Work your first flat swatch

A swatch is a small practice square. It builds muscle memory, and you will need to make swatches later to check gauge. For this one you need worsted yarn and a 5 mm hook.

Row 1

1. Chain 21.
2. Insert the hook into the 2nd chain from the hook (skip the first chain).
3. Yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through both loops. That is one single crochet (sc).
4. Work 1 sc into each chain across. You should have 20 sc.

Row 2 and onwards

1. Chain 1 (this is the turning chain; it does not count as a stitch).
2. Turn your work so the yarn is on the right, if you are right-handed.
3. Work 1 sc into each stitch across, going under both loops of the V at the top of each stitch. You should have 20 sc.
4. Repeat until your swatch is about 10 cm (4 in) tall.

Getting straight edges

• Edges getting narrower? You are skipping the last stitch. Work into the very last stitch of every row.
• Edges getting wider? You are working an extra stitch into the turning chain. Skip it.
• Count every row for the first few rows. It is faster to fix a mistake early.

When you have a square of neat rows, you can work almost any pattern that uses single crochet, like the Stacked Coaster Set, once you have learned the magic ring.

Next, learn to read a pattern.