Holding your hook: years of teaching have shown me that there are many different ways of holding the hook & rarely do 2 people hold it the same– find your own comfort zone by practicing different ways until you’re comfortable – the following 2 methods are probably the most popular but by no means the only way to hold your hook
A: hold your hook as you would a pencil with hook facing down
B: hold your hook as you would a knife with hook facing down
OK, so let’s get started… The first thing you have to do is make a Slip Knot.
Why, you ask… because it’s neater & more flexible which will make your first chain (ch) easier to draw through.
Leaving about 10/12 cm (4”/5”) tail, make a circle of yarn with the ball end going under the circle, bring yarn through with your hook & pull end to fit hook so that it slides easily on hook – the slip knot loop is not counted as a chain (the loop on the hook is never counted)
Next… Holding your yarn: & again, in my experience, there is no right/wrong way to hold your yarn. The following two methods are the most commonly used but if you come up with your own & it works for you, then go for it.
Remember what’s important: that the yarn slides easily from hand to hook without being too tight or too loose – I wish there were some magic bullet for achieving this quickly & effortlessly however, only ‘patient practice’, over and over again, will get you there.
Making your chain: Now that you have managed your yarn & hook into a comfortable position you are ready to make your first chain. Remembering that the loop on the hook is never counted, you now draw yarn through the loop to make a chain – to do this you must first do a yarn over (YO) & draw this though the loop, this is your first chain made, continue in this way, following either Method 1 or Method 2 as shown in the diagrams below, until you have the required amount of chains…
Method 1: To maintain tension, wrap yarn around little finger & other fingers as shown in diagram for Method 1 – the middle finger is used to feed the yarn & the index finger & thumb hold your work.
Method 2: To maintain tension, wrap yarn around little finger & other fingers as shown in diagram for Method 2 – the index finger is used to feed the yarn & the middle finger & thumb hold your work
So… there you go… you are now on your way… I hope these instructions help clarify some of the dilemmas of getting started with crochet & that your crochet journey continues to get more exciting with every stitch you make.
For more info please check out the Crochet Tips & Tricks page & click on the links…
Alana… just my name & a link to my website/blog would be perfect… 🙂
Hi Renate
Thanks for letting me use information from your web site. Can you please email me to discuss how you would like me to give you credit for the information I use.
Hello Alana… that’s perfectly ok… thank you for asking & I’d also appreciate you giving me accreditation… good luck with your venture – kind regards Renate
Hi
I like your web sight it has lots of useful information for beginners.
I am thinking of starting beginner crochet classes.
I like your instructions for getting started right and left handed and the granny square instructions. Can I please print these instructions to give to the students in my classes?
welcome Connie, crochet can certainly be addictive, I hope you’re enjoying yourself so far…. I always try to take my yarn from the centre of the ball. Sometimes the end come out easily, sometimes half the ball come out… it’s a bit of a hit & miss affair, but you’ll find your work flows better when the yarn come from the centre… I don’t wind my yarn into ball unless I have to, like when it’s unravelled for example… 🙂
Hi, I am a real beginner crochet addict. Before you begin, do you always wind your yarn into balls? I just thought there had to be a way to pull an exact thread from the center to crochet from, but have not found one yet. I don’t want to get a few rows into my afghan project and hit a wall!
Connie
Thank you Roberta… yes, positively addictive is a great way to describe Freeform… I hope you continue to enjoy your creative journey
I’m a complete beginner but already totally fascinated with freeform crochet. I’ve been a 2D painter for years, but I’m finding this extremely tactile process positively addictive. Thanks so much for this site, it’s a great help!
Thank you Shar, makes me happy to know it’s been helpful… it’s a bit of a job getting those graphic done but so good to know that it’s all worthwhile
I wish I’d found your site a few months ago! It’s still going to be my fav go-to site while learning to crochet. What awesome graphics! I found you via Pinterest! Someone had liked one of your small granny square graphics and I was soooo glad to see that! THANK YOU for all your work on your site. Shar
You’re welcome, so glad to know that I was able to help you get started – happy crocheting
Just like to say your website is fab, found ot through a link on pinterest! Clear and easy to understand instructions and i think i may finaly get to grips with crochet with help froms these guides!!! Thanks muchly!!!