Adjustable Ring

Make a large loop by putting the yarn tail behind the working yarn (the yarn coming from the skein) (Figures 12), leaving at least a six-inch tail until you become familiar with this method (Figure 3). Later, you may leave a shorter tail if desired.

With your hook, draw the working yarn through the loop, so you have one loop on the hook (Figures 4-6).

Ch 3 (counts as first dc) (Figure 7).

How you hold the loop while you work the stitches into it is personal preference, but I find it convenient to put both my pinky and ring finger inside the loop to hold it tight (Figure 8.)

Dc into the loop, crocheting over the tail (Figure 9). Continue to work as many dcs as needed for you pattern into the loop. (Dont forget to keep crocheting over the tail.) When you are finished working stitches into the loop, you will likely find that the tail has curled around the loop a few times (Figure 10). To make it easier to draw the loop closed, first untwist the tail (Figure 11); then pull the tail to draw the loop closed. You can leave an open hole in the center (Figure 12) or draw it closed very tightly (Figure 13).

Joining a Chain to Form a Ring

Ch 4 (Figure 1). Join to fourth ch from hook (the first ch made) with a sl st to form a ring (Figure 2). Ch 3 (counts as first dc) (Figure 3). Dc into ring (Figure 4). Continue to work as many dcs as needed for your pattern into the ring (Figure 5). Join with a sl st into the third ch of the ch-3.

Crocheting into the First Chain

Ch 4 (chs 2-4 count as first dc) (Figure 1). Dc into the fourth ch from hook (the first ch made) (Figures 2-3). Continue to work as many dcs as needed for your pattern into the same ch (Figure 4). Join with a sl st into the fourth ch of the ch-4.