Welcome!! I am so excited you are joining us for the first part of Hookin’…the legal way! Myself, and my awesome guests, Lauren from Tutus and Tea Parties and Sara from My Merry Messy Life are going to show you how to crochet!
These amazing shops are sponsoring Hookin’…the legal way. Check out their Etsy shops (Living In Amethyst and Two Girls Patterns) for some seriously amazing patterns and make sure to check back at the end where one lucky reader will be winning patterns from their shops! I know right!?
Are you ready to get started?? If you need a refresher of what each week will bring, please check out the Save the Date: Hookin’…the legal way post.
It can be extremely intimidating to look at a crochet pattern. All of the abbreviations are a bit overwhelming if you do not know what they mean. Well, let’s take it step by step and figure out what those abbreviations mean and figure out how to do each stitch as well. There are videos that you can watch to see how to complete each stitch, as well as pictures to break down those steps. You can click on the pictures to enlarge them.
1. Chain (ch) also known as the Foundation chain.
Wrap the yarn around your index finger and your middle finger twice. Take the back loop and bring it over the front loop on your fingers. Then take the front loop and bring it over the back loop you just pulled forward. Tighten your knot. Insert your hook and hold onto the knot to give you a better hold on to the yarn and create some tension. Wrap the yarn over the hook, pull the yarn through the loop on the hook, and you have just created your first chain stitch. Chain 31. Be sure to count. See the video below to see it done.
2. Single Crochet (sc).
Insert your hook into the second chain from the hook. Yarn over the hook, pull up a loop. Yarn over and pull through the loops on the hook. You are going to do 30 single crochet (sc) stitches. See video below.
3. Half Double Crochet (hdc) – halfway between a single and a double crochet in terms of height.
Chain 2 at the end of your previous row. This is going to give you the height of your hdc row. Turn the row so that you are going to the left again. Yarn over your hook, and insert the hook below the first stitch next to where you chained. Yarn over and pull up a loop. You will now have 2 loops on your hook. Yarn over and pull through all three loops on your hook. See video below.
4. Double Crochet (dc) – this is my favorite of the basic stitches because it makes the pattern come together faster as the height is much taller than the single crochet (sc).
At the end of your previous row, chain 3 as this will be the height of the dc row. Turn your work so that you are going to the left. Yarn over, insert your hook under the first stitch from the hook (next to the chain). Yarn over and pull up a loop. You will now have three loops on your hook. Yarn over, and pull up TWO loops. You will now have two loops left on your hook. Yarn over and pull up the remaining two loops. You have just completed the double crochet;) See video below.
5. Slip Stitch (sl st) – used to join crocheted rounds for circles, and for edging. This is perfect to edge the perimeter of a dishcloth to give it a more finished look.
Chain 1 at the end of your previous row. Insert your hook under the first stitch. Yarn over and pull the loop through. Continue pulling the loop through the loop that is on the hook. That is how you slip stitch:) See video below.
6. Crocheting a circle – Used for making a circular pattern. See video.
7. Magic circle (Magic Ring) – used for starting a circular pattern…ideal for making hats.
Wrap the yarn around your index finger so that it criss crosses. Insert your hook under the front loop and pull up the back loop as seen in the third picture. Slip this off of your index finger carefully so that you don’t lose your ring. Then, (assuming you are doing a double crochet), chain 3 stitches. Yarn over, and do a DC into the center of the ring. Continue doing this for the amount of dc’s as stated in the pattern or just practice:). It will come together as a circle so you’ll see when to stop because you won’t be able to put any more in there without it looking crazy:). In order to join the ring, do a slip stitch in the top of the chain three. You can see in the picture that there is still a hole in the middle. The back piece of yarn that started this ring can be pulled tight to close that hole. You are done:) See video below for more guidance.
Phew! That was a lot! But, keep practicing. You will get it. Replay these videos as many times as you need to, click on the pictures to make them bigger. Please ask if you need further guidance!! I am absolutely here to help!
Be sure to check back next Saturday for Part 2 of “Hookin’…the legal way” to learn how to increase and decrease with Sara from My Merry Messy Life.
Where I’m linking up
I am going out to get myself a hook so I can learn how to crochet. Your post is fantastic! I am really blown away with the great pictures and video tutorials. You guys get an A+. I am going to spread the word about the great series. If you want you can link up to my linky party on Tuesday. It’s called The Gathering Spot. Oh, the name is perfect. So funny :) Have a wonderful weekend ladies. http://mamaldiane.com/
Diane, recently posted..Father’s Day Giveaway! Win $180.00 Paypal Cash
I love the pictures and videos you provided! Such clear and easy visuals definitely break crocheting down a bit and let a beginner feel comfortable in attempting them.
I’m quite excited to try that magic circle business. I tried it once but didn’t seem to quite get it. Maybe your tutorial will help it click!
Can’t wait to see what else will be coming in this series :)
♥
Mrs. White recently posted..Loves on a Thursday #6
I see you’ve been working hard! Great job on the videos!
Sara – My Merry Messy Life recently posted..Crochet Father’s Day Gifts {free crochet patterns}
Thanks! Can’t wait for next week!!;)
WOW!!! Thanks for sharing at SweetTalkin’ Sunday. I may be able to learn the art of Hookin’ .. the legal way!! As you say!!
Lisa ~ The SweetTalk Shop recently posted..{Link Party} SweetTalkin’ Sunday # 20
Thanks for sharing at my Pinteresting Party this week. What a great tutorial! I will have mine to you this week. :)
Lauren recently posted..A Pinteresting Party – Week 42
I used to crochet but had to give it up due to time issues. This makes we want to do it again!
I have been wanting to learn to crochet. I know the videos will be very helpful! I would love it if you would share this on my linky party Tout It Tuesday. http://www.claimingourspace.com/2012/06/tout-it-tuesday-9.html
K @ Claiming Our Space recently posted..Tout It Tuesday – #9
Thanks for sharing on Tout It Tuesday!
K @ Claiming Our Space recently posted..Mother’s Day Plaque
This is a great resource. I don’t crochet very often, and have to refresh my memory when I do. Thanks for sharing at Terrific Tuesdays.
Rachel
adventuresofadiymom.blogspot.com
Rachel recently posted..Terrific Tuesdays #18
Wow! Love this, please share it! Link it up with me on my Wow Us Wednesday, ok? Over at http://www.familyhomeandlife.com
Thanks for linking at Wow Us Wednesday!
Thank you so much! I watched (and watched) and LEARNED how to do all the stitches. I’m going to be very busy over the next few weeks, I just know it! Thanks again.
Yay!! Make sure you join in for week 3 where I will show a couple free patterns to try and then show them off week 4 in the linky party…including a giveaway of course!!
Thank you for linking it up with us at http://www.FineCraftGuild.com . Great overview!
Rose :: Fine Craft Guild .com recently posted..Summer Maxi Dresses Sewing Video Tutorial
I can’t tell you how excited I was to stumble upon your blog and this link! I have just purchased all the items to try and teach myself to crochet! Yay!!! This is so helpful and I am thrilled to have such helpful tools. Thanks so much.
Thats so exciting!! Let me know if you have any questions!!