Crocheting is not an activity made only for our grannies and for bitter spinsters. It can be done by everyone. Especially, now that clothing trends are now more inclined into the use of crocheted items, popular clothing designers are also smitten by crocheting.
However, crocheting is not only for the plain Jane. One has to have the patience and, of course, the time to be able to do anything crocheted. So how does one actually get herself learn to crochet?
It really is not a hard skill to learn. But it neither is an easy one. In order to get you going, all you need is a good crochet hook, yarns, measuring tape, yarn needle, some pins, and a lot of determination to finish a crocheting project.
Here is a rundown of tips on how to easily learn crocheting:
Hold the Yarn Like a Pro
For newbies in crocheting, holding a yarn could be quite a tricky job. Even if it only takes some time of getting used to, knowing how hold it properly and skillfully is not to be overlooked.
Here is how:
1. Let the yarn pass through your fingers upon holding it. This is how it is done: the little finger, then, beneath the ring finger, then, above the forefinger and the middle finger.
2. Another way to hold the yarn is to loop in the region of the little finger, and then, make it cross the forefinger.
3. Upon holding the hook, imagine how you would hold a pencil or a spoon. That's how it should be held. In that position, it won't be hard for you to heave the yarn from your fingers down to the loop in the hook.
As you go along the process of crocheting and you start to get the hang of it, you will learn your unique and most comfortable way of working with the yarn. Don't be afraid to adopt a new method of holding it. It will help you become more of an efficient crochet craftsperson in the long run.
Size Matters When it Comes to the Hook and Yarn
One should not take for granted the skill of identifying the right hook and yarn to use in any crochet project.
Hooks are identified through different letters and numbers that correspond to certain sizes. In crocheting, the higher the number or letter of the hook, the thicker the hook is. As for yarns, their varieties are identified through names.
Resizing the Crochet Project Through the Pattern
To reduce the size of a project, it is as simple as deducting some stitches. One can skip a stitch in a row and continue with the next to reduce the size of the project. To enlarge a project, it is as easy as inserting more stitches in a row. One can easily join two stitches of the same row together. This will make one produce a solo stitch on the next row prior to it.
Reading a Pattern Like a Book
What can complicate the activities of one that is engaged in crocheting are the abbreviations on a pattern. The use of memory and logic can help a lot in surmounting this little crocheting obstacle. The outcome of being able to memorize these important abbreviations is a much faster pace in crocheting and more efficient hands.
1. Crochet patterns and instructions are worked usually in rounds or rows. It will be indicated on the pattern if you are doing or working in rounds, rows or mixture of both.
2. Crochet patterns and instructions are generally ranked according to difficulty level such as advanced, intermediate, easy or beginner. Choose a pattern with a difficulty level that suits your abilities. Then, increase the level of difficulty as your skill advances.3. Count the stitches that you have made as you go on with your work to monitor the stitches needed on each round or row as required by the pattern.
4. Verify your gauge by crocheting a sample of about 4 X 4 inches in the pattern. When your gauge results into a larger size than what is on the pattern, then use a smaller hook; when your gauge is smaller, then use a larger hook.
When it's time for you to actually accomplish a crochet project, make sure that you follow the instructions well and you make your patience a bit sturdier than before. Prepare your devices beforehand to ensure the smooth flow of your crocheting endeavor.
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Crocheting is one very popular hobby, creating economical, functional, fashionable and fun pieces to make. The crochet patterns of today are more inspiring and interesting than before, providing excitement when working with fibers and different colors. For all of these, enjoy learning and studying the wonderful art of “crocheting”.
Here are more reasons why you would want to learn crochet:
1. Most individuals who are into this hobby finds working with yarns of different textures and colors enjoyable.
2. Most say that this hobby is very calming.
3. One can make sweaters, hats, scarf and other accessories for oneself.
4. It is a social and fun activity to do with and family and friends.
5. One can take it along anywhere at anytime.
6. It maximizes one’s idle time.
7. It provides one with a sense of achievement when she completes a project.
8. It is an inexpensive hobby and one can make gifts out of the many thing one can create in crochet.
9. One can express oneself, invent designs and make patterns.
Starting your crochet hobby:
One could start crocheting with any type of yarn for knitting, making certain that the yarn and size of the hook are well matched.
To start, one needs to purchase some yarn and a needle, recommended size for beginners are H, G, or I size hooks as smaller hook sizes are much harder to handle.
Crochet hooks comes in different materials and sizes. Steel hooks for crochet are normally used with fine threads and doilies usually are available in sizes 00 up to 16, whereby the higher is the number, the smaller is the hook. The hooks for yarns are identified with letters starting from B up to Q, whereby B is the smallest and Q is the largest.
Purchase one dark colored and one lighter colored yarn so you can see your progress and “how you are doing” with the stitches; buy an ordinary yarn, preferably not wool or chenille as again, they are harder to work with.
When buying a yarn, test its strength by rubbing yard strands between your thumb and index finger. When it unravels a lot, never purchase it and test another one until you feel each type of yarn’s differences and the one that does not unravels are best.
Buy a yarn more than what the pattern asked for, as there is the possibility that you will run out of yarn and that particular type can not be ordered anymore, or is out of stock.
Here are crochet basics for making a hat:
You will need the following:
• “Worsted-weight yarn”, of any color or a combination of colors
• Crochet hook, size G
• Yarn needle having a big eye
• Small scissors
How to start:
1. With your right hand, hold the “crochet hook in” and then create a “slip knot on hook”.
2. Carry the yarn over with the hook starting from the back going to the front and then take it with the hook.
3. Draw the hooked yarn through with a “slip knot” and onto the hook, making this one “chain stitch”.
4. Repeat in sequence steps two and three for 28 times; take note that you must create “29 chain stitches” and a loop will stay on hook.
5. The “first chain stitch” should be skipped.
6. Insert the hook to the center of the next “chain stitch”. Draw the yarn past through the “chain stitch” and work up to the hook; this results in two “loops on hook”.
7. Bring the “yarn over hook” starting from the back to the front, and pull it through “both loops on hook”. Note that there should be one loop that remains or stays on the hook; this is now one “single crochet stitch”.
8. In every remaining twenty seven chains, repeat steps six and seven, making certain you “work in the very last chain”. Now you have completed one line of “single crochet”.
9. Measure your piece, as it must be approximately 7 inches wide. When it is overly wide, try once more with less beginning chains. When overly narrow, try once more with by adding beginning chains.
10. Create a single “chain stitch” at the tip of the line or row and turn your piece “counter-clockwise”, leaving the yarn “hook in the chain”. Now then you can start making another row, making stitches by working through the “stitches” of the preceding row.
11. Make a single “crochet stitch” in the first stitch and also in “each remaining stitch” of the preceding row. Be certain to work also “into the last stitch”; “chain 1, turn”.
12. Repeat step 10 until you can make a block that measures 9" long.
13. “Cut the yarn” from the ball (skein), leaving only 6 inches end and pull the hook directly upwards, inserting the yarn into the loop which remains “on the hook” then thread the “yarn needle” and interlace the stitches “back and forth” to secure it.
Here is a sample of a basic hat pattern:
Chain 4; join with a slip stitch in first chain to form a ring.
R1: Chain 2 (counts as “half double crochet”), 11 “half double crochet” in ring; join with a slip stitch in top of ch-2 – 12 stitches.
R2: Chain 2, “half double crochet” in same chain as joining, 2 “half double crochet” in each “half double crochet” around; join in top of chain2 – 24 stitches.
R3: Chain 2, “half double crochet” in same chain as joining, “half double crochet” in next half double crochet, * 2 “half double crochet” in the next “half double crochet”, half double crochet in next “half double crochet”; repeat from * around; join – 36 stitches.
R4: Chain 2, “half double crochet” in same chain as joining, “half double crochet” in the next 2 “half double crochet”, * 2 “half double crochet” in the next “half double crochet”, “half double crochet” in the next 2 “half double crochet”; repeat from * around; join – 48 stitches.
R5: Chain 2, “half double crochet” in each “half double crochet” around; join.
R6: Chain 2, “half double crochet” in same chain as joining, “half double crochet” in next 3 “half double crochet”, * 2 “half double crochet” in the next “half double crochet”, “half double crochet” in the next 3 “half double crochet”; rep from * around; join – 60 stitches.
R7: Chain 2, “half double crochets” in back loops only of each “half double crochet” around; join.
Rs 8-14: Repeat round 5.
“Brim-Round” 15: Chain 2, “half double crochet” in same chain as joining, “half double crochet” in next 2 “half double crochet”, * 2 “half double crochet” in the next “half double crochet”, “half double crochet” in the next 2 “half double crochet”; repeat from * around; join – 80 “half double crochet”. Rounds 16-20: Repeat Round 5. Fasten off. Weave in ends.
Abbreviations: * = repeat whatever follows* (asterisk)..R=row
Now that you know how to make a hat, you can browse the internet for more patterns, practicing from one simple pattern then moving on to more complicated ones. Enjoy your new found hobby!
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