Crochet How To Basics: Single Crochet

Today I am writing about how to make a Single Crochet stitch. I have written how to's on Chain Stitch and Slip Knot in earlier posts.
To get started, make a chain of 6 chain stitches. Then insert the hook into the middle of the second chain stitch from the hook. (The first single crochet will almost always be made in the second chain. The first chain is there to bridge the gap between the row of chain stitches and the top of the single crochet stitch.)

Now, yarn over and draw the yarn through the chain stitch. You now have two loops on your hook.

Yarn over again, and draw the yarn through both loops on the hook.

Congratulations, you have made a single crochet (abbreviated sc)! You now have one loop on your hook. Sc in the the remaining 4 chains.

The pattern instructions for what you just did will typically look like this: Ch 6, sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in remaining 4 ch: 5 sc. ("5 sc" indicates how many stitches your row should have.)In the next entry, I will show how to add more rows to a crochet project.
-Jennifer
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Facebook page

Gizmo Fiber Arts now has a Facebook page. I'm getting more and more connected to the world. -Jennifer

Crochet Basics: Chain Stitch

The chain stitch is the foundation of almost every crocheted piece. This post will show you how to make one.
I have already covered the slip knot in an earlier post. You will need to make a slip knot in order to get started. With your slip knot on your crochet hook, hold the little tail coming off the hook to keep your work steady. Hook the yarn coming off the skein or ball with the crochet hook. (This is called "yarn over," or "yo".)

Now, pull the hooked yarn through the slip knot. You have made one chain stitch. This is abbreviated ch.

To make another chain stitch, simply yarn over and pull the yarn through the loop on the hook again. In patterns the instructions will say "ch 3" or "ch 20" or some other number. This is telling you to make a string of 3 or 20 or however many chain stitches. In the picture below, you see 6 chain stitches, or "ch 6." The slip knot and the loop on the hook do not count as stitches.

Now you know how to start most pieces, but you can't make an entire piece just from chain stitches. Next time, I will show you how to make a "single crochet" stitch, or "sc."
-Jennifer

New hats

My nephews told me they wanted hats so I designed a couple boys' hats. The "sailing" hat turned out to look a little girly though. I think with different colors it will look more boyish. I have listed both of these on Etsy, and I'm working on the patterns for them. -Jennifer

Woods Hat

Sailing hat

Crochet Basics: Slip Knot

This is the first in a series of basic crochet stitches. In order to start almost any crochet project you have to make a slip knot, so that's where my series is starting. A slip knot isn't really a stitch so most patterns don't even tell you to make one. You just need a slip knot in order to make your first real stitch.

To make a slip knot, make a loop in your yarn and put the crochet hook through the loop.

Hook the yarn coming out of the skein or ball, and pull the yarn through the loop on the crochet hook.

Now pull the knot in the yarn snug, and tighten the yarn around the crochet hook a bit. Leave the yarn on the crochet hook loose enough to slide easily on the hook.

You have made a slip knot and you're ready to crochet!
-Jennifer

Patterns available on Etsy!

Well my hat and purse patterns are now available on Etsy. I'm pretty excited to have my work out there.
In other news, I'm planning a series of stitch instruction entries on my blog, so stay tuned for that.
Click here to check out my Etsy store. -Jennifer

 Flower Garden

 Lil' Love

 Neon Ruffles

Hats and Purses

Well, I sent in my hat and purse patterns to a publisher yesterday. Feels good to get some work out for review. Now I have to buckle down on Christmas presents! -Jennifer