How to crochet: a step-by-step guide

What do you need to start crocheting?

To start crocheting you need one crochet hook, one ball of smooth yarn, scissors and a tapestry needle for weaving in ends.

A light-colored medium worsted (category 4) acrylic or cotton yarn with a 5–5.5 mm hook makes stitches easy to see.

How do you hold a crochet hook and yarn?

Hold the crochet hook in your dominant hand like a pencil or a knife, and hold the working yarn over the fingers of the other hand to control tension.

Neither grip is wrong; choose the one that keeps your wrist relaxed.

1. Hold the hook with the hook head facing down toward you, thumb on the flat grip.
2. Drape the working yarn over your non-dominant index finger.
3. Weave the yarn under your middle finger and over your ring finger to add light tension.
4. Hold the base of the work between thumb and middle finger of the yarn hand.

How do you make a slip knot and a chain?

Make a slip knot by forming a loop with a tail, pulling working yarn through it, and tightening the loop onto the hook.

1. Leave a 6 inch (15 cm) tail and cross the working yarn over it to form a loop.
2. Pull the working yarn up through the loop with the hook.
3. Tighten the knot until it sits snugly on the hook shaft without squeezing it.
4. Wrap the yarn over the hook from back to front (yarn over).
5. Pull the yarn through the loop on the hook to make 1 chain.
6. Repeat until you have 20 chains — about 4 inches (10 cm) in worsted yarn.

How do you crochet your first row?

Crochet your first row by working one single crochet into each chain, starting in the second chain from the hook.

1. Insert the hook into the 2nd chain from the hook.
2. Yarn over and pull up a loop — 2 loops on hook.
3. Yarn over and pull through both loops to complete 1 single crochet.
4. Work 1 single crochet into each remaining chain — 19 stitches for 20 chains.
5. Chain 1 and turn the work to begin the next row.
6. Work 1 single crochet into each stitch of the previous row, counting 19 stitches.

What are the basic crochet stitches?

The basic crochet stitches are chain, slip stitch, single crochet, half double crochet, double crochet and treble crochet. Every other stitch pattern combines these in different placements.

What should you crochet first?

Crochet a dishcloth, a scarf or a single granny square first. These projects use one or two stitches, need no shaping and show quick progress.