To begin - a size 3.50-4.50mm hook is best-they are easy to hold but not too bulky.

Start by holding the hook in the right hand as you would hold a pencil

Make a loop with the yarn, and inserting the hook through the loop, pull the yarn back

Creating a Chain

The chain is the foundation for crochet of all types. Practice will ensure that it becomes even.

Most patterns will use the term yrh (yarn around hook). Personally I think this is misleading as it is much better described as hook around the yarn. A much more fluid movement.

Chain (CH)
To begin a chain- catch the yarn under the hook and ease this loop through the loop already on the hook = 1 chain stitch 3)

Continue to desired length.

Double Crochet (DC)
Make a foundation chain as above.
Insert the hook through the THIRD chain from the hook, pick up the yarn and bring back through the loop - 2 loops on hook

Catch the yarn under the hook and slip off both loops = 1 dc

Treble Crochet (TR)
Make foundation chain.
Catch yarn under hook and insert hook through FOURTH chain from hook-catch yarn again and bring back - 3 loops on hook

Catch yarn under hook and slip off first two loops-catch yarn under hook and slip off remaining two loops = 1tr.

Inserting the hook into the third ch when using dc and the fourth ch when using tr is commonly called the turning ch and will usually stand instead of the first stitch of a row in a pattern.

Pattern for a basic square

Make 6 ch.

Insert hook into 1st chain made, pick up yarn and pull through-slip original stitch over new ( slip stitch - ss). You will now have a ring of chain stitches.

Work 2 chain (these count as 1st stitch) work 7 dc through the centre of circle 8 stitches in total.

Join with a ss into first stitch then work 3 ch. Work 1 tr into space between 1st and second stitches. Work 2 ch work 2 tr into same space as before.

Work 1 ch.

Work 1tr into next space, work 1 ch work 2tr 2ch 2tr into next space (repeat twice more)

Should it begin to curl increase the chain in the corners to 3 and increase to 2 ch between stitches along sides.

Join with ss into top of next (first) stitch.

Make 4 ch- this stands for the 2tr and one ch..

Work 2tr 2ch 2tr into 2 ch space.

Work 1ch, 1tr into next space(repeat) 1 ch 2tr 2ch 2 tr into next corner-continue to end.

Repeat the ss join and 4 chain to start and continue. The number of single stitches between each corner will obviously increase.

When you have reached desired size- snip yarn and pull through loop on hook.

Infinite patterns can be evolved by using different combinations of stitches and colours.

Happy crocheting!