The Anatomy of a
Basic Abbreviations and Terms
ch - chain
sl st - slip stitch
sc - single crochet
hdc - half double crochet
dc - double crochet
tc - treble crochet
Fasten off/end off - cut yarn, ch 1, yo and pull tail all the through, then give it a good tug.
Foundation chain - the base of your project in which you will work your first row. To make a foundation chain you will need to start with a slip knot on your hook and chain a given amount of chain stitches.
Turning chain – the chain stitches at the beginning of a new row that give you the height you need for the new row.
Weave in ends – Thread your tapestry needle with yarn and weave ends through your crocheted fabric.
Working yarn - the yarn coming from your yarn skein
YO - yarn over
Basic Stitches, their Abbreviations and the Slip Knot
slip knot - wrap yarn around two fingers 1 1/2 times then pull up loop from between your two fingers through the circle.
chain stitch (ch) - wrap yarn over hook and pull yarn through loop on hook
slip stitch (sl st) - insert hook into stitch, yarn over, pull up loop, pull through loop on hook
single crochet (sc) - insert hook into stitch, yarn over hook, pull up loop, yarn over hook and pull through both loops on hook
half double crochet (hdc) - yarn over hook, insert hook into stitch, yarn over, pull up loop, yarn over and pull through all three stitches on hook
double crochet (dc) - yarn over hook, insert hook into stitch, yarn over, pull up loop, yarn over, pull through 2 loops on hook, yarn over, and pull through last 2 loops on hook.
treble crochet (tc) - yarn over hook twice, insert hook into stitch, yarn over, pull up loop, yarn over, pull through 2 loops on hook, yarn over, pull through 2 loops on hook, yarn over and pull through last 2 loops.
*crochet fabric is made up of a combination of these basic stitches. When you have a good grasp on these basic stitches you should be able to get yourself through most any stitch pattern.
*The stitches are in order of height from shortest stitch to tallest
Foundations Chain
You will need to start with a slip knot on your hook then you chain stitch as many chains as required for your project.
Starting your First Row....very helpful chart (if you can read it)
Turning Chain
Note: you start a new row with a turning chain to get the height required for the first stitch in a new row
Where to Insert your Hook
You should see a stack of V’s always insert (unless otherwise instructed) your hook from front to back under one V.
If you will not be counting your turning chain as a stitch you will insert your hook at the base of the turning chain
If you will be counting your turning chain as a stitch you will insert your hook not at the base but in the next stitch.
Note: this explanation should become clear as you see your work.
A little Help with Counting Chains and Stitches
Do not count the loop around your hook
Do not count your turning chain as a stitch unless otherwise told. Usually you will count your turning chain for the Half double Crochet and taller stitches.
Good Tools to Have Handy in your Crochet Bag
Crochet hooks of all sizes (There is no were near the amount of different sized crochet hooks as there are knitting needles so this isn't that financially burdensome)
Stitch Markers
Yarn needle or Tapestry needle
Measuring tool
Scissors......if you have all these things you should be able to do most any crochet pattern
8 comments:
Thanks so much for sharing! I sometimes teach crochet, and many people find it hard to understand where to put the hook--this will be a great help!
I've been crocheting off and on for the past 13 years, but have never been very proficient at anything more than a granny square or back and forth blanket. Recently I got more interested in making different things but didn't know how to read a pattern. Thanks for this page, it has made it very simple to pick up how to read the patterns:)
Thanks! I am learning to crochet (at age 49) and do not always have access to the teacher. I found this a great refresher of facts forgotten and new basic ones even I can understand.
You are so awesome to help others to learn to crochet a big thumbs up to you and again Thanks I am 57 years old and trying to learn to do something to keep my hands busy and have grandkids and want to make blankets and maybe mittens and slippers
Thank you so much for your lessons. I will be 76 next month and learn to crochet from my grandma when I was young. But really never learned to read patterns. Over the years forgot what my Grandma taught me. So your website has really been a God sent to me. Another plus is I can print them and not be missing some of the word on the side and also can save them to my document files. Which alot of websites you can't. Again Thank you so very much!!!
I am just beginning to learn how to crochet. I have been practicing alot, but not quite sure I am "practicing" the correct way. (yikes)
At this time, the person who taught me my one and only lesson instructed me that crochet was always about going "UNDER" the "v" ... BOTH front and back. So... this leads me to my first question..... Do I do this for my foundation chain? It sure is difficult and time consuming.
My second question... When doing the double crochet, I was instructed that the turn chain was counted. Is this not true?
My last question.... When counting, what do I count? The V's on the top of the chain just made or the actual chains made?
As you can see.... I am a little confused and any direction is greatly appreciated. Oh and on a positive note, I think I got the "pulling" out part down pat! hahaha
Thanks!
Hey there,
Let me see if I can answer these questions for you....all your questions were the same things that bugged me when I was first learning to crochet.
First question - You can go under the whole V in the foundation chain but I don't....to hard. I just go under the front loop. It will cause things to look a bit different but other than that I think its preference.
Second question - Yes, the turning chain is usually counted. Unless you are told otherwise in a pattern you are following you will count the turning chain as a stitch.
Last question - this is preference too....if you are doing double crochets, it might be easier to count the stitches. But if you are doing a shorter stitch it might be easier for you to count the v's.
It was very helpful for me when I first starting crocheting, to use a stitch marker and mark the first and last stitch of the row I was working on...at least until it is easy for you to see and count your stitches.
I hope this helps and I know how frustrating pulling out your hard work is but with some more practice I'm sure you be an expert crocheter in no time at all ( :
I am so frustrated for I don't understand the notation and what the pattern said, I have prepared my material and hook, I want to crochet a very simple hat, can I get help here! and it is more difficult for me that I am not a English speaker crochetter.
Betty
Post a Comment