Getting Ready to Crochet
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CrHOWo TOche Getting Ready to Crochet Karen Costello Soltys Getting Ready Holding a Crochet Hook ·TIP· Many books or experts will tell to Crochet you to hold the hook like you’d hold a pencil, and that’s great if it works for you. As a child, I One of the great things about crochet is that couldn’t maneuver my hook very well you don’t need a huge amount of supplies to when holding it that way, so, much to my get started. That’s not to say that over time you grandmother’s chagrin, I instantly switched won’t want to add to your inventory of tools to the overhand grip (holding it like you’d hold a knife). I’ve never looked back. Hold- and gadgets—and yarn, of course! But to start, CASTINGing the hook thisON way just feels natural to you need only a crochet hook and yarn. me, and makes it easier for me to direct the CASTINGhook. Try both ON ways and see which is more comfortable for you. My philosophy is that CASTING ON Crochet Hooks CASTINGthe right way to ON hold the hook is the way that works for you! Crochet hooks are available from a wide variety of manufacturers in a range of prices. You’ll find aluminum crochet hooks (the type I learned on as a kid), steel hooks, and ones made from bamboo, exotic hardwoods, and plastic. There are hooks with ergonomic handles, hooks Hold like a pencil that come singly or in sets, and even interchangeable Hold like a pencil sets of hooks and cables for Tunisian crochet. If possible, HoldHold like like a a pencil pencil hold the hook in your hand before you buy to see if it’s comfortable for you. Hold like a knife HoldHold like like a knifeknife Hold like a knife HoldingHolding hookhook Holding© 2013 by Martingale hook Holding hook To ball of yarn 19021 120th Ave.To ball NE, of Ste.yarn 102 · Bothell, WA 98011 USA 800.426.3126 www.ShopMartingale.com Crochet hooks and notions To ball of yarn Register at ShopMartingale.com to get a free subscription to the Slip knot Stitch This! blog. You'll get free patterns, tutorials, how-to videos, Slip knot To ball of yarn giveaways, and the first word on sales. To cut end To cut end Slip knot Slip knot 2 To cut end YYarnarn Getting Ready to Crochet To cut end overover Simple start Simple start Yarn Yoverarn over Simple start Simple start Yarn • Tapestry needle. Again, for learning the stitches, you won’t need this implement, but when you make a Well, now. Yarn is quite a broad topic, wouldn’t you say? project, you’ll need to weave in the starting and ending To get started, I recommend choosing a smooth, solid- tails of yarn. And if your project is made of more than SEAMINGcolored yarn that’s 2 not too dark so that you can easily see one piece of crochet, like a sweater or even a pillow, your stitches and how they’re formed. Wool or superwash you’ll need a tapestry needle to sew the pieces together. wool is a perfect choice because wool fibers have a mem- ory. They’ll spring back into shape if you tear out stitches and try again. Cotton, on the other hand, will start to sag. You can branch out to more exotic yarns, colors, fibers, and patterns once you get the hang of the basic crochet stitches. Just be sure to use a yarn and hook size that are compatible, such as worsted-weight yarn and a size I-9 to K-10½ hook. (For more on hook sizes, see the “Standard Yarn Weights” chart at ShopMartingale.com/HowtoCrochetSeaming /YarnWeights.) • Embroidery scissors. These are used for cutting yarn. Optional But10 Good-to-Have Notions • Pattern or book. You can learn all the basic stitches As mentioned earlier, you don’t need a big tool budget to from our set of tutorials here at ShopMartingale.com start crocheting. But you’ll find a few inexpensive notions /HowtoCrochet. But, you may want to follow a pattern are good to have on hand for when you’re ready to start or learn even more about crochet. The following titles your first project. will offer lots of information on the basics and beyond. Joining seams And you can find pattern books for toys, baby items, • Tape measure. This is used to measure your gauge. and garments for women at ShopMartingale.com. GAUGE Gaugewith tells you slip how many stitch stitches you(shoulders) should have in each inch of crocheted fabric. Gauge isn’t important when simply learning to make the stitches, but it is crucial to making a project that turns out to be the correct size. Whipstitch seams (shoulders) Joining seams with slip stitch (sides) Measuring stitches Measuring rows 3 Joining seams Joining seams Getting Ready to Crochet with single crochet with backstitch.