Q&A for How to Crochet

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  • Question
    What is the first thing a beginner should crochet?
    Sarah Stearns
    Sarah Stearns
    DIY Specialist
    Sarah Stearns is a DIY Specialist, Artist, Maker, Blogger, and the Founder of SarahMaker.com. With over ten years of experience, she specializes in fun, approachable crafts like crocheting, making polymer clay jewelry, quilting, and creating Cricut projects. Her work has been featured in several publications, such as Scientific American, Good Housekeeping, Vox, and Apartment Therapy. Sarah holds a BA in Psychology from Vanderbilt University.
    Sarah Stearns
    DIY Specialist
    Expert Answer
    Try working on small projects that are worked in flat rows, like potholders or scarves.
  • Question
    How do I start crocheting?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    You should start by making a slip knot, practice how to do it. Then you should practice the chain stitch. It is really easy once you get the hang of it.
  • Question
    How can I turn a circle into a square?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Place four equally spaced increases in the round. Do a double increase (3 stitches in the stitch). Keep increasing in the middle stitch of your previous double increase every round, and your circle will eventually become square.
  • Question
    How do I fasten off the yarn?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    You can slip-stitch into the next stitch, cut the yarn (leaving a tail) and pull the yarn through. Another way is to chain one, cut the yarn (leaving a tail) and pull the yarn through.
  • Question
    What does tr mean in crocheting?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Yarn over (twice), insert hook in the center of next chain, yarn over, draw yarn through stitch, [yarn over, draw yarn through 2 loops on hook] 3 times. Repeat across to end of foundation chain. To begin the second row, turn your work. Chain four for the turning chain.
  • Question
    What does "picot" mean?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    A picot is a loop of thread created for functional or ornamental purposes along the edge of lace, ribbon, crocheted, knitted or tatted material. These loops vary in size, according to their intended function and to their creator's artistic intention.
  • Question
    What is a magic ring in crochet?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    It's an adjustable ring. (You start a slip knot but don't tighten, then start crocheting in the round.)
  • Question
    How do I make a treble crochet stitch?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Same as a double crochet, but yarn over an extra time, and work off two loops at a time as usual.
  • Question
    How do I do a single crochet decrease?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Insert your hook into the next stitch, yarn over, and pull up a loop. You'll have two loops on your hook. Then insert your hook into the next hook, yarn over, and pull up a loop. You'll have three loops on your hook. Now yarn over and pull through all the loops.
  • Question
    How do you cross over stitch?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Use a treble. Insert the hook two bottom loops along from the previous work and do a treble. Insert the hook into the loop before the previous one and do a treble in that As an ongoing pattern, miss one space on the last work, treble into next, treble back in the space previous to the last treble.
  • Question
    How do I start a second chain?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Instead of just adding another stitch, go into the first loop you have (closest to your hook), then take it out of one loop (the one you just added on). Then both loops and repeat.
  • Question
    How do I cast off to reduce the number of stitches?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    If you mean how to decrease, then insert your hook into the next stitch, yarn over and pull through, and then insert your hook into the next stitch. Yarn over and pull through again, and then yarn over and pull through all three loops on your hook.
  • Question
    Is crocheting too challenging for a beginner that is looking for a new hobby?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    It can be a little challenging at first, but once you get the hang of it, it gets pretty fun. You can purchase a beginner's kit online or in a craft store, which can make it easier to get started.
  • Question
    I am a blind crocheter. When working back and forth in rows, how can I tell which is the right side and which is the wrong side?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Look for the knot in one corner at the beginning of your work. That is where you started your beginning chain. Your first right-side row would normally have been worked back along the chain, toward the knot. If you are a right-handed crocheter, that means the knot is on the left when you are on the right side, and on the right when you are working a wrong-side row.
  • Question
    What stitches should I use for stuffed animals?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    It depends on the pattern. The most common stitches used are single, double, or half-double crochet.
  • Question
    What does it mean to join with a single crochet?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    US instructions: Place your hook in the stitch you are joining to (usually the first stitch of a round) and draw up a loop, then yarn over and draw through both loops. If you are joining two pieces with a single crochet, place your hook in your work as if to work a normal stitch, then place your hook in the other piece as if to work a stitch, draw a loop through BOTH pieces, then yarn over and draw a loop through both loops on your hook. UK instructions: Place your hook through the stitch, draw up a loop, then draw the same loop through the loop already on your hook. If you are joining two pieces of fabric, place your hook through both, draw up a loop, and draw the loop through.
  • Question
    Directions say to work along opposite side of foundation stitch, but not join rounds. How can I work opposite without joining rounds?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Just keep going around, but don't do a slip stitch to connect to the first stitch of each round.
  • Question
    How do I do a half double crochet stitch?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Yarn over, insert the hook into the crocheted project, yarn over, remove the hook from the hole, and yarn over and pull through all three loops. The stitch height is two chain stitches.
  • Question
    What type of yarn do I use for a blanket I just started? What size hook should I use?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    The type of yarn is your choice, but try not to get thin yarn. The thinner the yarn, the longer it will take to crochet something big. Hook size depends on how thick your yarn is. Thicker yarn means thicker hooks. Sometimes the label on the yarn will suggest a hook size.
  • Question
    How do I crotchet something very simple?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    You can crochet a heart or a flower, or anything small if you are just a beginner.
  • Question
    How do I carry unused yarn?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    If you are changing color on every row or two, carry it loosely up the side. If you are carrying it for a few stitches, and it will not show, you can work over it (lay it along the row you are working on). If you are carrying it for a few stitches and nobody will see the wrong side, you can carry it across the back of the work. Otherwise, you will probably need to fasten off the yarn.
  • Question
    The instruction on how to hold the hook is clear for beginners, but how do you hold the yarn? Not clear in photos or text.
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Weave it in between your fingers, and wrap it around your little finger to maintain an even tension, this is tricky at first and you will end up dropping it but it eventually becomes second nature.
  • Question
    How do I start a second row when crocheting?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    You start a second row by turning your work around and then single crocheting.
  • Question
    What does "2x" mean in a pattern?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    2x usually means you should repeat the action two times. 3x means three times, 4x means four times, and so on.
  • Question
    How do I crochet in front stitch only?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    You can do this by inserting your hook in the front part of the v of the stitch. (Normally, you work in both parts of the v.)
  • Question
    How do I change colors?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    On the last stich of the row/round yarn over with the next color you have chosen to use.
  • Question
    What does intermediate mean?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Intermediate refers to a skill level. If you do not need pictures to follow along but cannot handle very complicated patterns, you are at the intermediate level.
  • Question
    What does TC mean in a crochet pattern?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    It means "treble crochet stitch."
  • Question
    How do I change colors while crocheting?
    Pet luver
    Pet luver
    Community Answer
    When you are finished with one color, cut it off and put it through your last loop. Then, take your next color, thread it through the place you want it to be, knot it, and start crocheting.
  • Question
    How do I tell the right side from the wrong side of a pattern?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    There is no right or wrong side to a pattern. It'll look the same on either side. But if your loops vary in size and tension, then it'll look different on different sides, but it isn't that noticeable if the yarn loops aren't that different in size compared to the other ones.
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