I’m often asked, “I’m a left-hander, can I learn to crochet?” The answer is, “Of course, absolutely”. A little while ago I posted some basic left-handed stitch illustrations & received such positive responses, I decided to update & include some more.
The following are a few helpful tips to make left handed crochet a little easier for you…
Firstly, you’ll be holding the hook in your left hand & yarn in the right hand & working your stitches left to right, rather than, right to left.
When learning from a right-handed crocheter, sit opposite (face to face) & follow your teacher’s movements
Following patterns can be daunting for anyone. Moreover, written instructions are mostly for the right-handed. But don’t be put you off, there are always ways around this, as most left-handers know & have dealt with in the right-handed world.
Patterns with symbol charts (written for right-handers) are meant to be read right to left, so try to remember this & start your row on the opposite side of chart
Patterns with illustrations can be reversed by reading from a mirror, or scanned & flipped horizontally in a graphic program
When making garments, keep in mind, you are working left to right so if you’re working a pattern for the front right panel of a vest (for example), you’ll actually be working the front left panel.
When you’re crocheting in the round, you will be working clockwise, rather than ante-clockwise.
Also, be on the lookout for left-handed crochet publications; checkout your local libraries & of course the internet where you’ll find loads of video tutorials
Some left-handers have even surprised themselves by finding that they’re able to crochet right-handed…
Find more left handed stitch overviews here
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This chart shows some of the symbols you’ll see when reading patterns:
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Clusters: are groups of unfinished stitches where the last loop of each unfinished stitch is left on the hook & then drawn together.
Clusters can be worked over number of stitches (also used as a decrease) or in a specific st or sp (also known as Bobbles) & can be made with htr (US:hdc), tr (US:dc) or dtr (US:tr) & other high posted stitches
treble cluster (US:dc cluster),
(YO, insert hook in stitch or space as indicated by pattern & draw up a loop, YO & draw through 2 loops on hook) as many times as indicated by pattern, YO & draw through all loops on hook.
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Popcorns: are groups of complete stitches worked in the same stitch or space & can also be made using htr, (US:hdc) or dtr (US:tr) & other high posted stitches
5 tr (US:dc) Popcorn:
Work 5 tr (US:dc) in st or sp as indicated by pattern, drop loop from hook, insert hook in first st of group, pick up dropped loop & draw through, 1ch to close.
Popcorns can be made to the front or back of your work
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Puff stitches: are a group of loops drawn through the same stitch or space. The number of loops required will be indicated by the pattern
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Shell & fans: are groups of complete stitches worked in a stitch or space as indicted by the pattern & can be made using htr (US:hdc), tr (US:dc), dtr (US:tr) & other high posted stitches
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Back & front post stitches:
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I trust this little tutorial is helpful & gives left-handers more confidence to continue with their crochet journey…
Pompoms (page 21)