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I Want to Crochet an Afghan, Where do I Start?

© Lisa A. Hamblin

In my crochet experience, I believe it is easier for the true beginner to start with an afghan. Now you say, what? Is she crazy? My reasoning behind this theory is the fact that an afghan can be made using one stitch or a combination of stitches. Either way the stitch (or stitches) will be repeated at some point throughout the project. Once a person learns the basic single crochet stitch, this stitch can be repeated quite a few times in an afghan before the project needs to be turned. This repetition is beneficial in helping the crocheter remember how to do the stitch as well as make the stitches uniform in size.

What are you waiting for?

The first step in making an afghan is to choose your materials. I recommend a worsted weight yarn such as Red Heart Super Saver and a size I crochet hook. We begin with a slip knot, followed by the foundation chain.

Make a slip knot:

With the palm of your hand facing you--place the end of the yarn across the palm of your hand from right to left and back around to cross over your palm again laying it across the end of the first strand of yarn. Now reach under both strands of yarn (from top to bottom) and pull up the longest strand. Insert your crochet hook into this loop and tighten to secure the knot. {when a slip knot is made correctly it will come out/disappear when you pull on both strands of yarn}

The next step is to form your foundation chain:

With the slip knot on your hook, yarn over (this is bringing the yarn over the hook with a left to right motion of the hook) and draw through the loop already on your hook. Continue this for how many chains you need to begin your project.

Now that the foundation chain is made you can begin a simple single crochet afghan. When you look at the foundation chain it looks like little intertwined hearts on the top and little humps on the back. Working into the top loop of each chain (this is the right side of the heart shape), insert your hook under the top strand of each chain to work each stitch.

Now we can officially begin our first row.

The instructions for the Single Crochet stitch are as follows: Insert your hook into the stitch or space indicated, then yarn over and pull up a loop. (You should have two loops on your hook.) Yarn over and draw through both of the loops on your hook.

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