Crochet Beginnings Part 4: Crocheting and Reading Patterns

Here we are, that final part; Crocheting. I don’t know about you, but I’m excited. I’ve got a bunch of fun patterns lined up after this, but chances are you already have a project picked out. This tutorial is going to teach you how to crochet that project.

Now, there are a few ways to do things, and how you do them is really all up to you. But there are a few things you should know before we start.
1. You can crochet with either hand. It’s the same, just flipped.
2. The tail end of the yarn is the side that has be cut. The working end of the yarn is still connected to the ball. You “work” off this side.
3. Beware of patterns produced is US and patterns produced in UK. Physically, it’s the exact same thing, but what US calls a single crochet UK calls a double. What Us calls a double crochet; UK calls a treble. This tutorial fallows the US system.

Let’s start with reading a crochet pattern. It can seem like learning another language, but don’t let that scare you! It’s probably the simplest language you will ever learn. It’s done all on abbreviations,
Ch = Chain
Sl st = slip stitch
Sc = single crochet
Hdc = half double crochet
Dc = double crochet.
Inc = increase
Dec = decrease
Rnd = round
Row = row

The instructions are given by the row or round, but the starting chain is usually not counted. Each stitch is separated by a comma, usually with a number to signal how many you should do. Then all you do is crochet the stitches it tells you, in that order it gives. Simple, right? It really is once you get the hang of it.

Let’s try it.

Ch 6, sl st into first ch to create ring.
Rnd 1: Ch 1. Into ring sc 2, hdc 2, dec 4, hdc 2, sc 2, sl st into first sc.

Can you read it? When translated to English it should read like this:

Chain 6, slip stitch in to the first chain stitch to create a ring.
On round 1, chain 1. Into ring, stich 2 single crochet, 2 half double crochet, 4 double crochet, 2 half double crochet, 2 single crochet, and slip stitch in to the first single crochet.

Now look at your pattern. Can you understand what it’s saying?

Now that you know how to read a pattern, let’s talk about with how to hold your crochet hook. There are two common ways: the pencil grip and the knife grip.

                Pencil grip                                Knife grip

Both are self-explanatory, you can hold your hook like a pencil or a knife. How you hold it doesn’t change how you crochet, but most people prefer one style. I prefer the pencil grip, but lots of people use the knife grip, and some do their own thing.

Different ways to hold yarn

There are also several ways to hold you yarn. My preferred way is to have the yarn over the pointer finger, under the middle and index finger, and then over the pinky. It’s a little awkward at first, but you soon get the hang of it. I’ve also seen people wind it around there thumb, wind it around their pointer finger, etc. Ultimately, anything will work so long as you have the proper tension.

What is the proper tension? Its whatever tension you find best for crocheting. To be a little more specific, you don’t want so much tension that the yarn is hard to pull up and your hand cramps. You also don’t want it so loose that it feels like your holding nothing.

Alright, now, with your chosen hook and yarn grip let’s try some crocheting. If your not getting the hang of it, feel free to try a different grip. Or make up your own.

How to make a slip knot

First, we need to create a slip knot .

Hold the working end in your left hand and the tail of the yarn in your right. Now create a loop with it, with the tail end under then working end. Pinching the cross section, move the working end so that it is under the loop. With your fingers or crochet hook, pull up the working end through the loop and pull the tail until it is snug. Now you should have a new loop. You can adjust the size buy pulling on the working end.


Chain stitch (ch)
Almost all patters start with a chain. They can be used to create a foundation or to create “empty” space.

How to chain

With your dominant hand, hold the crochet hook with the hook facing towards you. Slip the slip knot on to the hook. In your other hand, hold your yarn and pinch the tail end with you thumb and index fingers.
Now, loop over. To do this, you pass the crochet hook under the working end of the yarn, up, and over. You now have a new loop on your hook. You want to catch the new loop with your hook and pull it through the other loop, twisting the hook to face downwards as you do so. This keeps it from getting caught on the other loop.
Yay! You made your first chain! Now pat yourself on the back and chain as many as you pattern needs.

If you look at it, each stitch forms a V. Count those V’s, and you have the number of stitches. This is also where you stick you hook when making other crochet stitches.

If you find that you just can’t draw the second loop through the first, then don’t worry! Try another grip and see if that’s helps. Or use your fingers to pull the loops off. Your work probably won’t be as even as when you use the crochet hook, but when your beginning there is nothing wrong with using you fingers until you develop the dexterity needed. It’s what I did for a year!

Slip stich (sl st):

How to slip stich

This is a super simple stitch, usually used to close a chain or a round in crochet.
All you need to do is stick you hook into the desired stitch, loop over, and draw that loop up through all loops on hook. Simple, right?




Single Crochet (Sc):
Single crochets are the most basic stitch. Probably the most common as well.

How to single crochet

Stick your hook into the desired stitch, loop over, and draw the loop up through the chain, but not the first loop. Loop over again and draw it through the other two loops you’re your hook. Again, if your having trouble you can use your fingers or try another grip.
Ta-da! A single crochet!

Half double crochet (hdc):
A half double crochet is a little taller than single crochet, but not as tall as a double crochet. It’s worked the same as a single crochet, but with the addition of one loop over.

How to half  double crochet

Loop over, and then stick you hook into the desired stitch. Loop over and pull it through the stitch. You now have three loops on your hook. Loop over again and pull it though all three loops. And there you have it, a half double crochet.










Double crochet (dc):
Double crochets are about twice the size of a single crochet.

How to double crochet

Loop over and stitch your hook into the desired stitch. Loop over and pull through. You should now have three loops on your hook. Loop over and only pull through two. Now you should have two loops on your hook. Loop over and pull through the last two.

Increase (inc):

An increase is fundamental to crocheting things with shape. It adds an extra stitch to the row. Its used in hats, gloves, socks, stuffed animals, etc. Luckily it is also extremely simple. Its two single crochets into one stitch.

How to increase

That’s it. All you have to do is crochet two single crochet into once stitch. You can also do an increase with any stitch, but unless otherwise specified, it means a single crochet.

Decreases (dec):
Decreases are the opposite of an increase. It turns two stitches into one.

How to decrease

Stick you hook into the desired stitch, loop over, pull the loop through the stitch, stick your hook into the next stitch, loop over and pull the loop through the stitch. You should have three loops on you hook. Loop over and pull it through all three lo
ops.

Dum-da-da-da-DA! You did it! All the basic crochet stitches.





There is one final part, tying in the ends. When you are done crocheting, you still have left over strings. It might be tempting to just cut them but don’t. All your hard work will unravel!

Instead, thread a daring needle.

How to tie in the ends

Pass the need through several stitches, about two inches worth. Now turn and pass the needle through the stitches on a different row, for about two inches. Repeat until you’ve used up about 6 inches of you tail.









This should be all the skills you need to finish a pattern. If you have any problems with a pattern, you can usually contact the creator. But if you can’t contact them, or have any questions about this tutorial, feel free to email me or leave a question in the comments. I would love to help!