BASIC TECHNIQUES
D
ouble crochet is the easiest and
most important stitch to learn.
Once you master it, everything
else is simple! Practise making a foundation
chain – 22 chains is a good number, using
DK yarn and a 4mm hook. Then make one
more chain (this will be your turning chain,which is explained on page 37). For now,
ignore this extra chain and work a double
crochet stitch into the second chain from
the hook (either into the front of the chain or
into the bump on the back of the chain).
Work a double crochet into each chain,
holding the chain firmly, just below thehook, moving your fingers up the chain as
you go. Work from right to left if you’re
right-handed, or left to right if you’re
left-handed. Don’t work into the slipknot.
Once you finish the first row of stitches
(often called the foundation row), follow our
guide to counting your stitches on page 35.DOUBLE
CROCHET STITCH
Create your first crochet stitch – it’s really easy!
RIGHT-HAND
3
Gently pull the hook and yarn back towards
the chain loop on the hook. Draw it all the
way through the chain so that you have two
loops on the hook.4
Catch the yarn with the hook again (yrh)
and draw it through both loops on the hook
to finish the stitch. Congratulations!1
Holding the foundation chain as shown
above, insert the hook into the second chain
along from the hook.2
Catch the ball end of the yarn with the hook,
so that the yarn wraps anticlockwise around
it (yarn round hook).If you’re right-handed, follow these steps for a perfect double crochet stitch...