How to Double Crochet

     If you have already crocheted one round, follow these instructions exactly. If not, you will need to crochet a foundation chain a couple of stitches longer than what you need; you will also need to insert the crochet hook into the back loop instead of both (this is always done for the foundation chain).

     To Double Crochet (dc), wrap your yarn around your crochet hook.

     Now, insert your crochet hook under both of the loops of the first stitch.

     Wrap the yarn around your crochet hook and pull it through the stitch you just picked up (using your crochet hook, not your fingers!).

     Wrap the yarn over your hook again and pull through two loops.

     Wrap the yarn around your hook one more time and pull it through the two remaining loops.

     You have now completed one Double Crochet stitch! Continue doing Double Crochet and your swatch will look like this. 

How to Single Crochet

     To Single Crochet (sc), you will need to make a chain. Then, insert your crochet hook into the back of the stitch next to your hook.

     Wrap the yarn from the front to the back of your hook and pull it through the stitch you just picked up.

     Now wrap the yarn around your hook again and pull it through both of the stitches on your hook.

     You have now made a Single Crochet stitch! Continue until the end of the row. Then, chain one.

     Continue to Single Crochet with a slight change, picking up (instead of the back loop) both the front and back loops.

How to Crochet a Chain

     Now I know you're probably wondering, "What happened to the knitting instructions?" Well, I am currently working on a crocheted project that I won't finish for a while ( I need to get more yarn), and decided to blog about crocheting.

 Here we go:

     To crochet a chain, make a slip knot around your hook.

     Then, wrap the yarn from the front of the hook to the back.

     Turn the crochet hook so that it is facing away from you and pull through the slip knot (try to use the crochet hook and not your fingers; fingers are much slower:) ).

     You have now chained one stitch! Continue to chain (being careful not to twist it) until you have the number of stitches required for your project.

Go Gryffindor!

     Well, it is official! I have completed my second Prisoner of Azkaban scarf (seriously, I've washed it and everything)!

This time, however, I made it for myself (Zachary's scarf was just so awesome, I couldn't NOT make myself one)... And it only took 13 days.

     I used I Love This Yarn brand and, oddly enough, I LOVE that yarn!

     Now, the finished product!

     If you would like to make this scarf, go to: atypically.knit

How to Make Fringe

     Fringe is super easy and looks FABULOUS!

To make fringe, you will need: scissors, a crochet hook, and at least one color of yarn (you can mix colors, if you like).

     Cut at least three pieces of yarn (for each tassle) a little more than twice the desired length of the fringe. It helps if you group them together.

     Insert your crochet hook into the bottom of your garment.

     Place three strands of yarn on top of your crochet hook.

     Now pull the strands of yarn partway through the garment, making a loop.

     Place the resulting six strands over your hook again and pull through the loop.

     You have now made one tassle!!!

     Continue making fringe (making sure to space them evenly); then, trim the bottom.

How to Weave in Ends

     When switching between colors or skeins of yarn, you tie knots, finish the garment, and... What do you do with all of those strands of yarn poking out? 

     To make help keep the knots from untying, you weave in the ends!

     This is really easy and good to know. All you will need for this is a crochet hook and a few fingers to hold it.

     To begin, insert your crochet hook into one of the stitches on the backside (ws) of your garment.

     Wrap the strands of yarn from one of your knots around the crochet hook (yo). 

     Pull the yarn through the stitch.

     Repeat this at least four times to make sure your knot won't untie. It will make a ridge.

How to Make Cables

     To make a cable, all you will need is:

 1) yarn

 2) knitting needles

 3) a cable needle or a spare DPN

     Below is a picture of two different cable needles.

     Begin by knitting up to the point that you wish to make the cable and purl a stitch or two (this helps the cable stand out). 

     Slip however many stitches as needed onto your cable needle and hold it in the front of your work (if you want the cable to twist left). If you want the cable to twist right, hold the needle in the back of your work.

     Knit as many stitches from your left-hand needle as you have on your cable needle.

     Knit the stitches from the cable needle.

     Purl as many stitches as you did before you made the cable, and voilà! You have made a cable!

     Knit a few rounds (purling before the cable, knitting the cable, purling after it) and repeat.