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🧰 Required Tools & Equipment

✓ Crochet hook (size 4.0mm to 5.0mm / US G to H)
✓ Yarn needle (tapestry needle)
✓ Embroidery scissors or yarn snips
✓ Locking stitch markers

📦 Materials & Supplies

✓ Worsted weight or DK yarn in a smooth, light-colored acrylic or cotton blend

⚠️ Safety Checkpoints & Warnings

• Keep wrist, neck, and shoulder posture relaxed with regular stretch breaks to prevent repetitive strain.
• Keep scissors folded or sheathed on the flat table surface when not trimming ends.

📋 Step-by-Step Guide (6 Steps)

Create a Foundation Chain

Tie a slip knot onto your crochet hook leaving a 4-inch tail. Yarn over and pull through the loop to create 11 loose, uniform chain stitches. Keep light tension with your non-dominant hand so the chain loops glide smoothly along the hook shank.

👁️ Camera AI Checkpoint

• A straight, uniform braid-like strip of 11 chain 'V' shapes with one active loop sitting on the hook shaft.
• Each chain loop is identical in width to the shaft of the hook.

🛑 Watch Out For

• Pulling chains too tight, making it impossible to insert the hook in the next step.
• Twisting the chain line while counting stitches.

⚠️ Safety Note: Do not wrap working yarn tightly around your index finger; allow it to slide smoothly without restricting circulation.

Insert Hook into the Second Chain

Identify the chain stitches leading away from the hook, skipping the loop currently on the hook and the very first chain loop. Insert the tip of your hook under the top strand (or top 'V') of the second chain from the hook.

👁️ Camera AI Checkpoint

• Hook tip is inserted cleanly through the top loop of the 2nd chain, with one strand of the chain resting across the top of the hook shaft.

🛑 Watch Out For

• Counting the active loop on the hook as the first chain stitch.
• Piercing through the middle of the yarn plies instead of sliding cleanly into the chain loop.

⚠️ Safety Note: Hold the foundation chain securely between thumb and middle finger right next to the target loop to avoid sudden slipping.

Yarn Over and Draw Up a Loop

Bring the working yarn from back to front over the hook (yarn over). Catch the strand with the hook's beak and pull it gently through the chain stitch. You should now have exactly two loops resting on the hook.

👁️ Camera AI Checkpoint

• Two parallel, evenly sized loops sitting on the hook shank.
• The hook is slightly lifted to bring the newly pulled loop level with the original loop.

🛑 Watch Out For

• Wrapping the yarn front-to-back (yarn under) instead of standard back-to-front yarn over.
• Leaving the drawn-up loop too tight, compressing the height of the stitch.

⚠️ Safety Note: Maintain a soft grip on the hook handle to prevent palm fatigue.

Yarn Over and Complete the Single Crochet

Yarn over the hook from back to front a second time. Catch the yarn with the beak and smoothly pull it through both loops on your hook. You will be left with one active loop on the hook and one completed single crochet (UK double crochet) stitch.

👁️ Camera AI Checkpoint

• A single post with a clear 'V' shape resting on top of it.
• Exactly one active loop remains on the hook shaft.

🛑 Watch Out For

• Pulling through only the first loop on the hook instead of both.
• Accidentally pulling the working yarn loop off the hook entirely.

⚠️ Safety Note: Keep wrists neutral without extreme flexion or extension.

Work Remaining Stitches Across the Row

Insert the hook into the top loop of the very next foundation chain. Repeat the sequence: yarn over, pull up a loop (2 loops on hook), yarn over, pull through both loops (1 loop remains). Continue into each remaining chain until you reach the knot end.

👁️ Camera AI Checkpoint

• A straight, horizontal row containing 10 completed single crochet stitches.
• Every stitch displays a neat 'V' across the top edge with identical height and spacing.

🛑 Watch Out For

• Skipping a chain stitch, causing a gap and resulting in fewer than 10 stitches.
• Crocheting twice into the same chain loop, making the edge flare outward.

⚠️ Safety Note: Rest your fingers if you feel pinch tension in your yarn-holding hand.

Chain One and Turn for Row Two

At the end of the row, yarn over and pull through the active loop to make a turning chain (Chain 1). Turn your fabric horizontally like turning the page of a book, so the working yarn is positioned at the back right. You are now ready to insert under BOTH strands of the first stitch 'V' to begin Row 2.

👁️ Camera AI Checkpoint

• The crochet piece is flipped, showing the back textured side facing you with the hook positioned at the top-right corner.
• A small single chain sits above the edge serving as height for the next row.

🛑 Watch Out For

• Forgetting to make the turning chain, causing the edges of the swatch to pull tight and slant inward.
• Flipping the work in varying directions, creating twisted, uneven side borders.

⚠️ Safety Note: Store your crochet hook in a pouch or case when stepping away from the project.

Credit: inspired by an original tutorial by Bella Coco — watch the original on YouTube.

Don’t have everything?

No Locking stitch markers? Bobby pins, safety pins, or scrap pieces of contrasting yarn
No Yarn needle? A smaller crochet hook to weave tail ends under stitches