3/26/2011 9:33:00 AM Getting started Hooks come in many shapes and sizes but to start off choose a 4mm

hook with a plastic handle. You will also need a ball of mercerised DK cotton, which has a coating that prevents it from splitting thus making it ideal for the beginner. Holding the hook and yarn. Hold the hook in your right hand between thumb and index finger. The yarn is held in your left hand, leaving your right hand free to manoeuvre the hook. Wrap the yarn around the little finger of your left hand, passing it under the third and middle finger and bringing the yarn over your index finger. this will keep the tension of the yarn even as you work.

Make a slip knot Before you can begin crocheting, you must work a slip knot. Use your fingers to make the slip knot. This is similar to the slip knot made when casting on stitches to knit, but using the crochet hook to draw the loop through. this now creates the first loop on the hook.

Chain stitch (ch) This is the first stitch you need to learn; even the most decorative stitches are a variation on chain stitch. Hold the short end of the yarn in your right hand below the slip knot. Bring the yarn in the left hand from main ball round the hook from the back to the front by passing the hook under the yarn.

Keeping the yarn taut in the left hand, draw the hook and the yarn through the loop on the hook. One chain stitch has been completed.

Repeat these two steps until you have the required number of chain stitches. As you work, release the short end of the yarn and hold closer to the hook. If you need to count stitches, don't include the slip knot.

How to join the chain into a ring You will need to learn this easy technique before you can make any motifs, and to work in rounds. Insert the hook from the back to the front of the first chain stitch. Remember that the slip stitch does not count as a stitch. You will have two loops on the hook.

Pass the hook under the yarn in the same way you worked a chain stitch and draw the yarn through both loops on the hook, slipping them off at the same time.

The ring is now secure and once you have mastered the next couple of crochet stitches you can start working into it, working in rounds not rows.

Double crochet stitch (dc) Crochet a length of chain stitches (10cm is ideal for apractice sample). This will be the foundation row for working the double crochet. Insert the crochet hook into the next stitch, passing it from the front to back of the stitch. Pass the hook under the yarn in the left hand in the normal way, so the yarn is wound around the hook.

Draw the yarn through to the front of the first loop on the hook; you will have two loops on the hook after this action.

Pass the hook under the yarn in the left hand and draw through both loops on the hook, slipping the loops off the hook at the sametime. One double crochet stitch has been completed.

Insert the crochet hook into the next chain stitch in your foundation row and repeat the above steps. Continue in this way until every chain stitch has been worked into with a double crochet.

Turn a row (dc) If the double crochet is to be worked in rows, you must turn the work after the last stitch. Turn the work over, so the last stitch made is the first in the new row. Work one chain stitch. This will count as the first stitch on the hook, and it also produces the height of the stitch.

Continue working in rows of double crochet, working a turning chain at the start of every row. The right side and wrong side stitch patterns look similar, except in the foundation row.

Slip stitch (sl st) This stitch is used to join stitches together, or to join the stitch to another point in the work.

Insert the hook from the back of the stitch to the front and pass the hook under the yarn in the left hand in exactly the same way as you worked the chain stitch.

Draw the yarn you have just passed over the hook through both loops on the hook. Slip both loops off the hook at the same time.

Britain and the United States use different abbreviations for crochet stitches, which can be very confusing as some of the American abbreviations are the same as the UK ones but refer to another stitch. All the lessons and patterns in Ideas use the UK abbreviations, but it is advisable to keep this chart handy for easy reference when you start your projects. United States ss slip stitch ch chain sc single crochet dc double crochet

tr treble dtr double treble United Kingdom sl st slip stitch ch chain dc double crochet tr treble dtr double treble ttr tr triple How to Make a Chain Every crochet project and pattern begins with a foundation chain. You will find that the stitches of a foundation chain look like a row of V's. To make a foundation chain, you need to start by making a slip knot (see video Hook, Yarn, & Slip Knot). Put your hook through the slip knot, holding the hook in your right hand and the yarn and slip knot in your left hand. Bring the yarn over the hook (you want the yarn to come towards you) from back to front. Pull the yarn through the slip knot with the hook. This will give you two stitches in your foundation chain. Repeat until have a chain with 11 stitches. (Practice until you have a smooth, loose chain to work with. Note: When you make one chain stitch, it is often called "chain one". The abbreviation for chain is ch, for chains it is chs. How to Single Crochet The single crochet stitch is the shortest stitch in height. It is also one of the most common stitches you will use in crocheting. Row 1: With the last chain still on your hook, insert the hook into the back ridge of the second chain from hook (the ridge is the piece of yarn under the Vshape).

Bring the yarn over the hook, like you did while making the chain, and pull it through the ridge. You will now have two loops on your hook. Bring the yarn over the hook again, and pull it through the two loops. You have just completed one single crochet. Insert hook into the next ridge, and yarn over. Pull the yarn through the ridge. Yarn over again, then pull it through the two loops. You have made another single crochet. Repeat steps 4 and 5 until you reach the end of the row. By the end, you should have 10 single crochets (count the Vs to make sure). Note: The term "yarn over" refers to bringing the yarn over your crochet needle. In patterns, it is often abbreviated to YO. When you are making your first row, make sure you don't let your chain twist--keep it straight. Row 2: Before you turn your work to start row 2, you need to chain one. This chain is called a turning chain. Turn your work around, pulling the row you just completed towards you. The hook will now be at the beginning of the work again. Insert the hook under the two top loops of the single crochet closest to your hook. Yarn over, and draw the new loop through. You will now have two loops on your hook. Yarn over again, and draw it through the two loops on your hook. You have now made a single crochet on your second row. Continue across the row until you reach the end. Count the Vs to make sure you have 10 single crochets. Make a few more rows for practice, until you feel comfortable to move on.

Half Double Crochet The half double crochet is taller than the single crochet, but shorter than the double crochet. Row 1:

Chain 11 stitches (loosely). Yarn over and insert hook into third chain from hook. Yarn over again, and pull yarn through the chain. You will now have 3 loops on your hook. Yarn over, and pull through all 3 loops on the hook. You have just completed one half double crochet. Yarn over and insert hook into next chain. Yarn over again, and pull through chain. You should have 3 loops on your hook. Yarn over, and pull through all 3 loops on hook. You have now made another half double crochet. Repeat steps 3 & 4 until you reach the end of the row. By the end, you should have 10 stitches. Row 2: Before you turn your work, you need to make a turning chain. Chain 2 and turn your work (the 2 chains will count as the first half double crochet on row 2). Insert the hook under the two top loops of the half double crochet from the previous row, work a half double crochet. Half double crochet in each half double crochet across the row, until you reach the end of the row. You should have 10 stitches by the end. Again, practice by completing a few more rows, until you feel comfortable to move on. Note: If you are following a pattern, read it carefully. The turning chain wont always count as the first half double crochet. Always count your stitches to make sure you havent dropped or added a stitch. Double Crochet The double crochet is another popular stitch, and one of my favorites. It has one more step to it that the half double crochet, so take a while to practice it and get the hang of it. Row 1:

1. Chain 12 stitches (loosely). Yarn over, and insert hook into fourth chain from the hook. Yarn over again, and pull yarn through the chain. You will now have 3 loops on your hook. 2. Yarn over and pull through the first 2 loops on the hook. There will be 2 loops remaining. 3. Yarn over again, and pull through the remaining 2 loops on the hook. You have now completed your first double crochet. 4. Yarn over and insert hook into next chain. Yarn over again, and pull through chain. You should have 3 loops on your hook. 5. Yarn over, and pull through the first 2 loops on hook. 6. Yarn over again, pulling it through the remaining 2 loops on hook. You have completed another double crochet. 7. Repeat steps 4-6 until you reach the end of the row. By the end, you should have 10 stitches. Row 2: Before turning your work, chain 3 as the turning chain. These 3 chains will count as the first double crochet in the new row. Turn your work. Double crochet into both top loops of the next double crochet from the previous row. Continue across the row. By the end, you should have 10 double crochets (counting the turning chain). Repeat the rows until you feel comfortable enough to move on.

Treble Crochet The treble crochet is the tallest of these four stitches. It is also called triple crochet (you begin the stitch with 3 loops on the hook).

Row 1: Chain 13 stitches (loosely). Yarn over twice, and insert hook into fifth chain from the hook. Yarn over again, and pull yarn through the chain. You will now have 4 loops on your hook. Yarn over and pull through the first 2 loops on the hook. There will be 3 loops remaining.

Yarn over again, and pull through the next 2 loops on the hook. There will be 2 loops remaining on the hook. Yarn over, and pull through the remaining 2 loops on the hook. You have now made your first treble crochet. Yarn over twice, and insert hook into next chain. Yarn over again, and pull through chain. You should have 4 loops on your hook. Yarn over, and pull through the first 2 loops on hook. Yarn over again, pulling it through the next 2 loops on hook. Yarn over, and pull through the remaining 2 loops on hook. You have completed another double crochet. Repeat steps 5-8 until you reach the end of the row. By the end, you should have 10 stitches. Row 2: Chain 4 (turning chain counts as first treble crochet), and turn your work. Treble crochet in the next treble crochet from previous row.

Continue across to the end of the row. You should end up with 10 treble crochets. Complete a few more rows until you feel comfortable with this stitch. Finish Off To finish off your project, cut the yarn at the end of your last row. You will want to leave about 4 inches of yarn at the end. Bring the loose end through the last loop on the hook. Tighten it. This creates a knot, keeping the ends from unraveling. Weave yarn end into stitches.

This is called finish off, fasten off, or end off.

3/26/2011 9:33:00 AM You will need: two A4 sheets of thick cardboard fifteen A4 sheets of plain white paper flower stamp black craft paint decorations small sponge roller and paint tray string or embroidery thread 18mm needle pewter stick with a sharp point craft knife and cutting mat metal ruler pencil and scissors To make: 1 Use the reverse side of the craft knife and the ruler to trace a line all along the centre of each piece of cardboard to divide them into two A5 sections. Fold each sheet in half so that the line lies in the inside of the fold. 2 Use the sponge roller to apply a little paint to the flower stamp and press it all around the edges of the cover to decorate it. Leave to dry and decorate further according to your own preference. 3 Divide the white paper into piles of five pages each and fold each pile in half. 4 Fold each pile open and make marks on the fold line 15mm from the top and bottom and then between these two points, another five points, each 30mm apart. Do the same with the two cover pages. 5 Use the pewter stick to press a hole in at each of the marked points on the pages and the covers. 6 Fold the piles of paper and the covers closed and place the pages inside the covers with the holes lining up. Thread a piece of string measuring approximately 1.5 metres through the needle and start binding the book. 7 Consult diagram 1 and insert the needle in hole 1 in the folded cardboard. Press the needle through to the inside of the cardboard and then push it through hole 2. 8 Insert the needle at hole 3 until the inside of the bottom pile of folded paper and then push it through hole 4. Pull the thread tight, but be careful not to tear the paper.

9 Consult diagram 2 and insert the needle at hole 5 in the cardboard. Make a loop over the string between holes 1 and 2 and press the needle through hole 5 again. 10 Consult diagram 3 and guide the needle below the loop that was formed between holes 4 and 5 in step 9. Insert the needle at hole 4 again. 11 Press the needle through until the inside of the bottom pile of paper and then press it through hole 6. Repeat steps 9 and 10. 12 Keep on binding until you reach the last hole in the bottom pile of paper and then tie a knot. Cut the edges off neatly. 13 Thread more string into your needle and insert the needle in the next pile of paper at the hole just above where your string emerged in step 12. 14 Press the needle through to the next hole. Consult diagram 4, guide the needle below the loop that was formed previously and insert it through the same hole again. 15 Keep on binding until you reach the last hole in the pile of paper and then repeat as previously to bind the rest of the book.

3/26/2011 9:33:00 AM Step 1: Basic Elements Slip Knot: Make a loop with your yarn. Hang the tail behind the loop that you made. From the right, insert the hook through then bring it up under the bar made by the tail. The hook exits the loop on the left side. Pull the tail down and tighten the loop. Making a Chain in Pattern: Yarn over and bring a loop through the old one. Repeat for the number shown in the pattern. Single Crochet: (At the beginning of a row, this stitch usually starts with a chain 1 to adjust the height. This chain 1 does not count as a stitch.) Push the hook into the stitch and wrap the yarn over with the working yarn. Bring up a loop and wrap your yarn over again. Draw the loop through both of the loops on the hook. This creates a single crochet stitch. Half Double Crochet: (At the beginning of a row, this stitch usually starts with a chain 2 to adjust the height. This chain 2 does count as a stitch.) Yarn over and place the hook through a stitch. Wrap the yarn around the hook and pull up a loop. Yarn over once more and bring that loop through all 3 loops on the hook. This creates a half double crochet stitch. Double Crochet: (At the beginning of a row, this stitch usually starts with a chain 3 to adjust the height. This chain 3 does count as a stitch.) Yarn over and place the hook through a stitch. Wrap the yarn around the hook and pull up a loop. Yarn over, bring that loop through the first 2 loops on the hook. Wrap your yarn over again and pull it through the 2 loops on the hook. This creates a double crochet stitch. Slip Stitch Embellishment: Create a row of single crochet stitches. (In other patterns, it can be worked over any stitch that you want.) Chain one. Turn the piece and push the hook into the first stitch. Wrap the yarn over and bring up a loop.

Drag this loop through the other loop on the hook. Repeat this procedure across the row. Step 2: Crocheted Beanie The gauge dimensions are 4.5 inches wide by 3 inches tall. A size G needle and worsted weight yarn were used to create the gauge. Gauge: Make a chain with 20 loops in black. Row 1: Create a single crochet in the second chain loop from the hook. Continue making single crochet stitches in each remaining loop of the chain. Chain 1 and turn. Row 2 - 12: Make single crochets in each single crochet stitch across the row. Chain 1 and turn. Instructions: Chain 2 in black then slip stitch into the first chain to join it into a circle. Round 1: Chain 1 then make 10 single crochet stitches into the ring. Once done, form 2 single crochets in the first single crochet. Mark the first of these 2 stitches with a stitch marker. 10 stitches Round 2: Make 2 single crochets in the next 9 stitches. Form 2 single crochets in the first single crochet. Mark the first of these 2 stitches with a stitch marker. 20 stitches Round 3: Create 1 single crochet in the next single crochet stitch. Sequence: Make 2 single crochets in the next stitch followed by 1 single crochet in the next stitch. Repeat the sequence across the round. Form 2 single crochets in the first single crochet. Mark the first of these 2 stitches with a stitch marker. 30 stitches Round 4: Make 1 single crochet in the next 2 single crochet stitches. Sequence: Create 2 single crochets in the next stitch followed by 1 single crochet in the next 2 stitches. Repeat the sequence across the round. Form 2 single crochets in the first single crochet. Mark the first of these 2 stitches with a stitch marker. 40 stitches Round 5: Construct 1 single crochet in the next 3 single crochet stitches Sequence: Create 2 single crochets in the next stitch followed by 1 single crochet in the next 3 stitches. Repeat the sequence across the round.

Form 2 single crochets in the first single crochet. Mark the first of these 2 stitches with a stitch marker. 50 stitches Round 6: Create 1 single crochet in the next 4 single crochet stitches. Sequence: Make 2 single crochets in the next stitch followed by 1 single crochet in the next 4 stitches. Repeat the sequence across the round. Form 2 single crochets in the first single crochet. Mark the first of these 2 stitches with a stitch marker. 60 stitches Round 7: Create 1 single crochet in the next 5 single crochet stitches. Sequence: Form 2 single crochets in the next stitch followed by 1 single crochet in the next 5 stitches. Repeat the sequence across the round. Form 2 single crochets in the first single crochet. Mark the first of these 2 stitches with a stitch marker. 70 stitches Round 8: Make 1 single crochet in the next 9 single crochet stitches. Sequence: Construct 2 single crochets in the next stitch followed by 1 single crochet in the next 9 stitches. Repeat the sequence across the round. Form 2 single crochets in the first single crochet. Mark the first of these 2 stitches with a stitch marker. 77 stitches Round 9 - 10: Single crochet in each single crochet stitch across. Form 1 single crochet in the first single crochet and mark it with a stitch marker. 77 stitches Round 11: Single crochet in each single crochet stitch across. Form 2 single crochet in the first single crochet and mark the first one with a stitch marker. 77 stitches Round 12: Form 1 single crochet in the next 10 single crochet stitches. Sequence: Make 2 single crochets in the next stitch followed by 1 single crochet in the next 10 stitches. Repeat the sequence across the round. Form 2 single crochets in the first single crochet. Mark the first of these 2 stitches with a stitch marker. 84 stitches Round 13 - 17: Single crochet in each single crochet stitch across. Form 1 single crochet in the first single crochet and mark it with a stitch marker. 84 stitches

Round 18: Single crochet in each single crochet stitch across. Form 2 single crochet in the first single crochet and mark the first one with a stitch marker. 84 stitches Round 19: Form 1 single crochet in the next 13 single crochet stitches. Sequence: Make 2 single crochets in the next stitch followed by 1 single crochet in the next 13 stitches. Repeat the sequence across the round. Form 2 single crochets in the first single crochet. Mark the first of these 2 stitches with a stitch marker. 90 stitches Round 20: Single crochet in each single crochet stitch across. Form 1 single crochet in the first single crochet and mark it with a stitch marker. 90 stitches Round 21: Single crochet in each single crochet stitch across. Form 3 single crochet in the first single crochet and mark the first one with a stitch marker. 90 stitches Round 22: Create 1 single crochet in the next 9 single crochet stitch. Sequence: Make 2 single crochets in the next stitch, 1 single crochet in the next 9 stitches, 3 single crochets in the next stitch and 1 single crochet in the next 9 stitches. Repeat the sequence across the round. Form 1 single crochets in the first single crochet and mark the stitch with a stitch marker. 104 stitches Round 23 - 26: Single crochet in each single crochet stitch across. Form a slip stitch in the first single crochet and mark it with a stitch marker. 104 stitches Filet Crochet Section: Round 27: Chain 3 (which stands for first double crochet in the round). Make 1 double crochet in the next 3 stitches. Chain 2. Sequence: Create one double crochet in the next 4 stitches. Chain 2. Repeat the sequence across the round. Slip stitch into top loop of first chain 3. Round 28: Chain 5 (which stands for first double crochet and a chain 2). Make 1 double crochet in the next double crochet stitch. Form 2 double crochet stitches in the chain-2 space. Then, double crochet into the next double crochet stitch. Chain 2. Sequence: Make 1 double crochet in the next double crochet stitch. Form 2 double crochet stitches in the chain-2

space. Then, double crochet into the next double crochet stitch. After the last chain-2 space, slip stitch into third loop of initial chain 5. Round 29: Chain 3 (which stands for first double crochet in the round). Create 2 double crochet stitches in the chain-2 space. Then, double crochet into the next double crochet stitch.. Chain 2. Sequence: Make 1 double crochet in the next double crochet stitch. Form 2 double crochet stitches in the chain-2 space. Then, double crochet into the next double crochet stitch.. Chain 2. Repeat the sequence across the round. Slip stitch into top loop of first chain 3. Repeat round 28 and 29 to the desired length. Then make one round of single crochet stitches around as follows: 1 single crochet per double crochet stitch and 2 single crochet per chain-2 space. Finish with slip stitch embellishment in pink or any contrasting color that you prefer. Weave in all ends. Step 3: Crocheted Flower and Kru Braid Flower Instructions: Switch to the size E crochet hook to make the flower. Chain 3 in black then slip stitch into the first chain to join it into a circle. Round 1: Chain 5 (which represent a double crochet and chain 2). Sequence: Make a double crochet then chain 2 in the foundation ring. Repeat the sequence 3 more times. Slip stitch into third loop of initial chain 5. Round 2: Sequence: In the next chain-2 space, make the following: half double crochet, chain 1, double crochet, chain 1, (treble crochet, chain 1) 5 times, double crochet, chain 1, half double crochet and chain 1. Repeat the sequence 4 more times. Slip stitch into half double crochet stitch. Cut a 6 inch tail and weave in. Round 3: Sequence: Slip stitch the pink yarn over one of the double crochet posts from the first row. (A post is the vertical part of the stitch). Chain 3. Repeat the sequence 4 more times. Slip stitch into initial chain. Round 4: Sequence: In the next chain-3 space, make the following: 1 single crochet, chain 1, (double crochet, chain 1) 5 times, single crochet and chain1. Repeat the sequence 4 more times. Slip stitch into initial single crochet. Weave in the ends. Kru Braid Instructions: This 8 strand square braid is named after a [tribe]] in Liberia. It is formed just using the fingers. Cut (4) 48 inch lengths of black and (4) 48 inch

lengths of pink yarn. Place all 4 pink threads on the left and all 4 black on the right. Secure the bundle to a clipboard or other stationary object. Hold the pink strands side by side in your left hand and the black strand by strand in your right. Take the left most pink thread and bring it under the pink threads and first 2 black ones. Bring it up to the top through the middle of the black bundle and place as the right most pink thread. Tighten the motion by pulling the pink and black threads apart. Take the right most black thread and bring it under the black threads and last 2 pink ones. Bring it up to the top through the middle of the pink bundle and place as the left most black thread. Tighten. Repeat these steps until you have 18 to 24 inches. Assembly: Using black yarn, sew the middle of your Kru cord where you want to place your flower. Then, sew the flower over the cord middle onto the beanie.

3/26/2011 9:33:00 AM