It’s best if you decide how many rows and chains you want in your pattern before you start working. For example, if you are making a dish cloth you may want 28 rows with 28 stitches going across. Then, you would need to decide how many rows of each color you want.
At this point you should have two loops around your hook. Leave these loops on your hook as you switch colors. These specific instructions are for a single crochet stitch, which is the most basic, common stitch for crocheting. However, the technique used for this stitch can also be used for all types of stitches, so you can follow the instructions and gear them towards the type of stitch you are using.
Make sure you don’t tie a loop in color two. You just want it folded in half so that it can slide through your loops in color one. As you are pulling color two through color one, you might need to hold onto the loose end of it to make sure you don’t lose the yarn.
You might need to adjust color two into place by pulling on the end of the yarn with the end of color one. Take the color one yarn still connected to your work. Then, grab hold of the end of color two yarn and pull both strands together. This well help you adjust the yarn so the ends are about the same length.
To weave your loose ends through your work, place your hook through your last stitch, yarn over with your loose yarn, and then pull it through the stitch. Continue to do this through each loop until you have weaved in about half of your yarn. Then, turn and go back the same direction you came, putting your hook through the stitch you just used and weaving your yarn towards the start.
If you plan to switch back to the first color of yarn you were working with, then “carry” your yarn. Do this simply by changing colors in the way described, but keep the strand of your old yarn against the loops you are working with. Then, as you crochet with your new yarn, your old yarn will be carried in your work, because it is up against the loops you are crocheting. When you decide to change back to your previous color, it will already be in your work so the process will be easier. [8] X Research source
Hold your hook in your right hand (even if you are a lefty) and place your thumb and index finger on the flattened part of your crochet hook.
It is important in crocheting that you keep count of your chains. You want your crochet to be even, and if you loose count it may be difficult to continue to crochet the next chains and to keep them the same length.
This step is called the single crochet. It is helpful to remember this terminology because as you continue to crochet, it will be easier for you to follow the directions. The chains are the first loops that you create, and then from there you will continue to create single crochets until you have your final crochet pattern.
You will do this step until there are a total of 20 single crochets, meaning you have looped your yarn through 20 of the chains.
If you mess up, that’s okay! Simply, take your hook out of your yarn and begin to pull your yarn to unravel it, until you’ve reached your mistake. Then, stick your hook back through your yarn and continue to crochet. If this is your first time crocheting and your work looks like a mess, don’t stress. Crocheting is an art that takes practice, so continue to practice until you get the hang of it.
