{ decoding stitches }

As if having different systems for crochet hook sizes wasn't enough, there are also differences between crochet symbols and abbreviations between the US and the UK.

Here are a few handy tables to keep in your back pocket that should help you decode any crochet chart or pattern:



And here's the difference:

If you like a crochet chart as opposed to reading a pattern, this table below is for you! I find it's handy to have as many free crochet charts available online come from Japan, so unless you know Japanese, you wouldn't be able to take advantage of the pattern description; chart, however, is another matter.

There are a number of "fancier" stitches that you might across more elaborate projects, but this should suffice for now. If I use something new, I will let you know its symbol.

Source:
Simply Crochet Magazine

{ tools of the trade - yarn and other useful stuff }

Before I forget, let's talk yarn for a minute.

If you've been to a store, I'm sure by now you've noticed various symbols on the little paper wrapping of the yarn. As with everything else these days, the possibilities are endless when it comes to yarn: natural fibers, man-made fibers, novelty yarn, ribbon, etc. It comes in different weights (thickness) and length of the ball/skein.

Here's a really good chart from the Craft Yarn Council to help you choose the appropriate size of the hook (or knitting needles) for any given yarn: Standard Yarn Weight System. And if you are really curious to know more about types of materials used to make yarn then read About Knitting Yarn.

Now you've got your yarn, you've got your hook... what else would you likely need? I have a few other inexpensive tools handy to help me finish projects:

First is the knitting safety pins (sans coil). Due to lack of time, I often don't finish my projects in one sitting, so it's nice to have the last finished stitch secured with , rather than having a hook slip right out unraveling some of the rows and losing count. So these things are very handy, and also for me, the smaller one doubles as a stitch marker.

Second, yarn needles (steel or plastic). You CAN finish your project by weaving yarn in with a crochet hook, but using a yarn needle is much easier and achieve a cleaner finished look.

Other handy (optional) stuff to have are small scissors, some sort of storage for all of your tools, gauge counter, and needle threaders, just to name a few.

{ tools of the trade - crochet hooks}

So you've decided to crochet... There are lost of various tools that you can purchase from your local craft store (mine has a pretty decent selection).

First, of course, you'll need a hook or two (or three, or a set, etc.).

What you want to know about crochet hooks:

My personal collection of steel, aluminium & plastic hooks

There are endless choices, when it comes to hooks. There are those made of plastic, metal (steel or aluminium), with soft gel-like grip, etc. There are different sizing systems as well (letters, numbers and metric system are used). Some even come in funky colours. Personally, I prefer metal hooks. Those of really small sizes - think, lace hooks - are usually metal. The really chunky hooks are generally plastic.

TIP: I find that using a plastic hook for large projects, such as a blanket, is easier on my fingers.

Let's talk about hooks sizes because they are important. Usually, one tries to match the size of the hook to the thickness of any given yarn, unless you want to spice it up a bit and create a looser/tighter end result.

There is no international standard for hook sizes, so you might often see a reference to a letter/number and/or a metric size. Some of these might be confusing as different countries use different sizes, or don't even have a specific "name size" associated with some sizes at all. Here's what I've been able to compile from various sources (there is some discrepancy among them):

As you can see, the U.S. lettering/numbering may vary, so I generally rely on metric sizing (plus, that's the actual measurement of the hook size anyway), but it's nice to have this chart handy.

Sources:
Wikipedia: List of US standard crochet hook sizes
Jackie's Crochet & Knitting: Crochet Hook Conversion Chart
Pani Anya: Hook Sizes (in Russian)
Yarn Forward: Crochet Hook Sizes and Conversions
Look At What I Made: Crochet Hook Sizes and Abbreviations

{ introduction }

Hello and welcome,

First, let me introduce this blog – I love to crochet, and anytime I see colourful yarn, I’m just itching to buy it and start crocheting immediately. Time, unfortunately, is often lacking… however, I would consider crocheting on my list of hobbies, so I try to find even a little time.

I’m yet to try something more elaborate and complicated, but as it is for now, my projects consist mostly of hats, baby blankets and the like. Here, I will share my accomplishments (complete with free patterns) and any tips I uncover along the way.

Happy crocheting!