To crochet around a hair elastic, you typically work single crochet stitches directly around the elastic band until it is completely covered. This creates a scrunchie or a base for further embellishments.
What You'll Need
Here are the basic materials required:
- Hair elastic (standard size is common)
- Yarn (weight and fiber can vary depending on desired look)
- Crochet hook (size appropriate for your chosen yarn)
- Scissors
- Yarn needle (for weaving in ends)
| Material | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Hair Elastic | The base to crochet around |
| Yarn | The material for stitches |
| Crochet Hook | To create the stitches |
Step-by-Step Guide
Follow these simple steps to crochet around your hair elastic:
- Make a Slip Knot: Create a slip knot on your crochet hook.
- Insert Hook: Hold the hair elastic and insert your crochet hook under or through the center of the elastic band.
- Yarn Over & Pull Up a Loop: With the hook under the elastic, yarn over (wrap the yarn around your hook) and pull the yarn back through the elastic. You should now have two loops on your hook.
- Complete the Single Crochet: Yarn over again. Then, "And grab my yarn and bring it through the two loops." This completes your first single crochet stitch around the elastic.
- Repeat Single Crochets: "So just keep working single crochets. Um all the way around." Continue inserting your hook under the elastic, yarning over and pulling up a loop, then yarning over and pulling through both loops on your hook.
- Push Stitches Together: As you work, push the stitches closely together along the elastic. This ensures full coverage and creates a ruffled effect if desired. The number of stitches needed will vary depending on your yarn, hook, and the size of the elastic, but you continue until the elastic is covered. The reference mentions "When I got to 30" stitches as an example, suggesting a target stitch count might be used to cover the elastic.
- Join the Round: Once the elastic is fully covered with stitches (or you reach your desired stitch count), join the last stitch to the first stitch with a slip stitch. Insert your hook into the first single crochet stitch, yarn over, and pull through the stitch and the loop on your hook.
- Finish Off: Cut the yarn, leaving a tail. Pull the tail through the loop on your hook to secure.
- Weave in Ends: Use a yarn needle to neatly weave in the yarn tails.
Practical Tips
- Stitch Count: The exact number of stitches isn't critical, just enough to cover the elastic tightly. Pushing the stitches together helps achieve this dense coverage.
- Yarn Choice: Bulkier yarns will cover the elastic faster but result in a larger scrunchie. Thinner yarns require more stitches and create a more delicate look.
- Hook Size: Match your hook size to your yarn weight. Using a slightly smaller hook can result in tighter, neater stitches around the elastic.
By following these steps, you can easily crochet around a hair elastic to create a base for many projects, most commonly a hair scrunchie.
