Crochet Basics: A Beginner's Guide

Materials You'll Need:

  • Crochet hook

  • Yarn

  • Scissors

  • Yarn needle for weaving in ends

  • Ribbon for marking the beginning of each row

Common Abbreviations:

  • ch: Chain stitch

  • sc: Single crochet

  • inc: Increase (work two stitches in the same stitch)

  • dec: Decrease (combine two stitches into one)

Basic Crochet Stitches:

1. Slip Knot:

            • Make a loop with the yarn, leaving a tail.

            • Insert the hook into the loop.

            • Pull the working yarn through the loop to create a slip knot.

2. Single Crochet (sc):

            • Insert the hook into the second chain from the hook.

            • Yarn over and pull up a loop (2 loops on the hook).

            • Yarn over again and pull through both loops.

3. Increase (inc):

            • Insert the hook into the stitch.

            • Yarn over and pull up a loop.

            • Yarn over and pull through both loops (one single crochet made).

            • Insert the hook into the same stitch again.

            • Repeat the single crochet to add an extra stitch.

  4. Invisible decrease (dec):

            • Insert the hook into the front loop of first stitch and pull up a loop (2 loops on hook).

            • Insert the hook into the front loop of the next stitch and pull up another loop (3 loops on hook).

            • Yarn over and pull through all three loops to complete the decrease.

   5. Chain Stitch (ch):

            • Yarn over (wrap the yarn over the hook).

            • Pull the yarn through the loop on the hook.

            • Repeat to create a chain of the desired length.

    6. 6-Loop Bobble:

            • Yarn over, insert the hook into the stitch, yarn over, and pull up a loop (3 loops on hook).

            • Yarn over and pull through the first two loops (2 loops remain).

            • Repeat this process five more times in the same stitch (you'll have 7 loops on the hook).

            • Yarn over and pull through all loops on the hook.

            • Secure with a chain stitch if needed to tighten the bobble.

7. Changing Yarns:

    • When you reach the point where you need to change yarn colors or skeins:

      • Work the last stitch of the current color until the final yarn over.

      • Yarn over with the new color and pull through to complete the stitch.

      • Continue crocheting with the new yarn.

      • Leave tails from both yarns to weave in later for a neat finish.

8. Magic Ring:

          • Create a loop with the yarn, crossing the end over the working yarn.

          • Insert the hook into the loop, yarn over, and pull up a loop.

          • Chain one to secure.

          • Work the desired number of stitches into the ring.

          • Pull the yarn tail to tighten the ring and close the center hole.

9. When making amigurumi, always work in a spiral

10. Keeping Track in Spiral Rounds:

          • Attach a small ribbon or stitch marker at your starting stitch.

          • Place the ribbon alternating over or under stitch number one as you complete each round to keep track of your starting point.

          • This helps maintain even rows and avoid confusion in spiral patterns.

11. Finishing Off:

        • Cut the yarn, leaving a 6-inch tail.

        • Yarn over and pull the tail through the last loop to secure.

        • Use the yarn needle to weave in loose ends neatly.

Tips for Success:

        • Maintain even tension to keep stitches consistent.

        • Count your stitches to ensure even rows.

        • Practice basic stitches before starting complex patterns.

        • Follow along to YouTube videos to perfect any techniques you can’t quite get the hang of.

        • Practice makes better!