Q&A for How to Single Crochet

Crochet beginners can always start with small projects that are worked in flat rows, like potholders or scarves. Then, when you’re ready to learn to crochet in the round, try crocheting granny squares and hats.

Most people hold the crochet hook in their right hand, and the yarn in their left hand. You’ll want to hold the yarn tight enough to keep tension on the yarn, but loose enough that it can still slide through your fingers while you crochet. To start, loop the yarn over the pinkie, under the third and middle fingers, and over your index finger.

Unless directed otherwise in pattern, you go under both loops of the stitch below. There are some patterns that will call for you to crochet into the back or front loop, but the norm is through both.

You always start with a chain in the desired length. When the chain is long enough, you put your hook in the first loop of that same chain. At this point, you have two options. You can slip stitch (just pull the yarn through the chain and the loop you had on your hook), chain 1 and start your next row by making a single crochet in the next stitch. If you do this, you have to slip stitch in the first chain of each row when you come around. This will show in a vertical line of chains. You can also start making single crochets right away and work in a spiral. You don't get the line of chains, but you need to slip stitch in the last row of your work, and the edge might look uneven.

Put the crocheting hook under the yarn, hook it, and then make sure that the hook is facing downwards.

Slip-stitch them together (yarn over one time, bringing everything onto the first yarn over).

A sc is a loop pulled up through a stitch with a 2nd loop pulled through the loop just made and the loop already on the hook. For 3sc tog, pull up a loop, go to the next stitch and pull up a 2nd loop, and repeat at the next stitch. You now have 4 loops on the hook. Wrap yarn over the hook and pull it through all 4 loops on the hook. 3 sc tog is now made.

Try winding a bit of yarn onto a bobbin, and cutting off the main color, then reattaching. It's not easy to do but keep trying.

You really should use a proper crochet hook. The "hook" part prevents your loops from falling off, which is very important. They are also specifically designed to fit with certain yarn sizes. Hooks are rather inexpensive and available online or at craft stores.