How to master the single crochet

Make a Slipknot. Make a loop from the ball end of the yarn, leaving about a 6-inch tail.

Hold the loop where the two pieces meet, then create another loop from the ball end and feed it back through the first loop.

Tighten the first loop around the neck of the second.

Make a Foundation Chain. Holding the slipknot in place with your right pointer finger, use your left hand to wrap the ball end of the yarn behind the hook, clockwise, & over the throat of your hook.

Catch the yarn with the hook & draw it through the loop on the hook, pulling toward you & leaving the new loop on the hook instead. Repeat this until you have a foundation chain of about 5-7 stitches.

Single Crochet. Each V in your chain counts as one chain stitch.

Insert your hook under the second complete V, excluding the one on the hook.

Yarn over, catch with your hook, and draw the yarn through the V.

With two loops on the hook, yarn over and draw the yarn through both loops.

This is your first single crochet stitch. Repeat for the next V until you end the row.

This is your first single crochet stitch. Repeat for the next V until you end the row.

Make one extra chain stitch at the end (your turning chain), and then turn your piece from right to left. Insert the hook under the first V (skipping the one you just made) and repeat steps.

Practice making a washcloth-size swatch (about 30 stitches in each row) to get the hang of single crochet.

For more tips and guides, check out theoldschool.com.