The art of crochet has been around for thousands of years.  People in earlier times who had means would purchase hand crocheted and knitted laces and fabrics for their opulent garments and décor.  Having these items showed others that you were a person of means and you led an opulent lifestyle. 

<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = \"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office\" /> 

Over the years, through industrialization and mass production of lace and fabrics, items made with crochet and knitting have gained popularity in the lower to middle classes and the upper classes started showing their wealth in other, more material, ways. 

Today, crochet and knitting are the craft art of choice for many people all over the world.  They are both handicrafts which are challenging to learn yet affordable for nearly everyone.  Supplies are easy to find to create some very amazing hand crafted items with the emergence of new yarns and colorful fibers.

As a beginner to the art of crochet, there are some simple things to learn to be successful.  Here are ten steps to get you started on your road to crochet success:

Step #1 – Gather Up Your Supplies – To crochet you will need a crochet hook, yarn, scissors and a large-eye needle. 

Step #2 – Holding Your Crochet Hook – You will want to hold your crochet hook in your dominant hand.  Create a slip-knot and place it over the end of your hook. 

Step #3 – Create a Continuous Stitch – Slide the hooked yarn to the slip-knot on the hook.  This will create a chain of stitches.  Continue to make this chain by brining your yarn to the top of the hook and pulling it through the slip-knot.

Step #4 – Move Up The Chain – Move up the chain allowing the first chain stitch to knot on the hook.  This allows the yarn to stay in place and not loosen.  It is generally a good idea to make this first knot tight rather than loose. 

Step #5 – Creating Two Loops – Next, insert your crochet hook into the hole of the next chain stitch and slide the passing yarn through its center. 

Step #6 – Bring Your Yarn Back – Bring your yarn back on the hook from back to front and slide your knot in the center of the loops which you have already created on the crochet hook. 

Step #7 – Making Rows – From your second yarn loop, create another single chain stitch and make a counter-clockwise loop.  Start again and create the same loops as the previous stitches. 

Step #8 – Crochet Until Done – Continue this basic crochet technique until you have a swatch of fabric.

Step #8 – Cut your Project Off – Once you have completed a swatch of fabric, it is time to remove it from your ball of yarn.  Cut it with about a 6” tail left at the end.

Step #9 – Fasten Your Project so it won’t Unravel - Bring your tail of yarn back through the last stitch to fasten it. 

Step #10 – Cut the Excess – At this point you are finished and can cut off the excess tail of yarn. 

Using these simple ten steps you can learn to successfully complete a basic crochet fabric.  Like any new skill, crochet takes time.  You will want to practice a lot at first and see what techniques and hand holds are the most comfortable for you.