How do you know when stitches are ready to come out?

Crochet for beginners: What stitches should I learn?

• Hi. I want to learn how to crochet. I've watched a couple of youtube tutorials and I know how to make a chain, single crochet stitch and turn my work. What are the basics should I learn next? I'm also having tension issues and getting tangled up. My stitches are too tight and I can't get my hook into them sometimes. Any tips? Or will that just come with practice? Thanks!! :)

• Answer:

  The basic stitches in the US are the chain, slip stitch, single crochet, half double crochet, and double crochet. Most patterns you'll find can be worked with those stitches. There are many variations, however. About your tension: If your stitches are too tight, be sure to put your hook all the way into the stitch and pull each new loop all the way onto your hook. It's the shaft of the hook that "sizes" the loops and stitches. The more you practice, the easier it will become. While some YouTube videos are excellent, there are some that demonstrate incorrect or poor technique. You want to be careful, as a learner, to learn from videos with correct technique. The YouTube series I most often recommend is by Beth in TX. Beth is a folksy, homey, crocheter with a ton of videos and excellent technique. Find Beth here: http://www.youtube.com/user/Bethintx1?feature=g-all-u Lion Brand Yarn's Learning Center also has good videos and excellent written instructions here: http://www.lionbrand.com/cgi-bin/faq-search.cgi?store=/stores/eyarn&learnToCrochet=1 You can also find help with learning, with stitches, and with abbreviations at Crochet 'n' More here: http://www.crochetnmore.com/123basics-beginner.html