Crochet for Beginners: Common Questions & Answers. Part 2

This is just a reminder of the nature of the stitch pattern in the previous row, combined with instructions about what to do in the current row. Knowing that you are making a single crochet row over a previous row of single crochet (in the first instance) or a row of double crochet over a row of single crochet (in the second instance) assures you that you are working the stitch pattern as intended.

Certainly not! Exploring new territory with your hook makes crochet endlessly intriguing. There are many places you can put your hook other than into the “next stitch.” Once you’re familiar with the basic stitch patterns, you can go on to explore those other places. Here are a few options:
Work into just the front or just the back loop of the next stitch.
Skip stitches, work between stitches, around posts , in spaces, in rows below, or into the sides of existing stitches.
Work into previous stitches on the same row or into stitches on previous rows.
Take your hook out of your work and insert it into a different spot altogether!

The post is the vertical part of the stitch. Single crochet stitches have a post, but they are hard to find! For that reason, many front post and back post stitches are worked into double crochet and taller stitches.

Sometimes, instructions tell you to work into a stitch in “the row below” or “two rows below,” rather than into the top of the next stitch. This can be confusing, because you are already working into the row below your current row. However, in this case the instruction probably means to work into the next-to-last row you completed — in other words, the row below the row you would ordinarily work into. Therefore, “two rows below” would mean to work into the stitch that is two rows below the stitch you would ordinarily work into. With any luck, there will be a symbol crochet chart to help you understand where to put your stitches!
Sometimes stitches worked into one or more “rows below” are called spike stitches. These “spike” down into the fabric, partially covering previous stitches. A spike stitch will produce a spike on the front and the back of the fabric. Let me know down in comments, if you'd like to learn the spike stitch, and I'll make a tutorial for you.

First, be sure that you are indeed supposed to work into it. Most commonly, slip stitches are used to move the yarn inconspicuously to a different spot in the work without intending to work into the stitch at a later time. Other times, slip stitch is meant to join rounds. In either case, you are not meant to work into the slip stitch. If you are certain that you are supposed to work into the stitch, take care to work loosely enough when making the slip stitch so that you are able to insert the hook into the stitch on the next row or round.

It shouldn’t be difficult to put the hook into the stitches. If you are struggling to maneuver your hook, consider the following:
- Is the size of your hook appropriate for the yarn or thread you are using?
- Are you keeping too much tension on the yarn? Some crocheters use a tight tension in an effort to make their stitches even. Not a good idea!
- Is there tension on the yarn between the ball and your hand? Pull out some extra yarn so that the only tension comes between your yarn hand and the hook. Concentrate on allowing the yarn to flow through your fingers.
- Are you making the stitch on the throat of the hook instead of on the shank? Make sure your loop finds the full diameter of the hook before you begin the next stitch. You may find it easier to use a hook with an inline head and a straight shank.

Work the turning chain first, then work the decrease over the next two stitches in the row.

Just work more than one stitch into the same stitch, giving them a common base. You can do this at the edge of a row or anywhere in the middle of a row or a round. You may also work one or more chains between stitches as an increase. The chain increase creates a hole, so it is most commonly used as a part of a larger stitch pattern. You may work these chains as stitches on the next row or round.

Chain the required number of stitches at the end of the previous row to act as a foundation chain, plus enough to act as a turning chain. Work the first stitch into the chain as you would on a foundation chain, then work into each chain as a stitch and continue on across the stitches from the previous row.