Sara Delaney - How to Crochet: Learn the Basic Stitches and Techniques. A Storey BASICS® Title

Patterns are like recipes, so view each one as you would a recipe. Make sure that you have all the materials (the ingredients) on hand before starting, and familiarize yourself with all the stitches (the techniques) needed to successfully complete the project (the dish).

Like any other skill, crochet is something that you build with practice. If this is the first time youve ever picked up a hook and yarn, you will need to dedicate some time and perseverance to learning this new skill. Each time you sit down with your hook and yarn, you will get better, not all at once, but little by little. Be patient with yourself. No one has a natural talent for crochet: They are either just practicing more than you or have been at it longer. And each person has a distinct learning style. Some can read a passage once, understand its full content, and reproduce it easily, while others need repetition, and still others need a visual guide. Ill try to address as many different kinds of learners as I can in this volume to get you started on the crochet path with minimal resistance.

Every person has a basic set of tools needed to complete their job: Batman has his utility belt and cape, the plumber has a monkey wrench and pipe snake. Crocheters have a set of tools too, and knowing how to choose the right tools will make every project that much easier.

The first and most important tool to get familiar with is the hook. While it may seem to be one of the simplest tools there is, it can be quite complex. Hooks are available in lots of different materials, and each has a different feel and interacts differently with different yarns. Youll want to experiment to find which materials you like using.

• Metal. Most metal hooks are slick and smooth. In fact, they can be quite slippery, allowing the yarn to move very easily over the surface. This type of hook works well with all kinds of yarn.
• Wood. Whether made from maple, bamboo, or laminated layers, wooden hooks have a textured surface that gives them a bit more grip on the yarn. If youre working with a slippery yarn, this kind of hook can help you hold on to the yarn and slow down the stitches.
• Plastic. These hooks are fairly smooth but can have a bit of grip. Depending on what fibers you are crocheting with, you may or may not need the grip.

Whether you are using a tiny steel hook for fine Irish lace or a superlarge hollow plastic hook for rag rugs, the basic parts of the hook are the same. Understanding the anatomy of your hook will help you to better understand the construction of your stitches and help to avoid some pitfalls of gauge and construction. Each manufacturer offers its own combination of the elements described below, and no two companies are alike; many companies even produce more than one style to appeal to a broader audience. No one hook works for every crocheter, and you may need to experiment with several styles before you find the one that is right for you.

• Point (also sometimes called tip or head) (A). This is exactly what it sounds like. It is the leading edge of your hook, and its what will guide you into your next stitch. There is no standard style for this part of the hook. You will find that some manufacturers make hooks with very sharp points and others with fairly blunt, rounded points, as well as everything in between.
• Throat (B). This is the tapered portion forming the actual hook that allows for grabbing and pulling the yarn. There are two distinct styles for this section of the hook: