introduction to crocheting

8/7/2019 Introduction to Crocheting

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Catherine Ebey

Patrick Lobre

INTRODUCTION TO

CROCHETING



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Table Of ContentsIntroduction (3)

What you will need (4)

Choosing your yarn (5)

Pinky Wrap (6)

Foundation Chain (7)

Preparing Your Base Row (8)

Double Crochet (9-10)

Getting Set Up (9)

The Double Loop (10)

Finishing Your Row (11)

Starting a New Row (12)

Changing Colors (13-14)

Preparation (13)

Performing the Switch (14)

Finishing your project (15-16)

The Last Double Crochet (15)Weaving in Loose Ends (16)

Your New Scarf! (17)

Optional (18-19)

Adding Fringe (18)

Crocheting It In (19)

Further Projects (20)

Resources (21)Bibliography (22) 2



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Introduction

Crocheting can be a very relaxing and entertaining hobby thatanyone with an interest can learn to do. In this guide, we will showyou the primary basics to get started in learning how to crochet.

Crocheting could be used for various intentions, whether makinggifts for friends, creating accessories for your favorite clothing, or

simply doing it to take your mind off of things.

You will learn how to do simple rows of Double Crochet Knots inorder to make the most primitive of shapes. You will also learn howto change colors during a new row of knots. Once you master these

concepts, you may look at our “Further Reading” section onrecommended guides and tutorials on where to learn more advancestitches and methods.

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What You Will Need

In order to begin crocheting, you will need a few things:1. Yarn: We will be making our scarf out of three different colors. Go

ahead and think of three different colors that you would like to see inyour scarf; perhaps to match one of your favorite shirts.

2. Crochet Hook: In order to actually crochet, you will a need special hook

that will allow you to perform the necessary movements needed to tiethese knots. You will need to obtain crochet hook size I-9.

3. Yarn Needle: You will need this in order to weave in loose ends.

4. Time: Don’t expect this to take just a couple of minutes. Crochetingrequires much time and patience. Not everyone is fast at crocheting,

so if you feel that you are going slow, don’t worry! Follow this guide atyour own pace.

5. Patience: If you don’t succeed at first, keep trying. You will get thehang of it eventually if you put your mind to it.

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Choosing Your Yarn

You can find your yarn at most well known crafting stores, such asMicheal’s or Hobby Lobby.

Choose yarn for its quality. Synthetic yarns tend to be cheaper, butmay be scratchy; try RedHeart SuperSoft. Sugar and Cream sells funcotton yarns in many colors; cotton is ideal because it is durable, but

it is more difficult to work with. Wool yarn is high quality, but may beexpensive. Fisherman’s Wool by Lion Brand is an excellent choice.

When you are choosing your yarn, pay attention to the special labelon each roll. We are going to be using “gauge 4” yarn. Your label

should look something similar to the following: (Go to page 20 for alink to more information)

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Pinky Wrap

In order to start crocheting, you will need to be able to hold your string and needle correctly.

Step 1: Tie a knot with your yarn around your crochet hook.

Step 2: Start your wrap by putting the needle through your twofingers from the palm of your hand to the other side.

Step 3: Now loop the yarn around your pinky and bring it around onyour palm. Then loop the yarn around your index finger so it iscoming out between your index and middle finger.

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Foundation Chain

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The foundation chain is the base of all of your crochet knots. You will use this chainto begin you projects in order to connect other crochet patterns to it.

Step 1: Bring your hook from parallel to the yarn to perpendicular to your yarn andloop your hook beneath the yarn to wrap it around your hook clockwise.

Step 2: While holding the yarn taut from the knot with your index finger and holdingthe tail of the knot with your thumb and middle finger, pull the yarn through the

tied loop on your hook. (You will most likely have to rotate the hook clockwise tohold your yarn securely and fit it in the loop.) This creates your first chain loop.



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Preparing Your Base RowStep 3: Make enough chain loops to make your scarf the desired width. I made my foundation16 chains wide to make a slightly chunkier scarf.

NOTE: 2 double crochet stitches corresponds to an inch. Pull through enough chain loops tocreate the width you want. For example, if you are making a scarf, a nice average width is,according to Berroco, 6 inches for a thicker scarf and 4 inches for skinny scarf. So if youwanted a skinny scarf, you would pull 8 chains to make it 4 inches, or 12 chains for a thicker scarf, making it 6 inches.

Step 4: Pull 3 more chains to make the beginning double-crochet stitch. You will use thebeginning double-crochet stitch at the beginning of each new row you make. You should nowhave a total of 19 chains if you are following our dimensions.

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The Double CrochetGetting Set Up

Step 1: Take the hook and bring it under the yarn you are holding withyour index finger to pull the yarn over the hook. (Similar to Step 1 ina foundation chain)

Step 2: Next, dip your hook, with yarn over it, into the third chainfrom your hook.

Step 3: pull the yarn over your hook again, and pull the yarn throughthe chain to pull up a loop.



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The Double CrochetThe Double Loop

After you do the Single Knot, you will need to further build upon it tomake the Double Crochet. Follow steps 4 and 5 after doing theSingle Knot.

Step 4: Pull the yarn over the hook again and through the first twoloops on your hook.

Step 5: Bring the yarn over the hook again, and pull it through theremaining two loops on your hook. This makes one Double CrochetStitch.



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Finishing Your Row

Step 6: Repeat the stitch over the next (Assuming you are followingour dimensions) 14 chains, making 15 double crochets and 1beginning double crochet stitch.

Step 7: Count the 15 stitches to make sure you have the correctamount before beginning your next row. This saves you a headache

later; in later crocheting using patterns, the correct gauge, or dimensions, or each piece matters. If you crochet too manystitches, or too little, in a design, you can throw off the dimensionsof the entire pattern.



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Starting a New Row

At the end of each chain, you will have to start a new row. You cando this by following these instructions.

Step 1: Pull 3 chain loops. The three chains make your beginningcrochet stitch.

Step 2: Flip your project over so the chains are on the right hand side.

Step 3: Insert your hook (with yarn over) into the top of the previous2nd crochet. Then begin to make your Double Crochets again to fillthe row.



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Changing ColorsPreparation

Step 1: Don't pull the hook through the last two loops on the lastdouble crochet of the row.

NOTE: If you simply cut the yarn at the beginning, rather thancrocheting over the excess yarn, you will have an ugly knot stickingout of your scarf which will probably come undone during the first

wash.Step 2: Cut the yarn, leaving some room to work with.

Step 3: Tie the previous color yarn to the new color yarn.



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Changing ColorsPerforming the switch

Step 4: Pull the hook through the remaining loops on the doublecrochet.

Step 5: Chain three and turn the row.

Step 6: Lay the excess strings of the knot along the previous row andcrochet over them to hide them.

Step 7: If any remaining yarn pokes through, cut it.



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Finishing Your ProjectThe Last Double Crochet

Step 1: Finish your last Double CrochetNOTE: Make sure your scarf is long enough for you to wear it by

trying it on. According to Berroco, “Scarves can range in length

from 40 inches long to 66 inches.

Step 2: Make a single chain loop and then cut the remaining yarnleaving 3 to 4 inches of room to work with.

Step 3: Pull the end piece through the chain loop (Tying a tight knot).



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Finishing Your ProjectWeaving in Loose Ends

Step 4: Take the remaining yarn and thread it through the yarnneedle.

Step 5: Wind the yarn needle through several previous crochetstitches

Step 6: Cut any excess yarn.

Step7: Weave in any other loose ends (From color changing)



Your New Scarf!

Here’s the model scarf: Put a picture of your scarf here:

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OptionalAdding Fringe

Step 1: Cut multiple equal lengths of yarn. Cut enough so there aretwo pieces of yarn per double crochet. If you prefer a “tassled”

look, use 4 to 6 pieces of yarn per double crochet. If you prefer lessfringe, just use one piece per double crochet.

Step 2: Gather the yarn for one double crochet. Fold the yarn in half.

Step 3: Using the crochet hook, pull the top loop of the fringe bundlethrough the top of the first double crochet.



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OptionalCrocheting It In

Step 4: Pull the ends of the fringe through the loop to make a knot.Step 5: Continue adding fringe until the whole row is done.

Step 6: To straighten out uneven fringe, first find the shortest pieceof fringe.

Step 7: Align the fringe along a straight edge so you can cut theuneven lengths.



ResourcesFor more information on how to read the yarn label, visit Skein Lane at

http://www.skeinlane.com/knittingresources/care/caresymbols.htm.

For more information about scarf standards, visit Berroco athttp://www.berroco.com/scarf_central.html#tips

For more information on how to read crochet patterns, go to Crochet Hooks You to see their

Understanding Crochet Instructions page at http://www.crochethooksyou.com/crochet-instructions/.

For a great guide to more complicated stitches, read Ann-Marie Bakewell and Jennifer Campbell’s Super

Stitches Crochet: Essential Techniques plus a Dictionary of More than 180 Stitch Patterns .

For other crochet tips and beginner patterns, check out Nancy Queen and Mary Ellen O’Connell’s The

Chicks with Sticks Guide to Crochet .

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http://www.crochethooksyou.com/crochet-instructions/

http://www.crochethooksyou.com/crochet-instructions/



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Further Projects

You can make a bunch of other nice things with crochet. For example, you can make a hat, a placemat, or a set of coasters.

For some other fun beginner projects, go to Lion Brand Yarn Co.’s

website and go to their free crochet pattern lists. You can accessthese free patterns by signing up as a Lion Brand member for free.

You can also crochet for the needy. Donate your scarf to charity bysigning up for the Red Scarf Project. Visit their website here:http://orphan.org/what-we-do/programs/red-scarf-project/.



BibliographyBerroco, Inc. . Scarf Central: Scarf Tips. 2005. March 2011

<http://www.berroco.com/scarf_central.html#tips>.

Campbell, Ann-Marie Bakewell and Jennifer. Super Stitches Crochet:Essential Techniques plus a Dictionary of More than 180 Stitch Patterns.New York: Watson-Guptill Publications, 2008.

O’Connell, Mary Ellen and Nancy Queen. The Chicks with Sticks Guide toCrochet. New York: Watson-Guptill Publications, 2008.

Paula. Crochet Hooks You: Understanding Crochet Instructions. 25November 2010. March 2011 <http://www.crochethooksyou.com/crochet-instructions/>.

Pugh, Carolyn. Skein Lane Studio: Yarn Label Symbols. 1998. March 2011<http://www.skeinlane.com/knittingresources/care/caresymbols.htm>.

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