Learn to crochet? (3 Viewers)

[snailtrailer]

Once you have the holding positions of hook and yarn, any variation of crochet stitches depends on how many times the yarn is wrapped over the hook before or after inserting the hook.

Let’s get started shall we.........

Hold the c/h in your right hand between thumb and third finger (like holding a pen) and insert hook into loop of slip knot. Hold the short end with little finger of r/h and catch hold of ball thread with the left hand. Weave it around fingers to secure the yarn - and to keep it taut. The forefinger of the l/h does all the work of directing the yarn.
Ready to go?
Thread taut ? duck under the ball thread left to right and back across c/h right to left and pull through slip stitch
- releasing the short end and holding this between thumb and finger on l/h means you now have control and as you create more stitches you can move the thumb up the chain to keep it flat and avoid twisting.
Repeat the ducking to make another chain and keep doing this until you have a rhythm and the yarn flows through your fingers.

If you make a mistake just pull gently until you get back to a loop and carry on.

Phew! If you get the chain going then we’ve cracked it and the following instructions will be a piece of cake. Just ask if you need help.

I have found that if you hold the tail in your r/h little finger and back to the l/h thumb it keeps it steady.

 

[Jammel1980]

For YouTube tutorials try Bella Coco, really clear instructions using English stitches

 

[whingyraindrop]

Sorry I’m late. Dentist appointment. Bad news . . .it appears that I have eaten a crown . . .
A few things to do at home and then I am on it. Having never used a crochet hook before, in my mind, I will have completed a blanket by teatime!

Lorraine x

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[Mousy]

I’m in, would love to learn but I’m sans hook so once I’ve got one I’ll give it a go.

My grandmother crocheted me a white tennis dress when I was 14, unfortunately it was both see through and too small. I’m pretty sure she used a pattern from the 1920’s and as this was 1981 you can imagine the reaction I got at PE.

It left me mentally scarred and not fond of either tennis or crocheting

 

[snailtrailer]

Proceed at your own pace but for the benefit of those who can do a successful chain. Let’s move on.

Assuming you have 30 - 50 chains, start to work back along the row. Turn and leaving first chain (henceforth known as turning chain). As before using the ducking motion insert hook into each chain back to the knot (slip knot).
Make one turning chain at the beginning and work back across the row. As you progress you will find the work easier to hold. Insert hook under the whole stitch, wrap and pull back through two loops.

If things go wrong you can always pull it out and start again. The flatter you can keep the chain and stop it twisting the easier it will be to see which chain you should be putting the c/h in.

However, if things go well you can vary the stitch by doing two turning chains at the start of the row; wrapping the yarn once before inserting the hook into the stitch; wrap again and pull back through two loops; wrap again and pull back through remaining loops.

With that variation you have the basis to start a Granny square.

 

[Anthea M]

PAmela thanks for lesson one,I had bendy yoga then a Chinese buffet lunch then off to the market for wool and hooks ! So much choice of hooks ! Soft touch ones looked good Anne @davanne .

Joy are you having a go when you get back from the hospital?hope alls well.
I’ll let you know how I get on!!
@Jenben i found a little pot of buttons for you!

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[snailtrailer]

@movan I’ve only just got the link to the little girl’ dress. I am sure I have a pattern at home that I made for my Sarah which I will send to you.
@Carol start collecting your scraps of yarn. Hexagons like this project can be double knit or two strands of 3 or 4 ply.

As for the tea set, that is a crochet technique known as Amigurami which is crochet in rounds rather than rows. I am hoping to make cute animals and got a book from the library where someone else has done the calculations.

@davanne I hope you can get all your fingers and thumbs working for you. It is possible crochet could be good for you but don’t get frustrated with it.

 

[Anthea M]

@movan I’ve only just got the link to the little girl’ dress. I am sure I have a pattern at home that I made for my Sarah which I will send to you.
@Carol start collecting your scraps of yarn. Hexagons like this project can be double knit or two strands of 3 or 4 ply.

As for the tea set, that is a crochet technique known as Amigurami which is crochet in rounds rather than rows. I am hoping to make cute animals and got a book from the library where someone else has done the calculations.

I’m still at the making a slip knot stage!
Did I tell you I’m a slow learner!!

 

[Puddleduck]

View attachment 217353 I've got a secret yearning to make something like this, maybe a bit ambitious

No reason why you shouldn’t be able to make that Afghan (blanket) the easy way is to learn how to do the six sided sections then put them together!

I would have thought that was the only way to do it! Once you have made one hex it is a matter of patience to make enough - but if you give yourself a target of one (or two or however many) a day/evening when you are away it is achievable.

I’m still at the making a slip knot stage!
Did I tell you I’m a slow learner!!

That's the hard part! If you do circular (or square or hex) blocks you don't even need the slip knot as you can start with a magic circle - but that is for another time.

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[Anthea M]

I would have thought that was the only way to do it! Once you have made one hex it is a matter of patience to make enough - but if you give yourself a target of one (or two or however many) a day/evening when you are away it is achievable.

That's the hard part! If you do circular (or square or hex) blocks you don't even need the slip knot as you can start with a magic circle - but that is for another time.

You lost me on magic circle

 

[snailtrailer]

@Puddleduck. I’m struggling to describe how to do a magic circle so that it can be held securely so I resorted to a few chain stitches joined in a circle. Can you help me out please? Also have I described a treble or half treble!

 

[Anthea M]

@snailtrailer Auntie Pam, my chain isn't very even and I tend to be doing it with my right hand the left doesn't want to do it?
Answer at your leisure as you must rest in hospital! ( it will be exciting jelly time soon!!)

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[Carol]

Ive made a start on trying to crochet but think I must be making to loops to tight as it's easy to do the single chain but finding it hard getting my needle through the return stitch.

 

[snailtrailer]

@Anthea M @Carol. I am so thrilled to see your examples. It really is all about how you feel comfortable holding the hook and taking some control of the yarn. Practice practice practice and it’ll come.

I will wait until I get home to write up the instructions for circles and hexagons and introducing other stitches so you’ve plenty of time before rushing into hexagons.

 

[Hollyberry]

Just back from our month of babysitting - I took my second sewing machine and worked my way through a huge pile of mending. Martin floored a loft in the house where we were staying, did some rewiring* and lots of other DIY stuff including fitting a loft ladder. *The rewiring was needed as he found that wires had been put over halogen lights under insulation and as a result the insulation round the wires had perished and in a couple of cases there was shorting out. So close to a major fire........

I used 500 metres of thread over the month

I like to crochet and knit and sew - if you knit circular needles are great for traveling, much easier to pack. With circular needles spend a bit more money and get decent ones, the cheap ones don't have a smooth join between needle and cord and will catch the yarn and drive you crazy. People who use cheap circular needles often say they hate using a circular needle when it is the cheap needle they hate. I have "Basix" and "Nova" circular needles

I can show how to crochet at any of the Scottish Rallies but will ask for a small donation to my charity!

I don't know how to highlight but....floored a loft, did some rewiring, fitted a loft ladder...sewing....

Please will you adopt me ?

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[Puddleduck]

@Puddleduck. I’m struggling to describe how to do a magic circle so that it can be held securely so I resorted to a few chain stitches joined in a circle. Can you help me out please? Also have I described a treble or half treble!

I don't want to take over from you

I am right handed

I usually leave a short length of yarn hanging and then wrap the yarn once around the index finger of my left hand crossing the working end over the short end. The crossing needs to be on the pad of your finger so you can hold in place with the thumb of the left hand. The loop around the finger needs to be unstretched but not loose. You'll need to be able to get your crochet between your finger and the loop.

I think I need to take some photos of the above and next stages ...... it is easier done and seen than described in words!!! Once I had been shown magic loop I never made a chain and slip stitch ring again to start a circle / square / hex

More to follow after I have tipped my bread out and found my camera and my friend has been and gone!!!!!!

 

[Puddleduck]

I don't know how to highlight but....floored a loft, did some rewiring, fitted a loft ladder...sewing....

Please will you adopt me ?

And entertaining a 2 year old for a month plus a 4 year old for 10 days of that month. We are exhausted and really pleased to be home

We already adopted the father of the two year old..........

 

[pawwavingpuppy]

I've been crocheting and knitting for a good few years, I would also recommend Bella Coco crochet for beginners on You Tube, she also deals with crocheting for left handed people - she waffles a bit, but is very clear.....and it's all in clear English. I'm a visual person I can't follow written instructions I also use Pinterest and Ravelry.

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[davanne]

Well I’ve searched high and low for my crochet hook had my whole sewing drawer out it’s nowhere to be found however I have ordered a soft grip one that should be here tomorrow. I’m annoyed because I’m raring to get going now as I have wool and even bought a book in Carmarthen after physio.

 

[cliffanger]

I’ve been round to mums but completely forgot the hook! Will go back tomorrow and get it so will have to play hooky for a little longer! Can’t wait to start though Pam!

 

[davanne]

I’ve been round to mums but completely forgot the hook! Will go back tomorrow and get it so will have to play hooky for a little longer! Can’t wait to start though Pam!

Glad I’m not the only one without one Ger mine should be here tomorrow
Chomping at the bit to start..........see what I did there pony’s ...chomping at the bit

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[movan]

@snailtrailer and @Anthea M

Hello two lovelies ... can't stop smiling. Just got back from the hospital and whilst under the scanner (I'm claustrophobic) I usually pretend I am on a sunny beach ... today I kept going over in my mind how to make a slip knot .... lol.

Thanks Pam .

Just done the first part of your above lesson. Anthea my hands don't do as they are told .. the left one does everything too. .

Pam I have done 30 stitches but that is me counting the slip knot as one. Is that right ... it seems to have disappeared.

Going to try next stage now .. back in mo.

 

[whingyraindrop]

I am saying nowt.
The beautiful blanket may take me I little longer than I envisaged. . .perhaps a year or two longer. . .

 

[davanne]

@snailtrailer and @Anthea M

Hello two lovelies ... can't stop smiling. Just got back from the hospital and whilst under the scanner (I'm claustrophobic) I usually pretend I am on a sunny beach ... today I kept going over in my mind how to make a slip knot .... lol.

Thanks Pam .

Just done the first part of your above lesson. Anthea my hands don't do as they are told .. the left one does everything too. .

Pam I have done 30 stitches but that is me counting the slip knot as one. Is that right ... it seems to have disappeared.

Going to try next stage now .. back in mo.

View attachment 217507

How are finding the soft grip crochet hook Joy I’ve ordered one
Love your rainbow wool

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[snailtrailer]

@joy. I told you crochet has therapeutic qualities. I’m glad I came up with the idea - it’s been good for me too. Trying to compose simple explanations is testing the little grey cells.

 

[Anthea M]

Glad I’m not the only one without one Ger mine should be here tomorrow
Chomping at the bit to start..........see what I did there pony’s ...chomping at the bit

I’m enjoying it ‘ nay’ loving it Anne ! But I can’t seem to go back along the chain like Carol has done! I will have another go after my chicken ,sourdough bread and salad cream sandwich !

 

[movan]

How are finding the soft grip crochet hook Joy I’ve ordered one
Love your rainbow wool

I am loving it ... just wish my left hand would let my right hand join in .. struggling with this first line. Back in .. however long :/

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[Anthea M]

@snailtrailer and @Anthea M

Hello two lovelies ... can't stop smiling. Just got back from the hospital and whilst under the scanner (I'm claustrophobic) I usually pretend I am on a sunny beach ... today I kept going over in my mind how to make a slip knot .... lol.

Thanks Pam .

Just done the first part of your above lesson. Anthea my hands don't do as they are told .. the left one does everything too. .

Pam I have done 30 stitches but that is me counting the slip knot as one. Is that right ... it seems to have disappeared.

Going to try next stage now .. back in mo.

View attachment 217507

Hope it all went well ,yours looks lovely and neat and loving the colours!

 

[Ven]

I love reading this thread and will also be following if that’s okay. I’m attempting a poncho made from 4 big granny squares at the moment.

This is my first attempt at a square

 

[Anthea M]

View attachment 217508 I love reading this thread and will also be following if that’s okay. I’m attempting a poncho made from 4 big granny squares at the moment.

This is my first attempt at a square

Wow that’s amazing and a very big square!!!
Lovely to have you part of the FCC ( funster crochet club!)

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