Who wants to learn how to crochet, raise your hand!
I'm so excited to present a series of crochet tutorials starting with the basics and working our way up to more advanced techniques so that you can crochet everything you've always dreamed of! Dishcloths, scarves, baby blankets, bonnets, granny squares....what are you excited to make?
We're going to start at the very beginning with a slip knot. Ruby and Ginger will be helping me make these videos. I set up a Blue Corduroy channel on YouTube, and if you subscribe, you will have easy access to step by step crochet lessons.
How to Make a Slip Knot
Getting to know your supplies is a must when learning a new skill. Yarn and crochet hooks come in all different sizes. A thicker yarn will produce a bulkier finished project and will need a larger hook than a more delicate project with thinner yarn. But how are you supposed to know which yarn goes with which hook?
I'm a big fan of asking the sales clerk for help, they almost always have all the answers you need. But if you're left to your own devices, the yarn label has an easy to read chart to tell you exactly which hook and/or knitting needles to use.
HOW TO READ A YARN LABEL
Yarn Thickness
When you flip the label over to the back, you'll see on the left side the yarn thickness, on this particular label in the photo below you'll see that the yarn is a SUPER BULKY #6. When picking out projects to make, it is very handy to know what size yarn will produce the desired look.
Recommended Knitting Needle Size
Moving to the right of the yarn size you'll see a square box with knitting needles crossed on the inside. This image tells you to use a knitting needles size US 13, or 9 mm. If you were to knit a square swatch of 9 stitches long and 12 stitches high, with the appropriate knitting needles, it should measure 4" x 4" (or 10cm x 10cm)
Recommended Crochet Hook Size
Moving to the right of the knitting needle box, you'll see a crochet hook icon. This particular yarn label suggests a crochet hook size US M/13 or 9 mm. Notice how the crochet hook and knitting needles sizes correspond? Very handy!
Laundry Instructions
At the far right of the yarn label are the laundry instructions. This is something you definitely want to pay attention to if you plan on laundering your finished product. Thankfully, it also tells you in words underneath the drawings on most labels, because I can often forget what each symbol means. This particular yarn wants to be hand washed, lay flat to dry. No iron, no bleach.
A Special Note about Tension
Some people will naturally crochet or knit with a very tight stitch, and others will make their stitches looser. It's funny to notice in yourself, if your feeling stressed out about something, your stitches can become tighter and tighter, without you even trying!
Each pattern usually comes with a "gauge" and this is a simple way of working up a small portion of the pattern to check on what size your stitches are compared to the pattern makers. If you tend to work tight or you've chosen a slightly thinner yarn than the pattern suggests, you may need to experiment with a larger needle/hook or different size yarn.
