Beginner's Guide to Crochet - UK (2019-10)

BASIC TECHNIQUES

W

hen you get down to the basics,

crochet is just a series of loops,

all pulled through one another

to create a fabric. The first loop is a slipknot,

so it’s important to get it right. But don’t

worry, it’s not hard, and you may even have

made them before. Take your time and

practise a little bit – it will pay off in the end.

Sit down with your hook and yarn, and

practise making slipknots. Make sure you

leave a fairly long tail of yarn at the end,

approximately 10cm (4in) long. This way,

you can be sure it won’t unravel and it will

be easier to weave into your fabric at the

end. You don’t need to pull your slipknot too

tight once it’s on the hook – if it’s a bit

looser then it will be easier to work the first

chain. You’re aiming for the knot to be close

to the hook, but not touching it. Once

you’ve made the first chain, you can tighten

up the slipknot.

If you’re right-handed, follow these instructions and photos...

MAKE A SLIPKNOT

Start crocheting by making one simple loop

1

Hold the tail end of the yarn in your left hand

and drape the yarn clockwise over the top of

it, to form a loop in a circle, as shown above.

RIGHT-HAND

2

Holding the loop between your left thumb

and your index finger, insert the crochet

hook through the centre of the loop from front

to back.

3

Catch the ball end of the yarn with the hook

and pull the hook back through the centre

of the loop, bringing the yarn with it.

4

Pull both yarn ends until the knot comes up

close to the hook. Then pull the ball end of

yarn only to tighten the knot.