Single Crochet
The Next Step
Single crochet is the next stitch you should master when learning
to crochet. It can form quite
a firm and close fabric depending on your choice of hook and yarn.
It also makes a great background for cross stitch and other embellishments.
First of all you need to start by working some
chains.
- Let's say you should work 17 chains as a foundation - don't forget,
the stitch on the hook is never counted as a stitch - only count
the chains already worked.
- Then, push your hook into the 2nd
chain from the hook. Count along this way...1 loop on hook, 1 chain, then
**push your hook into the next chain. You should have 2 'bars' of yarn
across the top of your hook and one below.
- Yarn Over (like you did when forming your chains), then pull
the new loop through to the front of the chain. You now have 2
loops on your hook.
- Yarn over again (YO), and pull this through the other 2 loops
already on the hook. Now you should have only 1 loop left on your
hook.
That's your first single crochet stitch - Great Job! Now go back
to the** and repeat the formation of each stitch until
you reach the end of your chain - you should have 16 stitches.
Now, turn over your work so you'll be working from right to left
again. You will now see that there is a row of 'V's along the top
of your row. Each stitch of your next row should be worked by
pushing your hook under both 'bars' of the 'V'. Actually, if you
hold up your work to the light you will see that there is a small
hole formed directly beneath each 'V' where you need place your
hook. Useful, eh?
Work 1 chain (written as 'Ch 1' in patterns), then start
from the ** again. You should form a single crochet in each 'V'
formed by the previous row starting in the last stitch of
the last row (you should still be working 16 stitches - count them
as you go to be sure you are correct).
Check out these photos for more help.
After your second row you should keep practicing and become proficient
in single crochet before you move on to learning double crochet.
You can make 2 squares and join them together to make a small coin purse,
or you could make more squares and join them to make a small
shoulder bag.
Here are some single crochet tips...
- Do not twist your foundation chain. Keep the 'V' side
facing you.
- Single crochet is the only stitch where you should work a stitch in
the very first 'hole' of the row to keep the correct number of
stitches.
- The stitch 'hole' is always slightly to the left of
each of the stitches in the previous row when working in rows.
Ok - now you've practiced single crochet you can move on to double crochet.
Go back to Crochet from Single Crochet
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