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How to Hold Yarn for Crochet

Lesson #3

If you are wondering how to hold yarn for crochet, the first rule is there are no rules! So in short, do whatever feels right when holding your yarn.

Now I realize that you probably have never crocheted before, and if this is the case, allow me to show you some popular techniques before you decide which way is best for you.


 Holding Yarn Review 

Here are a few tips before getting started:

  • The yarn is placed in your less dominant hand.
  • The yarn hand feeds the yarn to your hook while you crochet, and this is why it is important to find a holding style that works best for you so that you are comfortable while crocheting.
  • The yarn hand controls the tension of the yarn being fed, and determines how tight or loose your finished project will be.
  • This may not make sense at the moment, but once you actually start crocheting these tips will become more clear.


 Techniques 

Side Note: While I teach you how to hold yarn for crochet, I like to give names for the different yarn holding techniques that I demonstrate.

So bare in mind the names I have created for the techniques used are not typically used for crochet terminology purposes.


 1. The Pinky Hold Technique 

  • The little finger (pinky) does most of the work in this method.

Step 1: With palm facing down bring the tail end of your yarn up between your little finger and ring finger. (demonstration below)

Left Hand Holding Yarn

Right Hand Holding Yarn

Step 2: Wrap the tail end of your yarn around your little finger forming a loop around your pinky finger.

Step 3: Bring the tail end of the yarn over the top of your hand.

Step 4: Allow your thumb and forefinger to grip the yarn for control.


 2. The Loose Yarn Technique 

This technique is similar to the pinky hold technique, but this time you are not going to wrap your little finger with the yarn.

Step 1: With your palm facing down pull the tail end of the yarn up through, and in-between your little finger and ring finger.

Step 2: Continue to pull the yarn over the top of your hand catching it with your thumb and forefinger for control.


 3. The Forefinger Hold Technique 

In this technique the forefinger (index finger) will be doing most of the work for you.

Step 1: With palm facing down bring the tail end of the yarn up through your little finger and index finger.

Step 2: Continue to bring the yarn over the top of your hand looping it around your forefinger (index finger).

If you come up with your own technique when learning how to hold yarn for crochet that works too. Start out by using the methods that I have shown you as a guideline, and then break off and try something different.

Tip: The important thing to remember is to always be comfortable while crocheting. If your hand starts to cramp up when you are using a certain style stop using that style and try something different.