Learn to Crochet: Basic Stitches
I showed you how to make a shawl using your knitting loom, but then I threw a curve ball at you with the crocheted edging when you may not know anything about crochet. Yes, I tend to do things backwards. Sorry about that! So, now you can learn to crochet using basic stitches, the chain, the slip and the single crochet stitches.
Learn to crochet some basic stitches
What you need:
Crochet hook and yarn any size and type.
I recommend learning with a relatively thick yarn and a crochet hook size G, H or I. As you get more used to holding the crochet hook, you can move onto thinner yarn and smaller hooks.
Basic crochet stitches:
Slip knot:
The slip knot is the very first thing you need to learn to do before starting any crochet project.
1. Make a circle with the yarn on the palm of your hand.
Just think NO SMOKING sign
2. Place the yarn behind the circle to form a “no smoking” sign. (Just a circle with a slash across it)
Insert hook, grab yarn and pull- instant beginning slip knot
3. Using the crochet hook, pull the yarn in the circle up and tighten. Slip stitch on hook.
Slip knot, easy as pie
Chain stitch:
The chain stitch is the beginning or foundation of every crochet project. It is often called the foundation chain in crochet patterns. This is the stitch which all other stitches are based on, so practice this one for a good long time, use at least two feet of yarn.
Yarn over
1. Using crochet hook, grab the yarn (this is called yarn over) and draw through the loop. First chain made.
2. Yarn over again and draw through. Second chain made.
Pull yarn through
3. Repeat step 2 making chains until you are comfortable with this most basic stitch.
Foundation chain
Single crochet stitch:
The single crochet is the smallest of the stitches and makes a compact row.
1. To practice the single crochet stitch, make a foundation chain of 10-15 chains.
2. Insert hook into second chain from hook.
Insert hook
3. Yarn over and pull through. Two loops on hook.
4. Yarn over again and pull through 2 loops, leaving 1 loop on hook. First single crochet done.
5. Repeat steps 2-4 until end of row.
A row of single crochet
Slip stitch:
The slip stitch is very much like the single crochet stitch. I always thought it should be called a half single crochet. It is mostly used when an unobtrusive edging is desired or when trying to reach a particular spot on the project from which to start a new row without cutting the yarn and starting over.
1. In the second chain from hook insert hook.
2. Yarn over and draw through loop. First slip stitch made.
Row of Slip stitch
3. Continue with steps 1 and 2 until comfortable with the slip stitch.
Next time we will tackle a few other basic crochet stitches and then you’ll be able to make anything with a crochet hook. I know you just can’t wait for that!
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Glory Lennon learned needle crafts like sewing, knitting and crocheting from her mother who used to spend countless hours making intricate doilies, clothing items and heirloom quality bedspreads. Visit Glory’s Garden on Craft Tuesday and see what she’s up to in the craft room.
