Learn to Crochet – it’s Easy!
Follow the pictures - you cant' go wrong!
Crocheting abbreviations:, When reading crochetting patterns, they seem to be in code! This glossary of crochetting terminology should help you with most of the abbreviations used in crochetting:
*depending on which side of the ocean you're from!
 Holding the crochet hook: Everyone has their own personal preference when it comes to holding their crochet hook. As a rule, right handers holders hold the hook in their right hand, usually as though it were a pencil or in a firmer over hand grip.  The left hand is used to hold the work and at the same time controls the yarn supply.
*** Hint for Left-handers: Prop theses diagrams up next to a mirror so you can see how to hold your hands!*** Begin your crocheting with a slip knot:
Almost all crocheting starts with a base or foundation of chain. This is the equivalent of 'casting on' in knitting. The base chain is a series of chain stitches, which is started off with a slip knot.
 Make a loop, hook another loop through this. Tighten gently and slide the knot up to the hook. Chain Stitch:  Hook your yarn around the crochet hook and draw the yarn through toe original stitch to form a new loop/stitch. Unless stated, always wrap the yarn around from the back, over the needle, towards you.
To make a length of chain, make as many chains as required. To count chains correctly , as you make them, do not count the slip knot you begin with. To count, afterwards, do not count the loop on the hook.
 Insert the crochet hook into the first chain and wrap the yarn over the hook. Draw the yarn back through the loop of the first chain and the loop on the hook in one movement. Continue by repeating this in each chain of the base chain. Double Crochet(USA single crochet)  Insert the crochet hook into the chain, wrap the yarn over the hook and draw the yarn back through to form a new loop. Wrap the yarn on the hook again and draw it through both loops on the hook. Half Treble Crochet(USA - Half Single Crochet)  Wrap the yarn over the hook and insert it into the chain. Wrap the yarn over the hook and draw it back through the work to form a loop. Wrap the yarn over your hook and draw it through all 3 loops on the hook. Treble Crochet (USA - Double Crochet)  Wrap the yarn over the hook and insert the hook into the work. Wrap the yarn over the hook and draw it back through the work to form a loop. Wrap the yarn over the hook and draw it through the first 2 loops on the crochet hook. Wrap the yarn over the hook and draw it through the 2 loops remaining on the hook. Double Treble (USA - Treble Crochet)  Wrap the yarn over the crochet hook TWICE and insert it into the work. Wrap the yarn around the hook and draw it back through the work to form a loop. Wrap the yarn around the hook and pull the yarn through the first 2 loops. Wrap the yarn around the hook and draw it through the next 2 loops. Wrap the yarn around the hook and draw it through the last 2 loops on the hook. Triple Treble (USA – Double Treble)  Wrap the yarn around the crochet hook THREE TIMES and insert the hook into the work. Wrap the yarn around the hook and draw it back through the work to form a loop. Wrap the yarn around the hook and draw it through the first 2 loops on the crochet hook.  Repeat this last step twice. Draw the yarn through the remaining 2 loops on the hook. Working in Rows  The first row is made by working across the base chain. (Right-handers work from right to left and left-handers work left to right.) At the beginning of the first row, to give the first stitch it’s proper height, you will miss/skip one or more chains of the base chains, these then bend and ‘stand up’ to form the first stitch of the row. (The pattern will usually tell you exactly how many chains to miss.)
When you start the next row, you will make a turning chain. The pattern will tell you how many chain to make. This chain becomes the first stitch of your next row.
 To work in rounds make 43 or more chain and join them into a ring by inserting the hook into the first chain and making a slip stitch. To begin each round, make a ‘starting chain’ to match the height of the stitches in that round.  Insert the hook through the centre of your ring to work the stitches of the first round. From the second round, always insert your crochet hook under the top 2 loops of the previous round’s stitches unless otherwise stated in the pattern. When each round is complete, insert the hook into the top of the starting chain/first stitch and make a slip stitch to join the round. Changing Colours.
Make your new stitch in the new colour yarn. Hold the ends of both yarns temporarily until you have worked the next stitch. Tie the two colours together gently and cut the old colour yarn. You can sew these ends or tails into the work later with a wool needle, or hold the tails in line with the top of the last row so that they get 'tucked into’ your work as you continue. (I find that sewing them backwards and forwards with a wool needle makes them more secure if your item is going to be stretched or washed often.)
To fasten off the working yarn , make one chain, cut the yarn about 5 cm away and draw the yarn through the chain. Pull the yarn to tighten gently.  Everyone has their preferred method of joining their pieces together. Here are a few methods using either a wool needle or your crochet hook. Try them all to see which works the best. Some show more than others and this could even be made into a feature by using a contrasting colour for your joining yarn.  For the more openwork designs, the pieces are joined during the course of their final round. This is done by using a slip stitch to join the two pieces at corresponding places. That should get you well and truly on your way to being a crochet super hero! Seriously though,I still get my singles/doubles, trebles/crochets muddled from time to time so print off these diagrams as a handy reference guide.
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