Getting Started

Getting Started
The Slip Knot, Adjustable Ring and other methods of starting a foundation chain
Please click on thumbnails to view larger image

Slip Knot
Alternative to Slip Knot
Adjustable Ring

Getting Started
revised Š2008 Sandra Petit, http://www.crochetcabana.com

Disclaimer: Sometimes when I write tutorials I suggest you chow down on snacks and junk food - I am partial to chocolate. Now if you are allergic to these items, don't eat them. I am not responsible if you eat a chocolate bar or ice cream and end up in the emergency room or you gain 25 pounds while doing my tutorials. I am pretty sure, however, that you'll at least enjoy yourselves, whether or not you learn to crochet! :-)

The first thing you do when you are ready to learn to crochet is to buy a hook and some yarn. Then you to have to get the yarn and hook to play well together. :-) Choosing your hook and yarn is an article in itself. To be brief, you should choose a medium size hook, perhaps an I or J, and light colored worsted weight yarn (most choose acrylic) for learning purposes.

There are several ways to start your project. Which method you use depends on the type of project you are making and to some degree your own personal preference.

Probably the most common method is to make a foundation chain, though there are methods which do not require a foundation chain start.

Before you make your foundation chain, you need to place your yarn on your hook. To do this, we normally use the slip knot. There are several ways to make a slip knot.

However, there is also another method of beginning the foundation chain which does not use a slip knot. It is hard to describe in words. I have a video which demonstrates that method. You can also see it over at Nexstitch which is where I first learned of it myself. Thanks to my husband for helping with the video filming and editing. It shows the method of wrapping the yarn around the hook, plus one chain stitch. No audio instructions but there is some pretty music :-) Hey, this is my first effort, but if it works out...who knows? :-)

Alternative to the slip knot video (Windows Media Player format)

Alternative to the slip knot video Real Player version

If you are going to be working in the round, you can use the adjustable ring method of starting, or you can make a short foundation chain and join it into a ring or you can work your first stitches into the first chain. See Working in the Round for more info.

THE SLIP KNOT
Update Š2004, 2008 Sandra Petit, http://www.crochetcabana.com

Note: I am right handed so these instructions are written for the right handed person. The Crochet Guild of America has some basic instructions for left handed persons as do many other books in print.

Here is a video I made demonstrating how to make the slip knot.

You'll note that I include two different pictures for some steps. It is the same step, just two pictures with a different sort of view.

Also, please read the tables left to right, top to bottom.

Method 1:

1) First you lay the yarn over your fingers. The yarn coming from the skein is on the left, by my thumb. The starting strand is on the right, behind my fingers

2) Bring that starting strand up and over the fingers. It will again be behind the fingers after you do this. (You are essentially making a circle around your fingers)

3) Pull your fingers out and let the start strand fall behind the circle made where your fingers used to be. Hold the loop at the top with your left hand

4) With your right hand, insert your hook under (behind, in back of) the start strand, going from right to left.

NOTE: Alternately, you can just reach in and grab that strand and pull it out, tightening it. Then place it on your hook.

5) Bring your hook through to the left side, so it lies on top of the "loop" you made with your fingers . Your hook is on top of the right and left sides of the loop and behind the center strand, which is the start strand.

6) Pull on both hanging strands at the same time. That tightens the "knot". Then pull on the start strand to bring it closer to the hook. You don't want it too tight or you won't be able to work with it. But you also don't want it too loose. :-) Find a happy medium.

(note: if you pull the wrong strand, your start strand will get smaller, leaving you too small a strand to sew in later. You need a minimum of 4" and I would suggest 6" to be sure.

Method 2:

Here is a slightly different method.

1) make a loop with your yarn. Doesn't matter which side is the strand coming from the skein

2) insert hook into the center of your loop, angle it down toward the floor, on top of the strand at your right, with the hook facing away from you

3) with your hook, grab that strand hanging down and pull it through the center of the loop

While holding the strands hanging below, pull up on your hook so that the strands tighten into a slip knot

adjust the loop on your hook by pulling on the strand at your right

When you begin to work on your foundation chain, be sure to use the strand coming from your skein

Method 3:

This method is one which my crochet friend, Sheila, showed me.

1) Place yarn on fingers as in photo, start strand is on the right.

2) Turn fingers towards center, creating loops with both sides.

3) remove fingers and hold both loops between forefinger and thumb

4) squeezing loop on left, insert it into the loop on the right

5) pull loop on left through loop on right

6) tighten by pulling on start strand, shorten by pulling on strand coming from skein

You will then insert your hook into the created loop, keeping the start strand at your right, and using the strand coming from the skein to start your foundation chain

Note: It doesn't really matter if you have the start strand on the other side, just as long as when you insert your hook, you grab the right strand to start your foundation chain. If the start chain is on the other side, you will have to pull on the opposite strand to tighten and shorten.

Adjustable Ring
Š2005, updated 2008 Sandra Petit, http://www.crochetcabana.com

The adjustable ring is used when working in the round. When I say "working in rounds" I am talking about where you start with a circle or ring in the middle and your piece grows outward, getting larger, until it is the size you need. You don't HAVE to use the adjustable ring when working in the round. You can choose to make a small foundation chain and join to make a circle or you can work your stitches into the first chain of your foundation. Sometimes the pattern will tell you which way to do it for best results.

Here is the picture tutorial on making an adjustable ring. Read from left to right, top to bottom. This is different than making a slip knot.

1) First make a loop with your yarn. Doesn't matter which one is on top as long as the strand coming from the skein is there at the left. This is what you will be grabbing to make your stitch.

2) Insert hook in center of loop made. yarn over with the strand coming from your skein

3) pull through

4) Yarn over (different yarn), pull through to make your first chain

5) make the number of chains required in your pattern - in this case I did a ch-3 since I would be working with dc

6) When you have the number of stitches you need, you can pull on that beginning strand to close up the hole in the center. You can pull it as tightly as you want, or leave a hole. Your choice.

1) Starting closest to the palm of your left hand, wrap the yarn coming from the skein around your index finger twice. Holding the working yarn down with the thumb of your left hand, insert hook under the two strands and yarn over and pull through. Note that the beginning strand is on your right, hanging loose	2) In this photo, you've pulled through and will now complete your first chain by yarning over again	3) and pull through (that completes the basis of your adjustable ring. The remaining photos show working over the ring to make single crochet. (Note that several single crochets have already been completed.
4) insert hook in center of ring, yarn over	5) pull through (2 loops on hook), yarn over	6) and pull through to complete your sc

Now that you have your beginnings, whichever made you did it, you can start your foundation chain.

12/05/2011