When you are new to crochet, you may be wondering: what is the correct way to hold a crochet hook? What should my hand position look like? This week, we’re going to talk about crochet hand positions!

In the world of crochet, you will find so much versatility. From the way crochet pattern designers write and format their patterns to the preferences for types of yarn or how to hold a crochet hook, there will never be a shortage of differences in your pursuit of learning crochet. While it’s important to understand the variations and acknowledge the differences in other crocheters’ preferences, keep in mind that whatever feels right to you is the right way! Today, though, let’s dive into the crochet hand positions you may come across as you’re learning. Happy wishes and cozy stitches!

This post is all about crochet hand positions.

Crochet Hand Position: Different Ways to Crochet!

Crochet Hooks

First, let’s talk about crochet hooks. There are so many different kinds of crochet hooks out there, and they range from very inexpensive to ridiculously expensive. It can be overwhelming to choose the best crochet hooks when you are just starting out. Well, I’m here to tell you: go cheap!

You don’t need the fanciest crochet hooks on the market to learn to crochet. In fact, you should do the opposite! You can buy a set of Boye or Susan Bates aluminum crochet hooks for a small investment. As you build your crochet skills, you can gradually add more expensive crochet hooks into your collection. Or don’t! Honestly, some of my favorite crochet hooks to this day are the cheap Susan Bates ones I learned on.

You can find the Susan Bates aluminum hooks here.

You can find the Boye aluminum hooks here.

Knives Up, or Pencils Down! The Two Main Hand Positions

When learning to crochet, there are two main ways to hold a crochet hook that you will come across. The first position is the “knife” position, and the second is the “pencil” position. As their names suggest, these positions describe the way your hand position resembles the way you hold a knife or a pencil.

Knives Up

As you can see in the image above, the crochet hook is held between the thumb and index finger, with the hook end pointing up toward the ceiling.

This is the “knife” hold or hand position.

The knife hold looks a lot like this picture here!

Pencils Down

As you can see in the picture above, the crochet hook is held with the hook end pointed down, similar to the way you hold a pencil.

The ways in which the crochet hook can be held are as vast and varied as the crocheters themselves! I have seen some very creative and interesting ways people have come up with to handle their hook. However, these are the two main crochet hand positions people stick to, with maybe some minor variations between them.

Chances are, you will most likely hold the crochet hook the way the person who taught you to crochet holds their hook. For example, my mother taught me to crochet when I was young, and she held her crochet hook in the knife position. As a result, I used this crochet hand position for every project when I was first learning to crochet, and it is still my most preferred method today.

However, no matter which way you learn, try them both! You may find that you prefer one crochet hand position over the other. Some people can even comfortably switch back and forth between the two positions.

While you will come across many different ways to hold your crochet hook and yarn, keep in mind that, at the end of the day, the way that feels the most comfortable to you is the only right way! That’s one of the beautiful things about crochet. We all do it a little bit differently, but we can all create absolute magic by tying knots into yarn with a hook.

What is your preferred crochet hand position? Share below!

And stay cozy,

This post was all about crochet hand positions.

Check out these free crochet patterns to try out these crochet hand positions!

Crochet Elephant Pattern

Crochet Hair Bow Pattern

Tiny Top Hat Fun: Amigurumi Crochet Top Hat Pattern!

Rustic Crochet Toilet Paper Cover: Free Pattern!

There is something so comforting and cozy about being able to make things for our homes. With just a ball of yarn and a hook, the possibilities of kitschy, charming touches to our homes are positively endless. Today, I’ve made a crochet towel holder.

This crochet towel holder incorporates the beautiful open shell and picot stitch to create the towel holder. I love any stitch that has a more open, lacy weave, and I can’t wait to share this pattern with you!

This pattern works up quickly, making it the perfect project to add a quick, homey touch to your kitchen or for gift giving, and I just love the comfy, cozy feel it brings to the kitchen.

Happy wishes and cozy stitches!

This post is for a free crochet towel holder pattern.

Free Crochet Towel Holder Pattern

Supplies You Will Need:

• Crochet hook: 5.00 mm
• Worsted weight yarn in any color(s) you choose
• 4 ” wooden rings (I found mine on Amazon)
• Yarn needle
• Stitch marker
• Scissors

Crochet Abbreviations:

• Inc- Increase
• Dec- Decrease
• Ch- Chain
• Sc- Single Crochet
• St(s)- Stitch(es)
• Sl st- Slip Stitch
• FO- Fasten Off
• Dc- Double Crochet
• Tr- Treble Crochet

Towel Holder

1. Sc 21 stitches around the wooden ring. Ch 1 and turn.

2. Sc in first stitch, *skip 2 sc, [1 dc, ch 1, 1 dc, ch 1, 1 dc] in next sc, skip 2 sc, 1 sc in next st, ch 3, 1 sc in next st**.

Repeat from * to ** one more time, then: skip 2 sc, [1 dc, ch 1, 1 dc, ch 1, 1 dc] in next st, skip 2 sc, sc in last stitch, turn

3. Ch 7 (this will count as a tr and 3 ch), *[1sc, ch 3, 1 sc] in middle dc of shell (this is one picot stitch), ch 3, 1 dc in next ch 3 arch, ch 3**.

Repeat from * to ** once more, then: [1 sc, ch 3, 1 sc] (picot) in middle dc of next shell, ch 3, skip next dc, tr in last stitch, turn

4. Ch 1, 1 sc in tr, *skip next ch 3 space, [1dc, ch 1, 1 dc, ch 1, 1 dc] in center of next picot stitch, skip next ch 3 space, [1 sc, ch 3, 1 sc] (picot) in next dc**

Repeat from * to ** once more, then: skip next ch 3 space, [1 dc, ch 1, 1 dc, ch 1, 1 dc] in next picot stitch, sc in 4th ch of the ch 7, turn

Basically, we are now going to repeat Row 3 and 4 until we reach the desired length. This stitch seems more confusing than it is, I promise! Once you grasp these two steps, you will master this stitch in no time.

5. Repeat Row 3

6. Repeat Row 4

7. Repeat Row 3

8. Repeat Row 4

You can make the length as long or as short as you like. If you’d like to make your towel holder longer, continue alternating repeat rows of 3 and 4 until you reach the desired length. Be sure to end on a “Row 4” repeat to keep the finished folded length even.

Finishing Up:

Now, we just need to sew the other end of our crochet towel holder to the second wooden ring!

• Cut a length of yarn that is at least 30 inches in length and pull the last stitch of the last round through to secure.
• With a yarn needle, wrap the yarn around the wooden ring, and pass it through each stitch along the last row. Keep the stitches around the ring tidy and pulled tightly as you work.
• Weave in all loose ends

And there we have it! A super simple, super customizable and versatile crochet towel holder! Wrap it around your fridge handle, your oven, a towel rack, or whatever!

I love the lacy, cottage look of the open shell and picot stitch, and I love the touch it brings to my kitchen. I’ll definitely be making some of these as gifts as well!

What about you? Have you made one of these crochet towel holders? Share below!

And stay cozy,

This post was for a free crochet towel holder pattern.

Check out my related posts below for more crochet home decor!

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• 11 Cute Patterns for Crochet Kitchen Items

Back in the day, it seemed that everyone and their grandmother had a crochet toilet paper holder. While you don’t see them much these days, they can still bring a coziness to your bathroom! Elevate your bathroom decor with this rustic crochet toilet paper cover pattern.

I love the touch of farmhouse coziness this simple crochet toilet paper cover brings to the bathroom! This simple yet stylish project is the perfect way to add a handmade accent to your decor. It’s the little things that bring such warmth and coziness to our lives. As they say, life is lived in the details! Read on for the free crochet pattern.

Happy wishes and cozy stitches!

My free patterns and pictures are for PERSONAL USE only. Please do not share, distribute, reproduce, publish, translate, alter, or resell this pattern in any way. Feel free to share or sell the finished product as long as you credit my design. Please share photos of your design with me by tagging me here on Instagram if you’d like; I love to see them!

Now, let’s get started!

This post is for a crochet toilet paper cover.

Rustic Crochet Toilet Paper Cover: Free Pattern!

Supplies You Will Need:

• Crochet hook: 5 mm
• Worsted weight yarn in any color(s) you choose
• Yarn needle
• Stitch marker
• Scissors
• Twine
• Fabric glue (optional)

Crochet Abbreviations:

• MR- Magic Ring
• Inc- Increase
• Dec- Decrease
• Ch- Chain
• Sc- Single Crochet
• St(s)- Stitch(es)
• Sl st- Slip Stitch
• FO- Fasten Off
• BLO- Back Loop Only
• HDC- Half Double Crochet

***The entire pattern is worked in HDC stitches.***

Crochet Toilet Paper Cover:

1. MR hdc 8                                                                                                       (8)
2. Inc hdc x 8                                                                                                    (16)
3. 1 hdc, 1 inc x 8                                                                                              (24)
4. 2 hdc, 1 inc x 8                                                                                             (32)
5. 3 hdc, 1 inc x 8                                                                                             (40)
6. 4 hdc, 1 inc x 8                                                                                             (48)
7. 5 hdc, 1 inc x 8                                                                                             (56)
8. 6 hdc, 1 inc x 8                                                                                             (64)

* Please Note*

This pattern was designed using a double roll size of toilet paper. For smaller or bigger rolls, your pattern may be a little bit different. Basically, keep increasing your magic ring until the circle fits to the edges of the toilet paper roll when placed on top of the roll.

Then, proceed to Round 9 below:

9. BLO hdc around                                                                                                 (64)

10- 16. Hdc around                                                                                                 (64)

You can make this section as long or as short as you need for your toilet paper roll. Once your rows reach the bottom of the toilet paper roll, you can fasten off and weave in the ends.

Finishing Up:

• Place the toilet paper cover over the toilet roll. Measure a length of twine that is long enough to wrap around the toilet roll twice (or more if you want longer tails).
• Cut as many strands as you want to create a thick, farmhouse style bow. I cut three separate strands.
• Now, using all strands at the same time, wrap around the toilet paper cover and tie into a bow. It takes some fiddling to get the bow exactly how you want it.
• When you are happy with the bow and placement, you can secure the bow to the toilet paper cover by placing a dab of fabric glue on the knot of the bow and gluing it in place.

And that’s it!

I hope you’ve enjoyed today’s free crochet pattern for a toilet paper cover! The possibilities are endless for colors and designs to match any style and any bathroom. Have you made one of these for your bathroom? Share below!

And stay cozy,

This post was for a free crochet toilet paper cover pattern.

Looking for a free crochet top hat pattern for your amigurumi? This free pattern makes it easy to create these charming miniature hats!

Add a touch of dashing whimsy to your amigurumi projects with this adorable and easy design. They work up quickly, and there are so many variations to create a style for any character. Keep reading to learn the pattern!

This post is for a free crochet top hat pattern.

Tiny Top Hat Fun: Amigurumi Crochet Top Hat Pattern!

• Crochet hook: 3.5 mm (or whichever size you like best. Keep in mind the size of the finished project will be smaller or bigger depending on the hook you choose)
• Worsted weight yarn in any color(s) you choose
• Fabric glue (optional)
• Yarn needle
• Stitch marker
• Scissors
• Ribbon (optional)
• Patches (optional)
• Fabric swatches to make patches (optional)

• MR- Magic Ring
• Inc- Increase
• Dec- Decrease
• Ch- Chain
• Sc- Single Crochet
• St(s)- Stitch(es)
• Sl st- Slip Stitch
• FO- Fasten Off
• BLO- Back Loop Only
• FLO- Front Loop Only
• P- Picot Stitch

Special Stitch Instructions:

• Picot Stitch- ch 3, skip first and second chain on hook and sl st in first ch st made. Sl st into next two available stitches. One picot stitch made.

Top Hat:

1. MR 8                                                                                                       (8)
2. Inc x 8                                                                                                     (16)
3. 1 sc, inc x 8                                                                                             (24)
4. BLO: sc around                                                                                     (24)

5-10. Sc around                                                                                         (24)

11. FLO: inc in each st around                                                                (48)

12. Sc around                                                                                             (48)

13. FO. Weave in ends

That’s all there is to it!

Variations:

• Add a ribbon! Glue a piece of ribbon around the base of the top hat for an instant vintage and formal look.
  
• For an elegant, feminine touch, why not add a ruffled edge by creating a picot stitch on the last round instead of single crochet stitches? To create the picot stitch, follow the Special Stitch Instructions above for the last round!
  
• For an extra dash of whimsy, glue some small flowers or patches to the top hat!
  

And voila! Your crochet top hat is ready to grace the head of any of your projects.

And that’s it! I hope you enjoyed today’s free pattern for a crochet top hat for amigurumi. Have you made any of these styles or created your own? Share below!

And stay cozy,

This post was about a free crochet top hat pattern.

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• Crochet Elephant Pattern