Crochet is a procedure in which cloth is produced by using thread or yarn and a hook. Crochet is similar to knitting as both methods comprise drawing loops of yarn through other loops. The only disparity is that just one loop is used at a given time and a crochet hook is used instead of needles. Crochet has existed for years and more and more designs are produced through experiments over the years. Nowadays crochet is used to create items of clothing, blankets, scarves, decoration in the home and even bikinis. Unlike knitting, crochet is only produced by hand.

CROCHET STITCHES

It is very easy to learn and there are many variations other than the central methods. These stitches are built on string of loops called chains. The stitches can be worked alone or combined to form designs. The main stitches in crochet are:

1. Chain - sring of loops
2. Single crochet
3. Half-double crochet
4. Double crochet
5. Treble
6. Double treble
7. Triple treble
8. Slip stitch

HOW TO CROCHET

Materials:
Crochet hook
Crochet yarn

Directions:

1. Grasp the crochet hook between your index finger and your thumb as if you are grasping a pencil.

2. Next make a crochet chain. To do this, make a slip- knot around the hook. Wrap the yarn around the hook and pull it through the loop you formed in the knot. The yarn is now wrapped around the hook.

3. Draw another loop through that loop and repeat until you have formed several loops and is able to hold the yarn quite firm, i.e., not too tight and not too slack.

4. Next you are going to single crotchet. To do this, hold the chain and insert the hook into the second chain from the hook.

5. Bring the yarn over the hook like you did when you were making the chain and draw it through the chain that you inserted the hook into. You must have two loops on your hook.

6. Wrap the yarn around the hook and draw it through the two loops on the hook to create the single crochet.

7. To create the next stitch, insert the hook again, this time into the next chain on the row of chains and repeat the exact directions at #5 and #6.

8. Continue until you reach the end of the row where you should now form a chain so as to begin row 2. This chain is called the turning chain.

9. Turn your work so that the row you just completed is facing you. Insert the hook under the two top loops nearest to it.

10. Yarn over and pull the loop through to produce two loops on the hook.

11. Bring the yarn over the hook and pull through again. Replicate until you have reached the end of the row and repeat until you are able to move on to various kinds of stitches.