Crochet Tension - Crochet Tip 36

The video tutorial shows how I hold my thread/yarn in my hand. You don't have to hold it exactly like me or like a book says, to accomplish different tensions. You should hold the yarn/thread any way that is most comfortable for you. There are two ways to adjust tension.

1. Let the thread pass through your hand looser or tighter.
2. Use a larger or smaller crochet hook. This will adjust the outcome of your stitch size.

A good way to learn tension techniques is to practice, focusing on the hand you hold your thread. Let the thread pass looser through your hand making a few stitches. Then hold the thread tighter making a few stitches. You will see a big difference. Practice doing this a few times to get the feel for tension. Your tension never has to be the same and you can change it at any time.

Crochet Abbreviation Chart

This is some of the more common abbreviations that you come across in crochet patterns.

A: alt = alternate approx = approximately	M: MC = main color M = meters MM = millimeters
B: BEG = begin(ning) BET = between BL/bk lp = back loop BLO = back loop only BO = bobble BP = back post BPDC = back post double crochet BPSC = back post single crochet BPTR = back post triple crochet	O: OZ = ounce
C: CA = color A CB = color B CC = contrasting color CH = chain CH- = refers to chain previously made/worked CH_SP = chain space CL =cluster CM = centimeter CONT = continue	P: PAT = pattern PC = popcorn P = picot PM = place marker PREV = previous
D: DC = double crochet DC2TOG = double crochet 2 stitches together DEC = decrease DTR/DTRC = double triple/treble crochet	R: REM = remain REP = repeat REV SC/reverse sc = reverse single crochet RND = round RS = right side
E: EA = each	S: SC = single crochet sc2tog = single crochet 2 stitches together SK = skip SL ST = slip stitch SP = space ST = stitch
F: FLO = front loop only FP = front post FPDC = front post double crochet FPSC = front post single crochet(s) FPTR/FPTRC = front post triple/treble crochet FL - front loop FLO = front loop only	T: TBL=through back loop TCH = turning chain TOG = together TC/TRC = triple crochet
G: G = gram GRP = groups GS = Galaxy Stitch	W: WS = wrong side
H: HDC = half double crochet HK = hook	X: X-st = cross-stitch
I: INC = increase	Y: YD = yard YO = yarn over YOH = yarn over hook
L: LP's = loop LP ST = loop stitch

Crochet Eyelash Yarn - Crochet Tip 35

Crochet novelty or eyelash yarn can be very hard to work with and hard to see the stitches once they are completed. It is much easier to crochet if you add another similar color strand of yarn along side it, working both at the same time.

Video Tutorial: How to Crochet with Novelty Eyelash Yarn

How to Join the Foundation Crochet Stitches - Crochet Tip 34

How to connect the Foundation Crochet Stitches in to a circle and join them.

1. Slip stitch your ending Foundation Stitch to the top of the beginning Foundation Stitch. This technique will be the same a joining a round.
2. Wrap the yarn over your crochet hook and pull through both loops.
   
3. Get your tapestry needle and join the bottom of the beginning stitch and the ending stitch, using the tail to connect the two ends together.
   
4. You have completed your connection.

How to Straighten the Edge of a Crochet Shell - Crochet Tip 33

In the image above, The right side of the shell hat has been filled in with staggered stitches.

1. Slip Stitch = SL ST
2. Single Crochet = SC
3. Half-Double Crochet = HDC
4. Double Crochet = DC
5. Half-Double Crochet = HDC
6. Single Crochet = SC
7. Slip Stitch = SL ST

Video Tutorial: How to Straighten the Edge of a Crochet Shell Stitch
The video tutorial shows where to put the stitches.

The key to straighten a scallop or uneven crochet edge is to stagger stitches. This technique will work with any type of uneven edge. You may need to experiment with various stitches if you are straightening something other than the shell, until you get the right edge for your pattern stitch.