How to Crochet

Loop Explanations
Throughout patterns you will be given instructions for which loop to place your hook under.
The above graphic demonstrates the loops
Post Stitch
For some stitches you will be instructed to place your hook around a post (either from the front or back).
The above graphic demonstrates the procedure
Back Ridge

Chain Stitch:

This is the basic foundation for most crochet. Once the chain is begun, yarn over hook and pull through loop on hook.
Continue till desired length or amounts of stitches are aquired
Single Crochet:

Insert hook in stitch, yarn over hook and pull through stitch (2 loops now on hook), yarn over hook and pull through both loops on hook.		 Half Double Crochet:

Yarn over hook once, insert hook in stitch; yarn over hook and pull through stitch (3 loops now on hook), yarn over hook and pull through all 3 loops on hook.
Double Crochet:

Yarn over hook once, insert hook in stitch; yarn over hook and pull through stitch (3 loops now on hook),
* yarn over hook and pull through 2 loops on hook; repeat from * once more.		 Triple Crochet:

Yarn over hook twice, insert hook in stitch; yarn over hook and pull through stitch (4 loops now on hook),
* yarn over hook and pull through 2 loops on hook; repeat from * twice more.
Double Triple Crochet:

yarn over hook and pull through stitch (5 loops now on hook),
* yarn over hook and pull through 2 loops on hook; repeat from * 3 times more.		 Triple Triple Crochet:

Yarn over hook 4 times, insert hook in stitch; yarn over hook and pull through stitch (6 loops now on hook),
* yarn over hook and pull through 2 loops on hook; repeat from * 4 times more.
Slip Stitch:

Insert hook in stitch, yarn over hook and pull through stitch and loop on hook.		 Popcorn Stitch:

There are many variations of the popcorn stitch, but most patterns illustrate the stitch very clearly.
The above is a double crochet popcorn stitch
double crochet in 4th chain from hook on foundation chain. Chain 1, 5 double crochet in next chain. Remove hook from loop remaining on hook. Insert hook (as shown above) in the chain stitch preceding the 5 double crochet group, catch dropped loop with hook and draw it through the chain stitch. Pull tight. One popcorn stitch made. The loop that was just drawn through the chain stitch is the joining loop of the popcorn stitch.
Cluster Stitch:

Keeping last loop of each stitch on hook, work specified number of stitches in same space or stitch; yarn over hook and pull through all loops on hook.		 V Stitch:
Below is one example

For practice: Make a foundation chain of multiples of 4.
In 5th chain from hook, make double crochet, chain 3, double crochet. One V stitch made.
Skip next 3 chain, in next chain make double crochet, chain 3, and double crochet. Another V stitch made.
Repeat this step across chain to within last 3 chain.
Skip next 2 chain, double crochet in last chain. Chain 3, turn. In the chain 3 space of next V stitch make double crochet, chain 3, and double crochet.
One V stitch over V stitch made.
Repeat this step in each V stitch space across row. Double crochet in top of turning chain, chain 3, turn.
Repeat these steps for desired length. Fasten off.
Waffle Stitch:

crochetFor practice: make a foundation chain of multiples of 4 + 1 Stitches.
Double crochet in 4th chain from hook and in each chain across.
Chain 1, turn. Picking up the front loop only of each stitch, single crochet in first 3 double crochet, * chain 1, skip next stitch, single crochet in next 3 double crochet. Repeat from * across,ending with chain 1, skip next stitch, single crochet in last 2 double crochet and in top of turning chain. A ridge has been made on right side. Chain 3, turn. Working through both loops of each stitch, skip first single crochet, double crochet in next 2 single crochet, * make a triple crochet around the post of the free stitch directly below next chain 1 space; skip the chain 1 space, double crochet in next 3 single crochet. Repeat from * across, Chain 1, turn. Repeat these steps until desired length.
Loop Stitch:
crochet instructions
Cut a piece of cardboard 1 inch square (or size desired). Make a foundation chain Single crochet in 2nd. chain from hook.
Draw loop on hook up and onto cardboard. Tighten loop slightly so that it will not slip off cardboard. Be sure the cardboard does not buckle. One loop stitch made.
*Insert hook in next stitch and draw up a loop, yarn over and draw through loop on hook* repeat between * (placing on cardboard) across foundation chain, slipping a few of the loops toward beginning of row off cardboard when cardboard becomes crowded. Be sure to leave at least 3 loops on cardboard at end of row.
Turn. Insert hook at top of first loop then draw a loop through first loop, chain 1 very tightly,
Remove all loops from cardboard, make a single crochet in each loop across row. Chain 1, turn.
Single crochet in first single crochet then repeat First row, in each remaining single crochet (instead of foundation chain) across row.
Then repeat second row
Repeat these two rows for desired length.
Afghan Stitch:
Row 1 - Step 1:

Make a chain of desired length, pull up a loop in each chain across, keeping them all on the hook.		 Row 1 - Step 2:

Yarn over hook, and draw through two loops, continue to end.


Row 2 till end:

Place hook under the front post of the second stitch, pull up a loop, continuing across, keeping all loops on the hook.
Then complete each row by yarn over hook and draw through two loops across, as shown in 2 above		 Note:
Don't forget the last stitch (pictured below). Otherwise, your piece will begin to get smaller as you work.
To decrease in the afghan stitch, insert hook under two vertical bars and draw up one loop. To increase in the afghan stitch, draw up a loop in the chain stitch between the vertical bars.