Crochet is a needlework system of interlocking looped stitches formed by a single hook and a single yarn for creating delicate open designs.
Crochet became popular almost four hundred years ago as a means to creating “American Lace”.
Today, crochet is a treasured heritage skill used for making items for home and family such as pot holders.
When you look at a Crochet pattern, it may look a bit intimidating.
It is full of strange letter combinations that require you master the Crochet code or language.
For example, you will see abbreviations for beginning as beg; block as bl; and cluster as cl.
Not only do you need to master the code, you have a whole set of terms, definitions, intricate designs, and skill sets to learn.
It is indeed a highly skilled art form.
Actually doing crochet is a matter of using the hook or large needle to twist, wrap, insert, arrange, and otherwise hand loop a single yarn to form a multitude of stitch patterns.
The combinations form stitches described as half crochet, single crochet, double crochet, and treble crochet.
The stitches are chained together in rows, joined, and expanded to form the interlocking patterns.
Different sized crochet hooks made of various materials are also used for a variety of purposes.
The end result is an intricate design such as one of the Afghan stitch patterns (Basic, Cluster, Crossed Tunisian, Framed Squares, Mesh, Purl, etc.)
There are hundreds of different patterns and variations producing truly amazing crochet art.
Text Source: Sewing, The World's Greatest Hobby Book