Learn how to master the basic stitches, fix those beginner mistakes, before getting started on your own adorable projects. From teddies to tea cosies, you'll soon be crocheting away.
Welcome to Crochet for Beginners
Crochet for Beginners, 23rd Ed
Getting started • Get to grips with the basics of crochet
Yarns • From chunky wool to 4-ply acrylic, there is a wide variety of yarns with which you can crochet
Crochet hooks • As well as coming in a variety of different sizes, crochet hooks come in a range of styles, too. With a bit of practice, you’ll find the one that suits you
Crochet kit bag • Although just a hook and a ball of yarn will get you pretty far in crochet, many other helpful tools are available
Holding your hook and yarn • First things first: how to hold your hook and yarn. With practice you’ll find the method that’s most comfortable for you
Crochet for left-handers • If you’re left-handed and thinking that crochet isn’t for you, don’t give up just yet. There’s a very simple trick to make crocheting a little easier for you…
Tension (gauge) • When you’re working to exact measurements, it’s important to know how many stitches you need. Working out your tension will help with this
How to read a pattern • Most crochet projects are made by following a pattern. Although they may look daunting at first, they’re easy to read once you understand the terms
UK/US terminology • Always make sure you check whether a crochet pattern uses US or UK crochet terms – or you’ll find yourself very confused
Making a slipknot • This easy knot is the place to start when making most crocheted items that are worked in rows
Making a yarn over • This is the single most basic step in creating crochet stitches, and a technique that’s important to master before moving on
Drawing up a loop • Everything you crochet will be formed by creating loop after loop and joining them together in different ways. Learn how to create those loops here
Making a foundation chain • When working in rows to make a piece of flat crocheted fabric, you will need to create a foundation chain to work your first row of stitches into
Working the chain • Now you’ve made your foundation chain, it’s time to get going on your project by creating your first row of stitches into the chain
Working into subsequent rows • When you’ve completed your first row, the only way is up. The next step is to build on the row you’ve just worked
Double crochet • The easiest crochet stitch creates short and compact stitches
Treble crochet • This stitch is twice the size of the single crochet, and worked in a very similar way
Half treble crochet • A less common stitch that is taller than double crochet but not quite as tall as treble crochet
Double treble crochet • This common stitch is much taller than the treble crochet, and this size allows it to be worked into a piece of fabric fairly quickly
Turning chains • At the end of every row, you need to move your hook up to the height of the stitches you are about to create. This is done using a turning chain
Slip stitch • While rarely used on its own to create a pattern, this versatile stitch is really handy for joining stitches and moving the position of the hook and yarn without adding height
Identifying and counting stitches • All crocheted fabric is made up of different kinds of stitches, but learning what those stitches look like on their own is essential to creating your own work
Fixing mistakes • A benefit of crochet is how easy it is to undo mistakes – all you have to do is unravel to the point where you messed up, then make it right!
Fastening off • When you’ve finished a project,...