Exactly What You Need to Know Crocheting for the first time is fun, inspiring, and easy with Sara Delaney as your guide. An expert crochet teacher, Delaney addresses the questions every beginner asks and teaches the techniques you need to be successful. By clearly explaining how to understand the structure of stitches, make simple increases and decreases, crochet in rounds or rows, and read patterns, Delaney's instructions will give you confidence. Before you know it, you'll be transforming your practice swatches into coasters, doilies, scarves, afghans, and more.

Introduction: Getting Started in Crochet Chapter 1: Getting to Know Your Materials The One Essential: A Hook - The Yarns We Love to Use - Becoming a Crocheter Chapter 2: Getting Started: Forget the Chain! Easing into Single Crochet - Why a Turning Chain? - Crocheting into Existing Stitches - Practice Makes Perfect Chapter 3: Chains: Your Foundation Evaluating Your Chain - Counting Chain Stitches Chapter 4: Basic Crochet Stitches Beginning to Work from a Foundation Chain - Half Double Crochet - Double Crochet - Treble Crochet Chapter 5: Gauge Swatching for Gauge: Getting Started - Why Does Gauge Matter? - Making Good Use of Your Swatch - Check and Double-Check Chapter 6: Working in the Round Get the Stitch Height and Count Right - Joined Rounds - Spiral Rounds Chapter 7: Perfecting Techniques Changing Yarns - Hiding Your Tails by Working Over Them - Adding an Edge - Finishing Chapter 8: Pattern Reading Patterns for Rows - Patterns for Rounds Resources Acknowledgments Index