We’re learning to crochet!
Yes, really. YOU.
If you’re new here, then hi! I’m Stacey, and I’m going to help you learn to crochet!
You’re going to want to head on over to Lesson 1 to get started! In that lesson, I give you my *amazing* free ebook download, help you choose a yarn and hook and teach you the basic crochet stitch.
Now that you’ve learned to single crochet and you’ve finished the first round of your adorable penguin, we’re ready to keep learning!
In this lesson, I’ll show you how to increase, count stitches and use a stitch marker. With these skills, you’ll practically be able to finish the whole penguin!
Let’s get crocheting!
Are you ready? Yeah! Let’s do this!
But before we get started, you’ll want to sign up for my newsletter. I’m going to get you started crocheting today, but you don’t want to miss the next lesson!
So, just pop your email in the box below!
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How to crochet the 2nd round
You’ve finished your first round. Yay! Now it’s time for the second.
The hardest part about crocheting is knowing where to put your hook for the next stitch. And the 2nd round is particularly tricky because you’re just getting started.
So, read this blog post which shows you where to insert your hook for the 2nd round.
And… I made you a video!
How to Increase in Single Crochet
Increasing in single crochet is really just single crocheting twice in the same stitch. Yup. Stick your hook into the same stitch for a second time and single crochet again.
Watch this video!
Increasing adds to the number of stitches on your work, so this is how we make your little penguin grow!
How to count your stitches
When you’re crocheting, you’ll want to count the number of stitches you have on each round to make sure you have the right number. It should match the number in parentheses in the pattern instructions.
Hop on over to this blog post to read about how to count your stitches.
Use a stitch marker!
I recommend using a stitch marker to help you count your rounds. Put a stitch marker in your last stitch when you have finished the round. When you are on top of the stitch marker, you’ve finished the round!
Check out this post for more helpful ways to use a stitch marker!
And go ahead. Treat yourself to some cute stitch markers!
Are you crocheting inside out?
As you’re crocheting, you may notice your work flopping back and forth. Maybe you feel like you’re crocheting inside out.
But don’t fret! Watch my little video and I’ll tell you why you’re not doing anything wrong!
All you have to keep in mind is to turn it to the right-side-out before stuffing!
Look at you! You’re a crocheter!
What? You don’t feel like a ‘real’ crocheter yet? I hear you. I hear it from my students all the time.
But here’s the deal, you’re learning something entirely new. Your fingers are doing things they’ve never done before. And there is no such thing as ‘real’ crocheters. I mean, you’re crocheting, aren’t you? Look at all you’ve done. You can:
- tackle the overwhelming number of yarn choices available and pick one to work with
- pick a crochet hook (again, probably amid oodles of choices)
- single crochet
- increase
- count your crocheted rounds
- use a stitch marker
- AND read real, written patterns
Wow! That’s amazing!
In the next lesson, I’ll show you the steps you need to finish crocheting your penguin! If you’re feeling adventurous, feel free to continue working your way through the Beginner’s Guide!
I’ll see you next time!
If you aren’t ready to take the next step (we haven’t learned decreasing yet!), but want to keep practicing, then I recommend that you set your penguin body aside and crochet the other pieces like the eye circles and tummy!
You’re almost there… aren’t you so proud?
And make sure you’re signed up for my newsletter (box on the right!)