How to Crochet: Basic Stitches Part 1

Hello again! Today is the second part of the How to Crochet class! We'll start with an instructional video and then I will go over each bit individually written out as well! So if you learn better by reading, then don't worry I have something here for you as well. Just a quick apology for the amount of cleavage in the video, my mother was filming over my shoulder and somehow didn't notice the angle she had down my shirt. (I was unable to coerce her into shooting it again)

Now onto the written part!

Vocabulary

• Slip Knot: A slip knot is the beginning of crocheting your project, though sometimes is changed out for a "magic circle" which will be detailed in another lesson. To perform a slip knot, using your non-dominant hand, palm facing towards your face, lay the tail end of the string across your hand. Then Wrap it around your index finger creating an x that faces you while your palm faces you. Turn your hand so that the two lines of string are facing you. Slip your hook under the first string, and snag the other with it. Pull it through. What you have created is a slip knot. Tighten it around your hook and you are ready to begin.
• Yarn Over: Yarn over is a fancy way of saying "get that string on your hook" 
• Chain (Ch): Many, but not all,  projects begin with a foundation row created with a chain. To make a chain take your hook with a slip knot around it, loop it around the string and pull it through. Do this until you have what looks like a braid with the number of braid segments that the instructions require.
• Slip Stitch (Sl St): A slip stitch is good for when you want to finish off a project, or make some form of decorative detail around the edges, as well as for when you are crocheting in the round. To perform a slip stitch turn your work (do not chain) slip your hook through the previous stitch, yarn over and pull it through the stitch as well as the loop you have on your hook. 
• Single Crochet (SC): The single crochet stitch is used a lot in amigurumi as well as other smaller project where not a lot of stretch is required. To perform a single crochet stitch chain one off of your previous row and turn your work. Then slip your hook through the previous stitch, yarn over, pull it through, yarn over again and pull that loop through the previous two loops. 
• Half Double Crochet (HDC): The half double crochet stitch is used a lot in projects where you want a slight bit more stretch in your work, or you're trying to get more area done than if you were using a single crochet stitch. To perform this stitch chain two off of your previous row, turn your work, yarn over, slip your hook through the previous stitch, yarn over, pull through (You should now have 3 loops on your hook) yarn over again and pull that loop through the three already on your hook. 
• Double Crochet (DC): This stitch is used when you want to make a lot of area quickly, or when you want to have a bit of stretch in your project. To perform this stitch chain three off of your previous row, turn your work, yarn over, slip your hook through the previous stitch, yarn over, pull it through (now it should look identical to an HDC) yarn over again and pull through just two loops on your hook. Which will leave you with two left. Yarn over again and pull through the last two. 
• Finishing off: To do this yarn over and pull through the loop left on your hook. Pull it tight to create a knot then cut the loop. 

If you have any questions or concerns feel free to leave a comment on this post and I will respond as soon as possible! Have a good day and practice until next week!