Beginner 's lace

                                               A simple pattern for beginners.

In the beginning, you practiced the chain. Then a simple change has to be done in practice. 

This is the pattern, anyone should practice as the first step of a pattern. Actually, you can't attach this for decorating purposes, but only to practice.

When you practice and practice with this type of work, you can easily control the fine movements of your fingers for crocheting. Crocheting is also work needed the fine movements of your fingers like writing.  "practice makes perfect" 

Do more practice and achieve your goals. Here, there are only two stitches used, chain stitch and double crochet stitch. So, easy to practice.

Make a slip knot. (I have explained this in my early lesson.) 

 

1. Then make 7 chains. and make a dc (double crochet ) to the first chain. 

loop of 7

2. Then make 2 chains and make a double crochet into the loop of 7 chains.

loop of 7 and space of 2

3. Make 7 chains and turn over the work and make a dc into the space of 2 chains.

with 1 loop of 7

4. 2 chains and make a double crochet into the chain two space.

with 3 loops of 7

You can practice this until you master the basic things.

Decorative stitches in crochet

         Let's learn more decorative stitches in crochet.

sample of " V" stitch.

                                                               V stitch:

This is a very easy stitch that you can use for many crocheted items like shawls, scarves, baby blankets, table mats, table runners, etc. You can select the suitable yarns for each item specifically. Selecting colors is also important in crochet work. For baby girls, shades of pink. For baby boys shades of blue. For household items select somewhat thicker yarn with dark colors. There are so many yarn stores including Amazon to buy yarns to your preference. So, learn the stitch and do whatever you like. It is a pleasure for me to help you. Leave a comment if you have any problem with this stitch.

Make a foundation chain of multiple of 3. 

• Here is a sample and  I have made 21 chains for it. 
• Then make one double crochet(dc) to the 4th chain from the hook. Then make one more dc to the same place. Then skip two chains and to the next chain make one dc and then one chain as a gap and again 1 dc to the same space. Then skip two chains and to the next chain make 1dc, then 1 chain then 1dc.
• (dc, ch1, dc, skp2ch )This is the pattern you have to follow.

                                            puff stitch 

  

                                       Sample of puff stitch.

 First, make a foundation chain of a multiple of 2 + 4 chains in number. 

•  Then yarn over and insert the hook into the 4th chain from the hook and pull up the yarn. Now there are 3 loops on the hook, then again wrap the yarn and insert the hook to the same space and pull up the yarn, now there are 5 loops on the hook. You have to do this in the same chain stitch space two more times. Now there will be  9 loops on the hook. Then bring the yarn through all the loops. then make one chain to lock the puff. 
• After skipping one chain, start to make the 2nd puff. Yarn over and insert the hook to the next chain and pull up the yarn. Do this 3 more times in the same chain. So, there should be 9 loops on the hook. Then bring the yarn through all the loops and lock with one chain. 
• Likewise you have to continue to make the desired number of puffs according to your foundation chain.
• When you finish the 1st row, turn the work and make 3 chains and start to make the first puff of the 2nd row by inserting the hook into the chain 1 gap of the previous row. Insert the hook 4 times and gather 9 loops and finally pull through all the loops. 

• Puff stitches can be done over a row of single crochet.
• Here is a sample of that.

over a row of single crochet.

• You have to select the needed length and multiples of 2+4+1 number of chains accordingly.
• Then add one single crochet into each of the chain stitches. 
• Then turn the work and make 3 chains and make the first puff into the first single crochet you made earlier in the first row.
• Then skip one single crochet and make the 2nd puff into the next single crochet.
• Again skip one single crochet and make the 3rd puff.
• After finishing the first row turn the work and make 1 chain and make 1 single crochet onto each of the chains visible below.
• When you finish the row again make a new row with puff stitches.

Slip knot, Chain, single crochet, half double crochet, double crochet, treble crochet

                                                    1st Lesson on crochet 

Before trying on different patterns you have to be familiar with the following stitches. 

When you have thorough knowledge about these you can try different stitches and patterns. Further, there are so many different types of stitches that give a very beautiful look to your crocheted item.

In this lesson, you can learn about slip knot, chain stitch, single crochet stitch, half double crochet stitch, double crochet stitch, treble crochet stitch, shell stitch, and shell in shell.

 

Slip knot: 

Take the yarn and wrap it loosely around your 1st finger. Then hold it with your thumb. Then insert the hook in between the finger and wrapped part of the yarn. Then pull up the yarn into the ring.  

Then you will have a loop on your hook. Now tighten the knot by pulling the short end part of the yarn towards the left side. 

Chain : 

After making the slip knot, now there is a loop on your hook. Hold the yarn by wrapping it on your little finger and get the yarn over your fingers and tightly hold it with your thumb and first finger near the loop.

Then pull up the yarn through the loop. Then again a new loop will come on to the hook. So, again pull up the yarn through the loop. You should do this again and again to make a long chain. You should practice this until you can master it. 

chain, single crochet. half double crochet, double crochet, treble crochet 

Single crochet: 

Make 20 chains. Then 1 more chain. Then insert the hook to the 2nd chain from the hook and pull up the yarn. Now there are 2 loops on your hook. Now bring the yarn and pull through both loops. Likewise, you can do for remaining 19 stitches.

Half double crochet: 

Make 20 chains. Then 2 more chains. Now yarn over (wrap the yarn over the hook) and insert the hook to the 3rd chain from the hook. Then pull up the yarn. Now there are 3 loops on the hook. Bring the yarn and pull through 3 loops. 

Double crochet: 

Make 20 chains. Then 3 more chains. Now yarn over (wrap the yarn over the hook) and insert the hook to the 4th chain from the hook. Then pull up the yarn. Now there are 3 loops on the hook. Bring the yarn and pull through 2 loops. Then again bring the yarn and pull through the other two loops

Treble crochet: Make 20 chains. Then 4 more chains. Now yarn over twice (wrap the yarn over the hook two times) and insert the hook to the 5th chain from the hook. Then pull up the yarn. Now there are 4 loops on the hook. Bring the yarn and pull through 2 loops. Then again bring the yarn and pull through net two loops. Then again bring the yarn and pull through the final two loops.

Shell: Make 20 chains. Then 3 more chains. Now yarn over (wrap the yarn over the hook) and insert the hook to the 4th chain from the hook. Then pull up the yarn. Now there are 4 loops on the hook. Bring the yarn and pull through 2 loops. Then again bring the yarn and pull through the final two loops. Then to the same chain, that is to the 4th chain make two more double crochets (dcs). With the 3 chains at the beginning now there are 3 dcs. Now make 2 chains as the gap and again 3 dcs to the same place (chain). Now you have one shell.

Then skip 2 chains and to the 3rd chain (3 dc,2 ch, 3 dc,) This is the next shell. 

The pattern is *skip 2, 3 dc,2 ch, 3 dc,*

Now let us learn the method of how to do "shell in the shell". It is given in the image below. 

After finishing the first row make 3 chains and turn the work. Then add 3 dc s to the gap of chain 2 of the previous row below, then make two chains and again 3 dcs to the same gap. Then to the next gap of chain 2 add a shell.

Shell in the shell

                       

Crochet for beginners step by step

cushion cover with crochet attachment 

   Benefits  of  Crocheting

Crocheting helps to increase your creativity. It helps to calm down your mind and to become more patient in your day-to-day life. When you do crochet you have to concentrate greatly as in meditation. It is very important to avoid day-to-day conflicts. You will learn how to be patient whenever a  conflict arose. As retired persons, some have much leisure time and they can make use of the time to crochet.    

Further, you can make a product that can be used in your home. Sometimes you may have a marketing value for your creations. When you become an expert you can sell whatever you make. Buyers are different. They need different things. 

You can find the market by selling in different online stores. Babies and Kids' items are most popular all over the world. 

Suh as baby sweaters, hats, cardigans, socks, bibs, and rompers.

 If you get used to this art you can spend your leisure time more fruitfully. So the time you spend on learning crochet is profitable.

Almost every item you make using fabric can be done by crocheting also. For example, Frocks, tops, blouses, skirts, bedspreads, hats, shoes, etc. There are suitable yarns for each item.

You have to choose the yarn type and the color. There are many yarn stores and you can have a big choice. If you don't have the facility to go to the yarn market, you can order online.

There are many instructions on how to crochet on youtube and in crochet blogs. In blog posts, you can read the way of crocheting and on youtube, it is visualized. Some prefer written instruction to watch videos. But videos also can pause, reverse, and take your own time when you watch them. Further, you can download the video and watch it offline whenever you like   

To read crocheting methods, you have to know the symbols and shorten forms of crocheting. Because the crocheters use their crocheting language and it is given in the shortened form. Some use patterns with symbols to express their crocheting methods.  

Shortened forms used in crocheting are different in various countries according to their languages. 

Some of them are given below.

Chain (ch),

Single crochet (sc)

Double crochet (dc)

Trible crochet (trc)

chain, sc, half dc, dc, and trc

                                           Some special stitches are there and some of them are known as dc two together (dc2tog), V stitch, shell stitch, popcorn, puff, bobble, etc. Different items have suitable stitch types. Some items need more holes in them to have a lacy appearance. Creations like scarves and shawls are beautiful when they have a lacy appearance. Some like scrubs should not be with many holes.

There is a lot to learn about stitches but for a beginner, these are enough.

                                         Hooks and yarn

As a beginner, you should know about crochet hooks and yarn. Hooks are available in different sizes and are made out of hard metals or lighter aluminium metal. Some have plastic

 sizes of Hook needles

handles. The width of the hooking end of the hook is measured in millimeters. So, there are hook sizes in  1 mm, 2 mm, 2.5 mm, 3 mm,4mm,5 mm, etc 

                     

crochet yarns

Crocheting yarns are also made in different materials like woolen, cotton, or acrylic. They are different in shades thickness of the yarn and method of packing as skeins or cakes.

Yarns made out of natural wool or synthetic wool are suitable to make warming items like sweaters and neck warmers. You have to select the yarn and hook sizes accordingly. Thin yarns will go with hooks with small hooking ends as 1 mm or 2 mm. Thicker yarns need large hooks with 3mm or 4mm hooking ends.

 I will tell you in the next post how to make the beginning knot or slip knot. This is very important because it holds the work stable that is without undoing it automatically.

 The advice I am giving today is "Correct counting is a must in crocheting". But if you go wrong do not worry you can undo it easily, correct it, and start again. 

So, you can start learning crochet today without any hesitation. The path is clear you can ride on it. 

Well wishes from Ramya with Rmmi's creations.

                                         

                                                                   A frock with crochet top