How to Crochet
Crochet is a wonderful way to make decorative fabrics with nothing more than a few cheap crochet needles and some yarn or thread that you may have lying around your house. In hours, a skilled crochet artist can make all kinds of amazing fabric products, including such great display pieces as doilies and lace - perfect for decorating a person’s home or even clothing. However, as a beginner crochet artist, it is important to keep in mind that it will be tricky to learn some of the techniques required, but do not become discouraged simply because some of the more difficult movements may elude you. In time, your skill will greatly progress and there will be nothing that you cannot make through crocheting methods.
Getting Started
Before you begin your crochet, you should assemble all of the tools and materials that you will need for the project. Such necessary items include your crochet needle (hook), yarn of whatever color you prefer a yarn needle with a large eye, and a pair of scissors that can easily cut the yarn with one swift stroke.
Your first step should involve getting the yarn on your crochet hook. The best way to accomplish this task is to hold the hook in front of you and then make a small slip knot on the hook end of the crochet needle. This will give the yarn enough play to be easily maneuverable as you crochet.
Start with a Chain Stitch
The next step to crocheting is to make your first chain stitch. Bring the yarn back over the hook (in a back to front motion) and grab the yarn with the hook. Then bring the hooked yarn back through the slip knot you made earlier and put it back onto the hook. You can repeat the steps in this paragraph as many times as you deem necessary to make as long of a chain as you desire.
Once your chain is of suitable length, you should take the hook and insert it into the second chain stitch you made. Bring the yarn up through the stitch and onto the hook so that there are two loops on the hook when you are done. Next, in a back to front motion, take the yarn though both of the hooked loops and notice that there is now only one loop remaining on the hook. Repeat the steps in this paragraph until your chain stitch has turned into a single row of beginner crochet stitches.
After you have reached the end of your chain stitches, you should make one more chain stitch (as outlined above) and then begin working in a counter clockwise direction, going the opposite way that you were previously making your stitches. Continue making rows in this way until you are happy with your beginning crochet piece.
Finish by Cutting the Yarn
At the end of the crochet process, cut the yarn, making sure to leave at least six inches on the end. Take the hook straight up, allowing the remaining yarn to thread through the loop that is left on the hook. Use your yarn needle that you set aside earlier to secure the stitches by weaving the yarn back and forth through your project.