Top 50 Things Every Crocheter Should Learn

On some of the online lists (groups) a question is being asked on what the top 50 techniques every serious crocheter should learn.  I thought I'd take that question and change it just a bit to what my opinion is on the Top 50 things every crocheter should learn (in no particular order):

1.  Why it's important to leave long tails at the beginning, the end, and at joining points in the work.
2.  How to create a slip knot.
3.  How to properly end off.
4.  How to create the foundation chain.
5.  How to count chains.
6.  Knowing if that loop on the hook counts or not.
7.  Knowing what turning chains are, and why they're important.
8.  How to create a slip stitch, and why they're used.
9.  How to create a single crochet.
10. How to create a half-double crochet.
11.  How to create a double crochet.
12.  Knowing how to read the abbreviations in patterns.
13.  Knowing that patterns are just a starting point and deviating from them is OK.
14.  Knowing how to read international symbols
15.  Knowing mistakes will happen and ripping out work is not a bad thing.
16.  Knowing mistakes will happen and fudging to "make it work" is not a bad thing.
17.  Knowing Gauge is not a four letter word (*skip*), and how to reach it.
18.  Knowing that changing a hook size will alter the gauge, and the drape-ability of the fabric being created.
19.  Knowing not all hooks are created equal (steel, wood, bone...), and having fun experimenting is a good thing.
20.  Knowing not all fibers are created equal, and having fun experimenting is a good thing.
21.  Knowing there's more than one type of crochet and be willing to try them all.
22.  Knowing why a knot placed in the yarn by manufacturer should be cut out.
23.  Knowing all the traditional rules in crochet and willing to break them in order to experiment.
24.  Knowing to check where a book was published to determine if the crochet method is *American* or *European.*
25.  Knowing that if the pattern doesn't say where it was created/printed to look for a stitch legend to determine if a double crochet is really a single crochet.
26.  Knowing what copyright is, and honoring it -- even if it was a *free* pattern.
27.  Knowing at least two ways to add on a new color or new skein of yarn.
28.  Knowing how to weave in ends.
29.  Knowing at least two ways to join/seam work together.
30.  Knowing at least two types of edging ...
31.  Knowing how to start one's work so edging is not always needed.
32.  Knowing what tension is.
33.  Knowing what effects your tension.
34.  Knowing how to increase properly.
35.  Knowing how to decrease properly.
36.  Knowing how to crochet in rounds (rows & spiral)
37.  Knowing which side is the front side of the work, and which is the back.
38.  Knowing what posts are and how to crochet using them.
39.  Knowing what happens when you crochet in just the front loop...
40.  the back loop ...
41.  and both loops.
42.  Knowing what stitch markers are, and why they're important.
43.  Knowing how to count stitches.
44.  Knowing why a tapestry needle is used and not a sewing needle.
45.  Knowing why blocking is important.
46.  Knowing what bearding is, and why it's important that the thicker the beard the more *breathing* room it needs.
47.  Knowing the difference of *American* hook sizes and *metric* -- and why metric is preferred over the American sizing.
48.  Knowing how to read yarn labels and convert knitting needle sizes to crochet hook sizes.
49.  Knowing what dye lot is, and that buying extra yarn is always a good practice.
50.  Knowing that teaching someone else all of the above is a priceless gift to give.