Holding the Crochet Hook and Yarn

 The first step in learning to crochet is how to hold the hook and yarn.  It is often a struggle for beginners, and many give up at this point...which is a shame.  It is hard in the beginning while you are learning, and it does take a lot of practise and patience.  But everyone who perseveres, gets there in the end.

Let me assure you, there is no right or wrong way.  Everyone needs to find what is the most comfortable for them.

You need to start by holding your hook in your dominant hand.  I'm right-handed, so hold my hook with my right hand.  Below are the two most common ways to hold the crochet hook.

Pencil Hold

The pencil hold is just like holding a pencil when you write.  You need to hold the hook between your thumb and forefinger around 3-5cm from the hook end.  If the hook has a flat section, you may find it more comfortable to hold it there.

Knife Hold

As it sounds, in the knife hold you are holding your hook just like you are about to cut something.  Hold the hook between your thumb and forefinger, resting the end against your palm.  This is the way I hold my hook, and I find it gives lots of control.

Holding the Yarn

Holding the yarn is different for everyone, but it is important as it affects the tension of your crochet.  Correct tension is necessary for even stitches that are not too tight, or too loose.  

You hold the yarn in your non-dominant hand (the hand opposite to the one holding the hook) and have the yarn draped over the index finger.  This finger manipulates the yarn.  The crochet work is then held between the thumb and middle finger.  

Some people prefer to manipulate the yarn with the middle finger and hold their crochet project with their thumb and index finger.

As I'm right handed, I have the yarn sitting on my left side, and let the yarn slide through my fingers as I'm working my crochet.  Some people like to wind the yarn around their pinky finger to control the tension a little more.

Again, with practise you will find what works best for you.  While you're learning, if one way feels better, use it!  But there is no reason why you can't change if you find something works better for you down the track.

The above information is just two of the most common  holds for both the hook and yarn.  You might find something totally different that works better for you, and that's totally OK.  The more you practise, the more you will find what works best for you.

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Creating a Slip Knot and Chain >>

Holding the Crochet Hook and Yarn

2 July 2023

Learn to Crochet : Where Do I Start

So you've decided you want to learn to crochet.  Good choice!

Crochet is a very cathartic pastime.  It is so enriching to start with a length of yarn, and end up with a usable finished product, which could be an item of clothing, a bag, a blanket or something for the home (just to name a few).

Like learning anything new, starting out requires patience and practise. But the good news is, you don't need much equipment to start.  Just a crochet hook, and a ball of yarn. 

Listed below are the steps to follow to get you started.  There are really only 6 basic crochet stitches that are the base of all patterns - chain, slip stitch, single crochet, half double crochet, double crochet and treble crochet.  As you master these stitches and become more confident, you can move on to learn more complicated stitches, learn how to read patterns and branch out to more advanced crochet techniques.  

• Holding the Crochet Hook and Yarn
• Slip Knot and Chain
• Slip Stitch
• Single Crochet
• Half Double Crochet
• Double Crochet
• Treble Crochet
• Turning Chains and Stitch Heights
• Parts of a Crochet Stitch
• Counting Stitches
• The Crocheter's Toolbox

I hope you've found this information useful.  There's lots more information available on this website.  Feel free to have a look around.  New information and patterns are added on a regular basis.

If you have any questions, leave a comment here or on my social media, or make contact through the contact form linked above.

Learn to Crochet : Where Do I Start

Crochet Stitch Conversion

It comes as a surprise to many, that there are two different stitch terminologies used in crocheting.  US terminology and UK terminology.  The actual stitches, and how you make the stitches are the same, but they are named differently.  This can be extremely confusing, especially for beginners.

Australia officially follows UK terminology, but these days many crocheters and designers in both AU and UK are writing patterns using the US terminology.

Both US and UK stitches are widely used in patterns and books, but it is very important that you know which is being used in the pattern you are using, otherwise, you will end up with a crocheted item that is vastly different from intended.

So how do you know whether a pattern is written using US or UK terminology?

Hopefully the designer has included which stitch terminology they have used in their pattern.  Likewise, if you are working from a crochet book, the terminology used should be listed at the front, or if you can see where the book was published, it will give a clue.  A quick and easy way to tell, is to see if the pattern uses SC (single crochet), as only US terminology uses the single crochet stitch terminology.

The stitch conversion chart below can be used to convert your pattern as needed:

US Stitch Terminology	UK Stitch Terminology
Chain (CH)	Chain (CH)
Single Crochet (SC)	Double Crochet (DC)
Double Crochet (DC)	Treble (TR)
Half Double Crochet (HDC)	Half Treble (HTR)
Treble (or triple) Crochet (TR or TRC)	Double Treble (DTR)
Double Treble (DTR)	Triple Treble (TTR)
Triple Treble (TTR)	Quadruple Treble (QTR)

I personally find that US stitch terminology makes more sense, as to me it actually describes what the stitch being made is.  All of the patterns on this site written by me, are written in US stitch terminology.

Feel free to print this chart, and keep it handy for when you need it.  Or you can download it here!

Crochet Stitch Conversion

20 June 2023

My Crochet Inspiration

The internet is full of wonderful crochet people who have an abundance of resources to help you on your crochet journey.

Below I've linked to some of my favourites.

ATTIC24

Attic24 was one of the first crochet sites I found when I took up crocheting again some years ago.  Attic24 is a UK based crocheter, and her patterns use UK terminology if that is your preference.  Lucy has a fantastic array of patterns, which offer very in-depth instructions and photos to help you on your crocheting journey.  She also sells crochet kits through Wool Warehouse of some of her favourite blankets and bags.  The prices are slightly discounted from purchasing the yarn separately, and the kits usually include full instructions.

SHELLEY HUSBAND CROCHET

Shelley is based in Victoria Australia, and is one of my favourite crochet designers.  Shelley is all about the granny square, and is considered the Granny Square Queen.  She has written a number of books, that are still my go to.  She also has eBooks, that you can download from her website for free.  If you're an absolute beginner, Granny Square Crochet for Beginners is for you!  I'm especially fond of her Granny Square Academy series, which will show you lots of tips and tricks and teach you how to make the best granny square possible.

My Crochet Inspiration