How to Crochet Button Loops !

Crocheted button loops are nice alternatives to buttonholes. You can use crocheted button loops in a lightweight garment where you don't need a tight closure to the front or as a simple one-button closure at the top of the neckline. You work button loops into the last row or the last two rows of an edging of a garment.

If you're using a lightweight yarn, work the loop in the last two rows to give it more strength. If you're using a heavier yarn, a loop worked in the last row is sufficient.

To make a button loop on the last two rows of an edging:

On the next-to-last row of the edging, mark positions across the front edge where you want the beginning of your loops to be positioned.

Crochet across the row until you reach a marked position.

Make a chain just long enough to make a loop that the button can slip through.

Without skipping any stitches, continue crocheting until you reach the marker for the next loop.

Repeat Steps 2 through 4 across the row, turn.

For the last row, crochet evenly across, crocheting into each chain stitch in each loop.

To make a button loop on the last row of an edging:

Before you begin the last row, mark positions across the front edge where you want to place your loops, marking both the beginning and ending of each loop.

Crochet across the row until you reach the second marker for the first loop, turn.

Make a chain large enough to slip the button through.

Slip stitch (sl st) the chain to the edge at the first marker of the first loop.

Turn and work a single crochet (sc) stitch into each chain (ch) of the chain loop and continue across the row.

Repeat Steps 2 through 5 for each button loop.

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Different Techniques to Joining crochet motifs !

There are so many things crocheted with crochet motifs and squares. The only problem with making something with these motifs and squares is joining them. So I collect some popular methods for you,

 you will find different solutions for joining different motifs,will make a huge difference in the way your project ends up looking. You could choose a textured join or a flatter join, a decorative join or one that nearly disappears into the work,we will want to be joining our granny squares to create a blanket or other item I thought we could do a roundup of all the different techniques so you can plan your blanket. Some of these methods allow you to join as you go which is pretty handy if you are making a large blanket,tablecloth or what you want, It's up to you! Once you're aware of all the creative possibilities, perhaps you'll see joining in a whole new light,

 choose for finishing. 

Increase Double Crochet in the Middle or End of a Row !

You can increase (abbreviated inc) double-crochet by adding a stitch at the middle or end of the row. When increasing double crochet, always count your stitches to make sure you have the correct number on your work. If you’re working from a pattern, it’ll tell you where to place your extra stitches, so no guesswork is needed.

1- Work across your row until you get to the designated increase stitch or the last stitch of the row.
Crochet the stitches that your pattern calls for. (When increasing stitches, always count your stitches to ensure you have the correct number on your work.)

2- Work 2 stitches into the designated stitch from the previous row.
Here's a look at how to work the stitches and what the finished stitch looks like.

By working 2 stitches into 1 from the previous row, you are increasing your current row by 1 stitch. If you want to increase your current row by 2 stitches at once, then work 3 stitches into 1 from the previous row.

3- Take a look at the symbol for a double crochet increase.

Many people who crochet prefer to read stitch diagrams instead of written instructions. If you see this symbol in the middle or at the end of a row in a pictorial crochet diagram, you'll know it represents a double crochet increase.

How to Increase Double Crochet at the Beginning of a Row

You can increase double-crochet stitches by adding a stitch at the beginning of the double-crocheted row. Increasing double crochet with this method creates a smooth, tapered edge to your piece.

Try your hand at adding 1 double crochet stitch at the beginning of a row:

Make a swatch of double crochet stitches.

Chain 3 (ch 3).

This is the same number of chains required for a double crochet turning chain.

Work your next stitch into the first stitch of the row.

This is the stitch directly below the turning chain, the one that you usually skip.

Finish the rest of the row as you normally do, working 1 double crochet stitch in each stitch across the row.

Take a look at the symbol used in pictorial crochet diagrams to represent an increase at the beginning of a row:

How to Decrease Double Crochet !

You can decrease a stitch (abbreviated dec), which is really just subtracting a stitch, in a double crochet row. You decrease stitches in double crochet in the same places that you increase stitches — at the ends of the row or somewhere in the middle. Begin your double-crochet decrease by starting the first double crochet like you would for a normal double crochet stitch:

1- Yarn over the hook (yo).

2- Insert your hook into the next stitch.

3- Yarn over.

4- Draw the yarn through the stitch.

5- Yarn over.

6- Draw the yarn through the first 2 loops on your hook.

7- Two loops remain on the hook.

8- Yarn over the hook (yo).

9- Insert your hook into the next stitch.

10- Yarn over.

11- Draw the yarn through the stitch.

12- Yarn over.

13- Draw the yarn through the first 2 loops on your hook.

14- You should have 3 loops remaining on your hook.

15- Yarn over.

16- Draw the yarn through all 3 loops on your hook.

You've made 1 complete double crochet stitch decrease.

This figure shows the symbol for a double crochet decrease as it appears in crochet stitch diagram.

Doing a Double Crochet

The double crochet (abbreviated dc) is one of the most common crochet stitches and is about twice as tall as a single crochet. (You can read about single crochet in How to Make a Single Crochet.) A fabric made of all double crochet stitches is fairly solid but not stiff and is great for sweaters, shawls, Afghans, placemats, or any number of other home decor items. You can also combine the double crochet stitch with other stitches to produce many interesting patterns and textures.

First things first: Row 1
The following steps set you up to work your first double crochet stitch:

1. Make a foundation chain by doing 15 chain stitches (ch 15). (Check out How to Crochet the Chain Stitch if you need to.)

2. Chain 3 more stitches for the turning chain. (Get the scoop in How to Crochet a Turning Chain.)

Now for your first double crochet stitch:

1. Yarn over the hook (yo), which you can read about in How to Yarn Over in Crochet.

Remember to yarn over from back to front.

2. Insert your hook between the 2 front loops and under the back bump loop of the fourth chain from the hook (see Figure 1a).

Figure 1: Beginning a double crochet stitch.

3. Yarn over the hook.

4. Gently pull the wrapped hook through the center of the chain stitch, carrying the wrapped yarn through the stitch.

Now, you should have 3 loops on your hook (refer to Figure 1b).

5. Yarn over the hook.

6. Draw your yarn through the first 2 loops on your hook (see Figure 2a).

Figure 2: Drawing your yarn through the loops.

7. Yarn over the hook.

8. Draw your yarn through the last 2 loops on the hook (refer to Figure 2b).

One double crochet (dc) stitch is complete. You should have one loop remaining on your hook.

To finish your first row of double crochet, work 1 double crochet stitch in each successive chain stitch across the foundation chain, beginning in the next chain of the foundation chain as Figure 3a shows. You should have 16 double crochet stitches in Row 1 (counting the turning chain as the first double crochet).

Figure 3: Finishing the first row of double crochet.

Take a look at Figure 3b to see what the end of the first row of double crochet looks like.

Turn around and begin again: Row 2
To work the second row of double crochet, follow these steps:

1. Turn your work so that the back side is facing you.

2. Chain 3 (ch 3; for the turning chain).

3. Yarn over the hook (yo).

4. Skipping the first stitch of the row directly below the turning chain, insert your hook in the next stitch (see Figure 4a).

Figure 4b shows you the wrong place to insert your hook.

Figure 4: Inserting hook for the first stitch of second row.

5. Repeat Steps 3 through 8 from the previous section in each of the next 14 double crochet (dc) stitches. Be sure to yarn over before inserting your hook in each stitch.

6. Work 1 double crochet in the top chain of the previous row's turning chain (see Figure 5).

You should have 16 double crochet stitches in Row 2 (counting the turning chain as 1 double crochet).

Figure 5: Insert the hook in the top chain of the turning chain.

Repeat these steps for each additional row of double crochet. Continue until you feel comfortable working this stitch. Figure 6 shows you how rows of double crochet look as a fabric.

Figure 6: Several rows of double crochet.

Don't work a stitch into the first stitch of the row after the turning chain. Doing so produces an extra stitch, and if you continue to add a stitch in each row, your design gets wider and wider as it gets longer and longer. Be sure to count your stitches frequently to make sure that you haven't inadvertently gained (or lost) any stitches along the way.

Sometimes, especially when you're working with bulky yarn or a larger than usual hook, the turning chain on a double crochet row leaves a gap at the beginning of the row. To get a neater edge, try chaining 2 instead of 3 stitches for the turning chain.

How to Make a Half Double Crochet !

The half double crochet (abbreviated hdc) is kind of an oddball stitch. The half double crochet falls in between a single crochet and a double crochet in height, but instead of working off two loops at a time, you draw the yarn through three loops on the hook. It produces a fairly tight fabric similar to one made with a single crochet stitch:

1- Do 15 chain stitches (ch 15).
This step creates the foundation chain.

2- Chain 2 more stitches.
These stitches create the turning chain.



3- Yarn over the hook (yo) and insert your hook in the third chain from the hook.

4- Yarn over the hook and gently pull the wrapped hook through the center of the chain stitch, carrying the wrapped yarn through the stitch.
You should have 3 loops on your hook.

5- Yarn over the hook and draw your yarn through all 3 loops on your hook.

6- Begin in the next chain of the foundation chain.
This step completes a full row of half double crochet stitches.

7- Work 1 half double crochet stitch in each successive chain across the foundation chain.
You have 16 half double crochet stitches at the end of Row 1 (counting the turning chain as 1 half double crochet stitch).

8- Turn your work.
You need to turn your work to start Row 2.

9- Chain 2 (ch 2) and yarn over the hook (yo).
The two stitches are for the turning chain.



10- Skipping the first stitch of the row directly below the turning chain, insert your hook in the next stitch.
Skipping the first stitch maintains a consistent number of stitches per row.

11- Repeat the preceding steps in each of the next 14 half double crochet (hdc) stitches.
Follow the steps from pulling the wrapped hook through the center of the chain stitch to drawing yarn through all 3 loops.

12- Work 1 half double crochet in the top chain of the previous row’s turning chain.
You should have 16 half double crochet stitches in Row 2 (counting the turning chain as 1 half double crochet).

Repeat the preceding Row 2 steps for each additional row of half double crochet. Continue working rows of half double crochet until you feel comfortable working this stitch.

How to Increase with Single Crochet !

Increasing one single crochet at the beginning of the row is the same as doing it in the middle or at the end of a row, because the turning chain in a single crochet row doesn’t count as a stitch. Wherever you want to increase 1 single crochet, just work 2 single crochet stitches in the designated stitch.

This completed single crochet increase sure is simple to do!

In a crochet stitch diagram, you may see a symbol like this one, which represents a single crochet increase.

Increasing stitches (abbreviated inc) in crocheting is just what it sounds like. You add stitches to a crocheted row so that it has more stitches than the previous one. Depending on the type of design that you’re making, you can increase stitches anywhere in the row: at the beginning, end, or middle; in every other stitch; or anyplace where you want the shaping to occur.

How to Decrease Single Crochet !

You can decrease a stitch (abbreviated dec), which is really just subtracting a stitch, in a single crochet row. You decrease stitches in single crochet in the same places that you increase stitches — at the ends of the row or somewhere in the middle:

1- Insert your hook into the next stitch.
If you're decreasing at the beginning of the row, insert your hook in the first stitch.

2- Yarn over (yo) and draw the yarn through the stitch.
You should have 2 loops remaining on your hook.



3- Insert your hook into the next stitch.
You're continuing to work single crochets normally.

4- Yarn over (yo) and draw the yarn through the stitch.
You should have 3 loops on your hook.



5- Yarn over and draw the yarn through all 3 loops on your hook.
You've completed one single crochet stitch decrease.

6- Take a look at these symbols for single crochet stitch decrease.
Stitch diagrams use symbols to give you a pictorial description of the pattern design — and may or may not include written directions. These are the symbols for a single crochet decrease in crochet stitch diagrams.

How to Make a Single Crochet !

The single crochet (abbreviated sc) is the most fundamental of all stitches. The compact single crochet stitch creates a tight, dense fabric. You use this stitch over and over again, alone or in combination with other stitches:

1- Crochet 17 chain stitches.

This step makes a foundation chain. You work your first row of stitches into this foundation chain.

2- Insert the hook from front to back into the secondchain from the hook.

Be sure that you have the right side of the foundation chain facing you and your yarn hand holding the foundation chain.

3- With your yarn hand, wrap the yarn from back to front over the hook.

What you've just done is called a yarn over (abbreviated yo).

4- Rotate the throat of the hook toward you with your hook hand, and pull the hook with the wrapped yarn through the stitch.

You should have two loops on your hook.

5- With your yarn hand, wrap the yarn from back to front over the hook.

You completed another yarn over.

6- Rotate the throat of the hook toward you with your hook hand, and draw the hook with the wrapped yarn through both loops on the hook.

One single crochet is now complete, and one loop remains on your hook.

7- To work the next single crochet stitch and continue the row, insert your hook into the next chain stitch.

This step starts your second row of stitches.

8- Repeat Steps 3 through 6.

You've now completed the second stitch.

9- Work 1 single crochet stitch (sc) in each chain stitch (ch) across the foundation chain.

You should have 16 single crochet stitches, or one row of single crochet.

If you’re wondering what happens to your 17th chain stitch in single crochet, remember that you worked your first single crochet into the second chain from the hook. The skipped chain stitch is considered a turning chain that brings you up to the level needed to work your first stitch of the new row.