How to Crochet [Free Crochet Patterns and Videos]

Crochet is the gentle craft of creating fabric through interlocking loops of yarn with the help of a crochet hook, a slender rod with a little hook at the end. Crochet is different from knitting because it uses the one hook instead of two knitting needles and you only work one crochet stich at a time (the active loop on the hook). Pronounced “croshay,” crochet comes the French word croc or croche, meaning hook.

Beginning in the 1800s, crochet was used as a less costly substitute to lace in many parts of the world and became a thriving “cottage industry” particularly in France and Ireland. In the 1840s, the first crochet patterns were being published. Queen Victoria proudly purchased Irish-made crochet lace, bringing popularity to the craft. A resurgence in the popularity crochet came after World War II with increased interest in home crafts and the publication of more non-lace patterns with thicker yarn. 

To begin crochet, all you need is a basic, medium sized crochet hook and some yarn. Although offered in a variety of materials, popular crochet hooks are aluminum or bamboo, which is warmer to the touch and improves with oil from your hands. An “H” hook, which is size 8 or 5mm in British sizing, is often recommended for beginners and some cheap acrylic yarn. Here is some more information on yarn types.

Crochet patterns use a large variety of abbreviations. Here are the most common and what they mean:

YO or yo or YOH (Yarn Over) - To yarn over means to bring the yarn over the hook of your crochet hook so that the hook can catch the yarn and draw it through the loop. Literally, bring the yarn over the hook. 

Supplies:

Lion Brand 910-113 Microspun: Cherry Red, 1 ball
Crochet hook Size H/8 (5 mm)
Large-eyed blunt needle (set of 6)
Craft glue

Note: Gauge is not critical to this project.

Steps:

1. Make a slip knot. 
2. Starting at edge of one strap and sole of flip-flop and holding yarn across the top of strap, reach under strap; catch yarn leading from the ball with hook. Yarn over and pull through both loops – single crochet made around strap of flip-flop. Repeat until strap is completely covered, ending at opposite side of flip-flop. Fasten off, leaving a 5 in. 12.5 cm end. Weave in ends.
3. Motifs: Large motif (make 1 for each flip-flop) Chain 5, join with a slip stitch to form a ring. Round 1: Chain 7, double crochet into ring, chain 4; repeat from 7 times; join with a stitch to top of beginning chain. Fasten off and weave in ends.
4. Small motifs (make 2 for each flip-flop): Chain 4, join with a slip stitch to form a ring. 
5. Round 1: Chain 4, single crochet into ring, chain 3; repeat from 4 times; join with a stitch to top of beginning chain. Fasten off and weave in ends.
6. Glue motifs to flip-flops as desired.

Once you’ve learned how the basic crochet skills, you need to learn how to crochet in the round to make hats, toys and eventually garments such as sweaters. When crocheting in the round, you do not have to turn at the end of the row but rather crochet continuously until the piece is complete. The two techniques for crochet in the round are a crocheted tube and a crocheted circle. Learn more and watch videos here.

Use the skills of crocheting a tube to make Crochet Candles, filled with scented potpourri. This is a great and simple Christmas crochet idea.

1. Take your medium-size hook and medium-weight yarn.
 
2. Use an empty Pringles can or a similar, cylindrical container as a base. 
 
3. Tie your yarn to the hook with a slip knot.
 
4. Make a foundation chain to fit snuggly around the can. Remember, you join the ends of the foundation chain together with a slip stitch: insert the hook into the loop of the first chain next to the slipknot, yarn over, and full the yarn through both loops on the hook.
 
5. Single crochet in each chain around the container.
 
6. Continue to sc continuously around the cylinder in a tube until completely covered. 
 
7. Fasten off and weave in yarn tail.
 
8. Fill the container with potpourri. 
 
9. Make several of differing heights to place together for an interesting display.