This is the standard way to place the next set of stitches and, unless a pattern says otherwise, this is how all the stitches should be worked.
Across the top of each crochet stitch is a little ‘V’ formed by the yarn. Insert the hook through the work so that it slides under both of the bars that make up this ‘V’ (fig. O).
FIGURE O
Working into chain stitches
As with all other crochet stitches, a chain stitch has a ‘V’ of yarn on one side, with a third bar of yarn running across the back.
When working into a chain stitch, insert the hook through the centre of the ‘V’, picking up the underneath bar at the same time. This leaves just the front bar of the ‘V’ not enclosed in the stitch (fig. P).
FIGURE P
Working into the front (or back) of a stitch
By picking up just the front (or back) bar of the ‘V’ different effects can be created.
To work into the front loop (or bar) only, insert the hook through the work by sliding it under just the front bar that forms the ‘V’, and thereby picking and enclosing just one strand of yarn in the stitch. The remaining bar of yarn that formed the ‘V’ will sit on the surface of the work, forming a neat line across it (fig. Q).
FIGURE Q
Working into the back loops (or bars) only in the same way will leave a line across the opposite side of the work (fig. R).
FIGURE R
Working between stitches
Rather than working a new stitch into the top of the existing stitches, a new stitch can be worked between the stitches of the previous row. Obviously this is a lot easier to do if the previous stitches were tall stitches and it’s easy to see where one stitch ends and the next stitch begins!
FIGURE S
To work a stitch between the stitches of the previous row, simply insert the hook through the work between the ‘stalks’ that make up the previous stitches. Working stitches in this way means you are not adding as much height to the work as you would if you were working into the top of them, and you are enclosing the strands of yarn that join the two stitches in this new stitch (fig S).
Working into chain spaces
A stitch pattern that is made of up lengths of chain between other crochet stitches will have what is termed a chain space (ch sp) underneath the length of chain stitches. To work into a chain space, simply insert the hook through this ‘hole’ before wrapping the yarn around the hook to make the new stitch (fig. T).
FIGURE T
MAKING FABRICS
Crochet stitches can be joined together to make a crochet fabric in two ways – in rows, or in rounds.
Working in rows
Working backwards and forwards in rows of crochet stitches that all sit neatly on top of each other forms a flat fabric. Each row of new stitches is worked from the right towards the left. At the end of the row, the work is turned and the next row of stitches is again worked from right to left. At the beginning of each row, the working loop, and the hook, needs to be raised up to the height of the stitches that are to be used for this new row. To do this, a short length of chain – known as a turning chain – is made. The length of this chain varies depending on the type of stitch being worked. Sometimes this length of chain will take the place of the first stitch of the new row, sometimes it won’t – but your pattern should tell you whether it does or not. If the turning chain does count as the first stitch of the row, you must work into the top chain stitch when working back across the stitches so that no accidental decreases are made and the number of stitches remains constant (fig. V).
FIGURE V
Working in rounds
As there is only ever one crochet stitch on the hook at any one time, it’s really easy to work circular pieces of crochet by working round and round the work, instead of in rows. These circular pieces of crochet can form flat disks or tubes. Each new round of crochet is worked in the same sort of way as each new row of crochet, and at the beginning of each round there will be the turning chain. But, to join the end of each round to the beginning of it – and thereby form a tube or flat disk – the last stitch needs to be joined to the first stitch. Once all the stitches of the new round are complete, the ends are usually joined by working a slip stitch into the top of the turning chain (fig. W). When working in rounds of crochet there is no real need to turn the work at the end of each round. However, as crochet stitches look different on one side to the other, sometimes a pattern will tell you to turn the work after each round so that the required effect is created. If the pattern says ‘turn’, then you should. If it doesn’t, then don’t!
FIGURE W
FASTENING OFF
Once a crochet section is completed, there will still be the one working loop – or stitch – on the hook.
To permanently fasten off this last stitch, cut the yarn about 10–12 cm (4–5 in) from the work. Take the yarn around the hook in the usual way and draw this cut end of yarn through the last stitch. Pull gently on the cut end to tighten the last stitch. Depending on how the pieces are to be joined together, cut the yarn so that a long end is left as this can be used to sew the seams.
SHAPING IN CROCHET
Obviously not all garments are made up of straight pieces of crochet, or shapeless tubes! So, at