Crochet for Beginners - The Basics

Hello friends! Finally! I have some time to start a new Crochet Series just for beginners! I have recorded videos for quite some time now but only as I needed or if it was requested.

Now I can start from the very beginning. Thinking back to when I started, I put together a few simple, basic, and quick videos to get you started!

In this post, I'll go over how to hold your hook, holding your yarn, tying a slip knot, and start making chain stitches. Chain stitches are usually the first thing you start with in most beginner projects.

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Let's dig in!

How to choose your hook & Yarn

I didn't realize that I didn't have a comprehensive video on choosing your yarn and hook so I had to record one. We'll just call this the "first part" of this series since I've already numbered the other videos! LOL

So basically, you want cheap (affordable) yarn to practice with. Red Heart Super Saver and other "value" yarn in medium weight will be good to practice with but as with everything, you do you. Find what works and try that first.

So, what is medium weight?

Yarn is categorized in different weights from 0 (lace) through 7 (Jumbo) which categorizes the yarn by the thickness of the strands. Medium is #4 in the below category which is worsted or aran.

When you decide which yarn you'd like to practice with, you can get an appropriate hook size. Don't know what size to get? Look at the label on the yarn ball. It usually almost always recommends a hook (& Needle) Size. You can find the size right on the hook. Some generic brands won't have labels on their hooks. I go over what different information is provided just on the label (which is VERY helpful). This is something I did not know because I just dove into crocheting, and learned things the hard way as I got more advanced. I recommend watching the video for additional information.

Let's get your yarn and hook ready to start practicing! As you start, try different ways of holding your hook that works for you. Tie your slip knot place your hook in the loop. Pull the yarn to tighten towards the hook. Make sure you don't pull too tight! Give it some space. When you start your chain stitches, play with different ways to hold your working yarn too.

Then you will start chaining stitches. You do this by wrapping your yarn around the hook (yarn over) and pulling it through the look that is on your hook from making the slip knot. And you repeat until you have a chain of stitches.

The next stitch you may need to learn is the slip stitch. Slip stitches are used mostly to join your work or complete a row of stitches. It can also be used for designing but we'll get into that later in the series.

Okay! I think that's enough for you to practice on! The next set of videos will go over the very basic stitches, Single, Half Double, & Double Crochet Stitches. So don't forget to subscribe to my blog and channel for updates!

I’d love to see any of your your completed work!

Please share photos here:

@designsbyphanessa

#designsbyphanessa

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