<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:x="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:excel" xmlns:dt="uuid:C2F41010-65B3-11d1-A29F-00AA00C14882" xmlns:m="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/12/omml" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"><head><META HTTP-EQUIV="Content-Type" CONTENT="text/html; charset=us-ascii"><meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 15 (filtered medium)"><style><!--
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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>I suspect it is part of a book. I found it in one of my folders while I was looking for something else, smile. There was no citation.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Big hugs all around,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Becky <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none'> NFB-Blind-Crafters <nfb-blind-crafters-bounces@nfbnet.org> <b>On Behalf Of </b>Tracy Carcione via NFB-Blind-Crafters<br><b>Sent:</b> Saturday, May 16, 2026 11:11 AM<br><b>To:</b> 'List for Blind Crafters and Artists' <nfb-blind-crafters@nfbnet.org><br><b>Cc:</b> carcione@access.net<br><b>Subject:</b> Re: [NFB-Blind-Crafters] How to crochet book<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Hi Becky.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Thanks for this. Is it a book, or part of a book? Did you write it?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Tracy<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none'> NFB-Blind-Crafters <<a href="mailto:nfb-blind-crafters-bounces@nfbnet.org">nfb-blind-crafters-bounces@nfbnet.org</a>> <b>On Behalf Of </b>Becky Frankeberger via NFB-Blind-Crafters<br><b>Sent:</b> Saturday, May 16, 2026 10:24 AM<br><b>To:</b> 'List for Blind Crafters and Artists' <<a href="mailto:nfb-blind-crafters@nfbnet.org">nfb-blind-crafters@nfbnet.org</a>><br><b>Cc:</b> Becky Frankeberger <<a href="mailto:b.butterfly@comcast.net">b.butterfly@comcast.net</a>><br><b>Subject:</b> [NFB-Blind-Crafters] How to crochet book<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>This is written for us blind. Remember to put a stitch marker at the end of each row, and the first crochet you make on the chain.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Becky Frankeberger <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>I don’t know where this book came from Paws up to the author.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>HOW TO CROCHET <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> Introduction<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> Crochet is an old and versatile form of handwork. It has been used for centuries. It can be<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>used to make practically anything, from the very delicate lace with which we adorn our homes<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>and our clothes, to durable wearable items that keep us warm.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>The craft, or art, of crocheting came about when women decided they needed a way to use the<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>thread or yarn that they were spinning from natural fibers in a new and different way. Much of<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>the fiber was used for weaving, hence the first cloth that people used to make clothing. But fibers<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>like wool lent themselves readily to more than cloth fabrics. They were spun into yarn and<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>sometimes different pieces of this yarn were plied into thicker pieces and more than one color.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>After this discovery was made, families handed down this craft for centuries until the present<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>day. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> For a long time I have felt that there should be a book that a blind person can pick up and<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>use to learn this craft. There are many books on learning to crochet for the sighted crafter. But<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>most of them rely on pictures to explain how the stitches are made and are therefore unaccessible<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>to the blind crafter. This small book will take you stitch by stitch through the steps of crocheting<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>until you can do anything your sighted friends can do. You will also learn how to read patterns so<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>that once you are familiar with the stitches, you may pick up a pattern and make anything you<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>desire. After you learn the basic stitches, there are many new techniques you can learn such as<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>crochet and weave, crochet on a roll, cro-knit, cro-tatting, and filet. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> Crocheting can be done with many fibers, from very fine thread to bulky yarns. There are<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>different sizes of hooks, therefore, to use with these different types of material. When you're<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>working with thread, you usually use steel crochet hooks, which range in size from 00 to 14.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>When discussing steel crochet hooks, the smaller the number, the larger the hook. Therefore, 14<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>is the tiniest hook and 00 is the largest. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> For yarn, on the other hand, these steel hooks are too small in most cases. Therefore, you<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>use aluminum crochet hooks, ranging in size from B to Q. When speaking of aluminum crochet<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>hooks, the closer the letter is to the beginning of the alphabet, the smaller the hook. This means<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>that B is the smallest, and Q is the largest.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> Why are there different sizes of hooks? Because the hook determines the gauge, or size of<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>the finished project. When you are first learning to crochet, it is important to check your gauge,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>or the size of your work. This helps you to determine whether you are crocheting too loosely or<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>too tight. If you are not crocheting to gauge, you may need to use a larger or smaller hook to<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>achieve the proper size. This is especially important with wearables. The gauge that you should<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>achieve is always given at the beginning of the pattern from which you are working. After you<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>have crocheted for a while, you will learn how to achieve proper gauge and this will be less<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>important. But until that time, I recommend that you have a brailled or marked tape measure<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>handy while working, to make sure you are working to proper gauge or tension.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> One more important note, these lessons build on one another, so it is best if you go<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>through them in order. If you skip around in the book, it may make less sense. Also, since we are<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>relying strictly on words to convey these basic stitches, it is important that you read carefully<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>through the instructions before trying the stitch, then read again through each step as you do it.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>This will plant the steps more firmly in your mind.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> Now you are ready to start lesson one. It is my hope that you find this book useful and<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>that you learn a new and enjoyable craft. Happy crocheting!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Lesson 1 <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>The Chain Stitch <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> Before you can learn the basic stitches in crochet, you need to learn to chain. This is<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>always the foundation of any crochet project, and must be learned well before any other work can<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>be done. The chain stitch is abbreviated ch for patterns. This may sound too simple, but if you<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>don't have a good chain to start with, it can ruin an otherwise great piece of work. I suggest that<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>you start with a fairly large hook, a j or a k perhaps, and some worsted weight yarn. Tie the yarn<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>on the hook with a slip knot. To make a slip knot, wrap the yarn around your finger once. Then<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>wrap the yarn around itself at the bottom of the loop on your finger and put the end through the<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>loop. Tug a bit to tighten, then place the loop from your finger on your crochet hook. This loop<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>should be tight enough not to come loose, but not so tight that it can't move on your hook<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>because it will form your first chain stitch. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> Hold the hook in your dominant hand. There are many different ways to hold a<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> crochet hook. I will not, therefore, suggest a correct way as I don't believe<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> there is one. Some people hold a hook as you would a pencil or pen.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> Others hold it as you would a knife, with your hand on top of the hook.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> This is my preferred way as it gives me more control over the end of my<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> hook as it goes through the stitches. But if you feel more comfortable with<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> another way, even if it isn't one of these, that is fine. Hold the hook in<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> whatever way is comfortable to you. I would suggest, however, that in the<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> beginning, you hold it with the hook end up so that it is easier to catch<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> your yarn. As you progress in your work, this may change, but for now, it<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> is the easiest way. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> Once you have made a slip knot, and have it on your hook, the yarn you're working from<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>should be hanging down beside the tail left from the slip knot. You can weave in this tail later<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>and it will not detract from your work. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Step 1: Bring your yarn over the hook, coming toward you. This means that the yarn will<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>be lying on top of your hook and will be fully wrapped around the hook so that it is hanging<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>down as it was before, but there are two loops on your hook, one from the slip knot, and the one<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>you just made. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Step 2: Then slide the loop that is on your hook from the slip knot over the one you made by<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>wrapping the yarn, and off of the hook. This leaves one loop on your hook, the one made by your<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>yarnover. You have completed one chain stitch. Give the tail of your<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>yarn at the bottom a slight tug to make sure the loop you made isn't too<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>tight. this will keep your chain even. Do this after each loop you make.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Step 3: Then yarn over again and push the loop on the hook over it and off. Again give the tail a<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>slight tug to straighten it. It is essential that you practice this until you can chain evenly.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Otherwise, your work will not lie flat.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Later in this book, I will give you some practice pieces to do with each stitch, so that you can<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>work with the stitch a wile and get used to it. This is the only way to learn. However, I think it<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>would be a good idea to try a sampler, so that you can see how the stitches build on one another.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>It is very important to know what a correct stitch looks like so that you can find and fix your<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>mistakes. We all make them, and the easier they are to find and fix, the less frustrating the work<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>will be. To begin your sampler then, start by chaining 40 chain stitches across. Do this until your<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>chains are fairly even across so that the sampler will be flat enough to show your stitches well<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>later. When you have completed this, continue on to the next lesson.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>*****Lesson 2<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>THE SINGLE CROCHET<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> For lesson 2 we will start on the single crochet. This is abbreviated sc for patterns.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>The single crochet is the basic stitch from which all other stitches are built. To make a single<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>crochet, you will be working into the chain stitches you made in lesson 1. You should have 40<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>stitches across, and have your hook in the loop of the last stitch. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Step 1: Not counting the loop on the hook, find the second chain from your hook and put<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>the hook through it. You should now have the chain on your hook, and behind it, the loop of the<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>last chain you made in the foundation row. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Step 2: Yarnover as you did to make the chain stitch. Pull the loop made by the second chain<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>from your hook over the yarnover and off of the hook. This leaves two loops on your hook, the<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>one from the yarnover and the one from the chain at the end of the row. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Step 3: Yarn over again and put both of the other loops off of the hook over the yarnover. This<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>leaves one loop on your hook, the one from the last yarnover. You have completed one single<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>crochet stitch. Continue steps 1-3 across the chain, making a single crochet in each chain stitch.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>At the end of the row, you should have 39 single crochet stitches. After you have done this row,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>do another row of single crochet stitches into the previous row, but before you start, chain one<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>stitch. This brings your hook up to the top of your work. Also, since you always work from right<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>to left, it will be necessary to turn your work so that the hook will be on the right end of your<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>work. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Again, practice makes perfect. If your stitches seem a little tight, or the loops on your hook are<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>difficult to move, concentrate on making your yarnovers looser so that this will not happen. It is<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>not unusual for beginners at crochet to work too tight. Just relax and enjoy learning and soon<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>your work will reflect your relaxed state and become looser. You don't want your stitches to be<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>too loose, but you want them even so that your work will be close to proper gauge or size when<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>finished.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Lesson 3: The half double crochet <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> the next stitch you will learn is the half double crochet, abbreviated hdc in patterns. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Step 1:You will remember that when you did the single crochet, you put the hook through the<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>chain or stitch and then made your new stitch. This time, before you do that, you will yarnover<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>first.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Step 2: After you yarnover, put your hook through the stitch and yarnover again.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Step 3: Pull the loop made by your yarnover through the stitch. You will now have 3 loops on<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>your hook. The one farthest back is from your previous stitch or turning chain. The next is from<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>the first yarnover you made before going into the stitch, and the one closest to the hook is the<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>second yarnover you made.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Step 4: Yarnover again, and pull all three of the loops behind this last yarnover off the hook over<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>the yarnover you just made. This will leave one loop on your hook, which came from the<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>yarnover you made before pulling off the other loops. You have completed a half double crochet.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Now, to add some of these stitches to your sampler, work as follows:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Step 1: Take up your work and turn it so that the hook, which should be in the last stitch at the<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>end of your second single crochet row, is at the right end of your work. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Step 2: As before, you need to bring your hook up to the new row's height. You will remember<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>that when you did a single crochet, you chained one (ch1) at the end of each row. But half double<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>crochets are a little higher than single crochets, so you chain two instead of one when you're<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>going to make a half double crochet row. This is written ch2.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Step 3: Once you have made the 2 chains, go into the next stitch and do your first half double<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>crochet according to the previous steps given. Continue across the row, doing a half double<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>crochet in each stitch across to the last stitch.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Step 4: Once you have finished crocheting in the last stitch, chain two as before, turn your work,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>and start back across to make your second row of half double crochets. When you reach the last<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>stitch, it will be the chain two that you made when you started the first row. Make a hdc in the<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>top chain of this ch2.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> Now, before going on to the next stitch, look for a moment at the stitches you have made<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>so far. A careful inspection of your work will show you that single crochets are smaller than half<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>double crochets. This is because of the aded loops used to make the half double crochet.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Therefore, you now know that the more loops there are in a stitch, the longer or higher it will be.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>When you feel that you have mastered this stitch go on to lesson 4. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Lesson 4: THE DOUBLE CROCHET<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> the next stitch you will learn is the double crochet, abbreviated dc for patterns. This stitch<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>is another basic stitch and builds on the half double crochet learned in the previous lesson. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Step 1: To double crochet, before inserting the hook in the chain, wrap the<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>yarn around your hook once. this is a yarn over, like the one you did in the half double crochet. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Step 2: then insert the hook in the chain, yarn over again, and pull the loop through as you did<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>when you made the single and half double crochet. You will then have 3 loops on your hook.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Step 3: then yarn over again, and draw through two loops, leaving 2<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>loops on the hook. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Step 4: Yarn over again and draw through two loops. You<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>now have one loop on the hook and have completed a double crochet. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> To practice this, let's look at your sampler. When you pick it up again, you should have<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>one loop at the end of your last row of half double crochets. Put your hook through this loop. As<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>before, you need a turning chain to keep your work straight. But also as before, your work is<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>changing. These stitches are higher still than the half double crochets you made in the previous<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>rows. So instead of chaining twice, you chain three times, written ch3. Usually, unless the pattern<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>says otherwise, your turning chain for double crochets will be a ch3. So make three chains, then<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>follow steps 1-4 above and make a double crochet row across in each half double crochet you<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>made before. When you finish this to your satisfaction, chain 3, turn your work and do another<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>row to get back to the other end of your work.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> Now stop for a moment and look at your work to learn the difference between these new<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>rows and the previous ones. You will note that these are longer stitches and probably easier to<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>distinguish from one another than the half double crochets or the single crochets. Since you<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>cannot use your eyes to look at your work, it is very important that you teach your fingers to<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>know these stitches when they see them. When you have learned them well enough, proceed to<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>the next lesson. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Lesson 5 <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>the tripple Crochet<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> the next stitch I want to show you is the tripple crochet, written tr or trc in patterns. This<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>is an even longer stitch than the previous ones you've learned and is often used in lace work or to<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>make a looser weave in a bulkier item. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Step 1: In this stitch, you yarn over twice before you insert the hook into the work. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Step 2: After yarning over twice, you insert the hook and draw up a loop, giving<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>you four loops on your hook. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Step 3: then yarn over, draw through two loops,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Step 4: yarnover, draw through two loops, <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Step 5: Yarn over, and draw through two<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>loops. You now have one loop on your hook and have completed your first tripple crochet. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> try adding these to your sampler piece so you can see the difference. To do this, take up<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>your work and put your hook into the loop at the end of your last double crochet row. As in the<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>past, you must bring up your hook to start another row with a turning chain. This time, you chain<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>four instead of three. So chain four, (ch4), turn your work and start back across the row, doing<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>the steps above to make a tripple crochet in each stitch across. When you reach the end of the<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>row, chain four, turn your work and go back across to the other end making tripple crochets as<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>you go.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> Now look at what you've done so far and notice that each stitch you've added is a little<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>longer or taller than the ones in the previous row. This is because there are more loops made by<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>the extra yarnovers in each stitch. Once you have mastered the tripple crochet, proceed to the<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>next lesson.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Lesson 6: some techniques and how to finish your work<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> There is one more stitch that I want to mention which is not used often except for joining<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>or moving the yarn or thread. It is called a slip stitch.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>To make a slip stitch, written slst in patterns, insert your hook in the loop, as you would for a<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>single crochet. You do not yarnover first. After you have inserted your hook through the loop,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>yarnoverand draw the loop made by your yarnover through the loop on your hook. You will have<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>one loop on your hook and will have made a slip stich. This slip stich is only used for joining<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>rows into rounds, or sometimes for edgings. When you are making rounds instead of rows, you<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>will be making a round piece without having to sew it together. This is because at the end of each<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>round, you will be instructed to join with slst in top of turning chain. In previous lessons you<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>learned that a turning chain is the chain you make before going from one row to the next. It is<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>called a turning chain because it is the chain you make before you turn your work.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> Finishing your work: To finish your work once you have done as many rows as you want or as<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>the pattern calls for, you do what is called fastening off. To do this, you cut the yarn from the ball<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>or skein you are working from, leaving a tail between the loop of your last stitch and the end of<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>your yarn. Then take the end of your yarn and put it through the last stitch on your hook and pull<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>it tight to make a knot. You will then weave in the tail so that it is not visible at the end of your<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>work. You will also weave in the tail left from the slip knot at the beginning of your work. Then,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>depending on the yarn you used, you may have to do what is called blocking your work. This is<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>done as follows. You may need to wet your work to relax the fibers in the yarn. Once you have<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>done this, then place your work on a flat surface and stretch it to measure correctly according to<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>the measurements given in the pattern. Use your tape measure to determine whether your work<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>blocks to the correct measurements. It is important to note that with most acrylic yarns, washing<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>and drying according to the directions on the band around the yarn will automatically block the<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>fabric.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Reading patterns<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>In the lessons above, you have been given the basic stitches for crocheting. There are other<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>stitches and combinations of stitches that you will find in patterns as you progress from beginner<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>level work to intermediate and advanced. But most of these stitches will be explained in the<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>pattern at the beginning under a section called special stitches. This is because they are not used<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>often. Once you have mastered these stitches, you will be able to read the patterns you want to<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>make and understand the special stitches sections. To end this book, I have written out the pattern<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>for your sampler thus far so that you can see what it would look like if it were all written out<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>together.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Practice Sampler<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Ch40.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across, ch1, turn.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Row 2: sc in each sc across, ch2 turn.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Row 3: hdc in each sc across, ch2, turn.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Row 4: hdc in each hdc across, ch3, turn.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Row 5: dc in each hdc across, ch3, turn.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Row 6: Dc in each dc across, ch4, turn.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Row 7: tr in each dc across, ch4, turn.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Row 8: Tr in each tr across, ch1 turn.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Repeat rows 1-8 for pattern to desired length.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> Now that you have learned how to do the basic stitches in crochet, and how to read a<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>pattern, you are ready to get a pattern book and start enjoying this wonderful craft. I would advise<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>starting out with flat pieces such as scarves, placemats, or afghans, so that you can concentrate on<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>reading the pattern and working in rows. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Once you have mastered flat work, then go on to rounds and do such things as doilies or<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>garments to wear that are made without seams. It is my hope that this book can help start you on<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>your way to an enjoyable new hobby.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div></body></html>