Arrange the yarns in three groups, according to visible thickness. The H (5.00 mm) hook will be used with the thinnest group, the I (5.50 mm) hook with the mid-sized group, and the J (6.00 mm) hook with the thickest yarns.

Leaving a 6to 8 (15 50 20.5 cm) tail, make a slip knot in one of the thin (Group A) yarns. Place the loop on the H (5.00 mm) hook and snug it to a natural fit.

Make 100 chain stitches, trying for a loose, even size to the loops. Don’t worry if the chain seems to twist; it’s normal and only means the work is a little on the tight side. Work toward even tension or gauge. Measure the length of the chain, laid flat but not stretched. Don’t count the beginning tail in your measurement, only the chain itself. Somewhere between 22to 26 (56 to 66 cm) indicates the correct size of each stitch.

Continue to chain until the chain is approximately 72" (1.85 m) long. (About 280-300 stitches, but this is a general guideline; accurate counting is not necessary.)

Fasten off: cut the yarn, leaving a 6to 8 (15 to 20.5 cm) tail, and pull the tail through the last chain loop made.

Repeat steps 2 to 5 with the H (5.00 mm) hook and the other Group A yarns, until there are 2 to 4 separate pieces of chain, each measuring about 72" (1.85 m) long.

With the I (5.50 mm) hook and yarns from the midsized group, Group B, repeat steps 2 to 5. Because the hook and yarn are larger, the gauge will be different for this group. The 100 chains should measure between 30to 33 (76 to 84 cm). About 225 to 235 total chain stitches will make the 72" (1.85 m) length. Repeat with the yarns from Group B, until you have 2 to 4 Group B lengths of chain.

Using the J (6.00 mm) hook and the thickest group (Group C) of yarns, repeat steps 2 to 5. Gauge with this hook and yarn combination will yield a gauge measurement of about 100 stitches = 32to 34 (81.5 to 86.5 cm). The 72" (1.85 m) length of completed chain stitches will consist of about 210 to 220 stitches. Repeat this step at least once, so there are two or more chains made with Group C yarns.

There are now seven to eleven lengths of chain, in various thicknesses, each about 72(1.85 m) long. Weave in both tails of each chain, as follows: Thread one tail onto the darning needle; sew in and out of chain loops, working up the chain, for about 2 (5 cm).

Reverse direction and sew in and out, being careful not to “un-do” the first line of stitches, working back toward the end of the chain. Cut the tail with scissors, close to the end of the chain, and give a slight tug to tighten the remaining bit of tail. The tug will pull the last bit of tail inside the end of the chain. Repeat for opposite end of chain, and for each end of all chains.

Tie a simple overhand knot in each end of each chain length, as close to the end as possible, and tug it tight. The resulting chains will all be of slightly different lengths.

Fold each chain length in half and mark the center. (This is easily done by tying all the chains together temporarily, at their centers, with a contrasting piece of yarn.)

With the centers of all chains together, tie an overhand knot (one loop and pull the end through) near each end, so that 3to6 (7.5 to 15 cm) of all the chains remain beyond the knot. All chains are now joined together at each end.

Tie another knot half-way between each end-knot and the marked center. Remove center marker.

Variation: Use different combinations of yarn, and different numbers of chains. Add a bead or button to each end of each chain just before weaving in the tail. (Be sure to purchase beads with a large enough center hole to accommodate yarn needle and yarn.)

Adapted from Crochet 101: Master Basic Skills and Techniques Easily through Step-by-Step Instruction by Deborah Burger and published by Creative Publishing international. Images by Eleanor Dotson Carlisle.

Deb will be an expert for CraftFoxes from Monday November 5th through Friday November 9th. If you have any questions for her about learning how to crochet, be sure to include them in the comments below.