Let’s get started! Gather your supplies and find a comfortable workspace with bright lighting.
I encourage you to read through the steps before you pick up your hook. And remember, learning to crochet takes practice – so keep going!
Note: This guide uses U.S. terms for crochet stitches and demonstrates right-handed instructions. Check out this handy crochet terms conversion guide to learn the difference between British and American crochet terms.
Step 1: How to Hold the Crochet Hook
The first step is to learn how to hold the yarn and the crochet hook in a way that feels comfortable for you. Most people hold the hook in their dominant hand and the yarn in their non-dominant hand.
Note: I’m right-handed, so the pictures will show me holding the hook in my right hand and the yarn in my left hand. I’ll be writing the directions from the perspective of a right-handed person – but lefties can reverse the directions to learn how to do left-handed crochet.
Most people hold the crochet hook in one of two ways: the pencil method or the knife method.
Pencil Grip: Hold the crochet hook like a pencil between your thumb and index finger. Use your third finger underneath for more balance and control.
Knife Grip: Place your hand over the hook, palm facing down. Hold the hook between your thumb and index finger. Wrap your other three fingers around the shaft of the crochet hook for greater control.
Personally, I prefer to hold the hook with the knife grip. Try both options and see what feels the most natural for you.
How to Hold the Yarn for Crochet
To hold the yarn, loop the yarn through the fingers of your non-dominant hand. Pass the yarn over the pinkie, under the third and middle fingers, and over your index finger. To create more tension on the yarn, you can loop the yarn once around the pinkie before passing it under the third and middle fingers and over the index finger.
Holding the yarn this way may be awkward at first, but keep practicing. With time, you will find your favorite way to hold and keep tension on the yarn.
Step 2: How to Tie a Slip Knot
Next, tie a slip knot to attach the yarn to the crochet hook.
To make a slip knot:
Pull a length of yarn from the ball. Start the loop approximately 6 inches from the end of the yarn, leaving a tail to weave in later.
Place the ball end of the yarn in a clockwise circle, laying it over the top of the tail end.
Insert the crochet hook into the center of the loop, from front to back. Use the hook to grab the ball-end yarn, and pull it through the center of the loop.
Pull both ends of the yarn to tighten the loop around the hook.
The slip knot is complete, and you are ready to start crocheting.
Step 3: How to Yarn Over
The “yarn over”, abbreviated YO, is a foundational crochet technique that you’ll use to make all of the basic crochet stitches. For example, you’ll use yarn-overs to make a starting chain in the next step, and to make single crochet stitches after that.
Here’s how to yarn over:
Loop the working yarn over the hook clockwise from back to front.
Use your left-hand index finger to wrap the yarn over the crochet hook, or use your right hand to pivot the hook under the yarn. Either action accomplishes the same thing.
Once you’ve practiced the YO motion by itself, you use it as part of the basic crochet stitches. Let’s continue.
Step 4: How to Make a Starting Chain
The next step is to make a starting chain. A starting chain is a number of crochet chain stitches that forms the foundation for the rest of the crochet project.
To make a starting chain:
Hold the hook in your right hand and the yarn in your left hand. Insert the hook into the slip knot, if it isn’t there already.
Hold the end of the slip knot between the thumb and middle finger of your left hand.
Bring the working yarn over the hook from back to front (aka “yarn over”).
Rotate the hook slightly to catch the yarn in the bowl (or mouth) of the hook. Pull the hook through the loop on the hook. One chain stitch is complete.
To make another chain stitch, yarn over the hook and pull up another loop. Repeat this process, making as many chain stitches as your pattern calls for. To follow along with my swatch, make 11 chain stitches.
As you work, move your left-hand fingers up along the chain. For the most control, hold the chain two or three stitches away from the hook.
It can take some practice to keep your tension consistent from one chain stitch to the next – so keep practicing! In time, you will find your rhythm.
Note: When counting how many chains you’ve made, do not count the loop on your hook or the slip knot as a stitch.
