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Learn to Crochet – Lesson #2

May 29th, 2007 by Heather

See all the posts in the Crochet School…

Welcome to lesson #2! I hope that you enjoyed lesson #1 and are confident with what was taught in that lesson.

Topics to be covered in today’s lesson are:

  • How to end your square
  • Slip stitch
  • Half Double Crochet
  • Double Crochet
  • Triple Crochet
  • Crocheting in the round

To begin with, I apologize for the lack of videos. I couldn’t get my camera to turn on, no matter what I tried. I will be taking it to be looked at this week, so hopefully it will be back in time for next week’s lesson. For this week, I took a ton of pictures using my new camera (that doesn’t have video, go figure :) ). The picture quality isn’t the best, I’m still trying to get used to all the functions of the new camera, plus I was taking these in my dingy basement office, so not a lot of light at all. But it is still pretty clear what to do, and again any questions feel free to comment with them, or ask them on the Flickr group.

And for my lefties ;) Here is a great link that will help you with holding your hook and how to make each of the stitches that we will learn today. I hope it helps you out!

Alright, let’s get started with Lesson #2!

How to end your square

I forgot to go over this last week. When you get to the end of your square, make one more chain. Take out your hook, and cut the middle of the loop. You can then pull the piece attached to your skein out, and pull the other cut end to tighten. Hope that makes sense!
Slip Stitch

The slip stitch is used to join work, bind off stitches or carry yarn over to a different working position without adding height.

Begin with a regular chain:

chain.jpg

Slip your hook through the chain, under one loop.

slip-stitch-1.jpg
Wrap the yarn around the hook one (also know as “yarn over” or “yo”).

slip-stitch-2.jpg

Pull the yarn through the loop, giving you two loops on your hook.

slip-stitch-3.jpg

Pull the loop on the left through the hook on the right, leaving a single loop on your hook.

slip-stitch-4.jpg

That’s it! Slip stitch is really easy, and its a stitch you will likely see in the majority of your crochet patterns.

Half Double Crochet

The half double crochet is between a single crochet and a double crochet in height.
As usual, we will start this stitch with a chain

chain.jpg

Yarn over and slip your hook through the third chain from the hook (the two chains you skip will become your first hdc for the row)

dc-and-hdc-2.jpg

Yarn over

dc-and-hdc-3.jpg

Pull the yarn through the chain, giving you three loops on your hook.

dc-and-hdc-4.jpg

Yarn over, and pull the yarn through all three loops on the hook
hdc-6.jpg

This is what a row of half double crochet will look like

hdc-finished.jpg

Double Crochet

The double crochet is about twice the height of a single crochet, and one of the most popular crochet stitches.

Start with your foundation chain

chain.jpg

Yarn over and slip your hook into the fourth chain from the hook (the three chains that are missed count as the first double crochet for the row)
dc-and-hdc-2.jpg

Yarn over

dc-and-hdc-3.jpg

And draw the yarn through the chain, giving you three loops on your hookdc-and-hdc-4.jpg

Yarn over, and pull the yarn through the first two loops on the hook. This will give you two loops remaining on your hook.

hdc-5.jpg
Yarn over again, and pull the yarn through the last two loops on the hook

hdc-6.jpg

Clear as mud? This is what your double crochet will look like as a finished row

dc-finished.jpg

Triple (aka Treble) Crochet

A triple crochet is even taller than a double crochet, nearly 3 times the height of single crochet.

Starting with your foundation chain, yarn over your hook twice

tcr-1.jpg

Slip your hook through the fifth chain from the hook (the four skipped chains become the first triple crochet of the row). This gives you four loops on your hook.

tcr-2.jpg

Yarn over

tcr-3.jpg

And pull the yarn through the chain, giving four loops on your hook.tcr-4.jpg
Yarn over, giving you five loops on your hooktcr-5.jpg
Pull the yarn through the first two loops on the hook, leaving 3 loops

tcr-6.jpg

Yarn over, giving 4 loops on the hook

tcr-7.jpg

Pull the yarn through the first two loops on the hook, leaving 2 loops

tcr-8.jpg

Yarn over once again, giving three loops

tcr-9.jpg

Pull the first loop (yarn from yo) through the last two loops on the hook, completing your triple crochet

tcr-10.jpg

Here is what a row of triple crochet will look like

tcr-finished.jpg

So now you’ve learned the basic and most common stitches of crochet – slip stitch, single crochet, half double crochet, double crochet and single crochet. Most of the patterns will be made up of a variety of these stitches.

Crocheting in the round

Crocheting in the round is very common for afghan squares and hats, to name a couple of groups of patterns.

To begin, you have to create a center ring. The center ring is the foundation for crocheting in the round, just like the foundation chain when you are working in rows. To make a crochet ring, simple crochet a number of chains (the exact number varies depending on the pattern)

round-1.jpg

Then you will join the last chain to the first chain using a slip stitch. Slip your hook through the last chain (the first chain you made, beside the slip knot)

round-2.jpg

Yarn over

round-3.jpg

And pull the yarn through both loops on the hook

round-4.jpg

After you make the center ring, you are ready for the first round. You’ll start off by making the number of turning chains corresponding to the stitch you are using. For example, I will be working with double crochets in these photos, so the number of turning chains will be three. Another way to determine the number of turning chains is that it will be equal to the number of chains you skip when you are starting a row (ie sc is 1 chain, hdc is 2 chains etc)

For double crochet, chain 3

round-5.jpg

The double crochet is worked the same as in a row, but instead of working through the chain, you are going to work around it.

Pass your hook through the center of the ring

round-6.jpg

Yarn over

round-7.jpg

And pull the yarn through the ring

round-8.jpg

Complete your stitch, in this case the double crochet (yarn over, pull yarn through 2 loops on hook, yarn over and pull through the last two loops on the hook)

round-10.jpg

You will work your stitches around the ring, until you reach the number required by the pattern. You will then identify the top of the turning chain (in this example, the turning chain was 3, so you will identify the third chain from the ring before you started doing the double crochets, identified by the arrow)

round-11.jpg

Slip your hook through the chain

round-12.jpg

Yarn over

round-13.jpg

And pull through both loops on the hook (making a slip stitch) to close off the round

round-14.jpg

Occasionally you will work your stitches into the chain, but the majority of the time you will work them around the ring, as I’ve shown.

When you are working in the round, you will not be turning your work (unless the pattern calls for it). You simply crochet in the round, end the round by making a slip stitch through the turning chain, and then continue working in the same direction.

Patterns

I will be giving you three patterns for the week, so that you can get used to all the stitches and working them together. I recommend doing them in the order I list, from easiest to more difficult.
Each pattern has a photo so you know what your finished square should look like, and I will be doing these as well so again if you have any questions don’t be afraid to ask! Don’t be intimidated by the pattern, remember to write it out in plain language if you think that will help.

Again, you may want to make 2 of each pattern, so that your lapghan is a bit bigger in the end :)
Pattern 1: Pretty Pebbles Square

Pattern 2: Basic Granny Square Don’t worry about changing colors yet, that’s a later lesson! Just work this pattern in one color.

Pattern 3: Wheel In Valleys


Good luck, and most importantly, have fun!! :)

38 Responses to “Learn to Crochet – Lesson #2”

  1. EmmaNadine Says:

    Are we supposed to do four patterns this week or three? You say you are going to list four, but there are only three lisred.

    Also, the big brother square….can that be worked with standard yarn, or do we need to buy the lightweight cotton yarn she recommends in the pattern?

  2. Heather Says:

    Thanks for bringing that to my attention – I fixed the post!

    You are only doing three patterns this week, but you can work 2 squares of each pattern for a bigger lapghan in the end if you want.

    I will be changing the third pattern, I didn’t realize it was made of cotton when I found it last night (it was late LOL)

  3. EmmaNadine Says:

    Thanks! I am having so much fun doing this. I’ve never been able to learn how to knit, but with your help I’m learning to crochet. You’re awesome for taking the time to put these classes together.

  4. Erica Says:

    Just wanted to thank you for putting these lessons together. I practiced lesson one and I am already starting a blanket (my mom has been guiding me). It’s soo much fun to do. I definitely will be keeping up with your lessons and working on other projects as well. Again thank you!!

  5. feli Says:

    woohoo… I am going to try that round one. thank you so much heather.

  6. Crafty Daisies Learn to Crochet: Lesson #2 Says:

    [...] I am really enjoying the Crafty Daisies 12 week crochet lessons that are happening online. This week’s lesson #2 is up teaching you the following: how to end your square, slip stitch, half double crochet, double crochet, Triple Crochet and crocheting in the round. You can also join the new Flickr group if you are following along with the lessons and post up your work. Link. [...]

  7. Ezgi Says:

    Hello Heather,
    thank you so much again for the lessons. I can tell you are putting so much time and care in them. I had an error opening the first pattern. Thank you so much again :)

  8. You asked for it! « Win or Lose, We Go Shopping! Says:

    [...] So far? Squares. I only know how to single chain (which is very very basic!) but the next lesson just came out today on Crafty Daisies that has some more advanced things involved, so I’m pretty excited to start figuring that out! I’m much better at knitting because I’ve been doing it longer! [...]

  9. BellaKarma Says:

    Wow! My daughter and I just finished the Pretty Pebbles Square – and it’s such an awesome pattern! We absolutely love the texture! Thanks for finding this one to share!

    I read an useful tip a while back on crocheting rounds, hope you don’t mind that I share: To keep track of the turning chain, slip a stitch marker onto it (the kind that opens) and keep moving it up.

  10. Kari Says:

    I also really love the Pretty Pebbles Square. With cotton yarn, it makes an excellent dishcloth.

    I hope to start on the other squares soon – they’re the type I have the biggest problem with. I can’t seem to make the squares the same size when crocheting in the round.

  11. Fleecy Says:

    I’m sooo late with my comment, shame on me! I loved this lesson. In fact, I’ve gotten rather brave and am attempting to create a grocer’s bag. The pattern is basically the stitches we have learned and I actually understand the pattern. Thanks Heather!!! You totally rock! Now, I’m off to get caught up with my crocheting…I’m a teeny bit behind!

  12. Kymberli Says:

    I am having a lot of fun doing this along with everyone else. Thank you, Heather, for dedicating your time and effort to help everyone learn this. The granny square was super fun. Hopefully I can get the 3rd square figured out before the next lesson comes out.

  13. Lindsay Says:

    Thanks, Heather. :-)

    I’ve got the Pretty Pebbles and Granny Square finished. I think I’ll try the Wheels in Valleys one tonight. I have to say, this has been a steep learning curve but it’s going pretty well!

    A question of tension … I guess my tension is pretty tight. For example, my granny square ended up so small, I had to add another layer of dc all around and a sc border to make it 7″. (I used my H hook.) I had to use my K hook to get Pretty Pebbles the right size. How do you test the gauge when you’re crocheting in the round?

  14. Christine Says:

    Thanks Heather. I was able to do all of the patterns this week and boy did I learn a lot! I was even able to go back and do the granny square that you have listed after I did the one with the pictures that you gave to us in the flikr group discussion. I think I am a very loose crocheter…I am going to work on tightening things up a bit now.

    Thanks again. I can hardly wait for our next lesson on Tuesday.

  15. Kymberli Says:

    I have a question. Hopefully someone can help me out. In the third pattern (wheel in valleys)… on Rnd 3, what does ‘nbsp’ mean?

  16. beginnie Says:

    Hello Heather! Thanks for the intensive picture tutorial. I actually like it better than the video :) I tumbled on other video tutorials on YouTube while watching yours in the first lesson and they were also very helpful (especially those by TheKnitWitch). I did my pretty bebble square, but could not get the pretty color as in the picture of the pattern. I’m also struggling with the Wheel in the Valley pattern, it’s hard! Particularly I have a lot of trouble counting the stitches, can you indicate in the picture where I should start counting them? I’m still confused whether the slip knot should be counted as a chain and when you say sc in 2ch, where 2ch is. Thanks a lot!

  17. beginnie Says:

    Kymberli, I think   is part of the html of the page and not part of the pattern. It represents a non-breaking space (i.e. space that the browser shouldn’t wrap the line around). Hope this helps.

  18. beginnie Says:

    My bad, I meant & nbsp ;

  19. Stacey Says:

    Thanks for these great lessons!

  20. Heather Says:

    Hi Beginnie! You will begin counting your stitches with your chains at the beginning of the round. That is stitch one. Then your next stitch is two, etc.

    The actual knot itself is not a chain, but the loop coming off it directly is. Clear as mud? :D When you are holding your hook in your hand and the chains are coming off, the chain immediately beside the hook is ch1. Ch2 will be the next chain to the left (if you are working right handed). There is a picture under Lesson #1 that shows that…try having a look and let me know if that makes sense!

  21. Bev Qualheim Says:

    Hi!
    This is wonderful to see such detailed lessons online. I hope this website is around for a long time as I would like to link to it from my ‘how-tos’ page at Bev’s Country Cottage and maybe on my blog too.

    So many come to my websites to learn, and for the free patterns, which I try to keep easy for beginners, and these are great instructions!
    Thanks again
    Bev

    http://bevq.blogspot.com

  22. Lauren Says:

    I’m a little confused about when you say “yarn over” do you mean just wrap your yarn around the hook or do you make a whole first stitch?

    D:
    so confused!

  23. Der wilde Garten | links for 2007-05-31 Says:

    [...] Learn to Crochet – Lesson #2 Häkelkurs Teil 2 (tags: crochet DIY crafts) [...]

  24. JoAnne Kennedy Says:

    I have a pattern I have never come across before, in round 3 it said with right side facing, join white with sc in any dc, ch1 (that I understand) the part I don’t understand is what comes next, it said working behind next ch-2 tr in same st on rnd 1 as last dc worked into ch1 *sc in next dc on rnd 2, ch 1 working behind next ch-2 tr in same st on rnd 1 as last dc worked into ch1 repeat from * what the heck are they talking about? Could you help me?

  25. Cindi Brower Says:

    What does working behind chain one mean? I have that instruction in an afghan pattern and havent a clue what to do! Help!!

  26. Alis Says:

    I’m a beginner and this website is exactly what I’m looking for:) Your instruction and images as references are so clear and helpful, Heather! Thank you for sharing these lessons! I really appreciate them:) I’m happily crocheting:)

  27. ash Says:

    The page for the granny square will not load.

  28. Holly Says:

    First of all, thank you for making a tutorial that I can actually learn from. I’ve tried so many books and sites and could never get it quite right.

    I’m a little confused about the circle bit, though. On the picture under the heading, “Pass your hook through the center of the ring,” a mysterious second loop is pictured on the hook. I’ve tried going back and starting over again and again, and I can’t quite figure out where that loop is coming from. Did I miss a step? I attempted to ignore it and move on, but even in the next step I’m still coming up a loop short on my hook. Anyone know where I’ve gone wrong?:)

  29. donna Says:

    I could not get the pretty pebbles pattern.. Could someone please send it to me.. thank you so much.. any pebbles patterns would be appreciated.. My mom is in the hospital. she had toes cut off due to diabetes.. she loves to crochet and is asking for this pattern.. I am having trouble finding it.. thank you all so very much for your help in advance… have fun crocheting… please send to m y email [email protected]… thanks again donna

  30. Susanna Says:

    Please fix the link to the pretty pebbles pattern. Thanks.

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