Crochet help

[Silver Mist]

K, so I got yarn to make a blanket. I would love to do small squares, (30x30 stitches, 10mm hook) then connect them, so I can more easily carry it around as I work on it. ^^ I dont know many stiches, though, and have no clue how to connect the squares. I would be fine using basic stitches for the squares, but does anyone know of a good method to connect the squares that uses rather simple stitches?

(and can anyone recommend a good book for learning new stitches from? My mom has forgotten most she learned when she was young, hence my lack of knowledge)

Pictures would be great help is possible, as I am a very visual learner. ^^  

[Catcheen]

Silver Mist

K, so I got yarn to make a blanket. I would love to do small squares, (30x30 stitches, 10mm hook) then connect them, so I can more easily carry it around as I work on it. ^^ I dont know many stiches, though, and have no clue how to connect the squares. I would be fine using basic stitches for the squares, but does anyone know of a good method to connect the squares that uses rather simple stitches?

(and can anyone recommend a good book for learning new stitches from? My mom has forgotten most she learned when she was young, hence my lack of knowledge)

Pictures would be great help is possible, as I am a very visual learner. ^^

I like crocheting things together. You just hold two squares together and crochet along the edge through both layers. All done! I think it makes a nice, clean finish.

I used the Reader's Digest guide to Needlecrafts to learn new crochet stitches, but I know there's a billion books out there that have more crochet content and might explain better.  

[LadyAnubis]

Granny squares are good for stuff like that (I've med two afgans in the style). Your YLS or amazon should have a stitch dictionary, which will explain the different pattern stitchesl, such as the Granny square, or the shell stitch. I've always just sewn my afgans together with a yarn needle. I think it's quicker than trying to crochet them together.  

[Silver Mist]

YourAzureGoddess

As someone already said you can hold them together and single crochet all the squares, or (one of my favs) single crochet in a stitch of square one, chain 1, single crochet in stitch os square 2, chain 1, skip a stitch and single crochet in next stitch of square 1 and so on.

I must confess to having no clue what that means... sweatdrop

I dont do alot of crochet, so I"m not used to the terms.  

[Silver Mist]

oh! Second question- to simply crochet the squares together, do they have to be basic stitch, or can they be double stitch? The squares themselves that is.  

[Catcheen]

Silver Mist

oh! Second question- to simply crochet the squares together, do they have to be basic stitch, or can they be double stitch? The squares themselves that is.

As long as there's a hole to stick the hook in, you can crochet them together. *grin* In other words, squares in any stitch can be joined this way.  

[DecemberFlower]

Try Stitch n b***h Happy Hooker. That's the book that finally taught me to crochet, and I swear by it. 3nodding

And for if you want to use crochet blocks to make an afghan there's a book that has a bunch of different blocks in there that you could sew together. It's 200 Crochet Blocks for Blankets, Sweaters and Afghans by Jan Eaton.  

[Smillaaraq]

Catcheen

I used the Reader's Digest guide to Needlecrafts to learn new crochet stitches, but I know there's a billion books out there that have more crochet content and might explain better.

There are zillions of crochet books and pamphlets out there -- but if you're interested in lots of different types of needlework, that Reader's Digest book is a really nice introduction to lots of different crafts along with crochet -- there are sections on knitting, quilting, all sorts of embroidery, lots of fun stuff! And it's been in print for a long time, so if you don't mind getting an older version with somewhat dated illustrations, you can get used copies really cheaply online. (The stitch diagrams and instructions work just fine even if some of the photographs are scary 1970s stuff! 4laugh )  

[Brunette_Star]

Stitch N' b***h Happy Hooker (Debbie Stoller) is great. There are also two craft store books that are good - I Taught Myself to Crochet (Boye company) and I Can't Believe I'm Crocheting! (Leisure Arts) that give nice visual instructions for both lefties and righties.

The last two will show you how to stitch sections together, but Happy Hooker can also show you how to crocet sections together.  

[Silver Mist]

Thank you, everyone, for your help. ^^ I got my scarf finsihed and the first square of my blanket done friday. Now, to start a bright purple scarf and finish the blanket. xd If my curent case of perma-nervss/anxiety attacks keeps up, I'm going to be getting alot done, because it helps calm me down.