how to crochet illustrated crochet instructions


HOLDING YARN AND HOOK
Hold hook between first finger and thumb of right hand and letting second finger rest near point of hook, make a slip loop and pass it on to hook. Holding work, as it is formed, between first finger and thumb of left hand, pass yarn from ball over first and second fingers, under third and round little finger.


CHAIN STITCH
Commencement of all Crochet Work: Holding yarn and hook as described above and making a slip loop to begin with, * pass hook from left to right under yarn (held in left hand), draw this thread through loop already on hook and repeat from * for length required. Patterns usually start with the instructions "Make [number] chain".


SINGLE CROCHET OR SLIP STITCH
Make required length of chain as above. ROW 1: Miss end chain (near hook) * pass hook through next chain, draw yarn through both stitches on hook; repeat from * to end of chain, turn. ROW 2: 1 chain, (1 chain at beginning of row always forms last stitch of next row), * inserting hook in second single crochet stitch draw yarn through both stitches on hook; repeat from * to end of row, turn. Repeat Row 2 for length required.


DOUBLE CROCHET
Make required length of chain as above. ROW 1: Miss 2 chain, * draw a loop through next chain, then draw a loop through both stitches on hook; repeat from * to end of row turn. ROW 2: 2 chain, (2 chain at beginning of row form last stitch of next row, the first stitch being missed on every row), * draw a loop through next double crochet, draw a loop through both stitches on hook; repeat from * to end of row, turn. Repeat Row 2 for length required.


TREBLE STITCH
Make required length of chain as above. ROW 1: Miss 3 chain, * pass yarn round hook, draw a loop through next chain to height stitch is required to be when finished, draw a loop through first 2 loops on hook then draw another loop through 2 remaining loops; repeat from * to end or row, turn. ROW 2: 3 chain (3 chain at beginning of row form last stitch in next row, the first stitch being missed on every row), work 1 treble on each treble to end of row, turn. Repeat Row 2 for length required.


DOUBLE TREBLE
Make required length of chain as above. ROW 1: Miss 4 chain, yarn twice round hook, draw a loop through next chain, draw a loop through first 2 loops on hook, draw a loop through next 2 loops then another through last 2 loops (thereby completing one double treble stitch); repeat from to end of row, turn. ROW 2: 4 chain, (4 chain at beginning of row form last stitch of next row), work 1 double treble on each double treble to end of row, turn. Repeat Row 2 for length required.


INCREASING
In plain fabric work 2 stitches into one. In fancy stitch work 2 pattern groups into one; detailed instructions for this are usually given.


DECREASING
In plain fabric, usual method is to miss a stitch, or yarn over hook, draw a loop through next stitch, yarn over hook, draw through two loops, yarn over hook, draw a loop through next stitch, yarn over hook, draw through three loops, yarn over hook, draw through two loops; repeat from * to * as many times as required. In a fancy pattern detailed instructions are almost always given when decreasing is required.

ROUND AND SQUARE MOTIFS
To join a circle together to start your foundation circle for a square or circular motif you just do a slip stitch into the first chain stitch you worked - illustrated on the left. To make a round or square you need to make a chain or two or three before you work the first stitch - to bring you up to the height of the stitch. When you want to join together at the end of a circle or square you make a slip stitch into the second or third chain that you made at the beginning of the round. This forms a flat finish. See illustration 2 on the left.

MAKING A GRANNY SQUARE
All you need to know is how to make a chain and a treble and the joining slip illustrated above. Foundation Chain: Make 6 chain and join with a slip stitch. Row 1: 3 chain (to count as first treble), now working into the circle not into each chain stitch, work 2 treble, 2 chain, (3treble, 2 chain) 3 times. Join with a slip stitch to the 3rd chain of the 3 chain that you worked at beginning of the round. Round 2: 2 chain, (3treble, 2 chain, 3 treble) into first 2 chain space to form a corner, 1 chain, (3treble, 2 chain, 3 treble) into next 2 chain space, repeat from twice more. Join with a slip stitch to the first of the two chains at beginning of round. Round 3: 3 chain to count as first treble. Work 2 treble into the first chain space to the left of the slip stitch of previous round, 1 chain, (3 treble, 2 chain, 3 treble) into 2 chain space, 1 chain, 3 treble into 1 chain space, 1 chain and repeated from twice more. (3 treble, 2 chain, 3 treble) into last 2 chain space, 1 chain and then join with a slip stitch to the 3rd chain of the first 3 chain of the round. Round 4: 2 chain, 3 treble into next 1 chain space. 1 chain, *(3 treble, 2 chain, 3 treble) into 2 chain space, 1 chain, (3 treble into next 1 chain space, 1 chain) twice, repeat from " twice more, (3 treble, 2 chain, 3 treble) into last 2 chain space, 1 chain, 3 treble into last 1 chain space. Join with a slip stitch to the first of the first two chain or the round. Break off yarn and draw the end through the loop on the hook. Darn in the two ends on the wrong side of work.

MAKING A HALF SQUARE
You can use a different colour for each round to get a more colourful square. Break yarn and fasten off at the end of the round. Join the next colour to any 2 chain space with a slip stitch. Make a 5 chain and join with a slip stitch as with square above. Round 1: Make 4 chain to count for first treble and 1 chain space. (3 treble, 2 chain, 3 treble) it circle to form corner. 1 chain, 1 treble into circle. Break off yarn and fasten off. Round 2: Join next colour or same yarn to the 3rd of the first 4 chain with a slip stitch, 4 chain to count as first treble and 1 chain space, work 3 treble into first 1 chain space or previous round, 1 chain, (3 treble, 2 chain, 3 treble) into next 2 chain space, 1 chain, 3 treble into last 1 chain space, 1 chain, 1 treble into top of last treble of previous round, Break off yarn and fasten off. Round 3: Join next colour or same yarn to the 3rd of the first 4 chain with a slip stitch, 4 chain to count as first treble and 1 chain space, work 3 treble into first 1 chain space of prevous round, 1 chain, 3 treble into next 1 chain space, 1 chain (3 treble, 2 chain, 3 treble) into next 2 chain space, (1 chain, 3 treble into next 1 chain space) twice, 1 chain, 1 treble into top of last treble of previous row. Break off yarn and fasten off. Round 4: Join next colour or same yarn to the 3rd of the first 4 chain with a slip stitch, 4 chain to count as first treble and 1 chain space. Work 3 treble into first 1 chain of previous round, 1 chain (3 treble into next 1 chain space, 1 chain) twice, (3 treble, 2 chain, 3 treble) into next 2 chain space, (1 chain, 3 treble into 1 chain space) 3 times, 1 chain, 1 treble into top of last treble of previous round. Break off yarn and fast off. Darn in all the ends of yarn where colours were joined in on the wrong side of the work.

KNITTING AND NEEDLECRAFT

HOW TO CROCHET

CROCHET UNRAVELLED