Take yarn and make a circle, crossing the part closer to the ball over the end:
Take end closer to ball and wrap it down, around, and up through the loop:
Pull through and tighten for beginning slip knot:
This is how to thread the yarn aound your fingers:
Wrap yarn around the hook as shown:
Pull through and tighten for your first chain(ch). Note how I hold my needle – this takes less energy than holding the needle like a pen.
Here is what the row looks like:
Crochetably 