Learn to Crochet: How to Hold Crochet Yarn in Your Hand

In this fifth post in my learn to crochet series, I’d like to talk about how to hold crochet yarn in your hand. There are a few different techniques and no one “right” way to hold crochet yarn in your hand. It really is a matter of finding a technique that feels right and works best for you!

If you’re here because you want to learn to crochet, you’re in the right place! I’ve introduced a crochet basics series with the hopes of helping you on your journey to becoming a crocheter! Before you can even begin to crochet, however, it’s important for you to know how to hold a crochet hook and how to hold crochet yarn.

So far in this crochet basics series, I’ve shared:

Crochet Terms and Abbreviations (a free printable chart)
Basic Supplies Needed to Crochet
How to Hold a Crochet Hook
How to Make a Slip Knot
How to hold crochet yarn

Like I’ve shared before, I remember when my mom taught me how to crochet. I was so excited! My first lesson was learning how to hold the crochet hook and wrap the thread around my fingers. It felt so awkward at first! Now it just feels natural. Before long, it will fee natural to you, too!

Materials Used in this Tutorial

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Before we begin, you’ll want to make sure you have the following supplies on hand so you can follow along in this how to make a slip knot tutorial:

Yarn – Any yarn will do, but I’ve found the easiest to work with, especially for beginners, is worsted weight yarns like Wool-Ease. You may also want to choose a light color as it is harder to see your stitches with dark yarns. At least for learning, you’ll want to choose a light colored yarn.

Crochet Hook – If you’re just starting out, it may be easier for you to learn to crochet using a larger hook. I recommend learning with a size H (5.0mm) crochet hook, like this ergonomic hook from Clover. This hook is large enough that you can see the individual stitches.

You can purchase yarn and crochet hooks at your local craft store or online from Amazon, Craftsy, Yarnspirations or even Etsy, to mention a few.

Let’s get started!

How to Hold Crochet Yarn

There are three primary techniques that I’d like to share with you on how to hold crochet yarn in your hand to crochet. Like I said, and just like with the crochet hook, it doesn’t really matter which method you choose, so long as you choose the method that is most natural or comfortable for you. Of course, when I demonstrate or if you watch videos of me crocheting, I’ll be using the pinky wrap technique – because that’s how I learned and that technique is what’s most natural for me!

I don’t know if these techniques for holding crochet yarn in your hand have official names, but this is how I refer to them:

Pinky Wrap Technique
Forefinger Technique
Loose Yarn Technique

Let’s see if I can demonstrate each of these for you. Remember, you’ll be holding the yarn in your non-dominant hand. In other words, if you’re right-handed, you’ll hold the yarn in your left hand. If you’re left-handed, you’ll hold the yarn in your right hand. I am right-handed, so I’ll be demonstrating these techniques using my right hand.

Pinky Wrap Technique

With palm facing up bring the tail end of your yarn down between your little finger and ring finger of your non-dominant hand.
Continue by wrapping the tail end of your yarn all the way around your little finger forming a loop around your pinky finger.
Bring the tail end of the yarn across the top of your hand (along your knuckles).
Grip the end of the yarn with your thumb and forefinger.

When you use the pinky wrap technique in crocheting, you’ll use your pinky to control the release or flow of the yarn across your hand. Here’s a video that demonstrates this technique:

Forefinger Technique

The forefinger technique is very similar to the pinky wrap technique, only you are not going to wrap the yarn around your pinky.

With palm facing up bring the tail end of your yarn down between your little finger and ring finger of your non-dominant hand.
Bring the tail end of the yarn across the top of your hand (along your knuckles).
Grip the end of the yarn with your thumb and forefinger.

When you use the forefinger technique in crocheting, you’ll use your forefinger and thumb to control the release or flow of the yarn.

Loose Yarn Technique

I do not use this technique because I don’t feel like it gives me sufficient control over the flow or tension of my yarn. But, if it’s more natural for you, then go for it!

With palm facing up bring the tail end of your yarn down between your little finger and ring finger of your non-dominant hand.
Bring the tail end of the yarn across the top of your hand (along your knuckles).
Loop the end of the yarn around your forefinger.

When you use the loose yarn technique in crocheting, you’ll use your forefinger to control the release or flow of the yarn.

So, now that you know how to hold a crochet hook, how to make a slip knot and how to hold crochet yarn in your hand, you’re ready to move on to the next step! So, what is the next step? Next, we’re going to learn how to crochet a chain! Pretty cool, right?! Before you know it, you’ll be crocheting up a storm!

By the way, if you have questions, feel free to leave them in the comments below. I’ll be glad to try to answer and assist in your crochet journey! For even more crochet inspiration, follow The Birch Cottage’s Crochet Board on Pinterest!

Til next time…