LibGuides: IST 605: Crochet: The Basics: Learning to Crochet

Starting a Work

There are two basic ways to start a crochet work. The first is to crochet back and forth, creating a flat, rectangular piece. The other involves crocheting in a circular method. I include tutorials for both below.

Creating a chain
Creating a chain is the first step in making a rectangular piece. In this video, the creator includes the steps of creating a slip knot, making a chain, and crocheting into that chain. The author is clear in her directions. She also includes a close-up video so you can follow her hand movements.
Creating a Magic Circle
To make a circular work, you first have to create a magic circle. This method can be confusing at first because it involves wrapping the yarn around your fingers and manipulating multiple strands of yarn. This video offers a close-up tutorial. The creator explains the multiple steps and demonstrates them slowly.

Single Crochet

Once you start your chain or magic circle the next step is to start crocheting! There are many different types of stitches or crochet methods but I will include a tutorial for the most basic, the single crochet, below.

Single Crochet
The single crochet is the easiest crochet method to learn. The creator of this video details how to create the stitch by inserting your hook into the chain, yarn over, pulling the yarn through the chain, creating two loops and your hook, and then pulling through those loops. If that all sounds complicated, don’t worry! The video provides an example that's easy to follow.

All other crochet methods build upon the single crochet. So once you get this method down, feel free to search for other types of stitches.

Changing the size of your work

When working with a pattern you will encounter directions to increase (inc) or decrease (dc). These are methods to make your work bigger or smaller, respectivley.

Increase and Decrease
This video shows how to increase and decrease. The creator explains how both methods will affect the appearance of a project, then demonstrates both techniques. To single crochet increase, a crocheter makes two single crochets in the same stitch. To decrease, they pull yarn through one stitch, then the next, then pull through both loops. The creator provides a visual example with audio instructions

CIST Student Sandbox

IST 605: Crochet: The Basics

Starting a Work

Single Crochet

Changing the size of your work