Watch how to crochet a curlicue

Watch the video above demonstration by Ashleigh Kiser to learn how to crochet these bouncy little projects. Sometimes all a crochet project needs to lift it above the humdrum is that special extra something - a curlicue.
Crochet curlicues are super-easy to create and add an irresistible dash of cuteness to all manner of hats, scarves and toys.
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How to crochet a curlicue - video tutorial:
How to crochet a curlicue - written explanation
As you'll see in this video from Fiber and Flux, you start off your curlicue by making a chain roughly the length you want the finished curlicue to be. You can use any yarn to create these little curls, so making a bunch of them to add to a hat, for example, is a great way of finishing off oddments of yarn that you might have left over from other projects.
So, once you've selected the yarn you are going to use, make sure you have the appropriate sized hook. The band that was originally around your ball of yarn will tell you the recommended hook size. However, if that band is long gone, often the case when you're working with left-over yarn, then just compare the yarn with balls that still have a label on, and you'll be able to gauge roughly how large your hook should be. Failing that, you can start with one hook and then, if the chain you get doesn't look quite right, then simply unravel and start again. Of course, it's best to do this in the early stages of a project, before you've got too far. But curlicues really do not take much time to crochet up so don't worry too much - if you don't like the look, it won't take you more than a moment or two to unravel and do it all again.
When you have chained to your chosen length, then count the fourth chain from your hook and double crochet into it, by drawing the yarn around your hook, going into the chain, yarn over, pull through two, yarn over and pull through two again. Then put another double crochet into the same chain. Together with the three chain stitches you left out at the beginning, this represents the first three double crochets.
Now move on to the next chain stitch and do three double crochets. You will continue this in each chain all the way along the line. You will start to notice that the work begins to curl up on itself. When you get to your final double crochet, finish off the end with a tail of about an inch and a half. You may need to coax the curlicue into a spiral at first, just to shape it.
You can then either tie the two loose ends to something like a keychain, a zipper or a doorknob as a fun decoration, or you can weave in the ends and sew the curlicue by its flat end onto a hat, scarf or blanket as a cute little addition.
You can vary the basic curlicue by using triple crochet instead of double crochet, to make a wider spiral. You could also edge the work, with a picot stitch, for instance, to give a really special effect. For the holiday season, try using a sparkly gold or silver yarn to add some simple but stunning decorations to trim your tree. A group of curlicues added at the top of a child's hat looks particularly charming. It's as simple - and as pretty - as that.
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