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

BASIC TECHNIQUES
BASIC TECHNIQUES

W

hen you first start to crochet,

it’s very easy to work into the

wrong part of the stitch on the

row below until you get used to it.

You’ll have seen by now that each stitch

forms a neat ‘v’ shape at the top. Usually,

you insert the hook under both strands of

yarn that form that v-shape at the top. This

stitch anatomy is important to understand

because sometimes a pattern will ask you to

insert the hook under just one of these

strands and work a stitch. If you’re asked to

work into the ‘front loop’, this is the part of

the v-shape that’s closest to you while

working the new row. The ‘back loop’ is the

strand of yarn that’s farthest from you

(see below). If the pattern doesn’t specify,

insert the hook under both loops.

STITCH ANATOMY

How to work into the back loop or front loop of a stitch

RIGHT-HAND

LEFT-HAND

If you’re right-handed, the ‘front loop’ of the

v-shaped top of the stitch is the strand of yarn

that’s closest to you while you’re working,

shown in purple above. The hook in the photo is

inserted under both loops.

If you’re left-handed, the ‘front loop’ of the

v-shaped top of the stitch is the strand of yarn

that’s closest to you while you’re working,

shown in purple above. The hook in the photo is

inserted under both loops.

In comparison, the ‘back loop’ of the top of the

stitch is the strand of yarn that’s farthest away

from you while you’re working, shown in red

above. The hook in the photo is inserted under

both loops.

In comparison, the ‘back loop’ of the top of the

stitch is the strand of yarn that’s farthest away

from you while you’re working, shown in red

above. The hook in the photo is inserted under

both loops.

Front loop

Front loop

Back loop

Back loop