Beginner Crochet Series

Finding Your Grip

One of the biggest surprises for new crocheters is discovering there isn't one "correct" way to hold your hook or yarn.

We talked about different ways to hold your crochet hook and how to manage your yarn tension comfortably. The best grip is the one that allows you to crochet without pain or excessive strain.

Remember:

• Relax your shoulders.

• Keep your hands loose.

• Take breaks when needed.

• Your grip may change as you gain experience, and that's perfectly normal.

Making a Slip Knot

The slip knot is the very first stitch of nearly every crochet project.

We practiced making a slip knot that is snug enough to stay on the hook but loose enough to slide easily. If yours doesn't look perfect yet, don't worry. This simple knot becomes second nature with repetition.

Crocheting the Foundation Chain

Your foundation chain creates the base for almost every crochet project.

We practiced:

• Keeping an even rhythm.

• Making chains that are loose enough to work into later.

• Recognizing what a finished chain should look like.

• Avoiding overly tight tension.

Don't focus on speed.

Instead, focus on creating chains that are consistent in size. Even chains make every project easier as you continue learning.

Understanding the Single Crochet

• What the abbreviation SC means in patterns.

• Where to insert your hook.

• The steps to complete a single crochet stitch.

• How the finished stitch should look.

Maintaining Consistent Tension

• Holding your yarn comfortably.

• Keeping stitches even from row to row.

• Tips for avoiding stitches that are too tight or too loose.

Turning Your Work

• When and why to use a turning chain.

• How to begin the next row without stretching the edge.

• Keeping the sides of your project straight.

Counting Your Stitches

• How to identify the first and last stitch of each row.

• Why counting every row helps prevent accidental increases and decreases.

• Tips for using stitch markers to keep your place.

Common Beginner Mistakes

• Accidentally adding extra stitches.

• Missing the last stitch in a row.

• Pulling loops too tightly.

• Ways to recognize and correct mistakes before they become bigger problems.

Getting to Know the Half Double Crochet

• What the abbreviation HDC means in crochet patterns.

• How the half double crochet differs from the single crochet and double crochet.

• The anatomy of the stitch and what it should look like when finished.

Working the Stitch

• Yarn over before inserting your hook.

• Inserting the hook into the next stitch.

• Pulling up a loop so you have three loops on your hook.

• Yarn over again and pulling through all three loops at once.

Building Consistent Tension

• Keeping your yarn overs loose enough to work comfortably.

• Making each stitch the same height.

• Finding a rhythm that helps create even rows.

Turning Your Work

• How to begin a new row with the appropriate turning chain.

• Finding the first stitch of the row.

• Keeping your edges neat and straight.

Counting Your Stitches

• Identifying the top "V" of each half double crochet.

• Counting stitches at the end of every row.

• Using stitch markers if needed to help keep track of the first and last stitches.

Common Beginner Challenges

• Forgetting the first yarn over.

• Pulling through only two loops instead of all three.

• Missing the last stitch in the row.

• Uneven stitch height caused by inconsistent tension.

Getting to Know the Double Crochet

• What the abbreviation DC means in crochet patterns.

• How the double crochet differs from the single crochet and half double crochet.

• The anatomy of a completed double crochet stitch and what it should look like.

Working the Stitch

• Yarn over before inserting your hook into the next stitch.

• Inserting the hook into the next stitch.

• Pulling up a loop so you have three loops on your hook.

• Yarn over and pull through the first two loops.

• Yarn over again and pull through the remaining two loops.

Building Consistent Tension

• Keeping your yarn overs loose enough to work comfortably.

• Making each stitch the same height.

• Finding a steady rhythm that creates even, consistent rows.

Turning Your Work

• How to begin a new row with the appropriate turning chain.

• Finding the first stitch of the new row.

• Keeping your edges neat and straight.

Counting Your Stitches

• Identifying the top "V" of each half double crochet.

• Counting stitches at the end of every row.

• Using stitch markers if needed to help keep track of the first and last stitches.

Common Beginner Challenges

• Forgetting the first yarn over.

• Pulling through all three loops at once instead of two loops at a time.

• Missing the first or last stitch in the row.

• Uneven stitch height caused by inconsistent tension.

Getting to Know the increase and decrease

• We learned how increases and decreases change the shape of your crochet.

• An increase adds stitches by working two stitches into the same stitch, making your project wider or more rounded.

• A decrease combines two stitches into one, reducing your stitch count and helping create shaping.

• We practiced these techniques using both single crochet and half double crochet.

Working the Stitch

Single Crochet Increase (sc inc)

• Working two single crochet stitches into the same stitch.

• Identifying where increases belong in a pattern.

• Counting stitches after completing a row.

Single Crochet Decrease (sc dec)

• Inserting your hook into two stitches before completing one single crochet.

• Keeping decreases neat and nearly invisible.

• Maintaining an even stitch count.

Half Double Crochet Increase (hdc inc)

• Working two half double crochet stitches into the same stitch.

• Keeping yarn overs consistent.

• Maintaining even stitch height.

Half Double Crochet Decrease (hdc dec)

• Beginning each stitch with a yarn over.

• Combining two stitches into one half double crochet decrease.

• Completing the decrease smoothly while maintaining tension.

Building Consistent Tension

As you practice, focus on:

• Keeping your stitch size even throughout each row.

• Counting your stitches after every increase or decrease row.

• Watching your tension so shaping stays smooth.

• Working slowly until the movements become comfortable.

Reading your crochet

As your projects begin to take shape, practice identifying:

• Where increases create extra stitches.

• Where decreases combine stitches.

• How shaping changes the overall look of your project.

• The top "V" of each completed stitch.

Counting Your Stitches

• Identifying the top "V" of each half double crochet.

• Counting stitches at the end of every row.

• Using stitch markers if needed to help keep track of the first and last stitches.

Common Beginner Challenges

• Forgetting to place two stitches into the same stitch for an increase.

• Accidentally increasing when a pattern calls for a regular stitch.

• Missing one of the stitches during a decrease.

• Losing track of the stitch count.

• Uneven shaping caused by inconsistent tension.

Getting to Know the increase and decrease

Understanding Double Crochet Increases & Decreases

• We learned how increases and decreases affect the shape of a crochet project.

• A double crochet increase (dc inc) adds stitches by working two double crochets into the same stitch, making your project wider.

• A double crochet decrease (dc dec) combines two stitches into one, reducing your stitch count and helping shape your work.

Working the Stitch

Double Crochet Increase (dc inc)

• Yarn over and begin a regular double crochet.

• Complete one double crochet stitch.

• Work a second double crochet into the same stitch.

• Count your stitches to ensure the increase was completed correctly.

Double Crochet Decrease (dc dec)

• Yarn over and begin the first double crochet without finishing it.

• Begin the second double crochet in the next stitch, also leaving it unfinished.

• Yarn over and pull through all remaining loops to complete one decrease.

• Maintain even tension so the decrease lays neatly within your work.

Building Consistent Tension

As you practice, focus on:

• Keeping your yarn overs loose and consistent.

• Making each stitch the same height.

• Watching your tension during decreases so they don't become bulky.

• Counting your stitches after every increase or decrease row.

Reading your crochet

As your projects begin to take shape, practice identifying:

• Where increases create two stitches from one.

• Where decreases combine two stitches into one.

• How shaping changes the direction and appearance of your fabric.

• The top "V" of every completed double crochet.

Counting Your Stitches

• Identifying the top "V" of each double crochet.

• Counting stitches at the end of every row.

• Using stitch markers if needed to help keep track of the first and last stitches.

Common Beginner Challenges

• Forgetting to work two double crochets into the same stitch for an increase.

• Completing a decrease as two separate stitches instead of one.

• Missing a stitch before or after a decrease.

• Losing track of the stitch count.

• Uneven stitch height caused by inconsistent yarn overs or tension.