HOW TO CROCHET FOR BEGINNERS

Like anything there are right handed and left handed crocheters, it's important to hold your hook in whichever way feels more comfortable. There are three main ways to hold a crochet hook: the knife grip, the pencil grip, and the thumb grip. 

The knife grip is the most common way to hold a crochet hook, and it's what most beginners learn. To hold your hook in the knife grip, simply hold it like you would a dinner knife, with your index finger extended along the shaft of the hook and your thumb and middle finger positioned behind the hook.

The pencil grip is similar to the knife grip, but your index finger is positioned underneath the shaft of the hook instead of along it. This grip can be more comfortable for some people, and it also gives you more control over the hook.

The thumb grip is less common than the other two grips, but it can be useful for certain types of stitches. To hold your hook in the thumb grip, position your thumb behind the hook and wrap your index finger and middle finger around the shaft. This grip can be a bit awkward at first, but it's worth learning because it gives you a lot of control.

The best way to determine which size hook to use is to do a gauge swatch. This is simply a small sample of the stitch pattern that you will be using for your project. By working up a gauge swatch, you can test out different hook sizes until you find the one that gives you the gauge that you need.

The first thing to consider is the gauge of the yarn. Gauge is the number of stitches per inch that can be achieved with a particular type of yarn. For example, a fingering weight yarn has a gauge of 14-16 stitches per inch, while a chunky yarn has a gauge of 10-12 stitches per inch.

The next thing to consider is the yarn’s fiber content. Different fibers have different properties that can impact the look and feel of your finished project. For example, wool yarns are warm and durable, while cotton yarns are cool and breathable.

Finally, take a look at the care instructions for the yarn. Some yarns require special care, such as hand-washing or drying flat. Others can be machine-washed and tumble-dried without any problem. Choose a yarn that can be cared for in the same way you'll care for your finished project.

Making a slip knot is the first step in crochet. It's also one of the easiest. Here's how to do it:

1. Make a loop in the yarn, leaving a long tail.
2. Insert your hook into the loop.
3. Wrap the yarn around the hook (yarn over).
4. Draw the yarn through the loop.
5. Tighten the resulting loop on the hook, and you've made a slip knot!

The chain stitch is one of the most basic stitches in crochet, and it is often used as a starting point for other stitches. It consists of a series of looped stitches, each of which is pulled through the previous stitch. If you're just getting started with crochet, learning how to do a chain stitch is a great place to start.

Here's how to crochet a chain stitch:

1. Make a slip knot.
2. Put the knot on the crochet hook.
3. Insert the hook into the loop of the slip knot and pull up a loop of yarn.
4. Yarn over. Then, pull through both loops. This completes one chain stitch.

Repeat the second and third steps to create a long chain of stitches. You can use this chain to practice other crochet stitches or make projects like scarves, blankets, or hats.

The single crochet stitch is worked by inserting your hook into a stitch, yarn over, and then pulling through both the stitch and the loop on your hook. This creates one new stitch. More specifically:

1. Make a slip knot on your crochet hook. To do this, wrap the yarn around your fingers once, then insert the hook under the loop and pull it through.
2. Insert your hook into the next stitch. You can insert it from the front, back, or side — it doesn't matter as long as you are consistent.
3. Yarn over and pull through the stitch, making two loops on your hook.
4. Yarn over again, pulling through both loops on your hook. This completes the stitch and creates one new stitch.
5. Repeat steps 2-5 until you have reached the end of the row or until you have the desired number of stitches.

The half-double crochet stitch is one of the most basic and versatile stitches in crochet. It's a great stitch to use for beginners and can be used to create a variety of different projects. To half double crochet: 

1. Insert your hook into the stitch. 
2. Yarn over and pull through the stitch, creating three loops on your hook. 
3. Yarn over and pull through all three loops. This completes one half double crochet stitch.

When you're working in rows, each half double crochet stitch is worked into the next stitch from the previous row. When you get to the end of a row, turn your work so that you can work back in the other direction.

The double crochet stitch is made by working two single crochet stitches into the same space. This creates a taller, denser stitch than single crochet. To make a double crochet stitch:

1. Start by inserting your hook into the space or stitch indicated. 
2. Yarn over and pull up a loop, creating three loops on your hook. 
3. Yarn over again, drawing through the first loop on your hook. This creates the first "leg" of your double crochet stitch. 
4. Yarn over again and draw through the two loops left to complete the stitch. One double crochet stitch is now complete! 
5. Repeat these steps to continue working double crochet stitches.

A slip stitch is a basic crochet stitch that is often used to join two pieces of crocheted fabric together. It can also be used to create decorative edging on a piece of fabric. 

1. Insert the crochet hook into the first stitch of the row. 
2. Yarn over, drawing the yarn through both the stitch and the loop. 
3. Continue working slip stitches across the row until you reach the end. 
4. To finish off, cut the yarn and pull it through the loop on the hook.

Treble crochet is a taller stitch than single crochet and is often used to create lacy, openwork fabrics. It's also known as the triple crochet stitch. To treble crochet, follow these steps: 

1. Make a foundation chain of at least 3 stitches. 
2. Yarn over the hook twice before inserting it into the third chain from the hook. 
3. Yarn over and pull up a single loop (4 loops on hook)
4. Yarn over and pull 2 loops (3 loops on hook)
5. Yarn over and pull through 2 more loops (2 loops on hook)
6. Yarn over for the final time, pulling through the last 2 loops on the hook. One treble crochet stitch is now complete. 
7. To continue working the row, yarn over the hook twice and insert it into the next stitch, repeating the process until you reach the end of the row. 
8. When you turn your work, you'll need to chain 3 stitches (counts as first treble crochet) before beginning the next row.

Crochet is a fun and rewarding hobby, and there are many different techniques that beginners can try. Each of these techniques has its own unique characteristics, so it's important to experiment with all of them to find the one that works best for you.

Increasing and decreasing is a process of adding or removing stitches to create shaping in your work. This can be done in a number of ways, depending on the effect you are trying to achieve.

One way to increase stitches is by working 2 or more stitches into the same stitch or space. This creates a series of closely spaced stitches and is often used at the beginning or end of a row to create a slightly rounded edge. 

To decrease stitches, you will work 2 or more stitches together. The most common way to decrease is by working a stitch together with its neighbor as if you were making a single stitch. This creates a slanted line of stitches and is often used to create shaping in the middle of a row.

Working in the round opens up a whole world of intricate crochet motifs.  

To get begin, use either the magic circle technique or chain 4-5 and join to form a circle.  Then work your stitches around the chains or around the magic circle.  

Many crocheters prefer to use the magic circle technique because it's so easy to adjust your stitches and tension but it's more of an intermediate to advanced skill.  We recommend to begin with the chain and join method if you are first starting out, however we always believe an artist should challenge themselves, so give it a whirl, that's what gauge swatches are for!

There are many different ways that you can combine the basic crochet stitches to create interesting patterns and textures. 

One way to combine the basic stitches is to alternate between two or more different stitches in a regular pattern. For example, you could start with a row of single crochet, followed by a row of double crochet, followed by a row of triple crochet. By doing this, you would create a striped effect that is very easy to achieve.

Another way to combine the basic stitches is to work them into a specific pattern. For example, you could create a checkerboard pattern by working two rows of single crochet, followed by two rows of double crochet. Or you could create a diagonal stripe pattern by working one row of single crochet, followed by one row of triple crochet, followed by one row of double crochet.

There are endless possibilities when it comes to combining the basic stitches. By experimenting with different combinations, you can create unique and interesting patterns that are sure to stand out. So have fun and get creative!

Excited to get started on a crochet project? To make things easier for you, we have a collection of free crochet patterns you can use to get started. From scarves and ear warmers to rainbow blankets and basketweave throws, browse our pattern collection and get step-by-step instructions for your crochet project. 

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the best crochet hook for a beginner depends on a number of factors, including personal preference. However, there are a few things to keep in mind when choosing a crochet hook for a beginner.

It is important to choose a crochet hook that is comfortable to hold. Some people love the simple aluminum hooks that many beginners start with. They are easy to find in just about any store that also sells yarn and are very economical.  However, some people find them uncomfortable and this is commonly associated with the way you grip your hook.  Most people opt to change their hook not their grip. 

Buying crochet hooks can be a whole separate love than the love of of buying yarn.  There are so many options out there, and you might soon find yourself with two of every color and in every size from every brand, or you may just find "the one" and make yourself a set.  Try a few out and find the one that makes you feel most comfortable.  Then check the gauge of the hook.  They can occasionally be mis-sized, what is important is that you can make gauge with the yarn, not necessarily what the hook measures as. 

It's not just pretty yarn that brings us to crochet, it's beautiful hooks, clever stitch markers, sleek scissors, and of course gorgeous stitches.  Hooks can come in all sorts of materials and from many places like hand carved artisans, well loved sections of thrift stores, or boutique e-commerce shops. 

Each crocheter may have their own preference. However, many beginners tend to start with worsted weight yarn (such as Red Heart's Super Saver yarn), as it is easy to work with and provides good results. Additionally, starting with a lighter-weight yarn can help you get a feel for the basic crochet stitches before moving on to more challenging projects. Ultimately, the best size yarn for beginner crochet will be the one that you are most comfortable working with.

The answer to this question may vary depending on who you ask, but generally speaking, the first thing a beginner should crochet is a simple project that will help them get familiar with the basic stitches. This could be something like a dishcloth or a small blanket. Once they have mastered the basic stitches, they can then move on to more complex projects.