Well, it depends on the kind of skein you bought so we can picture it. Knowing the brand might help too. Usually, there is a cut end sticking out of the center of one end. Pull that end and start with it. (If you do not find an end sticking out, then reach into the center and pull out the very core, where you should find the cut end.)

Pull out two yards before you start, because some times you can see it pull a thread on the other end, and you have to pull that piece, which will pull the cut end out to that side.

Hope that helps.

Hi back,

It's a 5oz skein, worsted. Red Heart is the brand (from Walmart). It does have the thread sticking out one end. The book I have keeps talking about the "ball of yarn" so I was confused (naturally).

Thanks,

Dani

I'd just like to leave a happy note:

Teaching yourself to crochet is a whole lot easier than teaching yourself to knit.

Good luck.

~ Kit

You can totally do this. I taught myself to knit, and crochet. It will help to have a forum or a friend to help through any questions. Good luck and congratulation!

If you have trouble finding the end of the yarn and end up with a tangle, like I often do, you can wind it into a ball if you wish. Wind loosely so you don't stretch the yarn too much.

Good luck. You can do it.

Ah, thanks you guys. I've been messing with it this afternoon. I bought this really pretty yarn thinking it would be inspiring. It is multi-colored in the exact colors I want to do my bedroom in.

I knew I could do a chain stitch, but you should have seen the joy when I was able to do a SECOND row! LOL! I'm working on a slip stitch now. There is a lot of vocabulary I have to learn. The first challenge I'm having is keeping the right tension on it. The book shows how I should loop the yarn through my fingers and I'm having the hardest time with that. My stitches are REALLY uneven. Some are too tight and others are loose. It's fun though. Of course I'm not trying to actually make anything. My husband asked if I was going to make a bunch of little coasters. I wish I could watch someone else do this. It's easier for me to learn by watching other people.

Oh yea, there is one other thing I didn't think about when I decided I was going to do this....my cat. She's kinda bratty.

Thanks for your support, I'm sure you'll be hearing from me again....

Danielle

I taught myself over 30 years ago so it can be done! One suggestion I would have since I just taught someone at work to crochet, you may want to buy another skein of yarn to start since the ombre (multi-color) is harder to learn on. Start with a lighter color such as off white, yellow, light blue, etc. so that you can see the stitches...then move on to use the lovely matching shade for your bedroom.

There was a forum here a few months ago with good tips on teaching someone and I passed one along to my co-worker since she kept losing the first stitch, mark the first and last stitches with bobby pins until you get the hang of it. She said it really helped her keep the piece straight.

Good luck and don't give up even when frustrated - we all still get that way sometime.

You probably need to make one thing; then by the time you finish, you will have figured out how you like to hold the hook and yarn and your stitches will be even. Takes making one scarf or something to develop even tension. (You can always rip out the yarn when you are done and reuse the yarn too.)

Also you need to learn how to make stitches that are not too loose or too tight. So plan to make one practice thing first, even if it is one huge square.

Dani -

Here's a URL of a site that has QuickTime movies of lots and lots of different stitches being worked. The women I tought recently found this very helpful. Also, don't get hung up on how to hold the yarn and the hook. It's kind of a whatever-works-for-you situation.

http://www.anniesattic.com/crochet/content.html?cat_id=332&type_id=S

Here is a link that might be useful: stitch movies and illustrations

Another thing. You will find the most comfortable way to hold the yarn. It may not be the way they say in books, but you will find a way that is right for you. I knit, and it is amazing to me to watch others knit, because we are all doing the same stitches, but the motions can look entirely different. As you do more work, you will find your style and rhythm.

Dani, you may as well get used to the cat! They LOVE to help. In my case it's either playing with the yarn (love that wet yarn!) or sitting on either the skein of yarn or the actual project. Just beware of leaving your project sitting out when you're not working on it! One time I was sitting on the floor in the sewing room sorting out unfinished projects, and the cat ran in, grabbed the ball of yarn, and took off! By the time I got it away from here she'd unraveled several rows.

Donna

I'm back, This is addicting!

I agree I do need to get a different yarn. This one is pretty, but I can't see the stitches well enough to tell if I am really doing it right. Also the yarn is loose so I keep hooking / snagging through the yarn. It is frustrating me. I am feeling less clumsy holding everything but I can tell I'll probably change the way I do everything a few times. I am a little confused when I get to the end and have to turn around an go the other way. I'm not really sure if I am doing it right. It looks fine, but what do I know?

I've worked on a couple different stitches. I had a hard time with the half double crochet, but am really comfortable with the double crochet. Is there any one stitch you would recommend I get good at first?

Suse- Thanks for that link. I found out that I don't have the right media player to view the video, but that is easy enough to fix. There is a lot of information there.

And, about that CAT.... It is a really unsettling feeling to be focused on this, then look up and see Stevie with HUGE black eyes and a swirling tail. You just know that in a half second you're going to be in a lot of trouble.

Thanks you guys!