Introduction: First Beginner Crochet Project: Single Crochet Square

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This is what I would suggest for a beginner at crocheting. Just start making small squares until you're comfortable with starting, ending, and everything between. Later these squares can be sewn together to make a washcloth, baby blanket, scarf, etc. Size doesn't matter. I would suggest using a hook size G-J and light-colored worsted-weight yarn to start. (Black yarn is VERY difficult to learn with). ENJOY!

Step 1: Materials

These are the materials that you will need:
-a small amount of light-colored, worsted-weight of sport-weight yarn
-darning/yarn needle
-pair of scissors
-crochet hook (size G-J suggested)
-tape measure or ruler

Step 2: Casting on 1

First, you need to make a sort of pretzel-shape with the end of yarn, leaving a small tail. Starting is the hardest part for most people, so don't be frustrated and keep trying till you get the correct curved shape.

Step 3: Casting on 2

This next part is difficult to describe/show. You look for the strand of yarn in the "pretzel" that's across from the tail. It's in the middle of the "pretzel". Insert the hook with the hook part in same direction as the tail.

Step 4: Casting on 3

Now, grasp the tail and the strand going to the remaining ball of yarn, pull tight to the hook. This should form a small knot snug next to the hook, but still able to slide up and down the hook.

Step 5: Chain Stitch 1

Now, you must wrap the strand leading to the remainder of yarn around the hook. Wrap from the back to the front. Make sure you hold the knot to the bottom edge of the hook. From now on, use only the strand leading to the remaining yarn to crochet with, ignore tail.
Next, push the strand into the center of the hook.

Step 6: Chain Stitch 2

Using the yarn pushed into the hook, slide the yarn through the loop already on the center of the hook.
Be sure to keep yarn in the back of the hook, still held in your left hand.
You should see a small "v" between the starting knot and the center of the hook.

Step 7: Starting Chain

Repeat steps 5-6 eleven more times, creating a chain of 11 "v"s total. Try to make all the v's consistent in size, this will take practice.

Step 8: First Stitch 1

Turn the chain of v's on it's side so that it's almost parallel to the crochet hook. Count two v's and insert the hook into the top of the second v from the hook. This leaves the other half of the v untouched at the bottom. (This makes the bottom edge of the square)

Step 9: First Stitch 2

Next, wrap the yarn around the hook from back to front again, push into hook's end again, then slide through ONLY THE FIRST LOOP on the hook, not the second hook. This is VERY important.

Step 10: First Stitch 3

It should look like this with two loops still on the hook, but with the strand of yarn coming out of the first loop on the hook.

Step 11: First Stitch 4

Again, wrap the yarn front to back, pushing into the hook and this time pulling through BOTH LOOPS that are on the hook. At first, you might want to pull through one loop at a time until you get the hang of it.

Step 12: Completed First Stitch

It should then look like this. A new v was created on top of the chain of v's already there, and this means you have completed you first single crochet stitch!

Step 13: First Row

You then repeat the single crochet stitch in every "v" in the chain you made before. There should be 10 single crochet stitches total (10 v's).
Now perform a chain stitch at the edge of the row of single crochet you've just created.
Turn the work so that it's facing the same as it did in step 8.
You'll notice that there's a row of 10 v's in front of you, like before (plus the chain stitch you just created). 
Starting in the v after the chain stitch you made, continue single crocheting across. 

Step 14: Continue the Pattern

If you continue to go back and forth, eventually it will be the shape of a square! Remember single crochet stitch is steps 8-12, while the chain stitch is steps 5-6. The pattern looks like this: single crochet 10, chain 1, turn, sc 10, ch 1, turn, rep...
Use your tape measure to figure out when the length and width are the same length.

Step 15: Fasten Off 1

Cut the yarn a few inches away from the piece of crocheting. Pull the crochet hook out, making the loop bigger with your fingers to make sure you don't lose it.
Poke the newly cut tail through the newly pulled loop hole and pull tight fast in a knot to secure the fasten off knot.

Step 16: Fasten Off 2

This is what it will look like when it is pulled tight.

Step 17: Sew in Tails

With your yarn needle, thread one of the tails into the eye of the needle. Stick the needle through 5-7 of the stitches on the edge of the square going in the opposite direction of the tail corner. Turn work in the opposite direction and sew through a few more stitches. Cut the remaining of the tail off.
Repeat this to the other tail so there are no more tails.

Step 18: Finished!

FINALLY, THE FINISHED SQUARE!!!! If you made it this far, I congratulate you! Once you know these basics, crocheting just gets easier and easier. :)Continue making these squares till you can single crochet consistently, then move on to my next tutorial: double crochet.