How To Crochet
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Crocheting is not just for old ladies any more. Young
girls all over are learning and having a ton of fun. There
are some really neat things that you can make after
you learn to crochet. Once you learn how you can even
make some fast and easy bracelets that look great.
girls all over are learning and having a ton of fun. There
are some really neat things that you can make after
you learn to crochet. Once you learn how you can even
make some fast and easy bracelets that look great.
Slip Knot
First you have to learn how to make a slip knot. Leaving 6-8
inches of yarn at the end make a loop. Pull some of the yarn that
is connected to the ball through your loop to form a new loop.
Place your crochet hook into the new loop and gently pull the
short end to tighten the loop around the hook. You should have
made a knot just under the loop that is around the hook.
This can be tricky for beginners but keep trying.
Now you can start making your chain. Remember this is
supposed to be fun and relaxing. When you get frustrated just
stop for awhile. If you do not like how your chain looks just pull
out the hook. It will all unravel and you can start again. It might
take a little practice but when you get it all figured out you will
find it is easy and relaxing.
First Row (chain)
Now hold the hook with the slip knot around it in your right
hand. For the first few stitches you will want to gently hold the
short tail in your palm with your pinky and ring finger. This will
keep it out of your way. Now pick up the yarn that is coming
away from the hook and going to the ball of yarn. Hold it
between your thumb and pointer finger. It may be awkward at
first, but it is easier if you gently hold the lower part of the yarn
in your palm like with your other hand. This keeps the yarn out
of your way when you are trying to learn.
Take your left hand and wrap the yarn behind and over the
hook. Carefully pull this new loop through the loop that was
already on the hook. You have to be gentle at first as you get
used to it so you do not pull the new loop you created apart.
Continue wrapping the yarn around the hook from behind and
pulling it through the new loops until you have a chain as long
as you want. You can pull this chain apart and redo it until you
really get the hang of it and like how it looks.
Next Row
Now that you know the basic chain you can move on to the
second row. You must make sure that your chain has one stitch
more than what you want in the end. You will also have to do an
extra "turning chain" every time you turn your project to come
back the other way. If you do not do this you will notice your
project shrinking down as you go.
Now with your hook in the "turning chain" turn your project in
the other direction so you can come back the other way. The
reason for the extra stitch is because as we come back we skip
the first stitch in the row and put our hook in the front loop of
the next stitch over.
There will now be two loops on your hook. Wrap your yarn
around the back of the hook like before and pull it through to
make a new loop just like when making the chain. Continue
down the length of the project pulling up the next stitch each
time to have the two loops on your hook. Make sure you work in
the last stitch and make an extra chain stitch like before.
After you make the turning chain twist around your project
again. Always skip the first stitch and move to the second one.
On this row you will push your hook under both loops of the
stitch. You will continue working on your project the same way.
One direction you go under one loop of the stitch and the other
direction you will go under both loops. In this picture the middle
stitch shows where to push in your hook when you are doing
both loops and the one on the right is when you push through
only one loop.
Finish Off
When you finish you'll need to fasten off the yarn and secure it
so the stitch will not unravel. Simply cut the yarn leaving a few
inches of tail. Then, with your hook, draw the tail through the
loop on your hook. Remove hook and pull on tail to tighten.
With a yarn needle, weave the tail through the stitches of the
fabric to hide it.
This is just the beginning. Now that you know how to
crochet you can learn different stitches and do all kinds of
other projects with what you know.
Hint-Keep your ball of yarn in a ziplock bag. Keep all but
the small area the yarn comes through closed. This will
keep your yarn from falling apart and making a mess.
Have fun and keep learning.
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