Beginner Crochet Block

What you need:

Worsted-weight yarn, any color or colors - Size G crochet hook; - Yarn needle with big eye - Small scissors

Step 1: Hold crochet hook in right hand and make a slip knot on hook.
Step 2: Bring yarn over hook from back to front and grab it with hook.
Step 3: Draw hooked yarn through slip knot and onto hook. This makes one chain stitch. Repeat Steps 2 and 3 in sequence 28 more times. You should have 29 chain stitches and one loop will remain on hook.
Step 4: Skip the first chain stitch.

Step 5: Insert hook into center of next chain stitch. Draw yarn through the chain stitch and up onto the hook. There are now 2 loops on hook.
Step 6: Bring yarn over hook from back to front, and draw it through both loops on hook. One loop remains on the hook, and you have just made one single crochet stitch.
Repeat Steps 5 and 6 in each of the remaining 27 chains—be sure to work in the very last chain. You have now completed one row of single crochet. Measure your work; it should be about 7" wide. If it is too wide, try again with fewer beginning chains. If it is too narrow, try again with more beginning chains.
Step 7: At the end of the row, make one chain stitch, then turn the work counter-clockwise, leaving the hook in the chain.
Step 8: Make one single crochet stitch in first stitch and in each remaining stitch of the previous row. Be sure to work into the last stitch. Chain 1, turn. Repeat Step 8 until the block measures 9" long.
Finishing: Cut the yarn from the skein, leaving a 6" end. Draw the hook straight up, bringing the yarn through the remaining loop on the hook

Thread yarn into yarn needle and weave back and forth through stitches to secure.
For more crochet instruction, information, and fun things to do with your crocheting, go to the Getting Started page http://www.learntoknit.com/getting_started.php3 for a list of helpful books, videos, CD-Roms, and web sites. Also visit the Crochet Guild of America site.

Afghan assembly tips

Lay out 49 squares on a table or the floor to determine the final arrangement by color and/or texture, then join them using one of the following methods.

We'd like to point out that the 7" by 9" size was selected because it was a convenient size to join together to form a full-size afghan. We also needed uniformity of size to be able to join sections knitted and crocheted by different people across the country. That is why it is so helpful that the sections you send in be as close to 7" x 9" as possible.

However, if you have an interest in making an entire afghan, you can knit or crochet your afghan to any size or pattern you wish. There is a need, for instance, for baby afghans (approximately 32" by 38") and lap throws, which are much smaller than the standard Warm Up America! afghan. If you want to make several sections, but not an entire afghan, consider knitting or crocheting a 7" by 63" strip (Diagram A). It makes assembling much easier and less time consuming.

Also remember that while sections are supposed to be 7" by 9", everyone's tension is a little different and several brands of yarns have been used, so the size of the blocks will vary. Therefore, it may be necessary to "stretch" some blocks and "ease in" others when assembling.

Finally, it is helpful to label wool yarns, sections and afghans because greater care is needed in cleaning wool. It is also better not to mix wool sections with the synthetic yarn sections for the same reason.

Finishing Touches - Joining Squares

Assembling A Standard Warm Up America! Afghan

To complete a standard 49" by 63" Warm Up America! afghan requires 49 sections. We've found that forming vertical strips (Diagram A) is a good way to begin. After you have joined sections and completed seven vertical strips, join the vertical strips together.

To join individual sections or strips, we recommend that you:

	Backstitch (Diagram B) or weave (Diagram C) seams together with a yarn needle or
	Crochet the seams together or

	Zig-zag the seams together on your sewing machine using a large-size stitch and a neutral or transparent thread.