Crochet Accessories

In addition to hooks and yarns, the following equipment will also be useful.

Tape measure and ruler

Replace your tape measure from time to time, as the first few inches (or centimeters) can stretch with use. A small ruler is useful for measuring gauge.

Stitch markers

Stitch markers can be slipped onto your crochet as you work to mark a particular stitch or row, as an aid to counting or working pattern repeats.

Yarn needles

Yarn needles are sometimes called tapestry needles. They have a large eye to take the yarn easily, and blunt tip, which helps to avoid splitting the yarn as you stitch. They come in a range of sizes and are used for darning in tails, and for sewing seams.

Sharp needles

Needles with sharp points are useful when working embroidery. A large eye is required to easily take the yarn or thread. Ordinary darning needles may be used, or choose specialist embroidery needles, called chenille needles, which are shorter.

Pins

Choose pins with large heads, so they will not slip between the crochet stitches. Glass-headed pins are the best type for blocking. Pins with plastic heads are useful when assembling pieces, or use safety pins instead.

Scissors

(Yarn scissors)

A pair of small, sharp scissors is essential for cutting yarn cleanly. Never brake yarn with your fingers.

I hope you find this helpful. If you need any help I would be more than happy to help.

Happy crocheting

XoXo - Shawna

Offset Blocks (Pattern stitches) -how to-

Offset blocks

Multiple of 8 + 5 chains

Row 1:(Right side): Dc in fourt ch from hook (3 skipped chs count as first dc) and in the next ch. * skip next 2 chs, dc in the ch, ch3, 3 dc around post of last dc made, 

ship next 2 chs, dc in next 3 chs: repeat from * across.

Row 2: Ch 3 (counts as first dc, now and throughout), turn: dc in next 2 dc, * ch 2, skip next 3 dc, sc in next ch, ch 2, skip next 2 chs and next dc, dc in next 3 dc: repeat from * across.

Row 3: Ch 3, turn; dc in the next 2 dc, * dc in the next sc, ch 3, 3 dc around post of last dc made, dc in next 3 dc; repeat from * across.

Repeat rows 2 and 3 for pattern.

If you have any questions just ask, I would be happy to help in any way I can.

Happy crocheting.

-XoXo Shawna

Double treble crochet stitch -how to-

Double treble crochet

YO - (yarn over) 3 times, insert hook in st - (stitch) or sp -(space) indicated, Yo and pull up a loop (5 loops on hook)

(front view)

(YO and draw through 2 loops on hook) 4 times

(front view)

If you have any questions just ask, I would be happy to help in any way I can.

Happy crocheting.

-XoXo Shawna

Treble crochet stitch -how to-

Treble crochet stitch

(front view)
YO - (yarn over) twice, insert hook in st - (stitch) or sp - (space) indicated, YO and pull up a loop (4 loops on hook)

(front view)
YO and draw through 2 loops on hook (3 times)

(front view)
finished treble crochet stitch

If you have any questions just ask, I would be happy to help in any way I can.

Happy crocheting.

-XoXo Shawna

Double crochet stitch -how to-

Double crochet stitch

(front view)

YO - (yarn over), insert hook in st - (stitch) or sp - (space) indicated, YO and pull up a loop (3 loops on hook),

(front view)

YO and draw through 2 loops on hook

(front view)

finished double crochet.

If you have any questions just ask, I would be happy to help in any way I can.

Happy crocheting.

-XoXo Shawna

Half double crochet stitch -how to-

Half double stitch

(front view)

YO - (yarn over) insert hook in st - (stitch) or sp - (space) indicated,

(front view)

YO, and pull up a loop,

(front view)

YO and draw through all 3 loops on hook.

(Half double crochet made, abbreviated hdc)

If you have any questions just ask, I would be happy to help in any way I can.

Happy crocheting.

-XoXo Shawna

Aluminum Crochet Hook sizes

Aluminum hook sizes

The color of the hook does not matter, all hooks come in all different colors

(I read the metric size, it seems to be easier for me)

United States      Metric 

16                    0.60

14                    0.75

11                    1.00

10                    1.25

8                      1.50

6                      1.75

-                       2.00

B-1                   2.25

C-2                   2.75

D-3                   3.25

E-4                   3.50

F-5                   3.75

G-6                   4.00

 H-8                   5.00 

      I-9                   5.50     

J-10                  6.00

K-10 1/2            6.50

N                       9.00

P                     10.00

Q                     15.00

(The smaller hooks are best when making lace, doily's, or micro crochet)

Happy crocheting.

-XoXo Shawna 

Single crochet stitch -how to-

Single Crochet Stitch

(Front view)

Insert hook in st (stitch) or sp (space) indicated, YO (yarn over) and draw through both loops on hook.

If you have any questions just ask, I would be happy to help in any way I can.

Happy crocheting.

-XoXo Shawna

Chain & Slip stitch -how to-

To work a chain stitch, begin with a slip knot on the hook.

(front view)

Bring the yarn over hook from back to front (this is called a yarn over - YO), catching the yarn with the hook and turning the hook slightly toward you to keep the yarn through the slip knot.

  (First chain stitch made abbreviated ch)

(front view)

Working into the chain

When counting chains, always begin with the first chain from the hook and then count toward the beginning of your foundation chain.

Method 1:

(Back view)

Insert hook under top two strands of each chain.

(Two loos on back of hook, one loop on front of hook)

Method 2:

(Front view)

Insert hook into back ridge of each chain. 

(Two loops on front of hook, one loop on back of hook)

Method 3:

(Front view)

To form a beginning ring, work the specified number of chains and then join to the first chain made with a slip stitch.

Slip Stitch:

(Front view)

To work a slip stitch, insert hook in stitch or space indicated, YO and draw through a st and through loop on hook. (slip stitch made, abbreviated slip st, or sl st).

If you have any questions just ask. I would be happy to help in any way I can.

Happy crocheting.

-XoXo Shawna

Abbreviations {Crochet}

Hello there guys and dolls, I've been working on writing patterns for a pattern book I hope to have done in the next 6 months or so. I have not had the time today to crochet and post a free pattern,  so today I thought I would share a list for all of those who crochet and those who are just starting out. I hope this list helps you read patterns better! 

Here is the list of standard abbreviations used for crochet.

If I missed something please comment below. - Thank you!

approx - approximately

beg - begin/beginning

bet - between

Bl - back loop(s)

bo - bobble

BP - back post

BPdc - back post double crochet

BPsc - back post single crochet

CC - contrasting color

ch - chain

ch- refers to chain or space previously made, e.g., ch-1 space

ch lp - chain loop

ch-sp - chain space

CL - cluster(s)

cm - centimeter(s)

cont continue

dc - double crochet 

dc2tog - double crochet 2 stitches together

dec - decrease / decreases / decreasing

dtr - double triple

FL - front loop(s)

fool - follow / follows / following

FP - front post

FPdc - frontpost double crochet

FPsc front post single crochet 

g - gram(s) 

hdc - hald double crochet

inc - increase / increases / increasing

lp(s) - loop(s)

Lsc - long single crochet

m - meter(s)

MC - main color

mm - millimeter(s)

oz - ounce(s)

p -picot

patt - pattern

pc - popcorn

pm - place maker

prev - previous

rem - remain / remaining 

rep - repeat(s)

rev sc - reverse single crochet

rnd(s) - rounds(s)

RS - right side(s)

sc - single crochet

sc2tog - single crochet 2 stitches together 

sk - skip

Sl st - slip stitch

sp(s) - space(s)

st(s) - stitch(es)

tbl - through back loop(s)

tch - turning chain

tfl - through front loop(s)

tog - together

tr - triple crochet 

trtr - triple treble crochet

tr2tog - triple crochet 2 stitches together 

WS - wrong side(s) 

yd - yard(s) 

yo - yarn over

[ ] - Work instructions within brackets as many times as directed 

( ) - Work instructions within parentheses as many times as directed

* - Repeat instructions following the single asterisk as directed

** - Repeat instructions between asterisks as many times as directed or repeat from a given set of instructions

About Gauge

                  Every pattern will tell you the exact yarn ( or weight of yarn ) to use, and suggest what size hook to use to crochet an item with the same finished measurements as the project shown. It is important to choose yarn in the weight specified in order to successfully complete the project. The hook size recommended is the size an average crocheter would use to get the correct gauge. Gauge refers to the number of stitches and the number of rows in a given width and length, usually in 4" (10 cm), of crocheted fabric. 

                  Before beginning to crochet a project, it is very important to take the time to check your gauge. Crochet a sample swatch of the stitch pattern. If you have more stitches to the inch than the instructions call for, you are working tighter than average; try a new swatch with a larger hook. If you have fewer stitches to the inch or if your square is larger than the instructions call for, you are working looser than average; try a smaller hook.

Note: Always change hook size to get proper gauge, rather than trying to work tighter or looser.

Until next time,

Enjoy & be Happy.

XoXo

- Shawna