Photo No. 1 (Above). Holding Crochet hook with thumb and index finger. Middle finger supporting hook as well as keeping loop on hook.
Photo No. 2. Thumb and middle finger holding stitch together while index and little finger control the tension of the yarn.
The frustrations for most beginning crocheters come from not being able to coordinate the collaborative function of the left and right hand fingers. This frustration can be alleviated if a beginner understands the function of the involve fingers namely: 1] The Thumb, index and middle fingers of the hand that holds the crochet hook. For right-handed person, this would be the right hand; for the left-handed, this would be the left hand; 2] the thumb, index, middle finger and little finger of the hand that manage the yarn. For the right-handed person, this would be the left hand and for the left-handed, this would be the right hand.
These fingers must work together at all times and it takes time to train these fingers to cooperate with each other. The best way to learn to crochet is to just play with yarn and treat this activity as a game instead of a serious work. Mastering the art and craft of Crochet should come much later, after you have trained your fingers to work well together. This was how I learned to crochet when I was a kid. I was just playing with hook and yarn with no definite pattern or project in mind. When you are in a playful mood, you are more relax and so are the muscles involve in doing crochet work. On the other hand, when you are too serious, your muscles controlling your fingers become tense and instead of working together, your fingers work against each other and you become frustrated.
When you treat crocheting as a non-competitive game, you will be surprise that one day you hold a yarn and a hook and you realize that you know how to crochet!!! When this happens, then it is time to get excited about making that coveted project you have in mind. For beginner, it is best to start with very small project, something that can be finished within a day. Finished project will encourage a beginner to continue crocheting.
Finger Team Work in Managing the Yarn
In Crochet, the THUMB and MIDDLE FINGERS that hold the yarn must work together at all times to manage each stitch (chain ) as it is made. The secret to having even stitches is to move both thumb and middle finger to the newly formed stitch. Unless I'm making a very loose chains, I always hold the first chain (stitch) from hook as I crochet.
The INDEX FINGER and the LITTLE FINGER together controls the tension of the yarn and these must work together also in order to maintain an even tension. The index finger serves as the spindle and it comes closer or farther from the thumb and middle finger to maintain tension.
It also makes sure that the yarn stays in place when the yarn is pulled as each stitch is made. To keep the yarn on the index finger, it must maintain its extended position at all times.
Back and forth movement (wiggle) of the little finger will pull more yarn from the skein and slacken the tension. To keep the yarn on the little finger, it must stay on its slightly curled position except when the yarn is being coiled/threaded on it.
One main problem that I have observed from beginners is that the index finger(of the hand holding the yarn), tries to help the thumb. As an autonomic reflex, this is difficult to break, but with constant practice and excercise of your thumb and middle finger holding something together, should break the habit.
Finger Team Work in Managing the Hook and Loop
This time, the INDEX FINGER and THUMB must work together to hold the hook. The thumb and index finger grasp the flattened part of the crochet hook with the hook pointing towards you.
The MIDDLE FINGER supports the hook as well and keeps the loop(s) on hook. It touches every loop drawn as if to give each a stamp of approval. It keeps yarn over(s) (yarn over) on the hook at all times. When using beads in crochet, it keeps the bead on hook as well.
Left and Right Hand Team Work
There are instances when the hand holding the hook must do other task and must let the hand holding the yarn hold the hook as well. This is done by letting the thumb and finger that hold the last stitch, hold the hook as well. See photo No 2 above. The freed hand can then rewind the yarn on the index finger and or little finger if needed. Sometimes the skein of yarn need to be managed as well, especially if the yarn is not feeding through the fingers smoothly.
During beading process, the middle finger and thumb of the hand holding the yarn is used to pick up the bead, this is done by letting the hand that holds the hook hold the last stitch as well. Once the hook is inserted in the bead, Each hand and each finger resume their normal duties.
Do finger/hand excercise to limber up and train the muscles involved in keeping the fingers in crocheting position:
For The Hand Managing the Yarn:
* Open and close the hand a few times before and after each crochet attempts and when taking a break between learning sessions. Do the same when you feel your fingers getting tired and or tense.
* Make the yarn fingers assume their working position and let the middle finger and thumb
touch and untouch a few times.
The index finger and little finger moves slightly as you are doing the above excercise. The same is true when you are actually doing crochet. This automatic action helps control the tension of the yarn.
For The Hand Managing the Hook and Loop:
* Open and close the hand a few times before and after each crochet attempts and when taking a break between learning sessions. Do the same when you feel your fingers getting tired and or tense.
* Make the fingers that manage the hook assume their working position and let the index finger and thumb touch and untouch a few times while keeping the middle finger in an extended position.
Do the above before attempting to crochet.
Most of all play and have fun with hook and yarn.
Don't be disturb if the loop or the chains are not even, after all, you are only playing. Serious work must come later. So now find a hook and some yarn and be playful as a kitten.
