The twist · hub two
Crocheting
Crochet works one loop at a time with a single hook, so it builds in any direction: rounds, squares, lace and sturdy blankets. It is faster to learn and easy to fix.
Procedure
Getting started
- Choose yarn and hook. Pick a smooth, light-colored medium (worsted, weight 4) yarn and a 5.0 mm (H-8) hook. Light colors make stitches easy to see.
- Slip knot and chain. Make a slip knot on the hook, wrap the yarn over (yo) and pull it through the loop: that is one chain. A row of chains is the foundation.
- Single crochet (sc). Insert the hook in the stitch, yo, pull up a loop (2 loops on hook), yo, pull through both. Short, dense and sturdy.
- Double crochet (dc). Yo, insert the hook, yo, pull up a loop (3 loops), yo, pull through 2, yo, pull through the last 2. Taller and more open.
- Work in the round. Start with a magic ring (a loop you can pull shut) and work stitches into it, joining each round with a slip stitch. This is how granny squares and coasters begin.
- Fasten off and weave in. Cut the yarn, pull it through the last loop, and weave the tail through several stitches with a blunt yarn needle.
Stitches
Stitches, loops and chart symbols
Each stitch shows its standard chart symbol and how many loops sit on the hook at the key moment.
Chain (ch)
An oval. The foundation and the turning chain.
Slip stitch (sl st)
A filled dot. Joins rounds; adds almost no height.
Single crochet (sc)
An X or plus. Pull through both loops at once.
Half double (hdc)
A T. Yarn over, pull up a loop, then through all three.
Double crochet (dc)
A T with one bar. Two passes of "pull through two."
Treble (tr)
A T with two bars. Yarn over twice; three passes.
Magic ring
An adjustable loop that pulls tight after the first round.
Tools
Hook sizes
| US | Metric (mm) |
|---|---|
| B-1 | 2.25 |
| C-2 | 2.75 |
| D-3 | 3.25 |
| E-4 | 3.5 |
| F-5 | 3.75 |
| G-6 | 4.0 |
| 7 | 4.5 |
| H-8 | 5.0 |
| I-9 | 5.5 |
| J-10 | 6.0 |
| K-10½ | 6.5 |
| L-11 | 8.0 |
| M/N-13 | 9.0 |
| N/P-15 | 10.0 |
| P/Q | 15.0 |
| Q | 16.0 |
| S | 19.0 |
Source: Craft Yarn Council, hooks and needles chart.
Yarn
Yarn weights
| # | Name | Also called | Hook mm |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | Lace | fingering 10-count, crochet thread | 1.4–2.25 |
| 1 | Super fine | sock, fingering, baby | 2.25–3.5 |
| 2 | Fine | sport, baby | 3.5–4.5 |
| 3 | Light | DK, light worsted | 4.5–5.5 |
| 4 | Medium | worsted, afghan, aran | 5.5–6.5 |
| 5 | Bulky | chunky, craft, rug | 6.5–9 |
| 6 | Super bulky | roving | 9–15 |
| 7 | Jumbo | roving, arm knitting | 15 and up |
Source: Craft Yarn Council, Standard Yarn Weight System.