Crochet
Crochet is a way of creating fabric from yarn or thread using a crochet hook to pull loops of yarn through other loops. It is similar to knitting, except that usually only one loop is active at one time, and that a crochet hook is used instead of knitting needles. Also, crochet can not be made by machine. Crochet uses more yarn than knitting but is faster to make by hand.
Crochet is used to make clothing, household items like tablecloths, blankets and potholders, and toys. Lace is often made by crocheting, though it can be made by knitting and weaving as well.
Crocheting is also a great craft for younger children. The stitches are easy and their small hands are able to hold the crochet hook. They are also able to see progress very quickly and that motivates them to continue. It is very easy to start again after setting the project down, which will help to keep young people involved in the craft.
Stitch Abbreviations
Basic
- ch: chain stitch
- yoh: yarn over hook
- bl: back loops
- fl: front loops
- rs: right side
- ws: wrong side
- sc: single crochet
- dc: double crochet
- tc: triple crochet
- sk or sk st: skip stitch
- sl st: slip stitch
- rnd: round(s)
- *: repeat instructions following the "*"
Advanced
- bp: back post
- fp: front post
- bpdc: back post double crochet
- fpdc: front post double crochet
- tog: together
- dc2tog: double crochet 2 stitches together
- hdc: half double crochet
- dec: decrease
US and UK Terminologies
The US and the UK use different names for the same crochet stitches. If you are using a pattern, make sure you know if it uses US or UK terminology so you read it correctly.
Here are the main differences.
| US Name | UK Name |
|---|---|
| Single crochet (sc) | Double crochet (dc) |
| Double crochet (dc) | Treble crochet (tr) |
| Treble crochet (tr) | Double treble crochet (dtr) |
Crochet Media
Detail of a Portuguese crocheted tablecloth, about 1970
- Orvieto crochet.jpg
19th century crochet from Orvieto, Italy
- Illustration of a crocheted purse in the Dutch monthly publication, "Penélopé", from 1824.png
A crocheted purse described in 1823 in Penélopé
- Encyclopedie volume 2-140.png
Tambour embroidery in the Diderot Encyclopedia
- Tapered-hooks.png
Shepherd's hook, 19th-century tapered hook, modern inline hook
- Irish crochet.jpg
Irish crochet lace, late 19th century. The design of this example is closely based on Flemish needle lace of the 17th century.
- AnselAdamscrochet.jpg
Filet crochet by an internee at Manzanar War Relocation Center, 1943. Photograph by Ansel Adams
- Crochet cat example.jpg
Examples of crocheted articles of clothing made specifically for a cat
- Gold Short Jacket by Sybil Connolly - Button Detail.jpg
Detail on gold thread crochet in a mid-20th century short jacket designed by Sybil Connolly
- TapestryCrochetGuatemala.jpg
Bags and hacky sack tapestry crocheted in Guatemala
Other websites
- Learn to crochet: 5 basic crochet stitches Archived 2014-04-05 at the Wayback Machine
- Learn to crochet: Stitch Variations Archived 2014-12-17 at the Wayback Machine
- UK to US crochet conversion chart
