Basic Crochet Stitches

By Ana Smith

The most basic of crochet stitches include the chain stitch, the slip stitch, the double crochet stitch and the treble stitch. It is important to be confident and capable about forming these stitches, as the majority of crochet patterns include all of them. However you can and will find patterns which omit either the treble or the double crochet stitch so it is essential that you learn at least one of these basic stitches. Nevertheless it will not be long before you find the need to have both in your crocheting skills repertoire.

To begin crocheting it is essential to start from the begin setup position. This is achieved by looping the yarn round itself into a looped ring, then inserting the hook into the loop and catching the yarn with your hook, and bringing it back up through the looped ring and lastly by tightening the slip knot onto your hook. The next task is to hold the crochet hook in your normal dominate hand in a style that suits you (either like a pen or as when holding a knife) whilst holding the yarn securely with your free hand just below the slip knot.

The chain stitch is the first crochet stitch used in all patterns; providing the foundation row or ring for either straight line or circular crochet. It is a very simple stitch abbreviated as ch in crochet patterns.

To work a series of chain stitches, wrap your yarn round your hook (two loops on hook) and then pull your hook through the first loop on its shaft. Now you have only one loop on your hook, and one chain stitch formed. Repeat this process for as many chain stitches as needed for your individual crochet pattern or project.

When crocheting in the round (circular garments like hats and doilies and squares are made this way) you need to join the chain stitches together with a slip stitch. A slip stitch is abbreviated to ss in crochet patterns. This is very simple. Just insert your hook into the middle of the first chain stitch crocheted, pick up the yarn and draw the hook back out again leaving two loops on the hook. Now just draw the hook through the first loop on the hook thus leaving only one loop on the hook and joining the work into a ring.

The double crochet stitch abbreviated to dc or in America the single crochet stitch is very similar to that of the slip stitch just described above. However the hook is placed into the next stitch to be worked. This will vary depending on what project you are making. After inserting the hook into the appropriate position, pick up the yarn and draw the hook back out of the stitch, leaving two loops on the hook. Now wrap the yarn again round the hook making three loops on the hook. Finally draw the hook through all the loops to leave just the one loop on the hook, with one double crochet stitch worked.

The last basic crochet stitch we are going to deal with is the treble stitch, abbreviated to tr in crochet patterns and also known as the double crochet in America. This is the hardest of the basic crochet stitches and is the meat and vegetables of crochet, as many advanced stitches and techniques are based around this stitch. Consequently it is a good idea to be proficient at performing this crochet stitch.

To crochet a treble stitch, first wrap the yarn round the hook before inserting your hook into the stitch where you wish your treble to be located. Catch the yarn as before and draw the hook out of the stitch. At this point you will have three loops on your hook. Again wrap the yarn round your hook, making four loops on the hook. Now draw the hook through the second and third loops on the hook, leaving you with two loops on your hook. Wrap the yarn round the hook again making three loops and draw the hook through these remaining loops, leaving you with just one loop on the hook and one treble formed.

You now have the basic techniques to crocheting, as we have covered the basic crochet stitches. You will be amazed at how many patterns and projects are now at your disposal with just this limited amount of crocheting knowledge. Please do not just take my word for it go and look for yourselves! And remember have fun!

Ana Smith is a highly skilled crocheter with over thirty years experience and author of http://beginners-crochet.blogspot.com/2009/03/crochet-stitches-how-to-crochet-slip.html

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Beginning Crochet

By Amanda Blake

The first step to enjoying this wonderful craft is to purchase crochet hooks and yarn. You will learn that crochet hooks come in a variety of sizes, styles, and colors. A good hook size for beginning crochet is the G hook. It is recommended that you use a G hook for practicing basic stitches.

If you have ever looked at a crochet pattern, you may have thought that you were reading a foreign language. That is because crochet patterns contain abbreviations, to keep things simple and orderly. To begin crocheting with a pattern, you will need to know what the abbreviations stand for, as well as have a clear understanding of the basic stitches. First we will take a look at various types of crochet hooks and yarn, and then we will discuss the numerous crochet stitches.

Some crochet stitches are very simple and basic, and these are the ones that all beginners should start with. However, you will soon discover that as your proficiency grows, you will soon begin to use some of the more difficult stitches. It is simply amazing the effects you can create by using various stitches, combining stitches, and alternating stitches with yarn colors.

The first rule of thumb, when learning to crochet, is to remember to have fun. This means that you shouldn't get stressed out if you make a mistake or if you don't understand a pattern. Just practice making chain stitches. Your goal will be to create a length of chain stitches that look uniform and even.

Before you even begin to think of tackling your first pattern, you will practice your stitches by crocheting various swatches. These are crocheted blocks of a square shape, you can determine the amount of rows that you would like, but the object is to practice your stitches until you feel comfortable with the shape and appearance of your crochet swatch.

Don't worry about wasting your yarn either. In fact, if you like, you can save your swatches and stitch them together to make other projects. It is recommended that you make crochet swatches to test your gauge before beginning other projects as well. So relax and enjoy crocheting swatches, they are the groundwork for your future crochet designs.

It is also important to realize that since your crochet experience is intended to be fun, that you may want to test the limits of your creativity. Once you begin to memorize different stitches, you may find yourself working on a pattern then decide that you would like to take it in a different direction. Never fear to stray from the patterns and experiment. Many times you will learn that you can take the knowledge that you have and experiment and create your own unique styles. This is how I have developed some of my favorite patterns.

You will also learn that you can create many beautiful crochet pieces from simple shapes such as squares, circles, and rectangles. This is a great way for beginners to branch out into a variety of projects without necessarily having the experience or the proficiency to tackle more complicated projects.

However, you will discover that just a few simple stitches and the ability to follow a pattern will have you crocheting numerous amounts of projects in very little time.

If you fancy afghans, then you may want to begin learning the Granny Square after you master the basic stitches. Many beginners create one giant Granny Square afghan with matching pillow as well.

The most important thing is to make sure you have fun and take your time. Enjoy your crocheting and you will find that in no time at all, you will be crocheting like a pro.

Amanda Blake is an expert crochet artist who designs her own patterns and helps others learn the craft of crochet. You can visit her site at: http://www.funcrochet.com

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Basic Crochet Instructions

By Cheryl D. Shank

Many people decide to take up new hobbies and find the hardest part is learning the basics. Basic crochet instructions can also be difficult to find and it is not a craft you can simply teach yourself without first learning the basic crochet stitches. At times is can be difficult to find anyone else who knows crochet. You will generally have better luck if you have a grandmother who liked to crochet and can teach you. However, many who would like to learn this creative craft simply don't have anyone to show them the basics of crocheting.

Fortunately, the internet generally has information on any hobby you would like to begin. Basic crochet instructions are no different. If you spend a lot of time looking you will find information on this hobby also. Although a lot of people think crocheting is something only older people do, they are wrong. Crocheting is becoming popular again with many young people taking up the craft. This is probably due to the many beautiful items it is possible to create with a little yarn and a crochet hook.

When a person is just getting started in crocheting they will want to begin by learning a few basics. The best place to start would be to learn what a row and a single crochet is.

The first step in basic crochet instructions would be to obtain a few basic crochet supplies. You will need a crochet hook. You can usually find a packet of hooks that include different sizes. You should select one that includes a size G crochet hook as it is one of the most common. You will also need yarn, small scissors, and a yarn needle.

To begin any crochet project you will need to create a slipped knot with the loop on your crochet hook. This can be done by making a loop and hold it between your thumb and fore finger on your left hand. With the crochet hook in your right hand, pull the yarn through the loop you created, then pull the thread through a second time. At this time pull the thread at the bottom of the loop tight and you should have a knot and be ready to continue with your crocheting.

The second thing you will need to know is how to make a chain stitch. This is the very basic stitch you will need to begin any crochet pattern. Once you have your slipped know created all you have to do is have the loop on your crochet hook and then wrap the yarn around your hook and draw the yarn through the loop. Although this can sound very confusing it is really quite easy and you will soon be amazed at how quickly you learn to do this.

One of the most basic crochet stitches is the single crochet. You can accomplish this stitch after you have created your chain. You will simply insert your crochet hook into one of the chain stitches you created and wrap the yarn on the hook and pull through. Of course a picture is worth a thousand works when you are learning a new hobby, so look around and find a picture and you will have that wonderful ah ha moment which will send you on your way.

Of course these are just the basic crochet instructions and there are a lot more stitches that you can learn. Each crochet pattern will have it's own stitches it uses, but after you learn the basic stitches the rest will be much easier to learn.

To learn more about the different crochet stitches [http://www.besthomemadegiftideas.com/different-crochet-stitches.html] you can visit Cheryl at [http://www.besthomemadegiftideas.com].

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How to Crochet - The Basic Stitches

By A Lundy

Learning how to crochet is easy and a few basic stitches can be used to create more
complicated patterns.

Crochet is, by using a hook, the pulling of loops of yarn through other loops to create pieces of goods used for wearing apparel and for household items. The first published references to crochet were in the 1800s. Today there are many free crochet patterns available, along with instructions for learning the basic stitches, for those who are wanting to learn how to crochet.

With the invention of the cotton gin in the 1800s, crochet replaced more costly methods of lace making. Crocheted laces in the Edwardian period were elaborate with complicated stitching. White thread became common, replacing strong colors that were used earlier in the Victorian era. After WW1, there were less patterns produced for crochet, but after WWII, new patterns were produced, there were thicker threads and yarns, and there was a renewed interest in learning how to crochet. Today's yarns with new textures and wonderful colors have added to the popularity. There are many free crochet patterns online.

Although different pattern types are used for crochet projects, there are only a few basic crochet stitches to know when learning how to crochet as the interesting patterns are worked with combinations of these few stitches.

To form more complex patterns, these are basic stitches to learn:

US - The Stitch - The Abbreviation

Chain - ch
Single Crochet - sc
Half Double Crochet - hdc
Double Crochet - dc
Slip Stitch - slst

also - the Treble and Triple Treble

Different terminology is used in different countries. Some of the names of the stitches differ between American English - US - and British English - UK.

A few of the many patterns which are made using these basic stitches are the shell stitch and the picot, commonly used for edgings, the different cluster stitches, and the popcorn stitch. The instructions for forming these and many, many more complex patterns are generally included in the crochet pattern instructions.

For free online videos for basic stitches and for free crochet patterns online, Go Here.

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Common Crochet Stitch Guide

By L. Lee Scott

Check out the most common crochet stitches with this crochet stitch guide. These stitches are the building blocks of crochet. When you're learning to crochet, you learn those stitches first before moving on to pattern stitches.

A pattern stitch consists of ordered stitches that are repeated to make textures, shells and clusters, as well as decorative motifs. You use pattern stitches to create crocheted items such as scarves, hats, baby blankets and more.

You can find pattern stitches in crochet books or pattern leaflets, and on the Internet. With practice, you can learn to individualize a written pattern by using different crochet hooks or yarns. A stitch pattern can be as simple as two rows, or as complex as twelve. A row counter can help you keep track of where you are.

Texture Crochet Stitches

Texture crochet patterns use basic crochet stitches to create a multitude of compact patterns.

The alternate stitch is done on a multiple of two chains plus two for turning. Begin by making a chain the length you need, turn it, and after skipping three chains (the turning chain), make two single crochet in the next chain (or stitch, in later rows). Then skip a chain (or stitch) and chain one. Repeat that to the last stitch or chain, make two single crochets in the last stitch, chain two and turn. The second row will make the two crochet stitches in the single chain spaces, and skip and chain over the two crochets in the previous row. Those two rows make up a pattern that looks something like a leaf when it's made up.

The double stitch is similar to the alternate stitch, but instead of making two single crochets in one stitch, it spans two stitches. Insert your crochet hook in the stitch to be worked, wrap the yarn over it so you pull back a loop, then insert the crochet hook into the next stitch. Yarn over so you'll pull back an additional loop, then pull the yarn through all three loops on the hook. Repeat the double stitch over each pair of stitches in the row. With a soft, washable crochet yarn, this pattern makes a warm baby blanket.

Other texture stitches include:

• Up and down, which alternates single and double stitches.
• Checker board pattern created by alternating groups of three or four single and double crochet stitches.
• Woven stitch made by crocheting a single crochet in a chain stitch, chaining one and skipping the next stitch, and then crocheting another single crochet. Repeat this across the first row, then crochet one in the chain space of the previous row, skipping and chaining one over the single crochets in the previous row.
• Diagonal stitch, which uses long stitches pulled across groups of three single or double crochet stitches.

There are many more texture stitches. Once you've tried a few, you may start coming up with textures of your own.

Shell or Fan Pattern Stitches

The shell or fan stitch is one of the most popular designs for baby blankets, throws and afghans. A shell is a group of three to five stitches worked into a single stitch or chain space. The group will be closer together at the bottom and spread out at the top, so each group looks like a fan or seashell.

A simple shell has a double crochet in one stitch, then two double crochet, a single chain, and two more double crochets all in the next stitch. Another double crochet is made in the next stitch, but the loop is carried across three skipped stitches, and a smaller fan is made. Each large shell is crocheted into the skipped stitch of the shell below it, creating a scalloped edge.

Variations on the shell can be made by crocheting small shells in narrow chain spaces, creating an open, delicate pattern ideal for baby clothes or blankets. By making large shells over large open areas, you can create an arch-like pattern. Make a fan opening upward over one opening down, and you'll have a beautiful starburst pattern.

Cluster Crochet Stitch Patterns

The best known cluster stitch is probably the bobble stitch. The bobble is usually between a pair of single crochet stitches, and is created by doing a yarn over, inserting the crochet hook into the bobble's base stitch and pulling a loop out. You then do another yarn over, pulling the yarn through two of the stitches on the hook. This is repeated five times in the base stitch, resulting in six loops remaining on the hook. The yarn is pulled through all six loops to create the bobble, then secured by making a single crochet in the stitch that follows it.

Another popular cluster pattern is the pineapple stitch. Worked on a multiple of two plus four, the pineapple is made by doing a yarn over, inserting the crochet hook in a single stitch, and pulling up a loop four times, making a yarn over. Draw the crochet yarn through eight loops, then make another yarn over and pull the yarn through the last two loops. Unlike bobbles, pineapples aren't usually anchored with single crochet stitches. Instead, a stitch is skipped between each pineapple, and a chain is made over the skipped stitch. In the next row, the pineapples are made in the chain space between the pineapples on the previous row. The top of the pineapple is skipped and a chain is made above it.

You should now have a better idea of the kind of designs you can make with basic crochet stitches. Find some crochet books, search the Web and, after making some patterns, try creating some of your own.

For more information on crochet, visit the hobbies section of Life123.com.

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