Too much emphasis cannot be placed upon the importance of the position of the hands when working, and the firmness of the stitches, as the work is, at once, better and more even when the proper position is maintained. The crochet needle should be held lightly between the first finger and the thumb of the right hand; the hook horizontal and parallel with the first finger of the right hand, that part of the work which is in course of construction being held closely between the thumb and third finger of the left hand. The thread is wound once around the first finger, passes under the second and third fingers of the left hand, and is wound around the small finger. It is now held in position by bending the fourth and small fingers toward the palm of the hand.
The foundation stitch of all crocheting is the chain stitch (ch) (see [Figure 227]) which is begun by making a slip knot around the needle. Draw the thread through this loop, and you have a chain. Again draw the thread through this second loop, continue until the chain is of desired length.
Another stitch is the slip stitch (sl st). Insert the hook in the foundation work. Draw loop through the work and another through the loop on the needle.
Single crochet (s c). See [Figure 228].
Fig. 228. Single crochet
Insert hook in work, make a loop on the hook and draw through, making two loops on the needle. Throw thread again over hook. Draw thread through both loops.
Double crochet (d c). See [Figure 229].