Tag: crochet basic stitches

How to read a crochet in the round diagram ?

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What is really interesting in diagrams, it’s that they use international symbols, so that when you know how to break the code of them you’ll get to understand diagrams from all around the world ! Another advantage is that it’s very visual : you can really SEE what you’re doing. Here are some of the most used symbols :

When reading a crochet in the round diagram, like a granny, the start is at the center, and then you follow rounds counterclockwise.

Breaking the code round by round :

Pay attention to the last group of double crochet’s : unlike other groups, it is made of only 2 double crochet joined to initial chain by a slip stitch to close the round.

ABBREVIATIONS :

ch : chain
st(s) : stitch(es)
sl st : slip stitch
dc : double crochet

START : (figured by a circle in the center) Ch3, join with a sl st to make a ring.

Round 1 : sc4, inserting hook in the middle of the ring.

Round 2 :
Ch 5.
In 1st stitch, dc3, then ch2.
Repeat this on the next 2 sts.
In the last st : dc2 and join to initial chain with a slst in the 3rd st of the ch.
*…* : repeat sequence as many times as indicated

Round 3 :
Change color by joining a new color with a slst in the 2ch space from previous round OR if you don’t want to change color : slip stitch in in the ch2 space from previous round.
Chain 5, make 3dc in ch2 space from previous round.
Then repeat *ch1, and in next space :3dc, ch2, 3dc* x2
Ch1, dc2 in initial space, join with a sl st in the 3rd stitch of chain .

Round 4 :
Change color again (or not, as you wish).
Ch5, 3dc in ch2 space from previous round.
Repeat : *ch1, 3dc in next space, ch1, dc3 in next space, ch2, dc3* until you come to the last space wher you dc2 and join with a slst in 3rd st of initial chain.

Once you have understood the general idea, you can go on for as many rounds you’d like !

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How to crochet basic stitches

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{ Chain stitch and slip stitch } 

1-7 : make a slip knot
8 : yarn over
9 : pull yarn through the loop that’s on your hook

Repeat from 8 to 9 as many times as the number of chains needed. The chain should be a bit loose and even to facilitate inserting hook on next row.

The chain stitch is the basis for almost every pattern, that’s why it’s sometimes called a foundation chain. When working in rows, the 1st row always is a chain, and you’lluse the chain 1.stitch again to turn at the end of each rows.

The slip stitch is almost the same : the only difference is that you insert your hook in a stitch before yarning over, then you pull the yarn through your work AND through the loop on your hook. The slip stitch is the flattest of all crochet stitches, it’s also this stitch you’ll use to fasten off your work.

{ Single crochet } 

  1. Insert your hook under the 2 loops ( = the ones that look like a little “v” ) of next stitch
  2. yarn over
  3. pull the loop through your work ( you now have 2 loops on your hook)
  4. yarn over again and pull the loop through both stitchesEt voilà, you just made a single crochet !

{ Half double crochet,double crochet, trebles… } 

These stitches belong to the same group of “high stitches” : at the beginning of a row, you’llhave to chain a few stitches before making your first double crochet. But first, let’s see how to make these stitches :

The half double crochet :

  1. yarn over once
  2. insert hook in the next stitch, yarn over again
  3. pull the yarn through your work (  3 loops remaining on the hook), yarn over for the 3rd time
  4. pull the yarn through all the loops
  5. you’ve just made a half double crochet !

The double crochet :

  1. yarn over once, insert hook in next stitch
  2. yarn over, pull yarn through the stitch
  3. yarn over, pull yarn through 2 stitches
  4. 2 loops remaining on the hook
  5. yarn over for the last time, pull yarn through the last 2 remaining loops.
  6. you’ve just made a double crochet !

The treble :

  1. yarn over twice, insert hook in next stitch , yarn over, pull yarn through the stitch
  2. yarn over, pull yarn through the first 2 loops on the hook
  3. yarn over, pull yarn through 2 loops on the hook
  4. yarn over for the last time, pull yarn through the last 2 remaining loops.
  5. you’ve just made a treble !

Proceed the same for all other trebles, adding “yarn over’s” before inserting hook to make higher trebles.

{ turning at the end of a row } 

When you finish a row, you have to turn your work to make next row. You’ll need to make 1 or more chain stitches for that. The amount of chains needed generally depends on the height of the next stitch you’re making :
1. if making a single crochet : chain 1
2. if making a half double crochet : make 2
3. if making a a double crochet : make 3…and so on.

Depending on the pattern, these chains may be considered as the first stitch of your row. If so, you’ll have to insert your hook in the 2nd stitch from the hook (= second to last stitch from previous row) to make the 2nd stitch of the ongoing row.

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