Showing posts with label How to crochet. Show all posts

Friday, August 3, 2012

How to Crochet - Finishing Off, Reading a Pattern and Crochet Abbreviations (Tutorial)

Learn to Crochet - Finishing

Finishing methods for crochet depend largely on the end purpose of the crochet (pillow, afghan, garment) and the yarn you use to create the piece.

Learn to Crochet - Crochet Diagrams

Diagrams are read exactly as the crochet is worked. Each stitch is represented by a symbol that has been drawn to resemble its crocheted equivalent. The position of the symbol shows where the stitch should be placed and worked.

Stitch symbols are drawn and laid out as realistically as possible, but there are times when they have to be distorted for the sake of clarity. For example, stitches may look extra long to show clearly where they are to be placed, but you should not try to match the chart by making elongated stitches. Crochet each stitch as you normally would.

n order to follow crochet instructions, you should know how to make the basic stitches and be familiar with basic procedures for making crochet fabric. You should also be familiar with the abbreviations for basic crochet stitches.

The pattern will list the materials necessary for the project, including the size of the crochet hook used to meet the designer's gauge. Gauge refers to the number of stitches and rows in a given area. When following a pattern for a garment or other article, the instructions will include a specified gauge. If you do not crochet fabric with the same number of stitches and rows as indicated, your work will not be the same size as the measurements given. To ensure that you achieve the correct gauge, work a large sample or swatch before starting to crochet the actual project. The hook size stated in the pattern is a suggested hook size only. You must use whichever hook gives you the correct gauge. If you have fewer stitches and rows than the specified gauge, you are working too loosely and need to try a smaller crochet hook. If you have more stitches and rows than the specified gauge, you are working too tightly and need to try a larger crochet hook. If you cannot meet gauge by changing hook sizes, sometimes changing hook types (bamboo, wood, aluminum, plastic) may help.

In the written instructions, the stitches that should be repeated are contained within brackets [ ] or follow an asterisk *. These stitches are repeated across the row or round the required number of times. On chartedcrochet diagrams, the stitches that have to be repeated can be easily visualized. The extra stitches not included in the pattern repeat are there to balance the row or make it symmetrical and are only worked once. Turning chains are only worked at the beginning of each row.

If you are confused by a particular set of instructions, you may find it helpful to write out the instructions without abbreviations, writing out each individual pattern repeat. You may also find it helpful to use a repositionable note to cover the instructions above and below the step you are working on so that your eye doesn't stray and pick up with another set of similar instructions in a different step of the pattern.

Abbreviations
beg  …. begin(ning)
bet …. between
blk …. block
CA, CB, CC, etc …. Color A, Color B, Color C, etc.
ch(s) …. chain(s)
cm …. centimeter(s)
dec ….. decrease
dc  …. double crochet
dtr …. double treble
hdc ….  half double crochet
inc …. increase
lp(s) ….loop(s)
mm …. millimeter(s)
rep …. repeat
rnd(s) …. round(s)
RS …. right side
sc …. single crochet
sk …. skip
sl …. slip
sp(s) …. space(s)
st …. stitch(es)
tog …. together
tr …. treble
WS …. wrong side
yo …. yarn over* or ** … repeat whatever follows the * or ** as indicated
[ ] …. work directions in brackets the number of times indicated

How to Circle Crochet and Slip Stitch (Tutorial)

How to crochet in the round: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWJfBujJZtE&feature=channel&list=UL

Most motives are not worked in rows but are worked in rounds from the center out. Unless otherwise stated in the pattern instructions, do not turn the work between rounds but continue with the same side facing and treat this as the right sight of the fabric. the center ring is usually formed by a number of chains joined together with a slip stitch to form a ring.

How to slip stitch: sl st=slip stitch

This is the shortest of all crochet stitches. Unlike other stitches, slip stitches are not used on their own to produce fabric. The slip stitch is used for joining, shaping and where necessary, to move the yarn to another part of the fabric for the next stage.

.

(1)Insert the hook into the work (shown in the second chain from hook in the illustration).

(2,3) Yarn over and pull yarn through both the work and the loop on the hook in one movement.

(4,5) To join a chain ring with a slip stitch, insert the hook into first chain, yarn over and pull the yarn through the work and the loop on the hook.

The Round:

(2) Make a slip stitch to join the chains into a ring.

How to Crochet, Stitch Variations and Working in Rounds (Tutorial)

Learn to Crochet - Stitch Variations

Most crochet stitch patterns, no matter how complex they seem, are made using combinations of basic stitches. Different effects can be created by small variations in the stitch making procedure or by varying the position and manner of inserting the hook into the fabric.

Note: Many patterns refer to certain groups of stitches in the instructions, but be careful—"bobble", "cluster", "shell", etc., may not mean the same thing from pattern to pattern. Always read the instructions to see what the designer means by a term!

Learn to Crochet - Working in Rounds

Most motifs are not worked in rows but are worked in rounds from the center out. Unless otherwise stated in the pattern instructions, do not turn the work between rounds but continue with the same side facing and treat this as the right side of the fabric. The center ring is usually formed by a number of chains joined together with a slip stitch to form a ring.

(1) Insert the hook into the first chain made.

(2) Make a slip stitch to join the chains into a ring.

At the beginning of each round, one or more chain(s) can be worked to match the height of the following stitches—this is equal to a turning chain.

(3) When working in double crochet, three starting chains are required.

(4) The stitches of the first round are worked by inserting the hook into the empty circle space at the center of the ring. Sometimes the first round is worked into the first chain—the pattern will specify how to form the first round.

(5) When each round is complete, insert the hook into the top of the chain or stitch at the beginning of the round and make a slip stitch to close the round.

(6) When working the second and subsequent rounds, unless otherwise stated, insert the hook under the two top loops of the stitches in the previous round.

After joining the final round with a slip stitch, fasten off by making one chain, then cutting the yarn and drawing the end through. Pull gently to tighten and form a knot.

How to Crochet - Turning Chain and Longer Stitches (Tutorial)

Learn How to Crochet - Longer Basic Stitches

Double treble (dtr), triple treble (ttr) and quadruple treble (qte), etc., are made by wrapping the yarn over three, four or five times, etc. at the beginning and finishing as for a treble crochet, pulling yarn through two loops on the hook at a time until two loops remain on hook, and then pulling yarn through remaining two loops.

Learn How to Crochet - Making Crochet Fabric

To make a flat crocheted fabric worked in rows, you must begin with a starting chain. The length of the starting chain is the number of stitches needed for the first row of fabric plus the number of chains needed to get to the correct height of the first stitch used in the first row.

When working in rows, right-handers work from right to left and left-handers work from left to right, turning the work at the end of each row. One or more chains must be worked at the beginning of each row to bring the hook up to the height of the first stitch in the row. The number of chains used for turning will depend upon the height of the stitch they are to match.

Learn How to Crochet - Turning Chains

When turning a row, the first chain (turning chain) helps transition the row to the height of the first stitch of the new row. The height of the first chain (turning chain) must match the height of the first stitch, and the number of chains depends on the first stitch after the chain.

(1) single crochet = 1 chain

(2) half double crochet = 2 chains

(3) double crochet = 3 chains

(4) treble crochet = 4 chains

When working half double crochet or other taller stitches, the turning chain usually serves as the first stitch. The project instructions will let you know whether or not the turning chain is considered a stitch. When one chain is worked t the beginning of a row starting with a single crochet stitch, it is usually for height only and is made in addition to the first stitch.

How to Crochet - Fasten Off, Joining New Yarn (Tutorial)

Learn to Crochet - Fasten Off

To fasten off the yarn permanently, cut the yarn leaving an 8" end (longer if you need to sew pieces together). Pull the end of the yarn through the loop on the hook and pull gently to tighten.

Learn to Crochet - Joining in New Yarn

When joining in new yarn or changing color, continue in the working yarn until two loops of the last stitch remain in the working yarn or color.

(1) Yarn over with the new color or yarn and pull the new color or yarn through to complete the stitch.

(2) Continue to work the following stitches in the new color or yarn following the pattern instructions.

(3, 4) If you are working whole rows in different colors, make the change during the last stitch in the previous row, so the new color for the next row is ready to work the turning chain.

If you are working a narrow stripe pattern, instead of cutting off the old color or yarn, carry it loosely along the side of the fabric so that it is ready to pick up again the next time it is needed. For wide stripe patterns, it is usually best to cut off the old color or yarn, leaving a 6" end for weaving in. Longer carries, also called "floats", are easily snagged.

How to Crochet - Front/Back Loops, Increase and Decreases (Tutorial)

Learn How to Crochet - Working in Front or Back Loops

The project instructions will specify if you are to work into the front or back loop of the stitch in the row below. Unless otherwise stated, always work under two strands of the top of the stitch in the row below.

Learn to Crochet - Crochet Increases

(1) To increase the width of a basic crochet fabric, 2 or more stitches have to be worked into 1 stitch at the point specified in the project instructions.

(2) Single crochet,

(3) Half double crochet, double crochet and longer stitches are all increased in this manner.

Learn to Crochet - Crochet Decreases

To decrease the width of a basic fabric, 2 or more stitches have to be worked together, by leaving the last loop of each stitch on the hook then working them off together. Single crochet, half double crochet, and longer stitches can all be decreased in this way, called sc2tog, hdc2tog, etc.

(1) To decrease in single crochet, draw up a loop in each of the next 2 stitches,

(2, 3) Yarn over and pull yarn through all three loops on the hook.

(1) To decrease in double crochet, yarn over and draw up a loop in the next stitch, yarn over and pull yarn through two loops only on the hook, yarn over

(2, 3) And draw up a loop in the next stitch, yarn over and pull yarn through two loops only on the hook, yarn over and pull yarn through the remaining three loops on the hook.