As stated before, Part 2 is all about how to do a Slip knot
and how to do a chain stitch. I will be
trying something different here. I will
first show pages out of a great book that I found and then directions that will
also show pictures.
The book is titled “Firefly's step-by-step encyclopedia of
needlecraft: patchwork, embroidery, quilting, sewing, knitting, crochet,
applique.” Publisher, Date: Buffalo, N.Y. : Firefly Books Ltd, 2011.
You will need a crochet hook and some yarn to practice how to
do this first stitch. A slip knot is the
very first thing you need to know how to do in crocheting. This is because it is the first stitch and
what hold your project together.
The directions for the slop knot: Grasp the yarn in your left hand, between
your thumb and index finger, and allow the yarn to flow freely over your index
finger. Support the yarn with your middle finger. Leave a tail of yarn trailing
below your thumb.
Use your crochet hook to hook the yarn and draw it through the
loop. Be sure to hook the end that is still attached to the ball, not the tail
of the yarn that is between your thumb and forefinger. You should now have a
loose slip knot on your crochet hook. It will need tightening.
Most crochet patterns start with a foundation chain. So here
is what a chain looks like.
Now for making a chain and chain stitches!
Step 1: First, form a slip knot.
How to Hold the Yarn:
Grasp the slip knot in your left hand; the slip knot should be
facing you.
Position your thumb so that it is securing the tail of the
yarn that is directly below the slip knot.
The yarn that is still connected to the ball will flow over
your index finger, and you will use your middle finger, fourth finger, and
pinkie to manipulate the yarn as you crochet.
How to Hold the Crochet Hook: Grasp your crochet hook in your
right hand, between your thumb, index finger, and middle finger. The hook
should be inserted into the slip knot from front to back. To start, the crochet
hook will be facing upwards, but you will rotate it by approximately
one-quarter turn counterclockwise with each chain stitch that you crochet. It’s
OK to turn it more than that if you need to, but the goal is to make each
motion as precise and fluid as possible.
Step 2:
While your crochet hook is still inside the slip knot, slide
the hook in between your yarn and the index finger on your left hand.
Rotate your crochet hook by about one quarter turn
counterclockwise, and use your middle finger, fourth finger, and pinkie to help
you manipulate the yarn so that you can easily grab it with the crochet hook.
After you’ve hooked the yarn, draw it through the slip knot.
As you draw the yarn through, you will likely find it easier to complete the
stitch if you return the hook to its original position facing upwards. You’ve
now completed one chain stitch.
To make more chains hook
another loop with the needle and draw it through the loop. Repeat as many times
as necessary. As you crochet, use your thumb and index finger to guide your
newly formed chain stitches downward.
Helpful
hint: If you find that your
foundation chain is too tight in proportion to the first several rows of
stitches that follow it, you’ll want to consider starting over using a larger
hook for the chain. I have to do this a
lot because I crochet very tight.
I hope this blog was very helpful and easy to follow. If you need more information, the following
website is very helpful http://crochet.about.com/od/learntocrochet/ss/Chain_Stitch.htm or of
course you can watch BobWilson 123 Channel at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-f_ZWHlGaY&feature=bf_next&list=PL39C531267927A347
Share your ideas on this or anything here on the blog either
here or e-mail me at stipple@verizon.net. I
look forward to hearing from you!
Sandi
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