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How to Crochet in the Round

Crocheting in the round is a method used for crocheting items such as hats, stuffed animals, granny squares, bags, and a multitude of other items. Learning how to crochet in the round will broaden your ability to create products. Many people use a magic ring to start their round, but for a beginner, it’s easier to start with a chain as your ring.

Different patterns will instruct your number of chains to be different and other type of stitches may be used as well, but the technique will still be the same.

You will need:

#4 Worsted Weight Yarn (Light in color and not textured will be the easiest to learn with)

5mm Crochet Hook

 

Start with a slip knot on your hook

 

  1. Chain 4
  2. Slip stitch into the first chain you made. This creates a circle.
  3. Chain 1. (This is to increase your height for the next row. It is not a stitch, you will not work into it.)
  4. Make 6 single crochet into your circle. *Pull your loop up through the middle of the circle, not into the chains.
  5. Slip stitch into the first single crochet that you made.

The rest will now be worked into the top of your stitches like normal.

You have just crocheted the first round! To do the second round:

  • Chain 1
  • Make 2 single crochet into every stitch around. (Total of 12 single crochet at the end of this round)
  • Slip stitch into the first single crochet of that round.

That’s it! You’ve just learned to crochet in the round. The pattern that you’re following will give you the specific number of stitches and the type of stitches to use but it will all be similar to this technique.

Happy Crocheting!!

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How to do Basic Crochet Stitches

Hello, lovely people!

Today, I’m going to be teaching you the 4 most basic and commonly used crochet stitches – Single Crochet (sc), Half Double Crochet (hdc), Double Crochet (dc), and Treble Crochet (tr). The projects you can make using just these 4 are endless. This is the second post following the beginner’s guide to crochet which teaches you how to do a slip knot on your hook, how to make your foundation chain and how to do slip stitches.

Start off with your foundation chain using as many stitches as needed for your project. Just for practice, I recommend doing a chain of at least 10 and repeating over and over again until you’re comfortable in your stitches. Make sure you’re not doing your foundation chain too tight or it will make working into it very difficult. If you find that you keep making it too tight, use a larger hook for the foundation chain and then switch back to your regular hook to work the stitches.

For practicing new stitches, it’s best to use a medium weight yarn that is light in color so you can see your stitches better, and a 5mm crochet hook.

 

 

Single Crochet (sc)

Insert your hook into the second chain from the hook. Yarn over, pull through the first loop. (You now have two loops remaining on hook.) Yarn over, pull through the last two loops.

 

Half Double Crochet (hdc)

Yarn over, insert your hook into the 3rd chain from your hook. Yarn over, pull through the first loop. (You now have 3 loops on hook) Yarn over, pull through remaining 3 loops.

 

 

Double Crochet (dc)

Yarn over, insert hook into the 4th chain from hook. Yarn over, pull through first loop. (You now have 3 loops on your hook.) Yarn over, pull through first two loops on hook. Yarn over, pull through last two loops on hook.

 

 

Treble Crochet (tr)

Yarn over twice, insert your hook into the 5th chain from hook. Yarn over, pull through first loop. (You will now have 4 loops on hook.) Yarn over, pull through first two loops. Yarn over, pull through next two loops. Yarn over, pull through last two loops.

 

Repetition is key for mastering any crochet stitch. These will feel more natural the more you practice them. Until next time, stay safe and happy crocheting!

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Hair Scarf Crochet Pattern | Beginner Friendly

I’m not really a hair person. I like to look put together but most of the time, I cannot be bothered to do anything with my hair besides brush it. Now that it’s getting hot, between sweat and the humidity, any type of heat styling is useless by time I get to my destination.

I quit wearing makeup, mainly because my skin gets angry and lashes out in the form of cystic pimples and blackheads. I can think about foundation and get a pimple. (Yes, I’ve tried numerous BB creams and acne treatment ones as well. Yes, my skin care routine is consistent but I digress.) Not only has my lack of makeup made me feel more free, and helped my acne, it’s also saved me a lot of time. Still, not time I wish to spend on my hair. I needed something quick and stylish for my hair. That’s where the idea for this hair scarf came in. It’s perfect for adding a little flare to my untamed locks. I’ve made multiple colors to tie in the colors of whatever outfit I’m wearing. It’s almost as if I’m putting a lot of effort into my hair style. Don’t tell anyone otherwise.

This crochet project is so easy and quick to make. You can make multiple ones in a single day and quickly have all the colors you need. I wear mine tied in the front like a knotted headband. Perfect for when I have my hair in a messy bun! I also like the same style when my hair is down. Tying them around a bun with the ends hanging down in the back is really cute too! These hair scarves are stretchy so I make them so they’re pulled tight when tied to stay in place.

Materials Needed:

  • Worsted Weight #4 Yarn
  • 5 mm Crochet Hook
  • Scissors
  • Yarn Needle

Abbreviations/ Stitches Used:

  • Stitch (st)
  • Chain (ch)
  • Half Double Crochet (hdc)
  • Double Crochet (dc)
  • Double Crochet Decrease (dc dec)

*Notes- Ch. 1 is a turning chain that does not count as a stitch. In every row, begin your work in first stitch unless stated otherwise. Most people use ch. 2 for double crochet but I choose to use just 1 because I prefer the look in this project.

I do not single crochet around this project for clean edges, I like the look of textured edges in this hair scarf. You could single crochet around your hair scarf if you choose but keep in mind that it will make your project a bit wider.

Let’s Get Started!

Ch 2

Row 1: Make 1 hdc, 1 dc, and another hdc in second ch from hook.

Row 2: 1 dc in first two st. 2 dc in last st.

Row 3: 1 dc in first 3 st. 2 dc in last st.

Row 4: Make 1 dc in each st along row. (5 st)

Row 5-41: Repeat row #4

Row 42: 1 dc in first 2 st. 1 dc dec in second st. 1 dc in last st.

Row 43: 1 dc in first st. 1 dc dec in second st. 1 dc in last st.

Row 44: 1 dc in first st. 1 dc dec in second.

Fasten off, weave in any ends.

 

I hope you enjoyed this sweet and simple pattern. I’d love to see your finished projects. Please tag @homesweetsimpson in your Instagram photos and follow for more patterns and updates. Until next time, stay safe and happy crocheting!

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Newborn Diaper Cover Crochet Pattern | Beginner Friendly

Hey, fancy folks!

We made it to the weekend! Everyone give yourself a pat on the back. What better way to kick off a weekend than a good crochet project?

These newborn diaper covers are perfect for photoshoots! They’re adjustable and customizable. They can have one button in the middle, or two buttons. Placing one button, or two in the middle are perfect for smaller babies or preemie size. Placing two buttons on the outermost edges is best for a newborn size or 1 month old and still has adjustability to fit smaller babies.

This project is fairly quick to make and is beginner friendly. I tried to make this pattern as simple as possible, without difficult increases or decreases and only using basic stitches. I’m confident that anyone can make this diaper cover!

Want to download and print the ad-free pattern? You can get it here.

Materials Needed:

  • -#4 Worsted Weight Yarn
  • -5mm Crochet Hook
  • -Yarn Needle
  • -Sewing Needle
  • -Embroidery Thread or Regular Sewing Thread (for
    sewing on buttons)
  • -1-2 Buttons
  • -Scissors
  • Abbreviations/ Stitches Used:
  •  
  • -Stitch (st)
  • -Chain (ch)
  • -Slip Stitch (sl st)
  • -Half Double Crochet (hdc)
  • -Double Crochet (dc)
  • -Single Crochet (sc)
    *Note- In this pattern, turning chains (ch 1 or ch 2)
    do not count as a stitch.

Let’s Get Started!


Ch 40
Row 1: Hdc in second st and continue until the end of row
(39 st total)
Row 2: Ch 2, dc in first st. Continue until the end of row.
Row 3: Ch 1, hdc in the first st. Continue until the end of
row.
Row 4: Sl st 10. Starting in st #11, hdc in each st until you
reach a total of 19 hdc. *Do not work in the remaining 10 st
of row.
Row 5: Ch 1, make 19 hdc starting in first st.
Row 6&7: Repeat row #5
Row 8: Ch 1, make 18 hdc starting in first st. *Do not do
last st.
Row 9: Ch 1, make 17 hdc starting in first st. *Do not do
last st.
Row 10: Ch 1, make 16 hdc starting in first st. *Do not do
last st.
Row 11: Ch 1, make 15 hdc starting in first st. *Do not do
last st.Row 12: Ch 1, make 14 hdc starting in first st. *Do not do
last st.
Row 13: Ch 1, make 13 hdc starting in first st. *Do not do
last st.
Row 14: Ch 1, make 12 hdc starting in first st. *Do not do last st.

Row 15-17: Ch 1, make 12 hdc starting in first st.
Row 18: Make 2 hdc in first st of row. Make 1 hdc in the
next 10 st. Make 2 hdc in the last st of row.
Row 19: Make 2 hdc in first st of row. Make 1 hdc in the
next 12 st. Make 2 hdc in the last st of row.
Row 20: Make 2 hdc in first st of row. Make 1 hdc in the
next 14 st. Make 2 hdc in the last st of row.
Row 21: Make 2 hdc in first st of row. Make 1 hdc in the
next 16 st. Make 2 hdc in the last st of row.

  • To finish and clean up sides: sc all the way around edge of
    diaper cover.
  • Fasten off and weave in ends of yarn.
  • Sew on buttons on front of diaper cover.
Sew buttons on front of diaper cover
  • Safety Note: be sure to sew on buttons as securely as possible to
    prevent any coming off. Newborns typically aren’t tuggers on
    clothing yet, but it’s best to err on the side of caution when
    creating all baby items to prevent any choking or other type of
    hazard

*All tools that I used in this project (and most of my projects) are from this set which contains everything you would need for any crochet project. From hooks, scissors, needles/pins, stitch markers, measuring tape, and more! It’s so compact and my go-to case to take anywhere.

I hope you enjoyed this pattern, follow Home Sweet Simpson on Instagram for more project inspirations. Until next time, stay safe and happy crocheting!

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Beginner’s Guide to Crochet

Hello, lovely people!

It’s another gorgeous, rainy, day and I have finally gotten around to finishing a few crochet projects that I’ve been working on.

I have been crocheting since I was a wee-little 8 year old. My aunt taught me and gave me my first book on learning to crochet. Since then, I haven’t stopped. In fact, I’ve even convinced all (three) of my friends to crochet. Today, I will teach you in three simple steps.

I’m going to assume that you have just bought your first ball of yarn and hook. I’m going to explain the steps as if you have never even heard of crochet before. I will teach you how to get your yarn on the hook, a.k.a. a slip knot, how to do a foundation chain (the first stitches to start a project), and how to slip stitch.

In my next post, I will teach you the most basic stitches. Those stitches will carry you through so many projects and are virtually limitless.

Let’s not get ahead of ourselves though. Let’s get down to the basics.

1. The Slip Knot

The slip knot is basically just how you get the yarn onto your hook. There’s various ways that people do a slip knot. When I first began, I would always just tie a knot around my hook and go from there. Now while that can work, you run the risk of a knot that’s too tight.

To do a slip knot, you will wrap the yarn around two fingers making a circle and pull the back of the yarn through the circle with your hook.

2. Chain

A chain, or foundation chain, will be the first step to almost all projects you will make. To do a chain, you will wrap the yarn around your hook and pull it through your slip knot. You will repeat until you reach your desired length.

3. Slip-Stitch

The slip-stitch is a type of stitch that is mainly used for connecting stitches together or going across stitches. You can use it for projects but it doesn’t build height quickly. It is still a stitch that you will use very often in projects and it will get you used to working back and fourth on your chain.

To do a slip-stitch: Complete your chain and turn so that you will be working in the opposite direction. Insert your hook into the first stitch of the chain, wrap your yarn around your hook and pull it through both loops. Think of it just like a chain except first inserting your hook into another stitch.

And BAM, just like that, you have learned the basics of crochet.

Rest assured that at first, your work may look funky. It does take practice to see your stitches look more even. A common mistake that I see beginners do is pulling your chain too tight, This creates a tension that is too tight. It will come to you as you continue to practice.

Please let me know if this was helpful to you. Please tag Home Sweet Simpson in your work on Instagram. I would love to see!

Take care, stay safe! Love you all.