How to crochet

I'm happy that my crochet kits inspire to start crocheting. I want to help you to get started.

Crochet is quick to learn.
I love it for its portability. I always carry along crochet hook and yarn :))

To make this guide I used images and videos found over the internet, big thanks to the authors:

Illustrations from:

http://www.amigurumipatterns.net

http://www.dummies.com

http://ziboocrochet.com

http://www.learn2crochet.co.uk

Video by Natalie Gagnon http://nattypatcrochet.com

With this guide soon you will be able to read crochet patterns.

Tools and materials: 

 ·         Yarn
Most of my projects use 100% cotton yarn

125m/50g
·         Crochet hook

I love crochet hook with comfortable easy grip handle, like Clover crochet hooks.
For amigurumi toys you have to keep on high crochet tension, to get fabric without holes, that the stuffing will show through. In order to receive a dense fabric, the size of the hook should be the smallest size the yarn allows you to work with. 
With cotton yarn 125m/50g, I  use crochet hook size 2.25-2.75 mm.
·         Scissors

·         Tapestry needle
Big eye blunt needle to weave in the ends
·         Storage to keep all this in))

Basic crochet stitches and techniques:

1. Slip knot (starting loop)
2. Chain (ch)
3. Single crochet (sc)
4. Front and back loops
5. Single crochet increase (inc)
6. Single crochet decrease (dec/ sc2tog)
7. Half double crochet (hdc)
8. Double crochet (dc)
9. Crocheting in a round
10. Slip Stitch (ss)
11. Fastening Off

In US terms

How to hold crochet hook

1.    Slip Knot (starting loop)

Make a loop

Insert hook through the loop and pull up another loop

Tighten the knot gently

Slip knot video tutorial 

2.  Chain (ch)

With slip knot on your hook, yarn over

Draw the hook back through the loop on a hook – one chain done.

Continue to chain as much the pattern calls for.

Do not count the starting slip knot and the loop on a hook.

Chain video tutorial 

3.  Single crochet (sc)

1.  Insert the hook into the 2nd chain from a hook
Loop on a hook does not count as chain.

2.  Yarn over

3.  Draw yarn through chain (2 loops on hook)

4.  Yarn over

 Draw yarn through both loops on hook (1 loop on a hook)

5.  Make a single crochet in each loop of the foundation chain or as the pattern calls.

Single crochet video tutorial 

4.   Front and back loops

Inserting the hook under one back loop only, leaves the other loop exposed as a horizontal bar. It creates new interesting effects to the crochet fabric. The fabric also tends to become more elastic.

Working in the Front or Back Loops video tutorial 

5.  Single crochet increase (inc)

Increases are made by working 2 or more stitches into one stitch.

1.      To increase in single crochet, make the first stitch as usual

2.      Insert the hook into the same stitch and complete second single crochet as usual. 

Single crochet increase video tutorial 

6.  Single crochet decrease (dec or sc2tog)

Decreases made by working 2 or more stitches together.

Insert the hook into a stitch

Yarn over and draw up a loop (2 loops on a hook)

Insert the hook into the next stitch, yarn over (3 loops on a hook)

Draw the yarn thought all the loops on a hook

 Single crochet decrease video tutorial 

Invisible decrease

1.      Insert the hook under the front loop of next stitch

2.      Insert the hook under the front loop of next stitch again (3 loops on a hook)

3.      Yarn over and draw up a loop through 2 loops (2 loops on a hook)

4.      Yarn over and draw up a loop through 2 remaining loops

Invisible decrease video tutorial 

7.  Half double crochet (hdc)

1.      Yarn over (2 loops on a hook)

Insert the hook into the third loop from the hook

2.      Yarn over and draw up a loop (3 loops on a hook)

3.      Yarn over and draw the yarn through all the loops on a hook

Half double crochet video tutorial 

8.  Double crochet (dc)

1.      Yarn over(2 loops on a hook)

Insert the hook into the 4th  loop from a hook

2.      Yarn over and draw up a loop (3 loops on a hook)

3.      Yarn over and draw the yarn through the first two loops (2 loops on a hook)

4.      Yarn over and draw the yarn through two remaining loops. (1 loop on a hook hdc done)

Double crochet video tutorial 

9.  Crocheting in a round

Crocheting in a round may start with magic ring or chain.

Magic ring (also known as an adjustable ring) used to avoid a hole in the middle of your work.

Wrap yarn around your finger.

Put the hook through the loops, draw up a loop and make a slip knot (not counted as a stitch).

Work the required number of stitches into the ring.

Pull the yarn end to close the ring center tightly.

Crocheting amigurumi usually done in spiral. This makes it a little more difficult to count rounds, though, so a stitch marker is helpful.

For the second round, crochet into the first stitch of the first round.

Crochet in the round video tutorial 

10. Slip Stitch (ss)

Insert the hook into a stitch

Yarn over and draw the yarn thought 2 loops on a hook.

Slip stitch video tutorial 

11. Fastening Off

When you have completed your project you will need to finish off your work - cut the yarn and secure it so it won't unravel.

Cut the yarn, leaving a tail at least 10 cm or the length the pattern specifies.

Yarn over and draw the tail through.

Now weave in the tail through the stitches of the fabric to hide it. It can be done with a tapestry needle or a hook.

This is a standard method used when pattern calls to fasten off. The actual fastening off may vary according to your project.

If fastening off is different, I specify how to do it in my patterns.

Fastening off video tutorial 

Illustrations from:

http://www.amigurumipatterns.net

http://www.dummies.com

http://ziboocrochet.com

http://www.learn2crochet.co.uk

Video by Natalie Gagnon http://nattypatcrochet.com