The Beginners’ Guide to Crochet is a 164-page guide full of step-by-step tutorials and gorgeous projects, as seen in Simply Crochet magazine. With jargon-free instructions, we cover all the basics (and beyond), including a chapter on amigurumi.

Beginner's Guide to Crochet

Welcome…

3 ISSUES FOR £5 • WHEN YOU SUBSCRIBE TODAY!

MATERIALS & TOOLS • In this chapter, we’ll take you through all the equipment you need to start crocheting. There are tempting yarns, beautiful hooks, and some handy extras for your project bag…

YARNS • Discover a world of possibilities with the huge range of yarns available to buy, in many fibres and all the colours imaginable!

YARN WEIGHTS • Choose the right yarn for your crochet project

YARN LABELS • How to read the ball band on your yarn

HOOKS AND TOOLS • Let’s get straight to the point: you can’t crochet without them!

TYPES OF HOOK • Choose the right hook for your project

FOLLOWING A PATTERN • Here’s our guide to understanding a typical crochet pattern

GLOSSARY • A guide to basic terms, from slipknots to surface crochet

ABBREVIATIONS • It’s easy to learn the language of a crochet pattern!

BASIC TECHNIQUES • Your crochet adventures will start right here. Relax and indulge in some quiet time to play with yarn and hook. Sit down at a table or desk and in less than an hour, you’ll be a crocheter…

START CROCHETING HERE • Time to pick up your hook and yarn and start crocheting…

HOLD YOUR HOOK • Find a comfy way to hold your hook – not too tight!

MAKE A SLIPKNOT • Start crocheting by making one simple loop

OTHER METHODS • Feel free to use your own method to make a slipknot

HOLD YOUR YARN • Practise weaving the yarn between your fingers

CONTROL THE YARN • How best to control the loop on the hook

CHAIN STITCH • Create a foundation chain to work stitches into

FOUNDATION CHAINS • The key way to start off your crocheting

CHAIN ANATOMY • Get to know your chain length and start counting

CHAIN STITCH NECKLACE • Make versatile jewellery with easy lengths of simple chain stitches.

SLIP STITCH • A handy technique that’s not often used as a stitch!

MAKE A SLIP STITCH • Practise working this essential crochet technique

DOUBLE CROCHET FABRIC • This super-easy stitch forms a dense, sturdy fabric

WORK INTO CHAINS • Start crocheting by working stitches into your chain length

DOUBLE CROCHET STITCH • Create your first crochet stitch – it’s really easy!

HOW TO COUNT STITCHES • Check that you have the right number of crochet stitches

DOUBLE CROCHET ROWS • Create more rows of double crochet to make fabric

TURNING CHAINS • Use these ‘extra’ stitches to bring the hook up to the height of the next row

STITCH ANATOMY • How to work into the back loop or front loop of a stitch

DOUBLE CROCHET FRILL • Dress up a simple T-shirt or top with Nicky Hale’s gorgeous little button-studded ruffle.

FASTEN OFF & WEAVE IN • Secure and neaten the ends of your finished project

CUTTING CREW • We take a look at the sharp end of knitting with our top pick of scissors and snips.

TREBLE CROCHET FABRIC • This very popular stitch forms a medium density fabric

TREBLE INTO CHAINS • How to work treble stitches into your foundation chain

TREBLE CROCHET STITCH • Create your next crochet stitch – it’s very simple to do

HOW TO COUNT STITCHES • Check that you have the right number of crochet stitches

TURNING CHAINS • This very popular stitch forms a medium density fabric

TENSION SQUARES •...