Table of Contents
Part 1 The Basics 11
1 Before You Begin 13
Choosing Your Yarn 14
All About Crochet Hooks 16
The Tools You Need 18
Holding Your Hook and Yarn 20
Crochet for Left-Handers 22
2 First Steps 25
Making a Slipknot 26
Making a Yarn Over 28
Drawing Up a Loop 29
Making a Foundation Chain 30
Working into the Foundation Chain 32
Working into Subsequent Rows 34
3 Common Stitches 39
Single Crochet 40
Double Crochet 42
Half Double Crochet 44
Triple (Treble) Crochet 46
Turning Chains 48
Slip Stitch 52
4 Easy Finishing 55
Fixing Mistakes 56
Fastening Off 57
Basic Edging 58
Weaving in Ends 60
Practice Project 1: Three Simple Washcloths 64
5 Crochet-Speak 69
Identifying and Counting Stitches 70
Gauge (Tension) 72
How to Read a Pattern 76
Crochet Abbreviations 80
Part 2 Beyond the Basics 83
6 More Crochet Know-How 85
Joining New Yarn 86
Changing Colors 90
Reading Charted Stitch Diagrams 94
Practice Project 2: Colorblock Potholder 98
7 Increasing and Decreasing 103
Increasing 104
Decreasing 106
Practice Project 3: Triangle Bunting 108
8 Crochet in the Round 113
Chain Start 114
Magic Ring 116
Working in the Round 118
Standard Increases 122
Invisible Finish 124
Practice Project 4: Circular Coasters 126
9 Finishing Techniques 129
Blocking 130
Joining 134
Caring for Your Work 140
10 Easy Stitch Gallery 143
Easy Stitch Patterns 144
Part 3 Taking It Further 149
11 Decorative Stitches 151
Shells, Fans, and V Stitches 152
Crossed Stitches 154
Post Stitches 156
Spike Stitches 158
Chainless Foundations 160
Linked Stitches 162
Practice Project 5: Pretty Headband 164
12 Combination Stitches 167
Cluster Stitches 168
Bobble Stitches 170
Puff Stitches 172
Popcorn Stitches 174
Practice Project 6: Puff Stitch Scarf 176
13 Squares and Motifs 179
All About Motifs 180
Granny Squares 182
Solid Squares 184
Circle in a Square 186
Granny Triangles 188
Granny Hexagons 190
14 Edgings and Adornments 193
Flowers 194
Fringe 196
Reverse Single Crochet 198
Picot Edging 200
Scalloped Edging 202
15 Intermediate Stitch Gallery 205
Intermediate Stitch Patterns 206
Part 4 A Gallery of Patterns 215
Flecked Scarf 216
Cozy Cowl 220
Phone or Tablet Slipcover 224
Handy Baskets 228
Placemat and Coaster Set 232
Rolling Waves Blanket 236
Solid Stripes Bag 240
Double Diagonals Shawl 246
Front-and-BackHat 250
Front-and-Back Fingerless Mitts 254
Left-Handed Reference 258
Glossary 274
Quick Reference 278
Index 280