If you are looking for a stress release that produces something you can give as a gift or that can be passed down for generations ... give crocheting a try.

In decades gone by, woman all knew how to knit, crochet and sew. In today’s busy world where we buy everything (most with a made in China label), the art is almost lost. When my grandmother was a teenager, she and her friends would make their trendy sweaters, either knitting or crocheting them. If they wanted a new blouse or skirt, they would buy some fabric and make one.

Leaning to crochet is easy. The first step is to go to the store and pick up a crochet hook, some yarn and a beginners book. Decide what you would like to make before buying the yarn, as what you are making will decide what type of yarn you will need.

To crochet a sweater or afghan, you will want a soft fluffy yarn. To crochet a doily, you will need a more coarse yarn. Next, you will need to buy a crochet hook. Again, what you will be making will determine the size of the hook you will need.

Some terms you need to be familiar with:

• Crochet Hook – the instrument used to crochet with
• Hook – the end of the crochet hook
• Loop – the top of each crocheted stitch

Four basic stitches & abbreviations:

• Single Crochet – sc
• Double Crochet – dc
• Half Double Crochet – hdc
• Slip Stitch – sl st

You will also need to know the Triple or Treble Crochet – trc but it is not one of the basic stitches.

To get started purchase some worsted weight yarn and size H aluminum crochet hook. The yarn can be any color you would like, however a light color is best for practice. If you are left-handed, it is recommended that you learn the right-handed way.

Chain Stitch

Almost all crochet projects begin with a chain stitch, so this is where we will begin. A chain stitch is simply a series of chain stitches, which are called a chain:

1. Make a slipknot on the hook.
2. Hold the hook with your right hand between your thumb and third finger near the tip of the hook.
3. With your left hand, hold the base of the slipknot with your thumb and index finger.
4. Thread the yarn over your third finger and through your remaining fingers on your left hand to retain tension on the yarn as you work.
5. Bring the yarn over the hook from back to front. Draw the yarn through the loop on the hook. Be sure to always bring the yarn over the hook from back to front and not from front to back.
6. Move your thumb and index finger up closer to the hook after each stitch. Move each new stitch away from the loop on the hook to keep your stitches the same size and to keep them from becoming too tight.

Continue to bring the yarn over the hook and draw the yarn through the loop on the hook. Make about 20 for practice. Do not count the loop on the hook or the starting slipknot.

Congratulations! You have just made your first chain stitch. Next you will learn how to make the different crochet stitches that you will use in your crochet projects such as sweaters, afghans, potholders, purses, pillows, doilies, etc.

Single Crochet (sc)

The first stitch is the single crochet stitch. It is essential to master this move as it the base of the double crochet and the half double crochet. Always skip the first chain stitch from the hook when beginning a new row of crochet stitches.

Skipping the first chain stitch from the hook, insert your hook into the second chain stitch under the top loop. Bring the yarn over the hook from the back to the front and draw it through the stitch. Hook and draw the yarn through both the loops on the hook.

That’s it! You’ve completed your first single crochet stitch. Continue practicing with the remainder of the chain stitch you made.

Double Crochet (dc)

To practice your double stitches, you will need to make a new row of chain stitches.

When you have made your row of double chain crochet stitches, count the first three chains skipped at the beginning of the row as the fist double crochet stitch.

First, bring the yarn once over the hook from the back to the front then insert the hook in the top loop of the forth chain stitch from the hook. Hook the yarn and draw it through the stitch. You will have three stitches on your hook now.

Second, hook and draw the yarn through the first two loops on the hook. You’ll have two loops on the hook.

Third, hook and draw the yarn through both loops on the hook. You’ve now made one double crochet!

Continue until you’ve worked all the stitches on your chain stitch.

To work the next row chain stitch three stitches for the turning chain, then turn your work counterclockwise. The three stitches of the turning chain count as the first stitch of the row. Skip the first stitch and work a double crochet in the second stitch making sure to insert the hook under the top two loops of the stitch. Continue with each stitch and at the end of the row, make sure to work the last double crochet in the top chain of the turning chain of the previous row. Be careful to work in the top of the turning chain of the previous row or your work will narrow and be sure not to forget to skip the first stitch of the row or your work will widen.

Half Double Crochet (hdc)

The “Half Double Crochet,” gets its name because it eliminates one step of double crochet. The Half Double Crochet is taller than the single crochet but shorter than the double crochet. To practice, make a new chain stitch.

Work the first row of half double crochet by bringing the yarn once over the hook front eh back to the front, then insert the hook in the top loop of the third chain stitch from the hook. Hook and draw the yarn through the stitch. You will now have three loops on the hook.

Next, hook and draw the yarn through all three loops on the hook. You have now made a half double crochet. When counting the number of stitches in the first row, count first two chains skipped at the beginning of the row as the first half double crochet.

For each additional row of half double crochet stitches, chain stitch two stitches for the turning chain, which will count as the first half double crochet of the next row. Turn your work counterclockwise and skip the first stitch and then work a half double crochet in the second stitch and in each remaining stitch.

Slip Stitch (sl st)

The slip stitch is usually used to join work together or to move yarn across a group of stitches without adding any height to the piece. It is also the shortest of all crochet stitches.

To practice, make a new chain stitch and work a row of double crochet stitches. At the end of the row, don’t make a turning chain; turn and insert the hook in the first stitch hook and draw yarn through both stitches and loop on hook in one motion leaving one new loop on the hook.

Triple or Treble Crochet (trc)

To practice this tall stitch with works up quickly, make a new row of chain stitches. Bring the yarn twice over the hook from the back to the front then insert the hook in the top loop of the fifth chain stitch from the hook. Hook and draw the yarn through the stitches. You will have four loops on the remaining on the hook.

Hook and draw the yarn through the first two loops on the hook. You will have three loops on the hook.

Hook and draw the yarn through the next two loops on the hook. You will have two loops left on the hook.

Hook and draw the yarn through both remaining loops oh the hook and you have made a triple or treble crochet stitch!

When counting, don’t forget to count the four chain stitches skipped for the turning chain and count it as the first triple or treble crochet of the next row. Then turn your work counterclockwise and skip the first stitch to make each additional row of triple or treble crochet stitches.

Increasing and Decreasing

Increasing and decreasing is how you shape a project when crocheting. To make a piece wider, increase or add stitches. To make a piece narrower, decrease or subtract stitches.

To increase one stitch – in single, half double, double or triple crochet, simply work tow stitches in one stitch.

To decrease, skip a stitch. This is usually undesirable, as it will leave a hole in your work. To decrease without leaving a whole, work two stitches into one stitch.

Joining Yarn

In crocheting, unlike in knitting, never leave knots or tie. Leave at least four inches of yarn at the end when finishing off yarn to join new yarn. Join new yarn at the end of a row, whenever possible by working with the old yarn until two loops are left on the hook, then complete the stitch with then new yarn. If you do not have enough yarn to make it to the end of a row, work stitches with both the old and new yarn until working the end of the old yarn.

You now have the basis of beginning crochet! With a simple beginner book you will learn how to read instructions and will be able to make many useful items and special one of a kind gifts!