Crochet is a popular craft around the world. For thousands of years, people have used the art of crochet to create lace and fabrics to use on their garments and to sell to others. Crocheted items were a sign of wealth and prestige.
With the age of the industrial revolution came the mass production of crocheted materials and fabrics, making owning them affordable for anyone, not just the wealthy. As such, crocheted garments became more and more popular worldwide.
These days, crochet is the hobby and craft of many people. There are lots of different arts and crafts as well as, clothing, garments and household items that can be created by means of crochet. Crochet is so easy to learn; practically anyone can do it, making it easy to learn a new skill. Advances in yarn and fiber making technology have provided new and interesting materials for crochet and other needle crafts.
So, since you're obviously interested in what it takes to start crocheting as a hobby, here are some basic initial steps to help you get going with learning to crochet.
Get Your Supplies Together. You'll simply need a crochet hook, yarn, a pair of scissors and a large eye needle.
Properly Holding the Crochet Hook. Hold your needle in whichever hand you use to write with. Create a simple slip knot and put it over the end of the hook.
Start Making a Continuous Stitch. Hook the yarn and bring it to the top of the hook and pull through the slip knot. Continue making this chain.
Work Your Way Up the Chain. Move up the chain allowing the first chain stitch to knot on the hook. This allows the yarn to stay in place and not loosen. It is generally a good idea to make this first knot tight rather than loose.
Make Two Loops. Insert your crochet hook into the hole of the next chain stitch and slide the passing yarn through its center.
Bring the Yarn Back. Bring your yarn back on the hook from back to front and slide your knot in the center of the loops which you have already created on the crochet hook.
Make Some Rows. From your second yarn loop, make another single chain stitch and make a counter-clockwise loop. Start again and create the same loops as the previous stitches. Continue this basic crochet technique until you have a swatch of fabric. Once you have completed a swatch of fabric, it is time to remove it from your ball of yarn. Cut it with about a 6" tail left at the end.
Fasten to Prevent Unraveling. Bring your tail of yarn back through the last stitch to fasten it and then cut the excess.
By using these easy tips and steps, you can achieve your goal of learning to crochet with ease. You'll be able to start and complete your first crochet project and feel a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. Just as with any new skill, you'll need to find the proper supplies, materials and instruction before you begin, but with time and patience you'll become skilled at the art of crochet.
Related Articles
Basic Knitting Tips for Beginners
By: Sherry Frewerd | 10/04/2008 | Hobbies
Knitting, it's said, is a very relaxing and satisfying craft. Knitting is a hobby that you can learn and then do while enjoying other past-times like watching television and at the same time create wonderful knitted items for yourself and others.
Basic Cross Stitch Tips for Beginners
By: Sherry Frewerd | 10/04/2008 | Hobbies
The art or craft of cross stitch is one of the most popular hobbies in the world. Easy to learn and do, 'cross stitch' is simply embroidery stitched with lots of little 'X' stitches to create a lovely design. This fun craft is sometimes referred to as 'counted cross-stitch' because the pattern and fabric require the crafter to count the number spaces to know where to place the stitches.
Fun and Easy Kid's Craft Idea - How to Make Candles From Old Crayons
By: Sherry Frewerd | 10/04/2008 | Parenting
Well, here's a tip for you on what you can do with the worn out crayons rather than throwing them away. You can recycle the old crayons by making them into candles. You can show your kids how they can take something old and make it into something new and colorful that's useful too. You'll want to burn these darling homemade candles yourself and give them as gifts as well.
Anyone Can Craft
By: Jennifer Geary | 22/04/2008 | Hobbies
Everyone has said or heard someone say, "Oh, I could never do that! I'm not THAT talented!" I challenge you to BE that talented! Let's take the first step into a new world of creation.
Basic Sewing Information for Beginners
By: Sherry Frewerd | 10/04/2008 | Hobbies
Many people think that sewing must be terribly difficult to master, but honestly, if you can read and thread a needle you can most likely learn to sew. Given the right basic instructions and with enough practice just about anyone can learn to sew.
Basic Scrapbook Freebie Information for Beginners
By: Sherry Frewerd | 10/04/2008 | Hobbies
With digital cameras and the internet, scrapbooking has become a hobby that anyone can do, and without a huge amount of expense. There is a world of free images, clip art, fonts, borders etc. that can be downloaded or saved to your computer and printed out for your scrapbooks.
Many Scrapbooking Materials are Available Free Online
By: Sherry Frewerd | 10/04/2008 | Hobbies
Scrapbooking is a fun and popular hobby. There are new techniques and products introduced all of the time. Many folks love to browse craft stores for just the perfect scrapbooking supplies, while others are happy to search the internet for the wonderful freebies available now days. Why spend a fortune of scrapbooking goodies when you can find many of what you need with a simple Google search.
Take your Hobby to the Next Level.... Sales!
By: Diane Palmer | 24/07/2007 | Hobbies
If you are creative, and your house is filling up with all those precious creations!... then why not take it to the next level?
Got a Question? Ask.
Ask the community a question about this article:
Frequently Asked Questions
ISO Website for Westrims
By: Gaama | 05-07-2008
I'm looking for the Westrims website, or whomever owns it.
How to crochet afghan that starts and ends with a corner
By: Debbie | 03-07-2008
I am trying to start the crocheted afghan that starts with a square or rather a corner and then ends with it too, it isn't a square though like a granny square, you get it as big as you want it and then you start decreasing but you do ths same thing all the way after you end each row, you turn and keep going, if I had a pic maybe of how to start it, I could do it, just can not start it. I can not rememebr how to start it, I know you chain so many, about 4 or 5 and dbl crochet in each one I think and then ch 4 or 5 again and dbl crochet in each and then you have these two little pieces and you turn one over and then I can't remember what you do... I am stuck, please help if anyone remembers this one! Thanks sooo much!! Debbie
Buy old windows
By: LKAY | 02-07-2008
I want to buy old windows to make picture frames out of... where should I look?
How to make ruffled socks
By: arollman | 02-07-2008
how to make ruffled socks
Christmas Ornaments
By: Patricia Barrow | 02-07-2008
I am trying to find someone who knows how to make a Toy Soldier Christmas ornament out of recycled 35mm film canisters ( the black ones with the grey lids) I saw it on a website once but can't seem to find it again.
Coats and clark,yarn do you have a booklet ...
By: knitter at 604 | 02-07-2008
coats and clark,yarn do you have a booklet availabe that showed a zipped long jacket knitted with 2 strands of yarn held together. it was pictured on the back cover and showed one solid color and one varigated that together made a tweedy effect.if I remember correctly the booklet had about 5 or 6 different knitted sweaters and sold for $1-2 dollars, i think i bought it at the local Ben Franklin in Webster Groves, Mo 63119
Q&A Powered by:
Latest Hobbies Articles
Dos and Don'ts in Choosing Snowboarding Goggles
By: Charles White | 17/07/2008
Wearing snowboarding goggles is really necessary when you're into this type of sport. You are exposed to the sun's rays, to snow or tree branches especially when you're into a tremendous speed down the slopes. Wearing the right snowboarding goggles is your main concern to prevent the happening of untoward incidents when you do perform your hobby.
Muslim Women are Subscribing for Swimming Lessons
By: Oliver Momeni | 13/07/2008
Modest swimwear has been re-designed in recent years to enhance the lifestyle of the modern Muslim woman and to give Muslimahs more access to water based activities such as aqua-aerobics. The few companies dedicated to this market have come up with various solutions to the problems previously faced by Muslim women looking for suitable swimsuits that provide comfort whilst upholding the Islamic value of modesty.
Ocean Kayaks - a Buying Guide
By: Arnold Hexden | 13/07/2008
Ocean kayaks are a fantastic way to give you freedom and fun find out more about ocean kayaks and where to find the best prices.
How to Attack the Lakers "triangle" Offense? Run Smack Into the Celtics "angle" Defense
By: Ed Bagley | 11/07/2008
The Boston Celtics recent NBA title effort capped an amazing turnaround. A year ago the Celtics finished at 24-58 and dead last in the NBA Eastern Conference. This year they went 66-16, won the Atlantic Division title and the Eastern Conference title before disposing of the Los Angeles Lakers, 131-92, to win their 17th NBA title.
Fly Fishing Defined in the Desert Southwest
By: Cecilia Valenzuela | 10/07/2008
This article contains helpful information about the sport of fly fishing in the desert southwest and other locations. You will also discover helpful assembly tips to help ensure your fishing experience is a successful one.
Several Track and Field Girl Athletes Prove Their Great Sportsmanship and Substance
By: Ed Bagley | 09/07/2008
Two separate events recently showed once again how incredibly impressive our young women in American can beone an instance of pure sportsmanship at its best, and the other an instance of pure desire, determination and substance. Find out how Nicole Cochran and Bonnie Richardson become the centerpieces for these extraordinary events.
What Every Exercise-hater Must Know About Marathon Walking
By: Jo Ann LeQuang | 08/07/2008
Marathons are no longer reserved for elite runners. Increasingly, more and more people are walking marathons. It's a great sport for older people, former couch potatoes, and people who never thought of themselves as athletic. Marathon walkers face some of the same training challenges as marathon runners, but they also have some unique obstacles as well. For the persistent, however, it's a great sport.
How to Use Video to Learn Martial Arts
By: Ken Gullette | 08/07/2008
The development of videos and the Internet has given visual learners a fantastic opportunity to learn martial arts anywhere in the world.
More from Sherry Frewerd
Lean Ground Beef is a Healthy Choice for Easy Family Recipes
By: Sherry Frewerd | 21/04/2008 | Recipes
Although health consciousness, along with industry and fast food beef scares in recent years have caused many folks to shy away from consuming ground beef, there are ways to prepare ground beef that are both safe and good for you too.
Celebrate Your Love of Fresh Salsa With This Easy Salsa Recipe
By: Sherry Frewerd | 21/04/2008 | Recipes
From mild to extra spicy hot, we love our salsa and I'm not referring to the sexy Latin dance, but to the popular dip that's added to everything from nachos to eggs and just about anything in between. People love salsa so much, it is now considered to be more popular than the beloved ketchup even! With this much salsa being consumed, it's a good thing that the sauce is a healthy and good for you food containing very few calories, no fat and plenty of vitamin C and other nutritious components.
Easy and Delicious Egg Facts and Recipes
By: Sherry Frewerd | 13/04/2008 | Recipes
Despite the bad press eggs received in the past, these days they have been deemed a healthy food choice after all. Eggs have many uses for cooking, and are the main ingredient for nutritious and easy main dish recipes.
Easy and Delicious Asparagus Facts and Recipes
By: Sherry Frewerd | 13/04/2008 | Recipes
Asparagus is a delicious vegetable, but in addition to being good tasting, asparagus is full of nutritional benefits that are good for you. Rich in Folic acid, potassium, fiber and other vitamins, asparagus is a low calorie, fat-free food that is also low sodium and cholesterol free. With all of the bonuses that come with adding the vegetable to your recipes, there's no reason not to give asparagus a try.
Easy Tips for Choosing Quality Meats
By: Sherry Frewerd | 10/04/2008 | Cooking Tips
For most folks, meat is an important part of their balanced diet. Meat provides protein and vitamins along with zinc, iron and other nutrition factors. Although it's easy to just pick up any old steak or pork chop from the meat department of your grocery store, knowing what to look for when choosing meats is an important part of being an informed consumer.
Family Favorite Mexican Crock Pot Recipes
By: Sherry Frewerd | 10/04/2008 | Crockpot Recipes
There are so many different delicious crock pot recipes available now days. You can feed your family well, and with variety too. If your family loves Mexican dishes, but you're tired of the same old tacos for dinner, try one of our simple Mexican recipes. Start your meal in the morning and come home to an easy evening of dinner with the family.
Family Favorite Asian Crock Pot Recipes
By: Sherry Frewerd | 10/04/2008 | Crockpot Recipes
There is a multitude of interesting and delicious crock pot recipes available these days. Keep your family well fed and looking forward to coming to the dinner table. By using your crock pot to prepare your meals, you can start it all in the morning and have supper waiting when you come home.
Important Tips for Finding Your First Home Mortgage Loan
By: Sherry Frewerd | 10/04/2008 | Mortgage
If you're a newbie home buyer, one of the most important first steps you should take is to remember that you should approach the entire home buying process with care and do your research before even looking at a house.
Hobbies 
