A simple guide to beautiful crochet

Crochet starts with the basics. Here's how to get those first few rows right.

1. Make a slip knot about 15 centimetres from the yarn end. Insert the hook through it from right to left.
2. Pulling both yarn ends, draw in the loop until it's close but not tight to the hook.
3. Hold the slip knot with your left thumb and middle finger, then pull the yarn tight over your index finger.
4. Push the hook forward and twist it so that the yarn passes over the hook and is caught in its slot.
5. Draw the yarn through the loop, so forming a new loop on the hook. This should be loose enough for the next chain to be drawn through it in the same way.
6. Repeat until you have the desired number of chains.

1. To begin a second row, keep the last chain on the hook and feed the hook through the second knot down on the chain. Then catch the yarn as before.
2. Pull the yarn through both loops on the hook to complete a turning stitch. Then continue as before to add stitches to your new row.

1. When you've finished, trim the remaining yarn to 10 centimetres, then pull through the loop.
2. Work back along your final row, using the hook to pull the yarn through each stitch in turn. Weave it into the crochet.
3. Partway along, make a knot to secure the yarn. Trim the loose end and repeat with the tail left from the start of the crochet.

Once you know how to make a chain of loops, the base for all stitches, and how to work a basic stitch, you know basic crochet. From there, you can start to work on more elaborate patterns and designs.