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Please note that this text is written in "chat format," although I've edited some of it out. Therefore, there are several conversational, rather than instructional, elements.
Outside of Tunisian, I find that the single crochet is my favorite regular crochet stitch. I love its versatility.
You may think that single crochet is boring or bulky or doesn't provide any drape, or cushiness, for garment. But, that is
just the regular single crochet. There are variations that can be implemented that will produce a beautiful drape and
flexibility to your finished garment. In this class, I taught five different variations of the single crochet: Long Single Crochet, Short Single Crochet, Front Loop Single Crochet, Back Loop Single, Wrapped Single Crochet and Reverse Single Crochet. I have also taught how to start a project in single crochet without a beginning chain, or a foundation-less single crochet.
Kim> We'll get started in about 4 minutes. You'll need a ball of yarn. I recommend something not too dark. And, you'll want to be crocheting loosely.
Kim> So, a hook larger than your normal hook is recommended
Suzanne> Let me go get a larger hook. I must have misunderstood the directions and got the sized hook the yarn calls for. brb
Kim> You can still use the hook, but it might be easier to use one a little bigger
Kim> So, the first thing we are going to try out is the foundation-less single crochet
> This is a single crochet where you don't have to make a starting chain
Kim> It produces a stretchier fabric on the bottom
Kim> To begin...
Kim> Chain 2
Kim> Skip the first chain
Kim> Insert hook into second chain and pull a loop through
Kim> Yarn over and pull through ONE loop on your hook
Kim> Yarn over and pull through TWO loops on your hook
Kim> Your first single crochet is made
Kim> Please say K when ready to continue
Kim> Now, the key is placement of your hook
Kim> When you pulled through that first loop in closing your LONG SINGLE CROCHET
Kim> it made a little lip at the bottom
Kim> To make your next LONG SINGLE CROCHET
Kim> insert your hook into what sort of sticks out there
Kim> There should be two bars
Kim> Just jab your hook in there, yarn over and pull up a loop
Kim> Yarn over and pull through ONE loop on your hook
Kim> Then yarn over and pull through TWO loops on your hook to complete the long single crochet
Kim> Everyone say K when ready to continue
Kim> What we will be doing at this point is making 19 long single crochets across
Kim> If you are having trouble with the foundation-less single crochet at all, please let me know
Kim> You will still have time to get a chain of 21 and 20 regular single crochets in the event this one needs more work
Kim> Just let me know
Kim> When you have 19 foundation-less single crochets, the last single crochet will be a normal single crochet in that bottom lip of the one prior
Kim> Ch 1, turn.
Kim> When you have those 20 completed, say K when ready
Kim> Okay, if you are lost, please go ahead and take it out. Make 21 chains and do 20 single crochet like normal.
Kim> Then, later, please refer back to the transcript of the class so that you can do this technique, if you like
Kim> Alright, we'll chain 1 and turn
Kim> The first row will be a row of front loop single crochet
Kim> If you've done it before, you'll just breeze right through it
Kim> The top of the single crochet is made of 2 horizontal bars
Kim> The front loop of the single crochet is the one closest to you when you are work
Kim> In this case, it is actually the back loop of the single crochet
Kim> Make sense?
Kim> Please make 20 front loop single crochets and say K when ready
Kim> Front loop single crochet goes a long way toward make a drapier fabric
Kim> Wonderful for garments
Kim> Carol, you might be able to catch up with us, if you like
Kim> We have done a chain of 21
Kim> 20 single crochet
Kim> And 20 front loop single crochet
Kim> Okay, here we go
Kim> Chain 1 and turn
Kim> Now, take a look at that same loop as you used in the prior row
Kim> Look a little closer and you will see a bar directly under it
Kim> For this stitch, you will insert your hook from bottom to top under that tinier, tighter horizontal bar
Kim> It's smaller than the top loops
Kim> You may have to move the top loop away from you in order to see it better
Kim> Your single crochets will be made in each of these horizontal bars
Kim> This stitch is a short single crochet
Kim> It bends the top two horizontal bars away from you
Kim> Everyone see that?
Kim> Any questions on this one?
Kim> Yes, I know that it's a little tough at first
Kim> This one takes practice
Kim> And, it's also good to be crocheting loosely
Suzanne> I put my hook in the little bar and now have two loops on my hook, right?
Kim> Yes, put your hook under the little bar, yarn over and pull a loop through
Kim> two loops on your hook
Kim> yarn over and pull through two loops
Kim> Short Single Crochet completed
Suzanne> Yarn over and pull through both loops on hook?
Kim> Yes, it's a normal single crochet, the only difference is where you insert your hook
Suzanne> k
Kim> Insert under the horizontal bar, yarn over and pull a loop through
Kim> two loops now on hook
Kim> yarn over and pull through two loops on your hook to complete
Kim> And, remember, this one is difficult
Venus> I am pulling from the loop just below the top stitch
Kim> There are two loops on the top of every single crochet, normally you insert your hook under those two loops
Kim> Just under those two loops is another, usually unused tinier horizontal bar
Kim> That is the one we are using
Kim> For anyone who thinks they have problems with reverse single crochet, this one is more difficult, so if you get this one, you WILL get the reverse single crochet with no problems
Kim> I promise :-)
Venus> it looks like i am pulling two stitiches
Kim> Are you inserting under just one bar?
Kim> If not, you could be grabbing a leg of the single crochet as well
Kim> You'll want to crochet looser in that event
Kim> Push the top two loops away from you to expose the tiny one better
Kim> If you like, use your non-hook hand and pinch up the bar you want so that you can insert your hook easier
Suzanne> When you are at the last stitch, are you going under the sideways loop and grabbing the smaller one underneath?
Kim> The last stitch should have a small horizontal bar as well
Suzanne> ok
Kim> But, the last one isn't going to make as much of a difference in the long run
Kim> If you wanted, you could even make a normal single crochet in the last stitch if it makes your row more stable
Suzanne> Yep, that makes it more stable to do that!
Venus> think i made stitches too tight
Kim> Yes, that could be it, Venus
Kim> If you want, you can skip this row and start with the next
Kim> The transcript will be available for further practice
Kim> And, I'll be teaching the class again in the future
Venus> i am half way done
Kim> Okay, Venus
Kim> Go ahead with your row
Kim> We'll wait
Kim> This is the hardest stitch, so it takes the longest
Kim> The others are usually a breeze
Kim> One thing I want to tell everyone is that, if you are making an entire thing using a front loop or back loop or even short single crochet
Kim> You will probably want to do a regular single crochet as the last stitch of every row to improve stability of the edge
Kim> It can get a little loopy over there otherwise
Kim> So, please chain 1 and turn
Kim> Everyone see how that top chain is now bent over toward you?
Kim> For this row, we will be doing back loop single crochet
Kim> The back loop is the top bar that is furthest away from you
Kim> The top bars are bent toward you after you turn
Kim> So, the back loop is the one furthest away from you
Kim> It is actually the front of the single crochet, but since we are working in rows, this is what is called the back loop
Kim> The furthest one from you
Kim> You will work across the row in back loop single crochet
Kim> Repeating this pattern of short single crochet and back loop single crochet will make a very nice, drapey fabric
Kim> I've used it for at least 3 garment designs
Kim> Using back loop single crochet for an entire piece, makes a ribbed fabric
Kim> You can use that to make really nice scarves worked lengthwise
Kim> And, it is often used to make ribbing in garments
Kim> Now, we will chain 1 and turn
Kim> Again, we will be doing a long single crochet, like we did in the beginning for the foundation-less single crochet
Kim> But, this time
Kim> We'll allow it to sit up taller
Kim> It's sort of like a double crochet without all the bulk of a double crochet
Kim> Insert your hook under the top two bars
Kim> Yarn over and pull up a loop
Kim> Two loops on your hook
Kim> Yarn over and pull through ONE loop
Kim> Then, complete by yarn over and pull through TWO loops
Kim> Please ask questions if you don't understand
Kim> Complete the row of long single crochet
Venus> we are suppose to go thru the two loops like a single crochet
Kim> Insert your hook
Kim> Yarn over and pull up a loop, you now have two loops
Suzanne> k
Kim> This is where it's different
Kim> Yarn over and pull through ONE loop
Kim> NOW, yarn over and pull through TWO loops
Carol> k
Kim> It takes additional thought because you've been doing single crochets so long that your mind wants to omit the ONE loop step automatically
Venus> are we going thru two loops or one loop
Kim> Insert your hook, yarn over and pull a loop through...you now have two loops on your hook
Kim> FIRST, yarn over and pull through ONE of those loops
Kim> You are again with two loops
Kim> Yarn over and pull through those TWO loops
Kim> Long Single Crochet Made
Kim> Does that work for you, Venus?
Venus> i think i am doing it right just not sure if i go thru the front loop or both loops
Kim> Oh, on the top? You are going under both loops for this one. Although it won't matter in the end
Kim> You'll be learning the stitch no matter whether you've done it normally, in the front loop or the back loop
Venus> ok got the stitch
Kim> We have one more stitch left
Kim> And, everyone knows which one that is, I'm sure
Suzanne> rsc!
Kim> but, now that you've done the short single crochet, you have renewed confidence and you will hve no problems with the reverse single crochet
Suzanne> I LOVE to do this one!
Venus> never done a reverse single
Kim> Reverse single crochet is normally the last row of any project. If anyone knows me they will know that I NEVER follow rules and have used it in the middle of projects as well LOL
Kim> okay, chain 1, but DO NOT TURN
Kim> You will insert your hook under the top two loops in the opposite direction
Kim> Just reach back there and jab it under the bars
Kim> Yarn over and pull up a loop
Kim> Now, pull up a little on that yarn you just pulled through so that the two loops are sitting there comfortably on your hook just like a regular single crochet
Kim> Yarn over and pull through two loops on your hook
Kim> Reverse Single Crochet completed
Kim> Everyone get that?
Kim> It's much, much easier in practice than when written
Kim> You definitely want this one in your crocheting stitches because it looks great at the edge of hats and afghans
Kim> So, go ahead and do reverse single crochet across
Kim> And, let me know if you have any questions
Suzanne> And tote bags!
Jo> yes
Kim> For anyone really interested, I have one more type of single crochet I can teach you as a bonus
Kim> I only ask because our class is actually over
Kim> But, if you are feeling especially creative and brave, I have one more
Kim> Completely up to you
Kim> Just let me know
Suzanne> k
Venus> ready
Carol> Bonus?! This whole class is a bonus!
Kim> Thank you, Carol. :-)
Kim> In order to do the bonus stitch, you'll need to remove that row of reverse single crochet
Kim> Ch 1, and turn
Kim> And, everyone let me know when you are ready
Kim> For those of you wanting this one
Kim> You'll need to pull your yarn to the front of your work and hold it there, just below the top two loops of the first single crochet. Hold it there with your non-hook hand
Kim> I usually use my thumb or forefinger
Kim> Insert your hook under the top two loops as you would normally
Kim> Yarn over and pull up a loop, at the same time releasing the held yarn in the front
Kim> What this does is it causes one of the legs of the single crochet to wrap around the front of the single crochet instead of being a leg in the back
Kim> You can turn it over and you'll see that the little guy is standing there on only one leg
Kim> Questions?
Kim> This is a wrapped single crochet
Kim> I made up that name. LOL So, there's no telling whether you may see it one day with a different name
Kim> But, it looks like a regular single crochet only with a little horizontal bar across it
Kim> Sometimes, I found that the horizontal bar was closer to the bottom
Kim> But, once I got the hang of it, it actually wrapped the single crochet
Kim> The little bit of yarn will wrap around the legs of the single crochet for this one
