Let's Knit Magazine - Your knitting, your style

I have a book by Jan Eaton on crocheting and have taught myself using this book.  I am convinced from all the photos in there that you are meant to put your crochet hook through the stitches - either from the front or the back.  However now I have read the introduction of the Happy Hooker and she says that after the first row, you put the hook underneath the stitch, so in effect under two strands of yarn.

Is this an either or thing and both are ok or have I misunderstood and been doing it all wrong?

Sorry Clare..I’m not a crocheter..but have been trying to learn and just able to do chain but I will be interested to hear the result of your query…

I think i understand what you mean. I think the way i was shown is the way the Happy Hooker does it. It keeps it tighter and neater.

http://www.lionbrand.com/faq/learnToCrochet.pdf page 18 shows how I do it which is what I think the Happy Hooker teaches you.

Be aware this is an american site, so although it teaches how to crochet the terms in the US are different to the UK. But you always alter the name of the stitch on the instructions.

Hello redbirdy,

Your hook should normally be inserted under two strands. If you look down at the top edge of your work, you should see a row of V-shapes - your hook should go under both threads of the V.

There are patterns that call for you to just work under either the front or back thread, so if you’ve done this it’s not a terrible problem, and you haven’t done it “wrong” as such, it just changes the appearance of your crocheted fabric slightly. I was crocheting into only one strand for ages before I figured it out.

Also, there are some patterns like one I’ve just done which was constructed entirely of trebles, and instead of working into the V at the top of the stitches, you worked into the gap between the trebles. Either could be the case in your book.

Good luck!

Glyn xx

sometimes you have to deliberately push the hook under only one strand if you’re trying to create a 3D shape, like a toy as doing this will make the fabric bend.

Okay its official I am a crochet dummy. I didn’t know there was a space between the stitches. In saying that I crochet a big big blanket one big square with lots of ends of wool that wasn’t much good for anything else.  I am sooo jealous I haven’t set up my subscribtion yet so have to go to the shop to buy my LK. I have 4 different books teaching crochet but have always maintained that I am instruction dyslexic, must have been born knitting. lol

flowergirl - 10 July 2008 04:07 PM

Okay its official I am a crochet dummy. I didn’t know there was a space between the stitches. In saying that I crochet a big big blanket one big square with lots of ends of wool that wasn’t much good for anything else.  I am sooo jealous I haven’t set up my subscribtion yet so have to go to the shop to buy my LK. I have 4 different books teaching crochet but have always maintained that I am instruction dyslexic, must have been born knitting. lol

You’re not alone - I have yet to discover the magical properties of crochet.  Well, ok I’ve yet to learn it.  Magical properties maybe something else I’m thinking of…

I realised when I looked at one of the other forums where they were talking about Vogue knitting 2007 that I had that book which I had completely forgot about. Here is the funny bit I looked at the Anny Blatt site for the wool suggested and it would cost for 15 balls between £50-£70, and then they wonder why people have given up the art of knitting. If Kemps still have there sale on in the next 2weeks when I have some money I will buy there columbine 4ply and do myself a skirt or dress from the vogue, not as fancy as the lacy one but just as nice.