Basics

Common Abbreviations

Casting On

Chain

Single Crochet

Double Crochet

Common Abbreviations

v     YO: yarn over*

v     beg: begin(ning)

v     rep: repeat(ing)

v     ch: chain*

v     rnd: round(s)

v     sk: skip*

v     sl st: slip stitch(es)*

v     sp: spaces*

v     sc: single crochet*

v     dc: double crochet*

v     tr: treble crochet

v     hdc: half double crochet

v     dec: decrease

v     inc: increase

v     I: thread inlay

v     st(s): stitch(es)*

v     P: picot

v     tog: together

v     pc: popcorn(s)

v     quad: quadruple crochet

v     CC: contrasting color

v     MC:  main color

(*starred items are important to know for beginning patterns)

Getting Started:  Casting On

1)      Casting on basically consists of making a slip-knot on your hook. 

2)      Loop your yarn into a circle and let the end of the strand dangle down behind the circle (a).

3)      Slip your hook under the strand you let hang behind the circle, but keep the hook over the rest of the circle (b).

4)      Pull both ends of the yarn down (c).  Now you can start a chain.

a)

b)

c)

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Chain

1)      Slip the yarn over your hook (d) and pull through the loop on your hook.  Image (e) is a chain of 8 stitches.

2)      The yarn coming from the skein should be held in your left hand in a comfortable position where you can still regulate tension. 

3)      For beginners, try holding the stitches close to the hook with your left thumb and middle finger to make it easier to get your hook through your loop.

d)

e)

Single Crochet (sc)

(Go to the Crochet Cabana website for really nice diagrams on how to do single crochet.)

1)      Begin with a ch.  Insert hook into the top loop of the 2nd stitch (st) from the hook.

2)      Wrap the yarn around the hook (YO- for “yarn over”) and draw the yarn through the st.

3)      There are now 2 loops on the hook. YO and draw the yarn through both loops.

4)      A sc is now complete.

5)      Repeat (rep), working into every st.  When working in rows, ch 1 then turn (the ch 1 = the height of 1 sc).

6)      Continue by inserting hook into either the front loop, back loop, or both loops of the stitches (different effects for each, back loop makes a ridged/accordion look, the others are more flat)

Double Crochet (dc)

(Go to the Crochet Cabana website for really nice diagrams on how to do double crochet.)

1)      Beg with a ch. YO and insert the hook into the 4th ch from the hook.

2)      YO and draw the yarn through the st. There will be 3 loops on the hook.

3)      YO and draw the yarn through the first 2 loops, leaving 2 loops on the hook.

4)      YO and draw the yarn through the last 2 loops. This completes a double crochet.

5)      At the end of a row ch 3 before turning (ch3 = the height of 1 dc.)

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K. Dickerson

Last revised: 11/05/03