Week One will be the hardest, as you get used to how to hold your yarn and how to move your hook to catch the working yarn (that’s the one attached to your ball of yarn!) to create your stitches. 

It does get easier, I promise.

To help you on your way, there is a series of videos available to you on the Crochet Bouquet website. You’ll get access to the next stage each week, and you’ll be able to revisit these pages at any time. 

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Week One's Techniques

  • Holding your hook & yarn

    Most crocheters will hold their yarn in their non-dominant hand, with some of the yarn wrapped around a finger or a few fingers to keep the tension steady.

    Learn the techinque 

  • How to read a pattern

    One of the hardest things to get your head around in crochet is the way in which a pattern is written. Don’t worry if it takes you a few times to understand how the stitches come together with the written shorthand. 

    Learn the technique 

  • How to read a stitch diagram

    Stitch diagrams can be one of the easiest ways to help you envisage how the stitches are supposed to work together when you don’t have a close up of the pattern itself. 

    Learn the techniques 

  • Counting stitches & rows

    Getting to grips with identifying your rounds and rows can be a little confusing, mostly with a double crochet as it can all merge into each other. Taller stitches are easier to identify. 

    Learn the technique 

  • Measuring Tension (Gauge)

    Something else that you need to know about for most crochet projects is tension. This is how tight your stitches are, and how many stitches and rows you should have per set space.

    Learn the technique 

  • Right side vs wrong side

    You will see the terms right side (RS) and wrong side (WS) in patterns. This pertains towards the fabric having a top or front (the right side) and a bottom (the wrong side). 

    Learn the technique 

Week One Stitches

  • Slip knot

    The slip knot forms your first stitch on your hook.

  • Yarn over & pull up a loop

    Once you can do a yarn over and pull up a loop, you’ve got all the techniques you need to complete all crochet stitches.

  • Foundation chain & chain stitch

    The foundation chain is often a starting point for projects, but it can also be used in the middle of a project to create a space, or to take your row up to the height of a stitch. 

  • Working the chain

    Your first row will be worked into the foundation chain.

  • Double Crochet

    The double crochet, or US single crochet (SC), is one of the smallest stitches in crochet.

  • Working subsequent rows

    There are a few different ways in which you can work your next rows. Typically you will work under the V that has formed at the top of your stitch, much in the way you worked the chain previously. 

  • Joining a new yarn or colour

    You will add the next yarn in on the last yarn over of your stitch, this ensures that the V that rests over the top of the next stitch will be in the right colour. 

  • Fastening off

    Ending your work is much easier in crochet than knitting, as there is no need to ‘cast off’ in the same way. 

Week One Squares

  • Square One: Double Crochet

    One of the simplest crochet stitches, commonly used in amigurumi projects. It is created using only 2 yarn overs.

    Make Square One 

  • Square Two: Double Crochet Stripes

    Using your first learned stitch, add in the technique of chaining colours for this square.

    Make Square Two 

  • Square Three: Linen Stitch

    Bring together double crochets and chain stitches, working into the chain spaces.

    Make Square Three 

  • Square Four: Rib Stitch

    Work into the Back Loop Only (BLO) in order to create a crocheted rib stitch.

    Make Square Four