When first starting out with crocheting, it’s often hard to know where to start or to know which crochet patterns are the best to use or try out. Thanks to the wonderful resources made available of the internet or through how-to books, our options are virtually limitless. But where do you start?

When you first start off, try to start small and with the basics. Get an understanding by researching the proper tools used such as hooks and what sizes they come in, as well as what cut-outs are for, even though this will come later on. Following this, study the notations, terms and different types of stitching that are used. If you find that you struggle in this, as many often do, you can also print out this information for future use.

For someone who has never tried to crochet before, try to start off with a simple starting chain, which you can find numerous how-to, illustrated, and photo tutorials on by searching up the terms based on beginners. Once you have found a starting chain pattern that makes sense to you, take note of the hooks or any other tools that are recommended and, of course, make sure to have them on hand and practice until you feel that you have the hang it.

Another good basic start is learning how to do a single crochet, which follows the starting chain. There are numerous videos and picture tutorials that focus on this, as well as helpful guides on how to turn in the second row and what follows next. Practice the single crochet, and once you feel ready to, try to find an easy-to-do pattern and instructions such as with a scarf.

Once you feel you have developed enough to carry on, you may start to notice how things are narrowing a bit with your rows. Often enough this is due to a last stitch being missed in each row. You can count until you see where there is one less stitch in every row, then try to correct it by seeing what the stitch should look like, then crocheting in each last stitch of each row. If you need more help, again, there are plenty of guides to help you.

When you have reached a level of comfort in the single stitch, do a search for that of how to do double crochet, weave ends, and decrease a single crochet. Try to use step-by-step guides that will help assist you not only at this next step but others to follow. When you’re ready, find easy-to-do patterns such ad blankets until you’re ready to try something more difficult when it comes to crochet patterns.

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There has been a literal explosion of amigurumi crochet all over the Internet. This is an explosion of extreme cuteness because amigurumi are miniature animals or dolls that are made with yarn and stuffed. They were first made in Japan but now are made just about everywhere. Just check online craft stores and you will see all kinds of cute little animals crocheted from yarn. In Japanese ami means things made from yarn and nuigurumi is the name of a specific doll that has no arms and legs, just a large head and torso. The first amigurumi are patterned after these dolls. These are probably the easiest things to make and are appropriate for a beginner to try.

Using yarn was not something that has come down from the ancestors of the Japanese. Making Kimonos and beautiful calligraphy and sculpture was within the culture. Only the Samurai had the knowledge of knitting because they made their own socks that had toes in them so that they has a greater range of movement. It was not something a Japanese grandmother knew how to do. When they started to make the cute little animals they did not know how to read regular directions so they made charts with all kinds of symbols and included their calligraphy. Some the these charts are exceptionally detailed and beautiful and suitable to hang on the wall for art.

The little stuffed animals made an appearance in the fifties when the Japanese culture was moving toward everything being cute. Hello Kitty the large headed white cat with pink dress and bow became popular at that time. In the sixties the rural agricultural way of life for many Japanese changed and families moved into the cities and became workaholics. Hello Kitty and other cute little animal icons where created in a mass market in order to pacify people that were literally working themselves to death. The cute little amigurumi animals could be made quickly with out much fuss and helped satisfy the creative element in life and the cuteness that many people wanted to have in their lives. These little animals were made and given something akin to greeting cards to people that needed a boost in life.

The animals only take a few hours to make. Regular yarn is used but with a smaller crochet hook than would normally be used to obtain a tighter gauge so that the stuffing will stay inside. You start with one knot and chain and then you make single crochet stitches in a spiral like manner. In Western patterns you would go to the end of the row, make a chain, then go back across the row in the other direction. This is not true with amigurumi. Instead you keep going in a spiral like manner marking the beginning of each row so you do not loose yourself in the pattern. Charts are suggestions of how to make the animal and it is common for the creator to make changes to that pattern to create a unique animal.

Today you can find patterns that are written out just like regular patterns for crochet sweaters or other items. It is very easy to make because you only use a few stitches. One is a single crochet and the other is a chain. The only thing you do is either increase or decrease the amount of stitches in a row that make the animal take shape.

Making amigurumi is environmentally friendly because you use up all scraps of yarn and can use recycled yarn. They do not use many materials and only a few yards of yarn. Some people dress up their little animals with sequins and beads. They can be filled with old stockings, clean rags, and poly fiberfill or make them into a bean bag by using dried beans or beads. Popular patterns include making food items like cupcakes and animals such as birds, kittens, dogs and then there are the dolls that take human form. Just search for patterns online and you will find thousands that you can try. Just a warning; these little animals get very addictive and you can not just make one.

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