Tabla de contenidos para Crochet For Beginners 2nd Edition en Crochet For Beginners

Identifying Stitches Counting Stitches Counting Rows For tall stitches, you can clearly see the posts of each stitch. Each post corresponds to one row. With shorter stitches like single crochet, the fabric looks very different depending on whether you’re working in rows (or turned rounds) or in rounds and not turning your work. “If the turning chain counts as a stitch in your pattern, don’t forget to include it in your stitch count”…

Get started in crochet Make a slipknot to start your pattern “Leave the loop loose enough that your hook can easily slide up and down inside it” If you find you need to pull on the starting tail instead of the working yarn to tighten the slipknot around your hook, you’ve made an adjustable slipknot (a knot that can loosen itself). You need a secure knot to start your crochet, so if you’ve accidentally made an adjustable slipknot, undo it and start again.…

Under the Top Loop There’s no one correct way to insert your hook into a chain. The most important thing is to be consistent and insert your hook into the same part of the chain to begin each stitch. The following sections show the most common ways to work into a chain. Under the Top Loop and Back Bump Under the Back Bump Which should you use? Working into the top loop only is the easiest method for beginners, and the way the stitches in this book are made unless otherwise noted, but it makes a loose edge with large holes. After you’ve gained some confidence with making crochet stitches, I recommend working into the back bumps of the chain (unless a pattern specifies otherwise) because it makes a strong,…

At the end of each row of dc, remember that the turning chain from the row below counts as a stitch. You must make the last dc stitch into the top of the turning chain, or your work will get 1 stitch narrower with every row.…

Turning Chain Height The height of the turning chain you need depends on the height of the stitch you’re making in the upcoming row. The length of the turning chain depends on how loosely or tightly you make the chain stitches. You might find that – especially for the taller stitches – you need one fewer chain than specified. If your turning chains bulge out at the edges of your project, try using one fewer chain to see if that gives you a neater edge. If your turning chains pull your work together at the edges, try using one extra chain to see if that helps straighten the edge. The following table gives you standard turning chain lengths for the basic stitches The Final Stitch Typically, the turning chain for…

You want your yarn tail long enough to be able to weave the end in securely so it’ll be hidden and won’t be visible or pull free, and 6 inches (15cm) is plenty of yarn for that task. If you’ll be stitching two pieces together, you can leave a longer tail to use later for seaming. Your pattern should specify if you need to leave an extra-long tail. If you forget to leave enough length for seaming, you can cut a new length of yarn to stitch with. You’ll weave in more ends later.…

The easiest place to join new yarn is at the end of a row. If the item will be seamed or edged, you can hide the yarn ends in the seam or border. If you’re running short of yarn and need to add the next ball, try to judge when to stop so you don’t run out of yarn partway through a row. (I’m using a different color of yarn in these examples for clarity.) To join new yarn: Tying knots is unnecessary if you weave your ends in securely. If you find it difficult to switch to the new yarn and keep crocheting while the yarn ends are dangling free, tie the ends together in a simple knot until you’ve worked past them and then untie the knot before…

Increasing is written as the number of stitches you will make into that stitch, presented as such “2 dc in next st” or “3 sc in next st”. Here’s how to make a double crochet increase (2 dc in next st): Increasing at the Start of a Row Increasing at the start of a row is a little different because the turning chain typically counts as the first stitch (unless you’re working in single crochet). Here’s how to increase at the start of a row in dc: Top tip For multiple increases, unless you want to shape the fabric asymmetrically – to create a toy or a fitted garment, for example – it’s best to space your increases evenly across the row (or around the round).…

The magic ring, or adjustable ring, is commonly used when working in the round because it gives a very neat finish. Unlike the foundation chain ring, no hole is left in the middle of your starting round when you use a magic ring. You begin the magic ring just like a slip knot, but instead of tightening the loop into a knot, you crochet into it and then tighten it around your stitches. Here’s how to make a single crochet magic ring: Make a magic ring Create in-the-round crochet with no gap Top tip To continue crocheting, skip the ch 1 from the start of the round and work back into the first sc you made. You can either join the round before continuing or work in a spiral. The…

Invisible finish Finish your rounds secretly…

The beauty of crochet is that you can create a huge variety of stitch patterns from a few simple stitches. You can make all the patterns in this chapter, for example, with only the most basic stitches – chain, single crochet, half double crochet, and double crochet. What’s more, you can use these stitch patterns to make any rectangular shaped object, such as a dishcloth, a scarf, or a blanket. To begin each of these patterns, use the starting chain formula to crochet a chain of the desired width of your item. Then continue crocheting until the piece is as long as you want it. “To begin each of these patterns, use the starting chain formula to crochet a chain of the desired width of your item” Single crochet ribbing…

You can work post stitches around the post of any stitch, but they’re most often worked around dc or taller stitches because the larger spaces between these taller stitches make it easier to insert your hook around the post. “The larger spaces between these taller stitches make it easier to insert your hook around the post” Front Post Double Crochet (FPdc) To form a front post stitch, you work around the post of the stitch below, inserting your hook from the front, behind the post of the stitch, and back out to the front. Back Post Double Crochet (BPdc) Work around the post To form a back post stitch, you work around the post of the stitch below, inserting your hook from the back, in front of the post of…

You might have noticed that tall crochet stitches have a vertical gap between each stitch that can make your fabric look loose. Linked stitches close those gaps and produce a smooth, solid fabric – even with the tallest stitches. You can link any stitch taller than a single crochet by replacing the initial yarn over(s) at the beginning of the stitch with a loop that links the stitch to the previous stitch. Also, you do not count the turning chain as a stitch. This example uses linked double crochet (ldc) stitches. to fix it, put a crochet hook or cable needle through it to stop it from unraveling until you decide what to do. An unchecked dropped stitch can unravel all the way to your cast-on edge. Linked stitches Create…

You create a popcorn stitch by crocheting several tall stitches into a single base stitch and then joining together the first and last stitches at the top with a chain. This creates a single stitch that “pops” dramatically from the fabric. “This creates a stitch that ‘pops’ from the fabric” Some patterns specify that the popcorn be closed with a ch 1 as a final step after drawing the working loop through to the front. Check your pattern to see if this chain is included as part of the popcorn stitch.…

Pretty crocheted flowers are quick and easy to make, and they’re a fun way to add a decorative touch to other projects. You can stitch them directly onto your other crocheted pieces as embellishments, or you can sew a pin back onto the wrong side to make a removable flower brooch. Make these flowers with any size of yarn you like and an appropriate hook for the yarn. I used worsted weight yarn and an US I/9 (5.5mm) hook. The flowers shown measure about 21⁄2 inches (6cm) across.. Simple Flower Make a magic ring, ch 1. Rnd 1: (sc in magic ring, ch 2) 6 times. Pull the ring closed and join with sl st to 1st sc. Rnd 2: (sl st, ch 2, 2 dc, ch 2, sl st)…

A picot is a tiny loop of chain stitches that sits on top of the previous stitch and creates a small round or pointed loop at the edge of a piece or within a lace pattern. Picots can be formed from various chain lengths or in different ways, and each variation creates a subtly new shape. An open picot is a loop of chain stitches; a closed picot joins the end of the chain loop to its start with a slip stitch, either into the base stitch (as shown here), or into the first chain stitch. If you’re following a pattern, check the description to be sure you’re using the intended form of picot. Picot Edging Add a fancy y edge If you’re working all the way around an edge,…

Practice making perfect puff stitches with this fun scarf! Worked in a finer yarn, the scarf is warm and squishy without being overly thick. Remember to keep your puff stitches loose. Measurements Approximately 5 inches (13cm) wide by 60 inches (150cm) long. It’s easy to add more rows to make the scarf as long as you like. Yarn About 300 yards (275m) sport weight yarn. Shown in Knit Picks Andean Treasure, 100 percent baby alpaca, 110 yards (50g; 100m) per ball. Gauge (Tension) 91⁄2 rows and 8 puffs = 4 inches (10cm). Gauge (tension) is not critical for this project, although a different gauge (tension) will affect the final dimensions of the scarf. The row gauge (tension) is very dependent on the length of the loops you use to make…

So which yarn should you use, especially when you’re new to crochet? A smooth yarn that feels good in your hands is the best choice when you’re just starting. Choose a plain, soft yarn in a color you love, but avoid very dark colors at first. Your stitches will show more clearly with lighter-colored yarn. Novelty yarns with loops, bobbles, fluff, or glitter might be tempting right now, but they’re more difficult to work with. Because the texture obscures your stitches, wait until you have a thorough grasp of the basics of crochet before you attempt to work with one of these yarns. Whatever yarn you choose, it will likely come wound in a skein, ball, or hank, most often with a paper ball band surrounding it. The ball band…

The most important thing when you are crocheting is that you’re comfortable. If you feel any discomfort or pain, try a different hold or position until you find one that feels natural to you. Holding Your Hook The two most common ways to hold a crochet hook are the overhand or knife grip and the underhand or pencil grip. For either grip, grasp the hook’s thumb rest between the thumb and index finger of your right hand so the throat of the hook faces you. “Your left hand plays an important part in your crocheting, too – it controls the tension in your yarn” Holding Your Yarn Your left hand plays an important part in your crocheting, too – it controls the tension in your yarn, which influences how tight…

Gauge (tension) depends on your hook size and the yarn you use, but it also depends on your style of crocheting and how loose or tight you make your stitches. You might need a hook two or three sizes larger or smaller than another crocheter to make stitches of the same size, even if you use the same yarn and pattern! Stitching a Swatch Crocheting a swatch – a sample of your pattern – is an easy way to measure the size of your stitches. Using your stitch pattern and the hook and yarn you plan to use for the project, crochet a sample piece. This swatch should be at least 4 inches (10cm) square, not including the edge stitches and rows, which may be distorted and won’t give an…

If you see “insert hook in next stitch and draw up a loop” written in a pattern, that means the yarn over is implied. You can’t draw up a loop without having a loop of yarn on your hook to draw up.…

Standard crochet stitches are worked from right to left, so when you reach the end of a row, you turn your work so you can work from right to left across the top of the row you just completed. Top tip If a pattern doesn’t specify which loop(s) to work into, insert your hook under both loops of the stitch below. If you work into only one loop, the unworked loops form a horizontal ridge along the base of every row. Under the Front and Back Loops Under the Front Loops Only Under the Back Loops Only…

At the end of each row of hdc, remember that the turning chain from the row below counts as a stitch. You must make the last hdc stitch into the top of the turning chain or your work will get 1 stitch narrower with every row. The turning chain is particularly easy to miss with hdc stitches, so pay close attention at the end of each row.…

Complete the first row of slip stitches by repeating steps 2 through 4 into each remaining chain Although you won’t usually work more than one row of slip stitches, here’s how to continue if you want to go on to a second row: With practice, you might be able to complete steps 3 and 4 in one fluid motion. As you learn, however, pausing between the steps helps keep your slip stitches from becoming too tight. As with the chain stitch, you form the slip stitch from a single loop of yarn. This means that as you make the next stitch, you pull on the stitch you’ve just completed, and it shrinks. If you need to work back into your slip stitches, keep your tension very relaxed as you crochet…

Doing it this way leaves a large dot of the old color visible within the new color. Instead, here’s how to make a clean color change: When you need to change colors, watch for the approaching color change, and complete the last step of the stitch before the color change with the new color. This is such a universal rule, most patterns won’t mention it. Carrying Yarn If you’re switching between two or more colors, weaving in two ends every time you change color can be a lot of work. Instead, you can often carry the unused strand along until you need it again and then switch back without cutting the yarn. You can do this in one of several ways: Whenever you carry strands of yarn, the floating strands…

To create decreases, you work multiple stitches together, crocheting incomplete stitches and then completing all the stitches together at once at the top. The result is a triangular stitch that’s wide at the bottom and narrow at the top. Decreases are named for the number and type of stitch being decreased (or crocheted together). For example, sc2tog means 2 single crochet stitches are combined into 1, and dc3tog means 3 double crochet stitches are combined into 1. To work a decrease in any basic stitch, the pattern is the same: make each stitch up to the final step and then complete all the stitches together. Let’s see that in action. Single Crochet 2 Stitches Together (sc2tog) The general rule for a decrease in any crochet stitch is to work each…

Not all crochet needs to be blocked into shape, but blocking also helps smooth and straighten your stitches and even out any minor variances in your tension while you were crocheting. You can block your work in several ways: spray blocking is the simplest, steam blocking gives the fastest result, and wet blocking is the most thorough. For every method, you need a flat surface to place your work on and pin into. You can either lay a thick towel over a flat padded surface (such as your ironing board, a carpeted floor, or even your bed) or buy a set of connectable foam mats. Pinning Your Pieces Whichever blocking method you choose, you usually need to pin your pieces into shape before leaving them to dry. Always use rustproof…

Spike stitches are worked around existing stitches to extend down to one (or more) rows below. The resulting spike of yarn is visible on both sides of the finished fabric, giving your work a nice design. You can use a single color of yarn when making spikes to add texture, but they have the most visual impact when the row with the spikes is a different color from the base row(s) the spikes extend down into. You can form a spike stitch extending into any space below the next stitch. “Spike stitches are also known as long stitches and dropped stitches” Spike stitch Work a spike into your project Be careful not to pull the extended loops that form the spikes too tightly. The spikes should lay flat against the…

You can customize fringe in several ways: you can use the same color yarn as your project or a contrasting color, you can add more or fewer strands of yarn in each knot, and you can vary the space between the knots. You can sometimes also avoid weaving in your yarn ends by incorporating them into the fringe. For a small project like a scarf, you can calculate how many strands of yarn you’ll need to make all the fringe and cut it all at once. For larger projects like a fringed shawl, it’s easier to cut a couple dozen strands at a time, tie them on, and cut more strands as you need them. “You can calculate how many strands of yarn you’ll need to make all the fringe”…

Crocheted bunting makes a perfect decoration – just choose an appropriate color scheme, and you can use it for any occasion! Consider pastels for a baby shower, bright colors for a summer party, or seasonal colors for festivities. Try both pattern triangle variants to practice increasing (bottom up) and decreasing (top down). They both yield the same shape and size of flag, so you can mix and match the patterns. Basic Measurements Each flag is about 41⁄2 inches (11.5cm) wide and tall. Yarn Small quantities of worsted weight yarn with any fiber content, in multiple colors. Each flag takes less than 15 yards (14m) of yarn. Shown in Knit Picks Shine Worsted, 60 percent cotton, 40 percent plant fiber. Hook US I/9 (5.5mm) Other Supplies Yarn needle, scissors Top-Down Flag…

“Left-handed crochet produces a mirror-image of the same article made by a right-hander” To follow the photos in this book, hold them up to a mirror. The reflection will show each photo from a lefty’s perspective. Left-handed crochet produces a mirror-image of the same article made by a right-hander. This means that almost all crochet patterns are perfectly fine for left-handers to use without making any changes to the pattern. Any diagonal details will slant the opposite way, and spirals will rotate in the opposite direction, but that rarely presents a problem. The only times you have to be careful are when the left and right sides of a piece are not interchangeable. If you follow a colorwork pattern involving text, for example, the letters would all be back to…

Once you get used to the way patterns are written, they’re far easier to read and follow without losing your place than if the entire pattern had been written out in full. Rows and Rounds Crochet patterns are worked in either rows or rounds. Each pattern row (or round) gives you the directions for working all the way across the top of your work (or all the way around your work). Rows and rounds are numbered as Row 1, Row 2, Row 3, etc., or Rnd 1, Rnd 2, Rnd 3, etc. At the end of each row/round, the number of stitches you should have made in that row/round is given in parentheses. This is a helpful checkpoint so you can see if you’ve made any mistakes before you move…

To make it easier to draw the yarn through your stitches, rotate the hook toward you after you yarn over. With the head of the hook facing sideways, it’s less likely to catch on your stitches. Counting Chains If you look at your chain, the front of the chain – the side that faces you as you crochet – should look like a row of Vs. Each of these Vs is 1 chain stitch. When you count your chains, start from the V above the slipknot, and count each V up to your hook. The loop on your hook is called the working loop. Do not count this as a stitch. To make it easier to keep count when you’re making a long foundation chain, mark every 10 or 20…

At the end of each row of sc, remember that the turning chain does not count as a stitch. Don’t stitch into it, or your work will get 1 stitch wider with every row.…

At the end of each row of tr, remember that the turning chain from the row below counts as a stitch. You must make the last tr stitch into the top of the turning chain or your work will get 1 stitch narrower with every row.…

Depending on how many stitches you need to remove to correct your error, you can either carefully count the stitches you unravel so you know where to resume, or you can undo the entire current row, up to and including the turning chain, and start again from scratch.…

When you’ve finished crocheting your project, you still have yarn tails dangling from where you started, ended, changed color, or joined new yarn. It’s important to weave in these yarn ends carefully and securely so they don’t unravel with use. You want your end weaving to be as unobtrusive as possible, so if your project has a right and a wrong side where the wrong side won’t be seen, such as with a hat or a sweater, for example, weave the ends in along the wrong side so they’re invisible from the right side. For projects where both sides will be seen, such as with a scarf or a reversible blanket, take a little extra care to ensure your end weaving doesn’t show on either side of the piece. If…

Charts can complement – or in some cases even replace – a written pattern and are especially useful with lacy and motif-based patterns. They make it easier to understand where to insert your hook for the next stitch, and you can see an overview of how the stitch pattern will come together before you even start crocheting. Standard Stitch Symbols The following table gives you the symbols for some commonly used stitches and techniques. These basic stitch symbols show the relationship of the stitches to each other: the double crochet symbol is twice as tall as the single crochet, and the half double is midway in height between the two, just as with the real stitches. The taller stitches are crossed by short horizontal bars that represent the number of…

To begin working in the round instead of a foundation chain, you work outward from a central point, increasing the number of stitches with each successive round. It sounds a little complicated, but once you’ve figured it out, it’s simple! Working into a Single Chain The simplest way to do this is to work all the stitches of the first round into a single chain. You ch 1 plus the turning chain length for your stitch, so you ch 2 for single crochet or ch 4 for double crochet. Here’s an example in single crochet: “You ch 1 plus the turning chain length for your stitch” Sewing Stitches to Stitches You might use this method for joining a shoulder seam To continue crocheting, you can either join the round before…

If you want a flat circle but add too many increases, the edges will start to ruffle. If you add too few increases, the piece will start to form a bowl shape. The height and width of each crochet stitch determines how many increases you need per round – the taller the stitch, the more increases you need per round to keep your crocheted circle flat. “The height and width of each crochet stitch determines how many increases you need per round” If you start with the correct number of stitches from this table for Rnd 1, you’ll increase in every stitch for Rnd 2, in every other stitch for Rnd 3, in every third stitch for Rnd 4, etc. If you stack the increases on top of each other…

Joining motifs is straightforward because you should have the same number of stitches along each edge, which makes it easy to either sew or crochet the pieces together, stitch by stitch. Seaming pieces worked in rows (for example, to make a garment or a bag) is more challenging because you have to work into the row edges. The number of stitches might not match, and for taller rows, you might need to make more than one joining stitch per row. Whichever joining method you use, it’s best to block your crocheted pieces, before you start, to straighten the edges and ensure the pieces are exactly the same size. To join large pieces, or if you have a different number of stitches on each of your starting pieces, use locking stitch…

Instead of making a foundation chain and then your first row of stitches, you can combine the two and create the chain and first row in a single step, essentially skipping a step. Unlike a chain, chainless foundation stitches create a stretchy, elastic edge. You’ll be crocheting two rows at once, so it takes a bit longer to work a chainless foundation than a chain, but it’s worth the time. It’s much easier to work back into a chainless foundation than to work into a chain, and you won’t have to worry about the chain getting twisted or being overly tight. You can use this technique to replace the first row of any pattern. Simply ignore the chain, and replace the first row with the equivalent number of chainless foundation…

Make a magic ring (or ch 4 and join with sl st into a ring). Rnd 1: ch 3 (counts as dc, here and throughout); working into the ring: 3 dc, ch 2, (4 dc, ch 2) twice. If you’re using a magic ring, draw the ring closed. Join with sl st to top of ch 3, and fasten off. Rnd 2: fasten on with next yarn at any ch-sp. Ch 3, (3 dc, ch 2, 4 dc) in same ch-sp, ch 1, (4 dc, ch 2, 4 dc, ch 1) in next 2 ch-sps. Join with sl st to top of ch 3, and fasten off. “You can change a granny square into a granny triangle” Rnd 3: fasten on with next yarn at any edge ch-sp. Ch 3,…

As the name implies, this stitch is a single crochet stitch worked in the reverse direction. Instead of working from right to left across the row, you work from left to right and begin each new stitch by inserting your hook into the stitch to the right of the current stitch. Working this way twists your stitches so the Vs are hidden and the edge is a neatly finished row of tiny bobbles. You can’t crochet back into rsc stitches, so reserve this technique for the final row or round of a piece. “Instead of working from right to left across the row, you work from left to right” Reverse single crochet Here’s how to make a reverse single crochet edging: Top tip If you’re working all the way around…

With this set of pretty and practical washcloths, you can practice your single, half double, and double crochet stitches. Keep them for yourself, or give them as a gift. Basic Measurements Each washcloth is about 7 inches (18cm) square. Yarn About 55 yards (50m) worsted weight cotton or cotton blend. Shown in KnitPicks Dishie, 100 percent cotton. Hook US I/9 (5.5mm) Other Supplies Yarn needle, scissors, measuring tape Single Crochet Washcloth Leaving a 6-inch (15cm) starting tail, chain 25. Row 1: Single crochet in the 2nd chain from the hook and in each remaining chain. You should have 24 stitches. Row 2: Chain 1 and turn your work. Single crochet in each stitch across. Remember that the turning chain doesn’t count as a stitch. You should still have 24 stitches.…

Crocheting an afghan is the perfect way to spend a cozy winter’s evening – the blanket keeps you warm even as you crochet it! This design is gender neutral and quick to crochet in any three colors of your choice. It would make a perfect gift – if you can bring yourself to part with it. “This design is gender neutral and quick to crochet in any three colors of your choice” Measurements About 48 inches (120cm) wide and 36 inches (90cm) tall. Yarn Worsted weight yarn in 3 colors: about 765 yards (700m) of main color (MC) and 330 yards (300m) each of colors A and B. Shown in Knit Picks Brava Worsted, 100 percent acrylic, 218 yards (100g; 200m) per ball. Gauge (Tension) 8 rows and 121⁄2 sts…