Workshops

The slip knot is simply a way of tying the end of the yarn to create a loop that can be adjusted to fit the size of the crochet hook. This important little loop anchors the yarn to the hook so you can make a chain and then crochet stitches.

1. Pull several inches of yarn from the ball. Wrap the yarn around your index and middle fingers, holding it in place with your thumb.

2. While still holding the yarn with your thumb, release the yarn from your middle finger, and place a strand behind the loop formed by your fingers, forming a pretzel. With your hook, pull the back strand through the circle formed by your two fingers, forming a new loop.

3. Pull this new loop with your hook. Firm up the knot by pulling on the yarn. Now adjust the size of the loop by moving it over the grip, or thumb rest, as this area is used to determine the gauge of your stitches. Move the loop up and down the shaft (the part between the grip and the hook) to make sure it slides easily on the shaft. You’ll want the loop to be loose, but tight enough not to slip over the hook too easily.

Before you make your first chain, it's time to learn how to hold the yarn in conjunction with holding the crochet hook. Keep in mind that just like there is no single way to hold a crochet hook, there is also no particular way you have to hold the yarn. The hand that holds the yarn is responsible for controlling the tension of the yarn as it is fed to the hook. The hardest thing to remember here is to relax and breathe! The tighter you hold the yarn and hook, the harder it will be to work. It's all going to seem awkward at first, but try not to get frustrated. Soon it will become second nature to you—with a little practice.

1. Hold the hook, with the slip knot attached, in your hand, making sure the free end of the yarn is hanging down. Now hold the yarn coming from the ball in your other hand. Start by wrapping the yarn around your pinky finger, palm facing up, then carry the yarn across your two middle fingers, turn your palm facing down, and place the yarn between your middle finger and your index finger and bring it over your index finger  so the yarn goes halfway around your index finger (near the slip knot) and is anchored by your pinky. There are many ways to wrap the yarn around your hand. Experiment with several techniques until you find the one that works for you. Remember, your hand holding the yarn is responsible for the tension of the work. If you hold the yarn with too much tension, your stitches will be too tight and your work will curl instead of laying flat.

2. Secure the free end that's hanging down by holding the base of the slip knot between your thumb and middle finger. Now you're ready to make a chain!

The foundation chain is the base for making all the crochet stitches you'll be learning how to do. It is simply a series of loops (called chain stitches) that are linked together. It's in these chain stitches that you will make the crochet stitches.

There are four important things to remember as you make a foundation chain:

1. It's all in the wrists. As you work, your arms should stay comfortably at your sides allowing your wrists to do most of the actions.

2. For each chain stitch, you'll be using about 1"/2.5cm worth of yarn, so let the yarn coming from the ball slide smoothly from under your pinkie and over your index finger every time you make a stitch. Don't forget that your index finger should always be about ½"/4cm from the tip of the crochet hook.

3. Every time you've made four or five chain stitches, move your thumb and middle finger up and resecure the foundation chain by holding the last chain stitch made between these two fingers. Remember that your thumb and middle finger should never be more than ½"/4cm from the tip of the crochet hook.
4. Stay relaxed and don't sweat it! If you make a mistake, simply start over.