Getting Started
This section details everything you need to know to start a crochet project, as well as a tutorial for my favorite method of finishing a project off! If you want to make the Beginner Swatch, I recommend reading over this page at least through Pulling & Chaining.
Making a Slip-Knot
To begin a project working in straight rows, start by grabbing your yarn and making a loose slip knot with a long tail. Slip the loop of the knot onto the hook so that the knot is facing you and the working yarn is on the left. Pull both strands of yarn so that the knot is snug against the hook while avoiding overly tightening. You can also start a project in the round this way by making the knot, chaining two, and working into the second chain.
How to Hold Everything
One of the trickiest crochet skills is holding yarn with the right tension to work quickly and evenly. There is no specific way to hold it correctly, but there are a couple tips that can give you a basis. Good yarn tension comes naturally with lots of practice, so I recommend trying several things to find what is most comfortable and the speed and consistency will follow naturally!
Pulling & Chaining
Most projects worked in straight rows will begin with a series of chain stitches that are built upon. To make a chain stitch, wrap the working yarn in your left hand over the hook, holding the slip knot in place. Using the hook, pull the wrapped strand of yarn down and through the loop already on hook so that the slip knot is off the hook. Making subsequent stitches is the same, but a little bit easier because you do not need to hold the knot in place.
The Magic Circle
Magic circles get a bad reputation for being difficult to make, but I can tell you that is not the case! These are not too tricky once you have the hang of chaining and manipulating the yarn; however, they are tricky to explain in words, so I recommend watching the video for this one. If you want to cheat a little, you can instead chain two and work the required stitches into the second chain from hook.
Finishing & Binding Off
To finish off a project, cut the yarn leaving a long tail. Pull the tail through the loop on hook to tie it off. You can either leave tails tied in a knot with tails hanging out (they need to be long enough that the knot won’t come undone), or you can weave in the ends. The simplest way to do that is to use a yarn needle to stitch the tail around the “V” of at least three stitches. Weaving the ends in creates a seamless, invisible appearance.