crocheting

a flat circle
increasing
decreasing
joining
new yarn

CROCHETING STITCHES
& TECHNIQUES ch = chain s
titch
st)
U S te r m s li p stitch (sl
stitch -
sl st = slip m s in g le crochet (s
c)
T e r
crochet - US
dc = double o u ble crochet
(dc)
U S T e rm d
tr = treble -
 E
CLICK ON T H
AT
CH A P T E R T H

CONTENTS YOU WANT TO

READ

1 * GETTING STARTED
Haakhouding en draadspanning 3
Het maken van een opzetlus 4

2 * BASIC CROCHET STITCHES

Chain stitch (ch) 5
Double crochet – US term single crochet (sc) 6
Slip stitch – US term slip stitch (sl st) 8
Treble (tr) – US term double crochet (dc) 9
Half treble (htr) – US term half double crochet (hdc) 10
Double treble crochet - US term treble crochet (tr) 11 page
Triple treble crochet (ttr) – US term double treble crochet (dtr) 12 2

3 * INCREASING AND DECREASING

Increasing13
Decreasing13

4 * CROCHETING TECHNIQUES
How to crochet a flat circle 14
How to crochet a basic oval shape 16
How to join new yarn 18

5 * HOW TO MAKE A CROCHET BALL

Stuffing and closing a sphere 20
Fastening off 21

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 T HE MOR
E
RELA X ED
YOUR
POST URE…

1 * GETTING STARTED
Holding the crochet hook
It’s important for you to know the correct starting position
when crocheting. This enables you to relax while crocheting
and produces a nice, even result.

1 2

Hold the crochet hook like you would a
pen. Place your thumb on the anti-slip
portion. Steel crochet hooks have a
flattened area on which you can place
your thumb.
Yarn tension is incredibly important
when crocheting. It ensures uniformity
in your crochet work and facilitates a
crochet rhythm with which to learn.
Slide your index finger against the
crochet hook. Hold the skein end of the
yarn across your index finger and the
short tail end palm side in front of your
page
index finger. Now weave the skein end of
the yarn around your middle finger and
3
over your ring finger creating a natural
resistance. You can pull on the yarn to
tighten your stitches or slacken it,
thereby loosening the stitches. The trick
is to manipulate the yarn and keep the
tension uniform.

th e better
…
e r e s ults!
th
Use your thumb to hold the short end of
the yarn against your index finger. This
will provide stability. Your thumb shifts
upward after each stitch until it almost
touches your crochet hook. By
maintaining this thumb position, and
thus keeping your crochet work stable,
you’re able to manipulate the crochet
hook in your other hand.

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 R S T S T I T CH
T HE F I
Making the slip knot
A good beginning is half the work ... Establishing a good slip
knot is the first step in crocheting.

1 2

Hold the tail end of the yarn between Insert your thumb into the loop you’ve
your thumb and index finger and create just made.
a loop by taking the long end of the
yarn that leads back to the skein and
crossing it over the short tail end.

3 4 page
4

Keep hold of the short tail end of the Pull on the skein end of the yarn to form
yarn with your thumb and draw the a sliding knot. Keep hold of the short tail
skein end of the yarn through the loop. end of the yarn.

5 6

You’ve now made your slip knot and
are ready to crochet a chain. Slip the
crochet hook through the loop and
pull the skein end of the yarn, thereby
tightening the knot.
The knot should be snug, but loose
enough to slide easily back and forth
along the crochet hook.
So, don’t make the knot too tight.

Have f
un!
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 T HE CH A I
N ST IT CH
TO M A KE CAN BE U
CORDS OR S ED
EXAMP LE DR AW ST RING
F OR KNIT S F OR
T ING P RO
J ECT S.

2 * BASIC CROCHET STITCHES

Chain stitch
The chain stitch (ch) is the basis for all crochet pieces. A set
of chain stitches creates a row of stitches that we simply
call a chain. Chain stitches are also used to turn your crochet
work. We call these particular stitches turning chains.

1 2

Begin with the correct starting position.
Slide your crochet hook in the direction
of your fingertip and underneath the
page
skein end of the yarn that’s draped
across your index finger.
5

3 4

Wrap the yarn behind the hook of the You’ve now crocheted a chain stitch.
crochet needle. Draw the yarn through
the slip knot on the crochet hook.

Avoid
crochet pain and
When you crochet several chain stitches,
s h o u ld ers dow n
r
you create a chain. Keep you gain
a n d s n ow and a
ur h
relax yo ngers.
re tc h in g your fi
by st
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 T HIS CRO
CHE T ST IT CH C
AN BE US E
F OR ST RA D
IGHT ED G
E P IECES
OR ROUND
ED ED GE
P IECES

Double crochet –
US Term single crochet (sc)
1 2

First crochet a row of chain stitches.
Slip the crochet hook from front to back
in the chain stitch: identify the first
chain stitch and push the crochet hook
through the opening in this stitch, from
front to back. Wrap the crochet hook
underneath and around the skein end of
the yarn that’s draped across your index
finger.

3 4
page
6

The doub le
crochet Draw the yarn back through the Slide the crochet hook once more
opening in the first chain stitch. You underneath and around the skein end of
is an now have 2 loops on the crochet hook. the yarn that’s draped across your index
important finger.

stitch when 5 6
crocheting

Draw the yarn through both loops on Continue along the set of chain stitches
the crochet hook. You now have a and perform a double crochet in each
double crochet stitch. A double crochet chain stitch. Don’t miss a single chain
looks like a V. stitch.

UE TO
CONT IN
AGE
NEX T P
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T HE ST IT
CHES
LOOK LIK
E
T HE LE T T
ER
V.

Double crochet - continued

7 8

You’re now at the end of the row. You
can count the stitches. The stitches look
like a V and each V counts as 1 stitch.
When you reach the end of the row,
chain one more stitch to turn. This
extra chain stitch ensures that the
crochet work remains straight and
doesn’t become smaller because you
inadvertently shorten the sides.

9 10
page
7

Turn your work and repeat the process
across the row of double crochet
stitches that you’ve just made.
NB! Don’t use the first chain stitch to
create the first row of double crochet,
but skip it and go directly to the second
chain.
Ensure that you slip the crochet hook
through both loops when crocheting
the subsequent rows of double crochet.
If you slip it through just the first or rear
loop a horizontal line will form in your
crochet work.

D ROP
E N T LY .
V E RT R OW
H
T I NAD N EAC
’ I
D ON CHES
ST I
T
Make es
st r a i g h t ed g
remain
t y o u r edges to
n
If you wa miss
e n yo u must not
, th
straight es
itc h . T h is includ
st
a single
s.
two loop
the end

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Slip stitch
The slip stitch (sl st) is commonly used to fasten off the edges
of your work, as a decorative border or for shaping flower
petals for example.
1 2

Slip the crochet hook through both Draw the skein end of the yarn that’s
loops of the previous stitch. draped across your index finger through
both loops, without first wrapping
the yarn over the crochet hook.

3 4
page
8

You can turn the work during the You have now made a slip stitch.
creation of the stitch for a more supple
execution.

s e a n d t i g h t
Loo
osely
chet too lo
If you cro een
p w it h h oles betw
u
you’ll end
A decorative border with slip stitch.
stuffing
itc h e s , w here the
the st prevent
y f a ll o u t. You can
can easil your
e gu la rly checking
this by r er size
b y u s in g a small
r
tension o
ook.
crochet h

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COME ON!

Treble crochet (tr) -

US term double crochet (dc)
1 2

Crochet 2 chain stitches to create height Wrap the long end of the yarn over
in your treble stitch. the crochet hook.

3 4
page
9

Skip the turning chains and insert the Draw the loop of the yarn through the
crochet hook in the last proper chain chain stitch. You now have 3 loops on
stitch. the crochet hook.

5 6

Wrap the long end of the yarn over the Wrap the long end of the yarn over the
crochet hook again and draw through crochet hook again and draw through
the first two loops on the crochet hook. both loops on the crochet hook. You
now have one loop on the crochet hook.

UE
CONT IN
TO T HE
AGE.
NEX T P
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 Treble - continued
7 8

You have made a treble crochet. Complete treble crochet stitch.

AND E V EN
MORE
T RE BLES
...

page
Half treble (htr) – 10
US Term half double crochet (hdc)
Follow steps 1,2,3 and 4 of how to make the treble crochet (tr). Then
continue with step 5 of how to make the half treble crochet (htr).

5 6

Wrap the long end of the yarn over the Complete half treble crochet stitch.
crochet hook and draw through the
three loops on the crochet hook.
You have made a half treble crochet.
h
= c ha in stitc
ch stitch
-
= s l i p )
sl st
s t i tc h (sl st
slip
US term l e c rochet
-
u b sc)
dc = do c rochet (
sin g l e
US Term ble -
tr = tre c het (dc
)
e c ro
doubl
US Term
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Double treble crochet (dtr) –
US Term treble crochet (tr)
1 2

Crochet 3 chain stitches to create height Wrap the long end of the yarn twice
in your double treble stitch. around the crochet hook.

3 4

page
11
Miss the turning chains and insert the Draw the loop of the yarn through the
crochet hook in the last proper chain chain stitch. You now have 4 loops on
stitch. the crochet hook.

5 6

Wrap the long end of the yarn over Complete double treble crochet stitch.
the crochet hook again and draw
through the first two loops on the
crochet hook. You now have 3 loops
on the crochet hook.
Repeat step 5 until one loop is left

Don’t panic!
on the crochet hook. You’ve made
a double treble crochet.

ntic,
a n f e e l r ather fra
gc
Crochetin ou’ll
e b e g in n ing, but y
in th
especially you know
it.
it b e fo r e
ng of
get the ha
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Triple treble crochet (ttr) –
US double treble crochet (dtr)
1 2
Crochet 4 chain stitches to create height
in your triple treble stitch.
3 4
Miss the turning chains and insert the
crochet hook in the last proper chain
stitch.
5 6
Wrap the long end of the yarn over the
crochet hook again and draw through
the first two of the five loops on the
crochet hook.
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Be
creati
ve!
Wrap the long end of the yarn three
times around the crochet hook.
Draw the loop of the yarn through the
page
chain stitch. You now have 5 loops on 12
the crochet hook.
Wrap the long end of the yarn over the
crochet hook again and draw through
the first two of the four loops on the
crochet hook.
Repeat step 5 until one loop is left on
the crochet hook. You’ve made a triple
treble crochet.
Complete triple treble crochet stitch.
 ch = chain stitch
h (sl st)
- US term slip stitc
sl st = slip stitch
crochet (sc)
t - US Term single
dc = double croche )
double crochet (dc
tr = treble - US Term

3 * INCREASING AND DECREASING

Increasing
Increasing means that you work 2 stitches in 1 double
crochet so more stitches are created in the crocheted row.

For example, in a pattern it would be This means that in every second double
denoted as follows: crochet in the crochet row you work 2
double crochet. Simply work 1 double
crochet in the remaining stitches in the
row otherwise your crochet will be full
in
t 2 dc
of holes. Let’s say, you have 12 double
C ro c h e crochet in a ring, then you crochet 2
nd dc
every 2
double crochet in every second double
crochet. At the end of the row you have
18 double crochet in a ring. You’ve
increased your crochet row by 6 stitches.

Decreasing page
Decreasing means that you subtract a stitch, from 2 13
to 1 so that you have fewer stitches in a crochet row.

For example, in a pattern it would be This means that you crochet every 3rd
denoted as follows: and 4th double crochet together. Simply
work 1 double crochet in the remaining
stitches in the crochet row. You end up
with fewer stitches in the crochet row
compared to the previous crochet row.
Decrease as follows: slip your crochet
hook through the front loop of the first
double crochet. Slip your crochet hook
Crochet every 3rd directly into the front loop of the second
double crochet. Wrap the yarn over the
and 4th dc together crochet hook and draw the yarn through
both loops. You now have 2 loops on
your crochet hook. Wrap the yarn over
the crochet hook again and draw the
yarn through the remaining loops. You
have now decreased. You can recognize
decreasing in your work by the 2 Vs
visible above each other.

I T T LE M O RE
A L
OR LESS…
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 Be
creative!

4 * CROCHETING TECHNIQUES
How to crochet a flat circle
There are three ways in which to crochet a circle. You
can crochet 4 chain stitches and join the ring with a slip
stitch. Then, Then, you double crochet each stitch. This in
itself is a fine way to crochet a circle. The only downside
with this method is that it leaves an opening at the centre
of the circle. That’s not very appealing. That is why another
technique is described here.

1 2

page
Make a slip knot. Crochet 2 chain Draw the skein end of the yarn forward.
14
stitches. Slip the crochet hook through
the first chain stitch that you made,
that is the chain stitch furthest from
the crochet hook.

3 4

You now have 2 loops on the crochet Wrap the skein end of the yarn around
hook. the crochet hook and pull it through the
2 loops on the crochet hook. You now
have a double crochet stitch.

Caveat
If you don’t m
UE
CONT IN
ake the slip kn
(i.e. crossing ot correctly
the skein end
tail end instea
d of the skein
of the yarn w
ith the short TO T HE
AGE.
NEX T P
end of the ya
the short tail rn crossing
end) that bloc
ks the croche
and you won’t ted ring
be able to pull
the opening c
A good slip kn losed.
ot is therefor
e very import
© Tessa van Riet-Ernst | www.woolytoons.com
ant!
 it’s
DO
YOUR BES

F UN
T!

Crocheting a flat circle – continued

5 6

Slip the crochet hook once more
through the second chain stitch on the
crochet hook, that is through the same
opening from where you created your
first stitch.
Draw the skein end of the yarn forward
so you achieve 2 loops on the crochet
hook. Then, again wrap the skein end of
the yarn around the crochet hook. Draw
the yarn through both loops and you
will have crocheted your second double
crochet stitch

7 8
page
15

Crochet 4 chain stitches in the second The circle should now resemble the one
chain stitch on the crochet hook. So, you shown in the photo.
crochet 6 double crochet from within
the same starting point.

9 10

Carefully pull the short tail end of the You can continue crocheting the circle
yarn. You will see that the opening full in accordance with the pattern. Start in
closes. Take care to keep the crochet the first of the 6 double crochet from
hook in the loop or that you increase the previous crochet row.
the size of the loop during this stage
to prevent your entire crochet work
from unravelling.

a n d round
Round und and
and ro and ...
round
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 How to crochet a basic oval shape

1 2

Make a slip knot and chain 7 stitches. Chain stitch 7 is the turning chain. Skip,
and insert the crochet hook into chain
stitch 6 and work back across the chain
using the double crochet stitch..

3 4

Work back across the chain and crochet
1 double crochet into each chain.
page
16
Crochet 2 double crochet in chain stitch
6 of the first row of chain stitches
(actually the first stitch crocheted on
the crochet hook). The work will
automatically curve.

5 6

Do not turn your work but continue to Insert the crochet hook through the
double crochet around the side and loops that have originated. Crochet 1
bottom of the first row of stitches. double crochet in each chain.

Round
and round
it goes. An and round
UE
CONT IN
TO T HE
stops nob d where it NEX T P
AGE.
ody know
s ...
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 IF YOU CA
N
COUNT UN
T IL
12 …

A basic oval shape - continued

7 8

Count the number of stitches when you Insert the crochet hook in both loops
reach the end of the chain. You should of the first double crochet stitch to
have 12 double crochet stitches. increase the oval shape according to
the pattern.

9 10

page
17
Do not turn your work. Continue to Your oval will increase automatically.
crochet around the side and bottom of Continue to follow the pattern until
the curve. complete.

B E G IN N IN G Y O U H AV E
IN T HE
PA Y A L IT T L E AT T ENT ION
TO
G A BA S IC
W HEN CRO CHE T IN
S H A P E , B U T A F T E R YOU GOT
OVAL
E D IT ’S P L A IN S A ILING!
S TART

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 S P L A S H OF
A
COLOUR!

How to join new yarn

When crocheting the amigurumi, you can change colour. You
can apply this method to both row- and round- crochet work.

1 2

Crochet a double crochet: slip your Draw the skein end of the yarn forward.
crochet hook underneath the two arcs
from the double crochet in the previous
crochet row.

3 4
page
18

You now have 2 loops on the crochet
hook. Take hold of the end of the skein
with the new colour.
Instead of the skein end of the old yarn,
you incorporate the new colour yarn
onto the crochet hook. Draw the new
yarn through the 2 remaining loops on
the crochet hook.

5 6

You now have one loop on the crochet Push the crochet hook underneath the 2
hook in the new colour. arcs of the following double crochet
stitch and draw the skein end of the
new colour forward.

UE TO
CONT IN
XT
T HE NE
PAGE.
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How to join new yarn – continued
7 8
You now have 2 loops in the new colour
on the crochet hook.
9 10
Crochet further with the new colour.
11
Cut the yarn of the old colour from its
skein. Tie the short tail end of the new
colour with a flat knot to the old colour.
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Wrap the skein end of the yarn again
over the crochet hook and draw this
through the 2 remaining loops. You now
have 1 double crochet in the new colour.
page
19
Ensure that any crochet work being
created with rows is straight and that
you’ve not missed a single stitch, not
even the end 2 arcs. Otherwise your
crochet work will be skewed.
12
Tie a double knot to be on the safe side,
to ensure the crochet work doesn’t
unravel.
T IE A
D OU BLE K
NOT
AND F INI
SHED!
 TOT SLOT

5 * HOW TO MAKE A CROCHET BALL

Stuffing and closing a sphere
1 2

Stuff the small part firmly. Thread the Pass the needle solely through the front
remaining yarn through a needle. loops of the remaining double crochet.

3 4
page
20

When you’ve threaded the yarn through Pull the yarn carefully and the opening
the front loops, the part should look like will slowly close.
the one shown in this photo.

Stuffing
When the opening is completely closed,
the part looks like this.
issor
h e p o int of a sc
Use t
needle
ip o f a crochet
or the t ts.
mall par
E
TA KE P RID
f v e r y s
to stuf

Y O U R W O RK!
IN
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Fastening off
It’s untidy if you see the fastening off stitches. This is how
you invisibly fasten off.

1 2

Pass the needle crosswise underneath Draw the yarn through the loop that
the opening and draw the yarn through. you made.
Leave a small loop.

3 4
page
21

Tighten the yarn and it’ll automatically Pass the yarn once more through the
form a knot. You can repeat this, just to work and randomly exit.
be on the safe side.

5 6

Cut the remaining thread. The sphere is complete.

Sewing thread
can be
Any leftover thread
ng piece
trimmed short. A lo
used to sew
of thread can also be
ther.
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various parts toge
do it yourself !

it’s
F UN