet, buy light colored yarns. This is because it's difficult to see your stitches when you work with yarns in dark colors.
Happy crocheting!
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Crochet Basics: The Slip Knot
Are you ready? After we have learned about the different types of crochet hooks and the crochet yarns, let's move to the crocheting basics.
But before we go on, you must know how to make a slip knot. Slip knot or slip loop is used in crochet to attach the yarn to the needle. It's the first step in crocheting chain and is counted as the first st.
So this is a step by step demonstration in making a slip knot. Please click on the photo to enlarge.
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| How to make a slip knot |
This is the easiest way I can teach you how to make a slip knot. And if you already know how to make a slip knot then you are now ready to make chains.
Happy crocheting!
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Crochet Basics: How to Hold and Control the Yarn
After I showed you the different types of yarn, let's us learn how to hold and control the yarn.
Here are illustrations showing how to how the yarn. (Click the photo to enlarge)
At first, it is hard to hold the yarn. The first time I hold the yarn, it will accidentally slip out of my hands so I have to position it again. Until such time I get used to it and I became less conscious about it.
Anyway, here are ways to control the yarn. (Click the photo to enlarge)
Source: how-to-crochet.co.uk
Want to see how we hold the yarn and the hook?
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| This is me holding the yarn and the hook |
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| This is Daddy Allan holding the yarn and the hook |
See, we crochet differently. Daddy crochets a little tighter than I do. There's this one time we try to crochet a pair of booties. I crochet the other half and Daddy crochet the other one. We follow the same pattern then when we try to compare sizes, mine is larger. Lol. So what to do? We have different tension so we can't crochet one same project that's why we have division of projects instead.
Do you still find crocheting hard? Yes at first, but practice makes perfect right?
Happy crocheting!
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Crochet Basics: Different Types of Yarn
Since we already know the anatomy of the hook, the different types and how to hold it, let's move to the yarn. Like the hook, there are different types of yarns. I was actually overwhelmed with the different yarns I am seeing. And I will confess, I am a yarn addict now.
So here are the different types of yarn. (Click on the photo to enlarge)
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| Types of Yarns and the Recommended Hook |
Actually, there are different categories and types of yarns that falls into each category. Generally, the yarn is categorize by weight and labelled from 0 to 6, 0 being the thinnest and 6 the thickest. You can also see in the above table the recommended hook for a particular type of yarn. This is what I am telling you before that using the wrong hook will make you insane, haha.
My yarn stash includes mesmerized cotton yarn, classic cotton yarn, light worsted yarn, and of course the most common acrylic yarn. I thought before that the only crochet yarns are the mesmerized cotton and the acrylic yarns since these are available in bookstores, sewing supply stores, mall, and anywhere :)
Even with a big stash already, I still want to buy more yarns. I am always panicking when I see that my stash is slowly disappearing (because we are using them to make cute handmade accessories).
So that's the different types of yarn. Next post will be about how to hold a yarn and control it.
Happy crocheting!
Source: Crochet Spot
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Crochet Basics: How to Hold a Crochet Hook
I am figuring out what is the right way to hold a crochet hook. This is because Daddy and I have different ways to hold a crochet hook.
I hold my crochet like a knife and daddy hold his hook like a pencil. Which is the right way? That's what I try to find out.
There are two basic ways to hold a crochet hook. Most of the crocheter I have seen is doing this method.
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| Pencil Method from Crochet Spot |
As I already said, Daddy Allan holds his hook like a pencil. I tried holding my hook like a pencil but I had a hard time crocheting. The yarn keeps on slipping and I can't control the yarn. That's why I just hold my hook like a knife.
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| Knife Method from Crochet Spot |
For me, the knife method is easier and I can crochet faster. Downside for me is when I crochet too long, I feel a sore in the upper part of my palm. So I have to know when to stop, which is by the way hard as crocheting is so addicting. Promise, you will have hard time stopping your self until you have finished a masterpiece.
Actually, there's no right or wrong way to hold a crochet hook. Choose the method you are comfortable.
So how do you hold a crochet hook?
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Crochet Basics: Types of Crochet Hook
As I have said in my previous post about the anatomy of crochet hook, there are different types of crochet hooks to choose from. And here are the most popular hooks.
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| Steel Hooks from Crochet Spot |
Steel Hook is the first hook we bought. I remember it was the hook I used when I did my mother did my crochet project in my home economics class way back in my Elementary days. I think this hook goes well with cotton yarn for making appliques and laces.
When we are just starting our crocheting business, I practice crocheting using steel hook that Daddy bought. I used it with acrylic yarn and its an epic fail, haha. Since I use the smaller steel hook, the acrylic yarn keeps on slipping out and I can't even make chains properly. It's so hard to yarn over then pull through the stitch. That makes me want to quit and not go on with crocheting. I just thought you can use any hook with any yarn but it's not.
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| Aluminum Hooks from Crochet Spot |
Aluminum Hook saved my crocheting. One day, after work, I went to a sewing supply store and asked them if they have larger hooks. The sales lady showed me a larger size of steel hook but still that won't give me an easy time with acrylic yarn. So I asked her again, I said I want a larger hook. She looked around and found an aluminum hook. I showed that to Daddy and the rest is history =)
I am planning to buy either Bates or Boyes aluminum hook. These are much expensive than what I bought at that store but the quality is much better. The cheaper aluminum hook has a problem with the fading cover/surface paints making the hook rough and so the yarn will not be held smoothly.
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| Bamboo Hooks from Crochet Spot |
Bamboo Hook is getting popular nowadays. This is because compared to aluminum hook, about 60% lighter. When you are used to using aluminum hook then you will surely encounter tension problem using this.
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| Acrylic Hooks from Crochet Spot |
The acrylic hook is new to me. This is said to be weighed as light as the bamboo hooks.
Aluminum, bamboo and acrylic hooks have the same sizes. Aluminum and acrylic hooks comes in different colors just like the photos above.
Also, I just learned that hooks have two structure, the inline throat and "not inline" (tapered) hook.
This is an inline hook. The width of the throat is the same all the way down the hook. You can see that the head of the hook is in line with the body. This design helps crocheter to keep more even gauge.
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| Inline Hook from Nerdigurumi |
And this the "not inline" hook. You can see that the "not inline" (tapered) hook has a much smaller head compared to where the throat meets the shaft.
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| Not Inline Hook from Nerdigurumi |
I look at my hook and I have "not inline" hook. Though most of the crochet patterns I see don't specify an inline or not inline gauge. I have yet to try an inline hook and see the difference. Most Bates hooks are inline hooks so I will buy one set of this to know the difference.
So that's the different kinds of crochet hooks. Next post will be about how to hold a hook.
What's the hook you are using now? Please share.
Happy crocheting!
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Crochet Basics: The Anatomy of a Crochet Hook
Even if I am very much into crocheting, I am not that familiar with the parts of a hook. So let's look at the anatomy of a crochet hook.
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| Anatomy of a Crochet Hook |
Aside from that, hooks have different sizes too. Just like the crochet pattern terms, there's also crochet hook conversion chart.
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| Crochet Hook Conversion Chart |
I frequently use the size 5 and 6 hooks. You need to determine what size of hook to use in a specific type of yarn so your project will appear good and sturdy.
There are so many things to learn about the basics of crocheting. Hook is just one and there are types of hook as well. Next time we will discuss about the types and kind of hooks available.
Happy Crocheting!
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The White Collection
If you love the Purple Collection, then I am sure you will love this White Collection too.
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| Crochet White Boots, Flower Headband and Hat |
Happy crocheting!
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The Purple Collection
I called this set as the Purple Collection. I think I made this set 3 times already.
Daddy made the hat as usual and I crochet the rest.You can get the free pattern of boots here.
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| Crochet Purple Boots, Doll Booties, Flower Headband and Hat |
They are cute right? I have been receiving many inquiries about this already. I will show our "white collection" next time.
Happy crocheting!
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