Have you ever considered learning how to crochet? If so, there may be a flurry of overwhelming questions running through your mind! Where do I start? What tools do I need? And what in the world does “sc” mean anyway? It’s ok – really! Learning how to crochet can be simple, once you understand the basics!
Crocheting can be a soothing and relaxing hobby to do when you get the hang of it. But like many, it can look intimidating but soo intriguing at the same time. You want to create something you can call your own, be proud of, and feel great in doing all by yourself.
We’re here to get you headed towards success, so you can start:
- Learning how to crochet for beginners, so you can start with confidence and succeed.
- Learning how to crochet a single crochet, that’s way easier than it looks.
- Learning how to crochet a half double crochet, so that you can have pretty things in various stitches in your home.
- Learning how to double crochet, so that you’re warm and cozy for winter.
And as a bonus, you’ll also learn how to read a crochet pattern, so you can take what you learned here and move on to being a pro. This step-by-step guide is perfect for learning how to crochet a scarf (cowl), a simple crochet project with a beginner’s free pattern, and a guided beginner’s tutorial, and is an easy way to start learning how to crochet.
What is Crocheting?
Crocheting is a yarn art form where a hook is used to make loops, that when formed together create a piece of fabric. Most forms of crochet are seen in Afghans, baby blankets, or scarfs made with larger hooks and thicker yarns. Getting more detailed and intricate with the smaller hooks and thinner yarns are the doubles, washcloths, and shawls.
Yarns are fun to work with. Some are super-thin and used for sock making (size 4) and then you can also play with ultra-thick yarns for throws (size 7). The size of your hook compliments your yarn. Too big or too small makes for a strange outcome.
Feeling a little anxious? It’s all good. Let’s get you learning how to crochet a scarf, so you can be oooh so velvety soft and comfy cozy for the winter!
What Does That Mean – Defining Important Crochet Terms
Let’s take a moment to define some of the common terms you’ll see when learning how to crochet:
- Slip knot – The first loop to make a foundation
- Ch – A series of loops to make a foundation to build upon
- Row – A layer in the foundation is made of loops of yarn
- St or Stitch – a set of loops that forms a row
- Yarn over – Putting the yarn on the hook to pull it through the loop
- Single crochet – Where two loops are joined as one to make a stitch
- Half double crochet – Where three loops are joined as one with one yarn over to make a stitch
- Double crochet – Where three loops are joined as one with two yarn overs to make a stitch
- Gauge – If you need to measure how big your project needs to be in terms of rows and stitches, you can create a gauge. That’s a square of rows and stitches that is the standard measurement to use as a reference for the project ahead.
Here’s What You Need
Start with the following tools and supplies:
- A Crochet Hook size 11,
- Velvet Yarn size 7 (Velvet yarns are awesome, and so soft to start learning how to crochet with. You can also find faux fur yarns that are as furry as can be and very light in weight!)
- Darning needle
- Snips or scissors
- A great movie or music playlist to listen to,
- Aromatherapy of your choice: Candles, wax melters, oil diffusers, whatever floats your boat as long as you make it smell good while you are sitting there for a while feeling luxurious.
Feel free to bookmark this post, gather your supplies, and come back ready to take this in, so that you can make a Velvet scarf that feels amazing, light to wear, and looks awesome on you.
Here’s a peek of the steps ahead below, and there are broken down into simple-to-understand pieces for you to learn.
READ MORE: DIY Yarn Wrapped Centerpiece
Learning How to Crochet a Single Crochet
The first step in any looped yarn pattern is to start with a slip knot. That’s where you make a loop, and pull another loop through it to make a loop with a knot. Then stick your hook in it.
The second step is to make a chain. This is where you put the yarn over the hook and pull it through the loop, then repeat for as many as the pattern says to do.
You’re going to hold the hook on the loop with one hand and wrap the yarn attached to the ball of yarn around the back of your pointer finger, up and in front of your middle finger, and behind your ring finger for tension.
Yarn over, pull through. then repeat until you have a chain of loops. Remember, how tense or loose you hold your yarn changes how your piece of work is sized. Tension adjusting gets easier as you begin learning how to crochet and practicing.
Now you’re ready to build upon your chain foundation as you continue learning how to crochet. For this, you’ll use single crochet. This is one way to make the 2nd row of stitches that would build your project. From your chain, you’re going to yarn over.
Then you’re going to count two loops back from the hook and stick the hook inside. Yarn over and pull the yarn through one loop so that you have two loops on the hook. If your pattern calls for it, continue to repeat those steps.
Learning How to Crochet a Half Double Crochet
Go ahead and undo your single crochets and keep your chain for this next part. Starting from your chain of loops, place the yarn over.
Stick the hook through the second loop from the hook. You should have three loops on the hook. Yarn over again.
READ MORE: DIY Yarn Wrapped Monogram Wall Decor
Yarn over, then pull through all three loops. Your half double crochet should look like the one below. If your pattern says to, continue repeating the steps to form a row.
Learning How to Double Crochet
You can undo the stitches until you have your starter chain. You’re going to make a double crochet. Yarn over, then count two loops from the hook and stick the hook in the loop.
Pull through until you have three loops on the hook.
Pull the yarn through the first and the second loop, then yarn over. Pull the yarn through the last loop.
Learning How to Read a Crochet Pattern
You can find crochet patterns written in text or in symbol form. Reference this handy chart that was adapted from The Crafty Yarn Council.
READ MORE: Making Crafts While Pregnant
Learning How to Crochet a Scarf
You can begin learning how to crochet with this free beginner pattern, in simple text format, to crochet the scarf above.
- Chain 39 stitches (loops), and connect the first and last chain. Make sure your chain is the same all the way around, undoing any twists.
- Starting with the second loop from the hook, insert your hook and pull through the yarn.
- Yarn over and pull through both loops to form a single crochet.
- In the next loop, insert the hook, pull through yarn, yarn over and pull through two loops.
- Repeat step four until the first and last stitches are in view of row two.
- Connect the first and last stitches at the top with a slip stitch. With the last loop on your hook, insert your hook into the top two loops of the last stitch. Yarn over, then pull through the yarn through all three loops to close the row.
- Chain one and repeat with step four through six.
- Continue on until you have eleven rows.
- When you’ve come to the size you’d like your scarf (cowl) to be, snip your yarn and grab a darning needle to weave the ends in between the scarf.
Your finished project should look like this:
This project is an adaptation of Debrosse’s Modern Crochet.
Reminder: Your beautiful crocheted pieces require hand washing or placing it in a mesh bag to air dry flat, so they hold their shape and texture. The choice of how to wash is yours.
We’re so proud of you! You went from not knowing where to start to learning how to crochet, to learning everything you need to know to crochet a beginners’ scarf project from scratch. You have the knowledge and confidence to single crochet, half double crochet, and double crochet, and even have a bonus pattern to start your collection with!
We hope you enjoy your new crocheting hobby. Hooks off to the future of many more balls of yarn around the house!
WANT TO READ MORE?
Once you’ve mastered learning how to crochet, why not try Learning Photography next?
💖 NEWSLETTER: DAILY READS IN YOUR INBOX 💖
Sign up to receive our picks for the best things to do, see and buy so you can relax and focus on more important tasks! Let us help you be the best version of yourself you can be!
GET MORE FROM DAILY MOM, PARENTS PORTAL
Newsletter: Daily Mom delivered to you
Facebook: @DailyMomOfficial
Instagram: @DailyMomOfficial | @DailyMomTravel | @BestProductsClub
YouTube: @DailyMomVideos
Pinterest: @DailyMomOfficial
📌 LOVE IT? PIN IT!📌
Photo Credits: Shemeida Richardson, Adobe Stock
