Crochet has quickly become one of the newest obsessions of crafters. While knitting requires two needles for success, crochet can be done using yarn and a hook.
Learning crochet was once only accessible via one’s mother or grandmother; now there are numerous sources for instruction available to individuals looking to start this skill.
Basic Stitches
No matter what fabric or project you are working on, understanding stitches is vital for success. They serve as the glue that keeps everything together! Stitches form the basis of sewing, knitting, embroidery, crochet and needle lace-making projects whether done manually or machine. Gaining knowledge on basic stitches will enable you to move ahead in your craft while producing more projects with varying requirements.
Before sewing machines became an everyday part of life, many garments were sewn by hand using seven basic hand stitches. If you take the time to learn and master these stitches, you will be able to hem clothing, close seams, create patchwork designs, sew simple stuffed animals or pillows!
The basting stitch (also called running baste stitch) is one of the simplest stitches used to temporarily join two pieces of fabric together. Resembling a tack stitch in its fast needle-threading action, it is often employed when sewing clothing hems, hand gathering pleats or creating foundation for more permanent seams.
Running stitch involves passing needle and thread over and under fabric in a straight line, creating an all-purpose stitch ideal for seaming clothing such as silk or linen and hemming it, or creating seams in clothing. Machine sewing also tends to rely heavily on running stitches.
Catch stitch, also known as ladder stitch, is an almost invisible stitch used for sewing blankets and closing seams on clothing or stuffed animals. It is created by stitching into the crease between two folded and pressed fabric pieces – ideal results are stitching into both folds simultaneously.
Chain Stitches
One of the core crochet stitches, called chain stitches, resembles a line of interlocking loops. By creating chain stitches you’re creating the foundation of your project; typically this will be one of your first techniques learned. To do so, “yarn over” your hook from back to front (wrap the yarn around from behind to front) before drawing up another loop on your hook with each pass of yarn over your hook and tightening thread every time until your desired number of chain stitches have been achieved for your project.
Once you have mastered the chain stitch, it can be used to create more complex patterns and stitches. By changing how tight or loosely you pull on the thread, your chains’ appearance can easily change – another reason for practicing before beginning an actual project.
Be mindful that crochet is an easy craft; the more practice you put in, the faster your skills will improve. Before diving into your actual project, practice on scrap pieces of yarn by working on small stitches first to become comfortable with both yarn and hook, helping maintain proper tension as you work.
Always secure the end of your thread after finishing, either with a small stitch or fray check, to prevent your chain from unraveling and make sure that the final project remains neat and tidily presented. This will also keep your project looking professional!
Single Stitches
As you become more adept with crochet, you will most likely acquire additional stitches. Slip stitch and single crochet are among the fundamental stitches; both offer unique characteristics and applications essential for every crocheter’s repertoire.
Single crochet (abbreviated as sc in US terms or dc in UK terminology) is a tall, dense crochet stitch used to produce durable fabrics without holes or thread gaps. Newcomers to crochet often begin learning single crochet as their first stitch after mastering foundation rows; working it into the front loops of their starting chain creates this stitch.
When working a pattern that calls for single crochet stitches, start by creating a sample swatch using the yarn and hook size recommended in your pattern. Next, follow its instructions regarding single crochet rows.
Once you understand the basics of single crochet, try exploring its variations. For instance, to add texture to your project try working single crochet in only the back loop (abbreviated as sc bl). This creates an open, elongated fabric with pretty horizontal lines.
Alternately, try the split single crochet stitch – commonly known as waistcoat stitch. This variation of regular single crochet allows you to insert your hook between each of its “legs”, creating knit-like fabric.
Reduce the number of stitches in a row with an sc dec or sc2tog stitch by joining two partially completed single crochet stitches together using this stitch (abbreviated as “sc dec or sc2tog”). You do this by inserting your hook through both front loops of two stitches adjacent to where you wish to decrement, pulling yarn through all three remaining loops on your hook, then pulling in one yarn draw-through at once to the three remaining loops on your hook before drawing last yarn draw-through into all three remaining loops on your hook – in this way decrement is achieved.
Double Stitches
If you want to up your crochet game, double stitches may be just what’s needed to advance. To begin learning this stitch type, first find the size of hook that suits both your yarn and desired gauge; check your yarn label or referring to patterns for this information.
Once you are confident with foundation chain and single crochet stitches, double crochet becomes easier. Each row will still need a turning chain at its conclusion, but from then on you’ll work double crochet stitches directly in existing chains in your project.
To create a double crochet stitch, start by creating a slip knot on your hook. Next, yarn over and insert your hook into the second chain from your hook; pull through existing stitches into two loops on your hook (thereby creating double crochet stitches); repeat steps 2 to 4 until each chain in your previous row has been completed – that way.
After some practice, you will quickly be able to complete one row of double crochet in each chain in your project in just one pass through your foundation chain. This will enable you to develop consistent tension that ensures even stitches and an attractive finished look.
Once you have mastered double crochet stitch, it is a good idea to experiment with some of the other stitches available. Treble crochet is taller than double crochet and useful in many projects – working it similarly but using an additional yarn over.
Treble Stitches
Treble crochet stitches (abbreviated “tr”) are among the tallest of basic crochet stitches and often used to create an eye-catching texture, such as in a crocheted scarf or hat. Though initially daunting, this stitch can actually become quite straightforward once you know its steps.
To crochet a treble crochet stitch, first create a chain of four stitches. Insert your hook into the sixth stitch from your hook and wrap yarn from back to front and around it twice over, as with single crochet stitch.
Pull through both loops on your hook to form your first treble crochet stitch, repeat this process for each stitch in your row and work into the last treble crochet of each previous row when necessary (see below for information on this). When finished, make sure to complete a turning chain (please see below for further guidance on this).
Some crocheters prefer working their rows in a spiral rather than flat rows; it all depends on personal preference. Some crocheters find it easier to track their work when working spiral rows.
Alternately, you can crochet in the back loop only (blo). This creates ridges from unworked back loops from previous rows – some people find this more comfortable to work with than regular treble crochet stitches. To do this, slip one stitch from right hand side of work over to left, insert hook into first blo stitch then yarn over twice before drawing through last two loops on hook to form your treble crochet stitch in a back loop stitch.