Hey Gang, Jane here and I’m back today with another fun crochet technique tutorial, Today I’m going to share a simple but effective crochet tip to level up your crochet skills, the Invisible Beginning Single Crochet
I work with alot of colour, so I am always joining new colours into my work. My usual method has been to use a simple slip stitch join and then work a single crochet into the same stitch I joined in. This however always creates what looks like and extra stitch in the same space. Which when you are working with alot of colour, tends to stand out.
There are a variety of ways to deal with this, but today I want to share a different method of working that first single crochet of your round. I call it the Invisible Beginning Single Crochet because the first single crochet looks just like every other single crochet in the round, so it gives a smooth and clean look to your work. And when you are done your piece, you will not be able to tell where each round begins or ends ( except for any left over ends not darned in yet )
If you’re looking to explore more captivating color combinations for your squares, hop on over to my Instagram and Pinterest. I love sharing lots of pics of my colour experiments there!
I LOVE to work with colours in my granny squares, so I am always joining in new colours. This unfortunately can mean I can see where the colours join and it can set off the symmetrical look of the overall design.
The Invisible Beginning Single Crochet
So why do I call this Invisible? I can hear you say, but Jane, the Single Crochet is not invisible, I can see it. Yes, but the invisible part is that you won’t be able to tell where you started after you are finished. So the invisible part is the “start” . The first stitch will look just like all the others in the round.
More Information on Hooks Sizes, Yarn Weights and Crochet Language
Hook Sizes see the Craft Yarn Council’s Page Here
For Standard Yarn Weight Information See this Page
A Handy PDF from Annie’s on the difference between UK and US Crochet Terms
A Nice Explanation from LoveCraft’s on The UK and US differences
Beginning Single Crochet – Old Version
In this version pictured below, we start our round with a basic slip stitch, then we chain 1, and then we work a single crochet into the same space or stitch we joined into. This creates what ends up looking like an entire second stitch. We can try and pull it up tight, but it still looks different than all the other single crochet stitches in the round.
There are a few ways to deal with this, but I had not seen one that worked for me. So I experimented…..
Invisible Beginning Single Crochet – New Version
Pictured below is the New Version. The red circle shows the first single crochet, and now there are no extra stitches or loops in that first space. It looks just like all the other single crochet stitches in the round. When you are done, and you have worked in your ends, you will be hard pressed to find where you began the round. This I like, because now my symmetry works.
Invisible Beginning Single Crochet – Basics
The best way to learn this is to scroll down and watch the step by step video tutorial below, where I will slowly walk you through the process.
However, the trick is basically that you loop the yarn over the hook BEFORE you put it into the stitch, thus skipping the need to join and slip stitch.
Once you have that loop, then you insert the hook into the stitch to complete the first single crochet.
NOTE: be sure to work over the cut end of the yarn to hold the stitch in place or it will unravel.
Scroll down and Watch the Tutorial below and I will explain how the stitch unravels and how to prevent this from happening.
Invisible Beginning Single Crochet
This is really a game changer for your colour work. It is simple and easy to master and you will find you use it in all your projects.
This video tutorial will walk you through the Basics, step by step of the Invisible Beginning Single Crochet Method
Check out my Shop where I regularly release new patterns using all my squares.
All shop patterns include a symbol chart version of the square as well as various colour way diagrams
Thanks for joining me and getting creative.
“I found I could say things with color and shapes that I couldn’t say any other way – things I had no words for.” – Georgia O’Keeffe
