Tuesday, February 24, 2009

{ Let's crochet! }

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I can't tell you how much I missed my craft basket. These past two weeks of being sick and having everyone else in the household sick too, meant that my crochet and knitting had to be set aside for more pressing matters, things like cleaning runny noses and cooking up big batches of chicken noodle soup.

But now....oh now....we're back in business. Everyone is finally over the cold and things are back to normal which means, I get to dive back into those things I absolutely love doing. Like crochet.

If you've been one of my readers for a while, you will know that I couldn't crochet to save my life, I mean honestly if my life depended on me making a crochet chain to swing across an abyss...well let's just say I wouldn't be here *snicker*
But seeing that crochet has always been one of those crafts that I adore and wanted to learn, I set about teaching myself the art. I'm by no means an expert, I'm a baby at most, slowly trotting along and learning new tricks as I go.

A couple of you have shown interests in learning to crochet too and I said I would do a tutorial. I wish I hadn't because I'm more of a *show you* kinda gal, than a *write it down and explain in detail* kinda gal. I tend to confuse myself and others....but I did say I would help you all get started and that's what I'm doing today.

So go on, grab that ball of yarn you've been wanting to use and some crochet hooks, let's not worry about size and all that stuff, that's something for future use, right now we're just wanting to cast one, make a chain and join it in a little circle. *don't you just love my descriptions? I feel for you all trying to understand what I'm about to do* LOL

Casting on....there are so many different ways to do this, but this is how I do it and it's easy for me. Start by making a little loop

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Pull the thread through the hole

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Tighten and insert the crochet hook

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How easy was that? Now you're ready to start making your chain

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Making the chain: Yarn over the hook

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Pull it through

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Repeat until you have 4 chains

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Joining the chains into a circle:

Insert the hook into the first chain, yarn over and pull through BOTH loops.

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Now chain 2 just like I showed you above

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Then you're going to make 9 single crochets into the hole in the middle. If you find it hard to locate it just insert your finger and wiggle it a bit so you can see it.

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Insert hook, yarn over, pull the loop back through the stitch (two loops on hook), yarn over and pull through both loops on hook.

Repeat 9 times.

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When you're done, join with a slip stitch (insert hook, yarn over, pull the loop back through the stitch, then through the loop on your hook.)...which means....insert the hook into the second chain of the first chain 2 you did, yarn over and pull through both. You'll end up with just one loop on the hook.

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Fasten off. (Cut the yarn about 6" from the last stitch. Yarn over and use your hook to pull it through the loop on the hook.) Cinch the strand to secure it. Weave the loose end into the fabric with a tapestry needle.

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Now go on and try it and then come back and show me how you did. Next time we'll start the actual petals of the flower and just you wait and see how easy they are.

And once we've made one or two flowers, we'll make some leaves too.

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There are tons of crochet flower patterns out there, so easy to make.

Flower Power
Crochet Flower
Four Leaf Clover
Carnation (I'm making this one right now, can't wait to see how it looks)

EDIT: Pat aka Posh, thank you so much for letting me know about the typo. I fixed it and it now says SINGLE CROCHET instead of double. :)

16 comments:

Michelle said...

Thanks for the tutorial :) Might have to try that.

Anonymous said...

You did really good there.. the only thing I noticed was you said you were going to make double crochet but you did single in the hole.

Carla said...

You went to a lot of trouble to share this, and it is VERY easy to follow! Good for you, teaching yourself and sharing with others! Glad you guys are on the mend-have a great week:)

JMRCH said...

Those are really cute! Thanks for the tutorial. I never remember to take pictures for step-by-step things like you do. Thanks for taking the time and effort :)

I'm happy you're feeling better!

God Bless,
Meg

Carrie said...

great tutorial...now can you make me one of these for knitting? heheh :) I already crochet, but for some reason the knitting thing just baffels my brain. Cute flowers by the way. Now you can make a whole bunch of them and put them together to make a really cute lap quilt. But that's for another day

The Teacup Cottage said...

O.k. I will try it one more time, but my mother, both grandmothers and gret-grandmother have all tried and given up on me, though I did get a comfy blanket from each one over the guilt of giving up on me!

Kirstin said...

Before my hubby and I got married so it was about 17 years ago, I crocheted him an afgan...do you know it was the first and last time I ever did that. I had such a hard time and got so frustrated. My mom and grandma both crocheted, but I just had it. I'll stick with buying them, or having them made for me (C:

Tina Leigh said...

Oh Sandra I could do this as a young teenager but have forgotten. I wish I had more time...it is fun & relaxing. I am jealous!

Guess what I bought yesterday, you will be so proud! A new mop & bucket!!

Your rubbing off on all of us you know!! LOL!!

Cheri said...

That was great- you did a good job.
Now I just have to get the stuff to try it!

Annette said...

Hi Sandra!

How about some more tutorials on using a digital camera? You are helping me to learn about all the bells & whistles on my new digital camera!!!

Annette said...

Hi Sandra!

How about some more tutorials on using a digital camera? You are helping me to learn about all the bells & whistles on my new digital camera!!!

Chaos Cottage said...

Sandra, how timely this is. Just Monday, a friend of mine came over to teach me and the pastor's wife to crochet. I didn't inherit the crochet gene from my mom, a great crocheter. The pastor's wife seem to find it easier and went on to learn a double crochet. I just have been practicing all week on single crochet. I am really enjoying it. I made a coaster! I printed out the instructions for the four leaf clover. Thanks, Pam

Melanie said...

Yeah! Another fun crochet shape to try! :)

Michele said...

I think you did a wonderful job with the instructions! I first learned how to crochet in grade school, and only knew how to make pot holders and afghans. I was a mom myself before I learned how to join a chain together to make a circle... and once I figured that out, I was on my way to crocheting doilies, granny squares, and snowflakes!
I am currently making a granny square afghan for a very good friend in the reds and blues of the New England Patriots football team.
Another benefit of crocheting? It works the tiny muscles in the hands and I use it as a way to ease the suffering of arthritis... a kind of physical therapy!
I love the cute flowers! I'll have to try them out this weekend.

Anonymous said...

Hi Sandra
Just wanted to say thanks for showing step by step. I love to crochet but I can't follow patterns; I need to see someone actually do it. The only things I can do are scarves and blankets, so maybe I will be able to learn some new things from you. I'm so impressed with your crocheting! Thanks
Andrea

Our neck of the woods said...

Thank you so much for putting together this tutorial.
I came across this site and HAD to send it to you. Very cute for gifts.
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=vl_other_1&listing_id=11216232