Are you wondering how to crochet for beginners? You've come to the right place! Even if you’ve never held a hook, you're in luck. With a few simple tips and tricks, anyone can learn to crochet.
Get ready to let your creativity flow as we explore all the basics of crocheting!
Table Of Contents
- What Is Crochet?
- Supplies You Need For Crocheting
- How To Crochet For Beginners: Basic Steps
- How To Crochet For Beginners: Next Steps
What Is Crochet?
Crochet is a type of handiwork similar to macrame and knitting. But instead of tying knots with your hands or creating loops with two needles, you use one crochet hook.
With a few simple stitches, you can create many beautiful items. The possibilities with crochet are endless — from blankets and scarves to hats and even toys!
Supplies You Need For Crocheting
If you're looking for a new hobby that won't break the bank, crochet is a great option! All you need to get started is:
- A Crochet Hook
- Yarn (check out the colors of eco-friendly yarn GANXXET offers!)
- A blunt needle
That's it! Of course, there are other materials you can eventually use for crocheting, but to start, all you need is those three simple things.
How To Crochet For Beginners: Basic Steps
Once you gather your supplies, it's time to learn how to crochet.
1) Hold Your Hook
The first thing you need to do is learn how to hold your hook. As shown in the video above, there are two common ways to do this: the pencil grip or the knife grip. Most crocheters find one more comfortable than the other, so try them both and see what you think.
Pencil Grip
Hold your crochet hook like a pencil with your thumb and index finger. Use your other fingers for extra support and control as needed. This grip relies on your fingers for most of the motion.
Knife Grip
With your thumb and index finger, hold your crochet hook like a knife. Wrap the rest of your fingers around the hook's shaft to help stabilize it. You’ll use your wrist more with this style of grip.
2) Loop Your Yarn
Did you figure out which grip style feels best in your hands? Great! Now it’s time to position the yarn in your opposite hand so you can loop it over your hook.
Take the end of the yarn and pass it over your pinkie. Then, wrap it under your third and middle fingers. Finally, pass it over your index finger. It may feel strange at first, but soon you’ll be a pro at getting it set correctly.
3) Make A Slip Knot
With the hook in your dominant hand and the yarn looped around the other, it’s time to make a Slip Knot. Take the tail end of your yarn and drape it over the attached end to create a loop.
Then, flip the loop over, and use your hook to grab the attached end of the yarn and pull it through the loop.
4) Build Your Chain
Now that you’ve got your yarn onto your hook, it’s time to start your chain. This is the foundation of your crocheted piece.
To make your first chain, use the hook to grab the yarn. Then, rotate your hook. It should now be facing down. This is known as “yarning over.”
Once you wrap your yarn, carefully pull it back through the loop of your Slip Knot. Repeat this process until your chain is the desired length.
As you practice, you’ll get a feel for how tight or loose your stitches should be. Try to keep them a similar tension so your project has a uniform look.
5) Work Into The Chain
Once you’ve created the desired number of chain stitches, it’s time to start working into your chain.
Insert your hook into the top loop of your chain. Then, grab the working yarn with your hook like you did above. Pull the yarn through the loop to make a stitch. Continue working into each stitch on your chain until you get to the end.
6) Single Crochet
The single crochet stitch is one of the most common. On patterns, you’ll see it abbreviated as SC.
To make a single crochet stitch, insert your hook into the stitch you want to work in. Then, yarn over and pull the attached end through that stitch. You should now have two loops on your hook. Yarn over once more and pull it through both loops.
7) Add A Turning Chain
Many patterns have you add a turning chain when you reach the end of a row. This incorporates a bit of height and keeps everything lined up nice and straight.
To add the turning chain, make one chain stitch at the end of your row. Then, you’re ready to move on to your next row and continue adding single crochet stitches.
8) Fasten Off
Your yarn can unravel if you don’t fasten it off when you’re finished. To do this, you’ll need to secure the end of the yarn.
Start by cutting off the working yarn, leaving about six inches as a little tail. Then, put your hook through your final stitch and yarn over. Pull the yarn back through the loop and continue pulling until the tail is through.
Use your blunt needle to weave the end of the yarn into your project. Go in one direction and then turn back and go the other way. Adjust the yarn with your fingers to ensure the tension is even. When everything looks good, cut off the remaining tail.
Now your project won’t come undone.
How To Crochet For Beginners: Next Steps
Congratulations, you learned how to crochet for beginners! But hopefully, this isn't the end of your crochet journey. Here are some next steps to keep you going.
Learn More Stitches
Now that you know the basics, it's time to expand your repertoire. You can learn the:
- Double Crochet Stitch
- Half-Double Crochet Stitch
- Treble Crochet Stitch
- Slip Stitch
Don't try to learn these all at once, or you might get confused. Instead, pick one and practice until you get the hang of it. Then, move on to another. Before long, you’ll know them all.
Work On Muscle Memory
The more you crochet, the better you'll become at it. As your muscle memory develops, you won't even need to think about what you're doing, It’ll just happen automatically.
So don't be afraid to practice, practice, and practice some more!
Try A Project
Now is the perfect time to try a small project. Find something with a simple pattern that you can complete in one sitting, like a dishcloth or a coaster.
If you make a mistake, don't worry. Just take a deep breath and undo the stitches until you get back to where it went wrong. Then, try again.
You Can Crochet!
Crocheting may seem difficult at first, but with some practice, you'll soon be a pro. Before long, you'll even be able to show someone else how to crochet for beginners. And that’s the sign of a true crocheting master.
So, pick up some beautiful GANXXET yarn and get started today. Happy crocheting!