Today, crochet is not anymore just for grandmas. Yarn design is now very popular and is anybody that has a creative sense, patience and imagination. While the patterns may seem to look so hard, when learned, one will be surprised how easy it is. Crochet projects are ideal gift items for your loved ones as well as useful in the home.
The internet has thousands of free crochet patterns from beginner to advanced that are readily availble so that you can practice simple patterns. All you need to do is browse the net and discover so many sites that makes crocheting more enjoyable.
Guide before starting:
Keep the yarn from intertwining or coiling by changing the way that you turn or flip your project after each row is completed; for instance, turn your project clockwise after you have made an even numbered line or row and then turn it counterclockwise after you have completed an odd numbered line or row.
A tapestry needle, as it has a rounded end is good for weaving the yarn ends into your project when finished. A tapestry needle number 16 that is used generally for plastic canvas basting is a suitable size to manipulate when working on “worsted weight yarn crochet patterns”. When you weave the loose ends, make sure you weave two inches going to one direction and another two inches going the opposite direction.
Learn basic crochet stitches to understand crochet patterns:
Chain stitch
To make the chain stitch, you need to create a “slip knot” so to start chaining, pass the hook underneath the yarn, pull the yarn through then catch it with your hook. Draw the yarn again back in the loop that is on your hook so to form your "first chain". When you pass your hook underneath the yarn, this act is referred to as "yarn over". Keep on repeating this chaining manner for as many as the pattern requires it.
Slip Stitch
The “slip stitch” is mainly used to seam “rounds” of crocheting all together. The slip stitch has no tallness therefore it can not be made into rows. Insert your hook in the chain then “yarn over” and draw a loop passing the chain. Draw then the new loop passing the “old loop”.
“Single crochet” stitch
To practice this stitch, make fifteen chain stitches. Insert your hook in the second chain from the hook “yarn over” and draw a loop going through the “chain”. “Yarn over” once more and draw the new loop going through “two loops” on your hook. In each chain row that you make, work through a “single crochet” at the end of the row “chain 1 and then turn”.
“Half double crochet” stitch
Make fifteen chain stitches first, to practice, then “yarn over” the hook once. Insert your hook in the third chain from your hook and “yarn over” then draw a loop going through the chain twice. “Yarn over” and draw the yarn going through all the three loops on your hook and make a “half double crochet” in each chain stitch across. Then make two chain stitches and flip to the other side.
“Double crochet” stitch
”Yarn over” you hook once and then insert the hook in the fourth chain counting from the hook; “yarn over” and draw the yarn going through two loops on the hook and “yarn over” once more and draw it towards you going through the remaining two loops on the hook. Make a “double crochet stitch” in each chain stitch across and at the end make three chain stitches and turn. Make a “double crochet stitch” in each stitch across
“Triple crochet” stitch
Practice by making fifteen chain stitches. Yarn over the hook twice and insert the hook in the fifth chain from the hook, (*) “yarn over” and then go through two loops on the hook; repeat two more times.
Checking the pattern gauge
To check your pattern gauge, you need to stitch an unattached work sample before you begin your project; normally at twenty stitches across, fifteen rows high and measure or calculate from the inside rows that is the main portion of your project; compare this alongside what the gauge of the pattern says.
When your sample is found to be too large then you need to use a hook of a smaller size and making another sample and check again the gauge.
When your sample is found to be too small then you need to use another hook of a larger size, stitching another work sample.
Keep on practicing and in time, you will be able to identify and do all the stitches with ease!
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