Lesson 1: Slip Knot and Magic Ring

Lesson 1
Welcome to your first lesson in crocheting!
Before proceeding, make sure you have read How to Hold Your Hook and Yarn.
Note: The Tail is the end of your yarn and the working yarn is the side that comes out of your skein.

First, you need to learn how to start.

There are two common ways to start a project, a slip knot and a magic ring. I’ll give instructions for both as the start varies depending on your pattern. There are a few other ways to start but you will most likely be given special instructions in your pattern for those. So let's get started!

 

Slip Knot and Magic Ring-Follow First 3 Steps for Both

1. With your yarn, start up about 4-5 inches. This will leave you a nice long tail to finish your project with.

2. Holding your tail in your left hand, wrap the working yarn towards and then away from you, forming a circle. (Working yarn should be on top.)



3. Let the working yarn fall behind the circle and use your hook to pull it up through the center of your circle.

Slip Knot

4. Holding both the tail and working yarn with your left hand, pull up with your hook until the slip knot is tight.

5. Adjust your loop around your hook by pulling the working yarn. You want it loose enough to stitch through, but not too loose. If it's too tight you can loosen it again by pulling on the tail.

 

Magic Ring

4. This is what it looks like to pull the loop up. Do not pull tight like a slip knot!

5. Pulling the working yarn to your left, chain 1. (This does not count as a stitch.)

 

6. Continue working as your pattern directs into the ring.

7. At the end of your first round pull your tail and the ring will close.
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