Learning to Crochet

In learning to crochet, the first step is learning how to crochet a chain. Once you've mastered that, you could make the Chains Scrunchie, Version One as a first project. (you only have to know how to crochet a chain and tie a knot to make it).

The next step is to learn to do a single crochet. This Dishcloth Pattern is a good first project for practicing making single crochet stitches. Once you feel comfortable with doing single crochet, you're ready to make the scrunchie on this page:

Chains Scrunchie, Version 2 Designed by Sandi Marshall

Materials
1/2 ounce worsted weight yarn, any color
Size G or H crochet hook

or 1/2 ounce sport weight yarn, any color
Size E or F crochet hook

16 pony beads

A hair elastic. These are inexpensive and come in a variety of sizes, thicknesses and styles, readily available in the hair accessories section of many stores.

To start:

Crochet one round of single crochet around the hair elastic. Go to this page for a step-by-step photo how-to for crocheting around the elastic.

Leave about a four inch length of yarn before the first loop of each chain length. Leave about a four inch length of yarn at the end of each chain length.
First Two Chain Lengths In the sample, I made the longest chain about 8 inches long. Make a second about the same length.
Chain Lengths 3 - 8: After that, I made pairs, with each chain length pair a bit shorter than the last pair.

Thread the yarn end through a pony bead.

Pull the pony bead up onto the chain, pulling it up far enough to have room to work with, for tying a knot near the end of the chain.

Tie the chain into a knot near the end of the chain. Pull the knot tight. Pull the the pony bead back down the chain until it is close to the knot.

You may not be too enthused about weaving in the ends on all these chains, so simply tie several knots (spaced a bit apart) in the yarn end near where the chain ends. Cut the yarn near the last knot made. The knots in the end become part of the design look. (Of course, you can weave in the ends if you really want to.)

Repeat these 4 steps to add a pony bead to each chain length end.

Assembling Starting with the longest chain, tie the middle of the chain length to the hair elastic. Take the second one, that's the same length and tie it next to the first one on the hair elastic. Now tie one of each pair on either side of the ones already tied to the hair elastic.

Feature by Sandi Marshall

Bookmark for this feature is http://crochet.about.com/library/weekly/aa050899.htm

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