How to Finger Crochet: A Fun and Easy Guide for Beginners

Finger crochet is a technique that uses your finger instead of a crochet hook to make stitches. It is a fun and easy way to learn how to crochet, especially for kids and beginners. You only need two things for finger crochet: yarn and your hands. In this blog post, I will show you how to finger crochet a simple scarf using single crochet stitches. You can also use other basic crochet stitches, such as double crochet or half double crochet, to make different projects with finger crochet.

What You Need for Finger Crochet

• Yarn: Choose a yarn that is super bulky (size 6 or 7 on the Craft Yarn Council Standard Yarn Weight System). You can also hold several strands of a thinner weight yarn together as you work, but it’s easier to start with a single yarn.
• Your hands: The size of your finger determines the size of your stitches, similar to how a crochet hook does. However, you can still work with different yarn weights and learn to adjust your tension so you can crochet tighter or looser.

How to Finger Crochet a Scarf

To make a scarf with finger crochet, you will need to know how to make a slip knot, a chain stitch, and a single crochet stitch. If you already know how to crochet with a hook, you can use the same instructions for these stitches, but with your finger instead of the hook. If you are new to crochet, don’t worry, I will explain each step with pictures and words.

Step 1: Make a Slip Knot

A slip knot is the first step for any crochet project. It is a loop of yarn that can be tightened or loosened by pulling on the ends. To make a slip knot, follow these steps:

• Hold the yarn in your left hand, leaving a long tail of about 12 inches. Make a loop with the yarn, crossing the tail over the working yarn (the yarn attached to the skein or ball).
• Insert your right index finger under the loop and grab the working yarn. Pull it through the loop, forming another loop on your finger.
• Tighten the slip knot by pulling on the tail and the working yarn. Slide the slip knot onto the index finger of your dominant hand. The knot should be a little loose.

Step 2: Make a Chain Stitch

A chain stitch is the foundation for most crochet projects. It is a series of loops connected by yarn overs. To make a chain stitch, follow these steps:

• Wrap the working yarn over your finger and then pull it through the slip knot. This makes your first chain stitch. It can be tricky to use your finger the same way you use a crochet hook, so it helps to grasp the yarn with your finger and thumb as you draw it through.
• Pull the loop up on your finger, keeping it loose and open.
• Repeat the steps until you have as many chain stitches as you need for your project. For this scarf, I made 15 chain stitches, but you can make more or less depending on how wide you want your scarf to be.

Step 3: Make a Single Crochet Stitch

A single crochet stitch is the simplest and most common crochet stitch. It is a short and dense stitch that creates a sturdy fabric. To make a single crochet stitch, follow these steps:

• Insert your finger into the second chain from your finger. This is the same thing you would do for a single crochet stitch with a regular crochet hook. If you want to start with a different basic crochet stitch, follow the same instructions you normally would for that stitch.
• Wrap the yarn over your finger and draw it through the chain stitch. You should have two loops on your finger.
• Wrap the yarn over your finger again and pull it through both loops on your finger. You have just made your first single crochet stitch.
• Repeat the steps until you reach the end of the chain. You should have 14 single crochet stitches, one less than the number of chain stitches.

Step 4: Turn and Chain One

To start a new row of crochet, you need to turn your work and make a turning chain. This creates the height and space for the next row of stitches. To turn and chain one, follow these steps:

• Turn your work so that the last stitch you made is on your right. The working yarn should be behind your work.
• Wrap the yarn over your finger and pull it through the loop on your finger. This makes a chain stitch, which counts as the turning chain for single crochet.
• Skip the first stitch of the previous row and insert your finger into the next stitch. You are now ready to make the next row of single crochet stitches.

Step 5: Repeat Steps 3 and 4

Continue to work single crochet stitches in each stitch across the row, skipping the last loop of the previous row. Chain one, turn the work and single crochet in each stitch across, working through both loops of the stitch. Repeat these steps until you reach the desired length or run out of yarn. For this scarf, I made 50 rows of single crochet stitches, but you can make more or less depending on how long you want your scarf to be.

Step 6: Fasten Off and Weave in Ends

To finish your scarf, you need to fasten off the yarn and weave in the ends. This secures the last stitch and hides the loose ends of the yarn. To fasten off and weave in ends, follow these steps:

• Cut the yarn, leaving a tail of about 6 inches. Wrap the yarn over your finger and pull it through the last loop on your finger. Pull the tail tight to make a knot.
• Thread the tail through a yarn needle and weave it in and out of the stitches on the wrong side of the scarf. Do the same for the other tail at the beginning of the scarf. Cut off any excess yarn.
• Turn your scarf to the right side and admire your work. You have just made a finger crochet scarf!

FAQs About Finger Crochet

Here are some frequently asked questions and answers about finger crochet.

Q: What can I make with finger crochet?

A: You can make anything you can make with regular crochet, such as blankets, hats, scarves, bags, pillows, etc. The only difference is the size and texture of the stitches. Finger crochet stitches are larger and looser than hook crochet stitches, so they create a more chunky and cozy fabric. You can also use different types of yarn, such as chenille, faux fur, or t-shirt yarn, to create different effects.

Q: How can I make my finger crochet stitches tighter or looser?

A: The tension of your finger crochet stitches depends on how tightly or loosely you wrap the yarn around your finger and how big or small you make the loops. To make your stitches tighter, wrap the yarn closer to the tip of your finger and pull the loops smaller. To make your stitches looser, wrap the yarn further from the tip of your finger and pull the loops larger. You can also experiment with different fingers, such as your middle finger or your thumb, to see how they affect the size of your stitches.

Q: How can I join two pieces of finger crochet together?

A: There are several ways to join two pieces of finger crochet together, such as sewing, slip stitching, or whip stitching. One of the easiest ways is to use the mattress stitch, which creates a nearly invisible seam. To do the mattress stitch, follow these steps:

• Hold the two pieces of finger crochet together with the right sides facing each other and the edges aligned.
• Thread a yarn needle with a strand of yarn that matches the color of your finger crochet. Insert the needle under the first stitch of both pieces, from back to front. Pull the yarn through, leaving a tail of about 6 inches.
• Insert the needle under the next stitch of both pieces, from front to back. Pull the yarn through, making sure not to pull too tight or too loose.
• Repeat the steps until you reach the end of the seam. Tie a knot and weave in the ends.

Conclusion

Finger crochet is a fun and easy way to learn how to crochet, especially for kids and beginners. You only need two things for finger crochet: yarn and your hands. You can use your finger to make any basic crochet stitch, such as single crochet, double crochet, or half double crochet. You can also make any crochet project, such as blankets, hats, scarves, bags, pillows, etc. Finger crochet stitches are larger and looser than hook crochet stitches, so they create a more chunky and cozy fabric. You can also use different types of yarn, such as chenille, faux fur, or t-shirt yarn, to create different effects. I hope you enjoyed this blog post and learned how to finger crochet a simple scarf. Happy finger crocheting!