Crochet for the Kitchen

 

Crochet Stitch Dictionary 200 Essential Stitches with Step-by-Step Photos

CROCHET TOOLS 
To crochet, all l:JOU need is a hook the size appropriate for the l:Jarn. Scissors and needles are also necessarl:J for finishing and weaving in ends. 
Crochet hooks are available in an assortment of materials: metal, plastic, bamboo, and wood. Wood hooks are ml:J favorite are because thel:J fit well in ml:) hand and are verl:J comfortable to use. If l:JOU bul:J a crochet hook set with sizes U.S. D-3 - J-10 I 3 - 10 mm, l:JOU'II alwal:JS have the right size on hand and l:JOU can easill:J find the one needed to suit l:JOUr l:Jarn and gauge. 
BEGINNING OR ENDING A PIECE 
Manl:J patterns tell l:JOU to chain loosell:J. It's not alwal:Js easl:J to do that and it's a good rule of thumb to use a larger size hook than that specified for the piece. For example, 
if the instructions sal:J to use an H-8 / 5 mm hook, then working the beginning chain with a J-9 I 5.5 mm hook will provide an edge that doesn't pull in, an important factor for the look of the finished piece. 
And when finishing, work the final or last two rows or rounds with one U.S. size or one-half metric size smaller hook. Sometimes crochet work draws in a bit but l:JOU don't want that to happen on the last rows/rounds. If l:JOU worked the piece with an H-8 / 5 mm hook, then finishing with a US 7 I 4.5 mm will insure that the edge will not be looser than the piece as a whole. 
Tip! When l:JOU begin a piece with a lot of chain stitches, it's not alwal:Js easl:J to keep count of the number of chains. To insure that l:JOU have enough chains, make a few extra. You can undo anl:J extra chains after l:JOU've worked the first row. Make sure that the knot at the beginning of the chain is not too tight. When there are extra chain sts, unpick the knot and then use a hook to undo the extra chain stitches. When l:JOU are even with the end of the first row, pull the l:Jarn tail through firmll:J. 
CROCHETING IN ROWS 
When l:JOU get to the end of the first row across, turn 
the work. You can turn clockwise or counterclockwise. Decide how l:JOU want to turn and then work the same wal:J throughout the piece. At the beginning of the next row, make the correct number of chain stitches (ch) to substi­tute for the first st (sc, de, hdc, de, tr, etc). Make 1 ch for a sc, 2 for a hdc;3 for a de, 4 for tr, and 5 for dbl tr. 

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