ABOUT CROCHET
What is Crochet?
Crochet is a centuries-old craft that takes its name from the French
word for HOOK. Crochet is fun, relaxing and easy to learn. Using this
popular needle craft, you can create beautiful fashion and home decor
projects such as tops, hats, ponchos, scarves, doilies, tablecloths and
bedspreads, as well as myriad of adorable items just for babies.
Only two basic supplies are needed to crochet — a hook and a ball of
thread or yarn. All crochet stitches are a series of yarn overs or wraps
of thread around the hook, but once you master the single crochet
stitch the rest come easily! While most patterns start with a slip
stitch and series of loops called chains, you can even learn to create
foundations without a traditional chain. Crochet projects are worked in
rows, in which you stitch back and forth, each row on top of the row
before, or rounds, in which you work around and around a center ring of
chains, creating a geometric shape such as a square, circle, or hexagon.
A motif is a geometric piece that you create as many times as needed,
then stitch together to form your final project.
sample crochet of cloth
How is Crochet different from Knitting?
Crochet is a method of making patterns with fabric yarn or thread,
much like knitting. In both crochet and knitting, loops of yarn are
pulled through other loops to make a fabric. Crochet makes use of the
crotchet hook, while knitters use knitting needles. In most cases, only a
single thread loop is active at a given time in crochet.
Similar effects in patterns can be achieved in both crochet and
knitting: they are just achieved differently. Cable Stitch, the braided
pattern that is a standard feature of the fisherman knit sweater, can
even be simulated in crochet. Working in the round – that is, crafting a
tube of fabric can be done in both knit and crochet. In crochet, the
foundation chain is simply connected to its own beginning whereas in
knitting one uses multiple double-sided needles to knit in circles.
Crochet Stitches
There are many patterns of crochet stitches and all of them start
with slip knot followed by a series of loops or chains. The first row of
every crochet forms the foundation and is often done with simple chain
stitches. Each row in a pattern may be made using several different
stitches. There are many type of crochet stitches and below are a few to
name:
- Chain Stitch
- Double Crochet Stitch
- Half Double Crochet Stitch
- Single Crochet Stitch
- Slip Stitch
- Start Crochet
- Treble Crochet Stitch
- Triple Treble Crochet Stitch
- Lacy Interrupted V-Stitch
- Striped Afghan Stitch Pattern
- Large Wheel Stitch
- Cable Stitch