Holding the Crochet Hook

Crochet is an ambidextrous activity. Both hands are used. The hook is held in the right hand and the yarn is held in the left hand.

Hold the crochet hook in your right hand. Grasp the hook between your thumb and middle finger with the index finger extended and resting near the tip of the hook. The remaining shaft of the hook should pass under the palm of your hand.

Hold the hook lightly and securely. If your hand is cramping, you are gripping the hook too tight. Beginners have a tendency to hold the hook too tightly while learning, making it more difficult to crochet properly. Just take notice of your grip and remind yourself to relax while you are learning.

Holding the Yarn

The pinky wrapped method creates yarn tension by wrapping a complete circle of yarn around the little finger of the left hand. The pinky wrap provides the correct tension for even crochet. Even crochet is very important! Your yarn tension affects guage which determines the dimensions (length and width) of the finished piece..

Place a slip knot on the crochet hook. If you are unfamiliar with how to make a slip knot, see making a slip knot under beginning techniques for knitting. Holding the yarn in the right hand, pass the yarn over and then around the pinky finger (counter-clockwise), over the ring finger, under the middle finger and over the index finger. The index finger guides the yarn around the hook while working.

Hold the bottom of the slip knot between the thumb and middle finger of your left hand as illustrated in the picture.

You are now ready to crochet!

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