How to get rid of "tails"

Q. What about the left over tail on the other side?

A. When you start and end a color in crocheting, there will always be a "tail". You get rid of this "tail" by using your crochet hook. After you have cut your yarn off, and slipped it through your last loop on your hook, you trim the tail to about 3 inches. Then simply use your hook to thread it back into the same color as the tail is.

Holding the Crochet Hook

The following is how some people describe how to hold your crochet hook, and also your left-hand "tension":

Always keep thumb and forefinger of your left hand near the stitch on which you are working.
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Holding The Crochet Hook
There are two methods of holding a crochet hook. Try them both to see which
one feels most comfortable to you.

Place the hook in your right hand, holding it between your index finger and thumb, as you would hold a pencil.

Hold the hook in an "overhand" clutch, similar to the way you might hold a tennis racquet, or a spoon while making cake batter.
(I apologize for not noting this link down when I found it.)
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To crochet easily and successfully, you need to hold the yarn and the hook comfortably, with enough tension on the yarn, so that when you draw the hook around the yarn, it stays firmly in the lip of the hook. Most people choose to wrap the yarn around their fingers, and some make an additional wrap around their little finger – choose whichever yarnholding method works best for you.

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Position of the hands
Hold the work in the left hand, between the thumb and forefinger, yarn is taken over the forefinger and middle finger, under the third finger and around the little finger. The crochet hook is held in the right hand (as you would hold a pencil) between the thumb and forefinger and pressing on the middle finger.

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Beanie Baby Cap Pattern

Beanie Crocheted - you can make with or without flaps.

This Hat can be made with the following:

"DAWN" or "CLOVER LEAF" NYLON or
"DAWN" BABY YARN or "DAWN" POMPADOUR

1 oz. White or color desired.
Plastic crochet hook No. 2.

1st Round. Ch 2, 6 sc in 2 nd st from hook, do not join this or following rounds. Place a marker at beginning of each round.

2nd Round. 2 sc in each sc.

3rd Round. * 1 sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc, repeat from * all around.

4th Round. * 1 sc in each of next 2 sc, 2 sc in next sc, repeat from * all around. Continue working in sc increasing 1 sc at each increasing point until crown measures 4 ½ inches in diameter. Work 2 rounds even.

Next Round. Ch 1, and working in back loop of sts, 1 sc in each sc, join in 1 st sc, ch 2, turn.

Next Round. 5 dc in next st (5 dc: yarn over hook, insert in st, pull through, yarn over and work off all loops at one time), 1- 5 dc in each st, join, ch 2, turn.

Repeat last round until 5 dc section measures 4 ½ inches from beginning, cut yarn.

POMPON: Wind yarn over a 1 inch cardboard 75 times. Tie through center, and cut both ends. Trim into shape. Sew onto top of hat.

(I found this free pattern at Yarn Lover's Room.)

Crochet term-abbreviations:
ch = chain
st = stitch
sc = single crochet
dc = double crochet
hdc = half double crochet

Ply

Yarn can come in different sizes. When they are constructed at the factory, it is decided how many "ply"s will be in that "skein" of yarn.

The "ply" simply tells/gives you the number of little threads that is wrapped together to make up the final yarn. A lot of yarns come in 2 or 3-ply. (Just as how many threads are wrapped together to make one final rope.)

Skein is the final unit you buy to take home with you.

Tension

Q. Hi I wanted to say thank you for the videos they are a big help and I am working on a baby blanket for my niece that is due in August I just have a couple of questions if you dont mind...First, I can not get the stitches consistent all the way across they are either too tight or way to loose. How can I fix this? then second, when I go to do the yarn over that is ok but when I actually pull it through it frays the yarn and I end up only pulling half of what I am supposed to...Please help???

A. You are very welcome for these crochet videos! Actually, I've got to give my niece a lot of credit, because she's the one who had the idea!

To answer the first part of your question, it sounds like you need to use one hand for your "tension". If you are right-handed, and use your right hand to actually crochet, then the "tension" hand would be your left hand. (Vice-versa if you're left-handed.) I show how I do this on my first crochet video:

Crochet Video 1 - This one shows the "tension" technique 1/4 the way from the beginning.

Crochet Video 2 - This one shows the "tension" technique 3/4 the way through.

The second difficulty you mentioned is also tension-related. When you're making your stitch, if your tension isn't tight enough, then you'll lose some "plys" part of your yarn as you're pulling it through your stitch. Also, remember to turn your hook to face down as you're pulling it through your stitch.

Try these ideas out, and see if they help - - if not, let me know!

easy pattern for a blanket

Q. is there an easy pattern for a blanket? i am a beginner and want to attempt one....how do u know what thread and size hook to use?

A. There are super easy ways to make a blanket! Since you're a beginner, go with a larger yarn size, and also a larger hook size, somewhere between D - G size (whatever size feels the easiest in your hand.) You'll need to decide what size to make your blanket. Use a tape measure or a ruler/yardstick to lay on a flat surface to help you determine the size.

You'll always start your blanket out with chain stitches. Make them a little loose, so the next row is easy to work in them. This chain-stitch row will be the Width of your blanket (remember your previous measurements.) On the next row, make the entire row single crochets. On the next row, and all of the rest of the rows, double crochet. Continue double-crochet rows until you have made the length of your blanket.