Crochet Basics

If this is your first time crocheting, take your time and familiarise yourself with a comfortable way of holding the hook. Do not forget that you can always undo stitches and start again, as many times as you need. Find yourself a cosy nook to lose yourself in, make a warm drink and get started.

Holding your crochet hook

You can hold your crochet hook either as a pen or as a painting brush but it is important to experiment with different ways and find the one you are most comfortable with.

Terminology

Most patterns will start by asking you to make a slipknot, followed by chaining a number of loops forming the foundation row (or chain). 

Patterns are worked either flat (making a rectangle), in which case you will turn your work around after each row, or in the round (making a cylinder), always connecting to the start of the row. You will always be crocheting from right to left.

Each step of the pattern is called a row or a round and each time you pull the yarn through previous stitches, you pull something called a loop or a chain. 

Tension is very important. To avoid yanking it in any way, imagine that the yarn you crochet with is a delicate baby chicken or a cute kitten.

My Crochet Origin Story:

When I started crocheting, I just grabbed a 5mm hook and aran or worsted weight yarn and I just made rows upon rows of single crochet stitches, then rows and rows of double crochet stitches, until I felt comfortable with the hook and my tension looked reasonable. 

The next step was making scarfs which were exactly that, combinations of rows of single and double crochet stitches. 

Everybody makes their own journey so find something you love and is easy enough as a beginner and get hooking!