Bruce the Chef

By: Charles Cox

Crocheting is very relaxing, rewarding, and can be learned quite
easily. Crochet is a technique favored by those who enjoy needlecrafts,
mainly because crochet stitches allow you to make useful home decor
such as doilies, bedspreads, blankets and tablecloths which add to your
home environment.
Here are some things worth knowing about before starting a crochet project:

1. All crochet designs begin with a “foundation chain” that can be long
(for afghan) or short for a project that starts as a "circle".

2. Understand that applying even pressure is important so as to make the correct size of your project.

3. With each project, you should try out a sample and then adjust the
size of the hook either down or up to reach the gauge required.

4. Hold the hook and the yarn in such manner that it is comfortable to you and just let the yarn flow without restraint.

5. The loop that is on the hook is not always counted.

6. The correct number or counting of chains should be formed always at
the start of every row in order for you to continue at the correct
height or length for the succeeding row. This “turning chain”
establishes the first or “initial stitch” of the subsequent row.

7. At all times, you need to pick two loops that is from the previous
row of the stitch except when the pattern indicates back or front loop.

8. A “space” is described as the interval between stitches.

9. Do not make a “slip stitch” into your first stitch.

10. After your completed work, you need to pull through a “loop on
hook” one last time and cut the yarn and pull the end through.

Here are some basic crochet stitches that you need to familiarize yourself with:

1. Chain stitch or “ch”. Create a “loop in thread” and insert your hook
in the loop, and pull towards you the central length of the yarn
through. Continue drawing the yarn through every new loop that you form
until you reach the desired length.

2. Single crochet stitch or “sc”. You will need to insert the hook
underneath two loops of a stitch then draw the yarn through the stitch,
creating “2 loops on hook”, then thread over the hook and pull through
towards your direction the two loops.

3. “Half double crochet” stitch or “half dc”. Create similar double
crochet stitches until you form three “loops on hook” and thread over
the pull the yarn through all of three loops.

4. Double crochet stitch “dc”. Thread over the hook, then insert the
hook in the stitch and then pull the thread towards you through, making
“3 loops on hook”, then you need to thread the hook over and pull
through “two loops”, and once more thread over and pull through the
remaining two loops.

5. Treble stitch or “tr”. You need to thread over the hook two times
then insert the hook in the stitch and pull the thread through the
stitch, creating “4 loops on hook” then thread over, pull through the 2
loops, and thread over, then pull through “2 loops”, then thread over,
pull through the remaining 2 loops.

6. Slip stitch or “sl st”. Insert the hook through the stitch, then
catch the yarn, and with a single motion, pull both stitches through
and the “1 loop on hook”. This stitch is used generally for joining.

7. Popcorn stitch or “pc st”. Make one chain stitch, five double
crochet stitches then drop stitches from hook and insert the “hook”
back in that 1 chain stitch and pull the “loop” through the “one on
hook”.

8. “Block (bl) and space (sp)” stitch. You need to create four double
crochet stitches over four stitches of the preceding row, making 1
block, then create 2 chain stitches skip 2 stitches, creating 1 space
stitch.

The saying “practice makes perfect” is so very true in crochet. With
practice, patience and determination one can easily make simple crochet
patterns. So have some fun while you’re doing it!

About the Author:

C.S.Cox published the acclaimed instructional book, "Crocheting Made
Simple" which has taught numerous people how to crochet. Find out how
to sign up for the FREE Crocheting Made Simple Newsletter at www.crochetmadesimple.com

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