Some basics in crochet for you, before I start showing you the pattern for the sisterhood crochet blanket squares

Hello! Nice to see you! Today I'm starting on the marathon explanation of my crochet square. I"m going to start with the basics, for new crocheters. I thought there might be some out there who would like to take up crochet, but aren't sure where to start. So this post covers a few basic stitches that will be needed when crocheting my square. I'll do the full explanation of my pattern in my next post. What I'm going to do is this, I'm going to start at the very beginning, showing you how to do a slip knot, which is the very first thing you do when you start any crochet pattern. The slip knot isn't counted as a stitch, remember that, it's just a knot to attach the yarn to your hook, and begin the process of crocheting. You've got your yarn in your left hand. (It's just occurred to me that I don't know what you do if you're left handed, I imagine you just do the reverse?). Position your yarn around your fingers, like I've done. Take the yarn that you are holding in your right hand and bring it up and over as above. This yarn you have just pulled up and over is going to be the section you pull through the loop. Pick up your hook in your right hand, and poke it through the loop. You are aiming to grab the yarn you pulled up and over, with the bent bit of your hook (the hook bit!). Now pull that bit of yarn you hooked, through the loop, towards you. You've pulled it up, and now............... Holding on to the yarn in your right hand, pull at the yarn in your left hand. Pull the yarn untill the loop on the end of your crochet hook tightens into a knot, (but not too tight, you want it to be able to move along the hook). There you have it! A slip knot! Well done! The next step I'm going to show you is a chain, which is used in all crochet patterns, and is something you need to know. It's very easy, which you'll be pleased to hear! I suggest that you first get the positioning of your hook and yarn in your hands positioned right, it will make life so much easier, and I speak from hard experience here! I hope you can see how I've got the yarn in my left hand? Some people wrap it differently, you'll probably find what's most comfortable for you as time goes on, but for now, perhaps try it as I have mine? Now pinch your thumb and index fingers, on your left hand, round the yarn, just below the knot on the hook. Hold the hook like you might hold a pen or pencil, in your right hand. Here's a little tip, it's important to keep your fingers of your left hand, pinching the yarn near to the hook. This helps with the tension and control. It's tricky to start with, but with practise it will come naturally, honest it will! Now, you see that bit of yarn heading off to the left, behind the hook? That is the yarn which you have wrapped round the fingers of your left hand. You now want to take your hook and swoop it over and under that yarn, from left to right. Like this. You have now hooked the yarn, so you will be able to pull it back through the loop towards you. You see how I've pulled it through the loop? Perhaps you can see it better now? And here you have it, one chain! You might be wondering about the loop of yarn around the hook? That isn't counted as a chain, that's just the yarn round your hook, and should never be counted as a stitch. In patterns, you will be told to do say, "four chain", that means four of the chain I have just shown you. I'll show you how to do that next. So, we'll just carry on creating chains, like the one you've just done. Swoop your hook round from left to right, hooking the yarn. like this, remember? Hook the yarn. And draw through the loop. Repeat your single chains twice more. And there you have your four chains......... Four chain, as they say in the patterns! Well done! You're doing brilliantly! I'm now going to show you how to join that chain with a slip stitch, to create a circle of the four chain. You need to go to the first of the chains you created, and you need to pinch the next chain along from that, leaving you first chain clear to put the hook through. When you put your hook through, be careful it goes through the first chain, and not through the slip knot. And the other thing you need to do, which can be tricky to start with, is to make sure you go through the chain correctly. Each chain is composed of three lines of yarn lying side-by-side, hold up your chain and have a look. When you put your hook through, you need to have two lines of yarn above the hook, and one line below. Look at the next photo, it's clearer. You can just see what I mean. Now wrap the yarn round the hook like you did before, to hook the yarn, and pull through the loop towards you. You have created a slip stitch! In patterns, you will be asked to "join with a slip stitch". It's very simple, as you've just seen. You've also created a circle! Well done! Fantastic! Now I want you to do two chain for me! O.K? And the reason I want you to do this, is because I'm going to show you how to do my "thicker, bulkier, treble crochet"! You'll need to know how to do this if you want to do the square in my pattern. (I just need to make an important note here. The treble I do in my pattern is not the one you would see in English or U.S. books, because it's a treble with one extra action, it's a treble I've made up, and it makes the treble thicker, so that there's less space between the rows of trebles, giving you a more dense fabric. So when you come to other people's instructions to do a treble, don't do my version, do the English or U.S. version!) It sounds scary, but honestly, it's not once you've got the hang of it! So! You done two chain? Great! Now......... Before you put your hook through anything, I want you to do your swoop from left to right, wrapping the yarn round your hook as though you were going to do a single chain. Now you can poke your hook through the circle you created earlier. Wrap the yarn around the hook with your swooping action, as before, and draw the yarn back through the circle. You are now set up to start your "treble", your movement of three I like to think. Wrap your yarn around the hook, and pull it through the first stitch on your crochet hook, just the first one.(This is the extra action I was telling you about, the one I made up. I don't think it's a stitch that exists in the books, as far as I know. To do a proper English treble, you would leave this first action out, and go straight to my next step. It's entirely up to you, you may want to do the proper, authorised treble, or you might want to do my invented "thicker treble"! You choose, but remember to bear that in mind when you're following the rest of my instructions, because they all involve my "thicker treble"!). You should have three stitches on your crochet hook. Wrap your yarn round your hook again. Pull the yarn through the next TWO stitches on your crochet hook. You should now have two stitches remaining on your crochet hook. Wrap your yarn round your hook once more, and draw it through the ramaining stitches on your crochet hook. There will be one stitch remaining on your hook. And that's your treble. Hurrah! Well done! You've done really, really well. I'm thinking that if you've mastered these stitches, you should be equipped to make a start on my pattern! I'm going to explain the pattern in a new post, because I think that's probably enough to take in for the moment! Also, tonight is my knitting night, where I go and knit with others at my local yarn shop, we always have a lovely natter, and leave feeling very chilled out, I love it. So I hope all these instructions made sense, and were helpful. Next time, I get down to the knitty-gritty of the pattern itself. Exciting isn't it?! Love Vanessa xxx

Comments

[Anne]

Vanessa - You did a wonderful job explaining the basics. I have crocheted for many years but found your review so helpful - sort of a refresher course! Thanks - I can only imagine how much time and thought you put into this presentation!

[bakeandsewblog]

Great job! Let's hope some more hookie chicks get the bug and join the sisterhood. Looking forward to the pattern.....

[Helen Charlton]

Gosh Vanessa, I couldn't do it if i tried!!!
Where do you get the patience!!

[anne]

Terrific job showing the how-to on basic crochet (I took a class in March, so I feel like I'm way ahead for once). Looking forward to the full pattern for the square.

Ummm...is that a heart shaped scar on your left thumb? It's adorable. I've always been more of a tattoo girl myself, but you've got me thinking I was all wrong.

[Gerry Hook]

Vanessa, the first Comment listed above says it all. Anne has taken my very thoughts.

We can certainly see that you've taken lots of thought and time to present this session. Your written instruction leaves nothing to the imagination and your visual is exceptional.

I've crocheted, though not too much in the recent decade, and I know your instruction will give me a new perspective. I know I'll come away with new ideas and techniques.

We appreciate all the thought and effort you've put forth. We know how much time it takes for a project of this scope.

Thanks for your caring.

[Laura]

Beautiful and very nicely explained!

[Karen]

What patience and devotion to all novice crocheters out here to take so much care to explain the basics. Did you rope in Hugo to take the photo's? Thanks Vanessa I am really looking forward to your pattern. I've got the yarn all ready in my basket! Karenx

[Pipany]

Wayhay, a great tutorial and I remembered most of it! Fab! The only part I had forgeotten was the bit about how to count the chains (which may explain why some of my stuff was a bit odd!). Will be back for more Vanessa - and thanks for entering my giveaway xx

[Karen Barrett]

Thank you so much! MORE PLEASE! My son bought me a book on crochet for beginners and I have been struggling, never thought I'd be able to get it. Your tutorial was so clear that I've got the yarn out and I'm ready to start afresh. I look forward to learning to crochet with you.

[LittleGem]

Ooh Vanessa thankyou for taking the time to do such a detailed tutorial - I feel as if I could actually attempt it myself (just need to get yarn, oh and a hook of course!) actually my aunt can crochet so maybe I can borrow some from her. Looking forward to your pattern tomorrow xxx Gem

[melanie]

Lovely crocheting. I am hosting a book swap over on my blog. It is a permanent feature, which will always be on my blog, it is not a one off, like the rose theme swap I'm hosting. I have listed a load of my books which I am willing to swap, take a look, there may be some you fancy. If you would like to list books which you no longer want, and are willing to swap, just contact me at [email protected], or leave a comment on my blog, with your name, the name of your blog and the books you wish to swap, and I will type them up and post them on the swap page, so the more and more people who participate, the wider the range of books there will be to choose from, and remember, it will always be there on my blog.
Take Care
Love Melanie xxx

[graceful mice and gentle moons]

That's lovely!
So well explained
You're an angel
and you have such dainty hands x
I can't wait for the next instalment.
I've put up part 2 of my jam jar hugger tutorial today, it's the housey one :o)
xx
Sumea

[graceful mice and gentle moons]

p.s.
I must get my sister over here
She is longing to learn to crochet.

[Julie]

Goodness that must have taken you ages and ages, but thank you so much. It's definitely going to be the finally push I needed to get started on trying to crochet. Am going to go and buy hook and yarn at the weekend. Expect me to be back with lots and lots and lots of questions (but do say when you've had enough!) You've explained it all so clearly, and with such great photos, I can't wait to try now. Have you ever thought of teaching a class - am sure you would be brilliant!

[Lesley]

wow how lovely of you to take your time to do that !!! i could have done with it a few months ago when hunched over a badly filmed youtube video and then realising a month later i had taught myself american stitches names rather than english!!!
looking forward to the square pattern :-)
lesley x

[Jacqueline]

Wow, what patience you have to take all those photos. I taught myself from a book, but don't do it the way you do. The finished product looks OK though.

[Lucy@Attic24]

Vanessa thats a sooper-dooper tutorial!
I think I'll be doing a crochet post someday next week and would like to send peeps across to you for learning basics, is that oK??
I've found some fabulous crochet stuff on the net recently and feel inspired all over again to try new things, or variations on old things lol.

Looking forward to seeing tomorrows pattern, tis a lot of work hey, photographing and writing it all out takes longer than anticipated, I know..
Lucexxxxxxxxxxxxxx

[Debbie]

I picked up lots of crochet bits at a carboot sale recently but havent even tried it yet - thank you for giving me the start i needed :)

[Sumea]

Hi Vanessa
I've popped over here to wish you a happy (and hopefully sunny weekend). Many thanks for your sweet comments (for all your sweet and encouraging comments).
I am still in awe of this amazing tutorial you've put up, you are such a lovely person (and talented too, it's really great stuff) to put so much effort in for crochet beginners.
Thank you
xx
Sumea

[Lora]

You rock! Seriously! I love the squares and can't wait to start on the pattern and I LOVED that you started from the very beginning with pics!! I want to hug you! ((hug)) Will you be showing how to join all the blocks too? And how many do we need to make altogether? And how to make the flowers? Can you tell I'm excited?? hehe

Thank you so much!! :)

[rayofsunshine]

Oh thankyou sooooooooooooooo much my Sister (skippinginthemeadow) directed me over her and thankgod she did as I get it now,you are brilliant at tutorials much better expained then the books I got here.Thankyou again Love Paula x p.s I will link up to here when I post my little square up if thats ok?

[Terri Moore]

I just found your blog the other day. I love this pattern and have already begun working on it. Thank you so much for sharing it. I look forward to continuing to follow your progress on it.

[malvernlass]

Thank you so much for this - any idea how many balls - we will need? I am not yet ready to hit the wool shops of Malvern as I ahve a huge stash of wools all bought for projects that I couldn't really understand!

[kim]

i have been wanting for years to learn how to crochet you made it easy to follow and the pics helped so much
thank you
vanessa

[Kathleen Wardingley]

wonderful i have wanted to crochet for years had books to learn but never got anywhere i just hope the next bit is as easy thankyou so much its been a dream come true [email protected]

[Denise]

Brilliant, very clear instructions, many thanks. you make it so easy to follow

[Veronika]

thank you thank you thank you for this! Believe it or not, I just dug out a crochet needle from my mum's knitting things and I decided to learn how to crochet flowers! :) This tutorial will certainly help in getting started.
Hope you don't mind, but since I love your blog lots, I'd like to put a link to your site on my new little creative blog: www.lalomino.wordpress.com
If you have time and feel like it, please check in once in a while :)
Thanks,
Veronika

[n janane]

At last someone who thought the idiots amongst us would like to learn too......... Thanks a million :)

[renee]

so excited too find you and your site am new at crochet wow head spining tutorials showing us seniors happy will be knowing your talents in our crochet and knit club

[Jane Carbone]

just viewed your web site. I would love to have the rest of the pattern.

[stacey]

I am a lefty, and while your instructions seem thorough, they're not translating well in my brain.
Is it possible, instead of saying "left to right, right to left" say clockwise or counter?
I'm unclear on what exactly I should swap backwards.

thanks!

[lisa]

Would love to know how to change colors without tying a knot and having straggling strands.

[Kaye Sweat]

I am left handed and just taught myself how to crochet. I'm excited to try this out.wish me luck, I'm so new at this and have some rough edges on the wash cloth I made.

[Divna]

This is called a tutorial! I've learned but I will forward your link to those who do not learn and I know some! thank you!Greetings from the Croatia!

[Nicie Ibarra]

Thank you so much for such detailed instructions! My daughter and I have been wanting to learn how to crochet but hadn't found a good tutorial until now. :)

[chirs]

This kind of handcraft comes form China

[sherry]

I love the crocheted necklace. Can you tell me how to do that? I love it!!!!!!!!!!

[Maggie]

♥ ¡Hola Vanesa!

Quiero aprender hacer corazones a crochet.

Muchas gracias!

¡Bs!♥ Maggie

[Cheryl @ finding the beauty]

Thank you so much!!! I'm a beginner and this really helped me! Found you through pinterest. :)

[Deepa]

Dear Venessa,

Thank You so much for all these (patient) explanations and pictures. I am from India. I am totally new to crochet and I love your blog. I just started with your blanket square and I am so impressed with my speed and it is only because of your teaching. Thank You once again.

Love Deepa

[Peg]

I think you have just proven that people who crochet are probably the most patient people in the world = by doing these step by step instructions. When teaching crochet to us "kids" my mom would stand behind us to show us. Unfortunately I did not get the "gene".

But wanted to share with you how one of my left handed nieces learned to crochet from my right handed mom.
They sat knee to knee and then she could copy my mom.

[Cherish]

I made knots... I am crochet deficient... :( I will keep at it!!! But I cant promise anything...

[Stampngo2]

I shared you on my Facebook page :D I like your site.

[celesteina]

Thank you!!! I have been searching online to learn how to crochet.

[Julie]

ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT TUTORIAL! Just what I have been looking for, thank you so much! :)

[Deann Rose]

Thank you so much! This is awesome! Definately pinning and definately sharing!

[christine parker]

can you do it left handed i am a lefty?

[Teresa]

I like that little flower in the middle of the square, I am needing one for some scrap booking projects, is it easy.

[obearlady]

you can learn all this on you tub too

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