Learn to Crochet.
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For the beginning let's learn to crochet a basic flat circle using single crochet. Look at the chart first, please. A project begins with a foundation chain. There are six chains in the foundation chain. The foundation chain is a base for the first round. Check for International Crochet Symbols at the Crocheting Instructions page if necessary.
The example chart shows four rounds (1 and 3 - in black, 2 and 4 - in red ) total. You can see that each next row has the radius greater than a previous one. That's why we have to make increases in each round to keep our circle flat.
The number of increases per round will depend upon the height of the stitch, which we use to form a flat circle. The following table provides a guideline for the number of increases for different stitches.
No matter how large your circle grows, the number of increases per round remains the same. For instance, if it is necessary to add 6 stitches to the first row, you will have to add 6 stitches to every next row.
The best way to learn to crochet your first circle is practice. One more note before you start. Each round is a row worked until it meets itself. Once it happened, you have to join the end of the row to its beginning. How? You have to work a slip stitch.
Learn to Crochet a Slip Stitch.
Step 1: To join the end of the row to its beginning, insert the hook into the first stitch of the row from front to back. Wrap the yarn over the hook from back to front (see illustration).Step 2: In one motion draw the yarn through the stitch and through the loop on the hook. Slip stitch is made.
Learn to Crochet a Flat Circle.
Now let's begin to crochet our flat circle. Try to follow the chart. If you have some problems, check description. You will realize very soon, that having a chart you don't really need any description for crocheting. It is not a bad idea to have both while you are learning how to do it.
Round 1: 1 chain, 12 single crochets into the ring, 1 slip stitch to join. There are 12 single crochets in the 1st round.
Round 2: 1 chain, (1 single crochet in next single crochet, 2 single crochets in next single crochet), repeat instructions within parentheses as directed, 1 slip stitch to join. There are 18 single crochets in the 2nd round.
Round 3: 1 chain, (1 single crochet in each of next 2 single crochets, 2 single crochets in next single crochet),repeat instructions within parentheses as directed,1 slip stitch to join. There are 24 single crochets in the 3d round.
Round 4: 1 chain, (1 single crochet in each of next 3 single crochets, 2 single crochets in next single crochet), repeat instructions within parentheses as directed,1 slip stitch to join. There are 30 single crochets in the 3d round.
Additional Rounds: Here is a trick: each increase is done by making 2 single stitches in one stitch. Round 2 has 1 single stitch between increases. Round 3 has 2 single stitches between increases. Round 4 has 3 single stitches between increases. Each new round will have 1 extra single stitch between increases.
You can see that even such simple work as crocheting a four-round circle, requires a long description. That's why practically all crocheting descriptions are written in a short form. To make it possible, abbreviations are used. We will use a few of them to describe our circle.
Abbreviations:ch = chain
ea = each
rnd = round
sc = single crochet
sl st = slip stitch.
Short Description.
To Begin: Chain 6, slip stitch in first chain, to join into a ring.
Rnd 1: ch 1, 12 sc into ring. Sl st in first sc, to join.(12 sc)
Rnd 2: ch 1, (sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc) around. Sl st in first sc, to join. (18 sc)
Rnd 3: ch 1, (sc in ea of next 2 sc, 2 sc in next sc) around. Sl st in first sc, to join. (24 sc)
Rnd 4: ch 1, (sc in ea of next 3 sc, 2 sc in next sc) around. Sl st in first sc, to join. (30 sc)
Description looks shorter already. Did it become more understandable? Not sure. Let's look at our chart again. This is the same description, but graphical. I hope you will find the charts much easier to understand than written instructions. Chart is an additional helper for you. With the chart you can visualize your own progress while you learn to crochet.
Let's see what we have learned already.
- We know how to crochet three basic stitches and a slip stitch.
- We can crochet in rows
- This page shows you how to crochet a basic flat circle.
It is a right time for something more serious! Now I will show, that YOU CAN DO A LOT with those basic skills in crocheting which you already have. We will learn to crochet different easy crochet patterns now.
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