Well it could be easier... no really!

Ok, I'm having trouble figuring out how anyone that calls themselves 'cowgirl' doesn't know how to do a slip knot. What do you tie your horses with? Do you really mean that all you know is how to to the first thing to get it on the crochet hook? Or do you mean that you know how to do the chain stitch, which is the first row of everything in crochet? Don't look at youtube. Those videos are made by common people, not professionals. There are tons of other places you can look online. Do a search for 'crochet video' and 'how to crochet' and you'll come up with dozens of good sites that can help you. If you can't get past the slip knot, written instructions by one of us here isn't going to help you. You'll need a good video or someone there beside you showing you what to do. I don't mean to dishearten you, but if you can't get past the knot that starts the whole process, you're a far cry away from making a dog coat. Here are some videos to get you started: http://www.coatsandclark.com/Crafts/Crochet/Howtos/Crochet+Made+Easy+-+video+lessons.htm http://www.hassdesign.com/StitchLegend/ http://www.nexstitch.com/v_crochet_videos.html And some other online tutorials with picture instructions: http://www.learntoknit.com/instructions_cr.php3 http://crochet.about.com/library/blbeginners.htm http://learntocrochet.lionbrand.com/ I've posted discussions with several pictures of baby blankets and afghans and such that I've made. You can look through my profile to find them, I'm sure. Good luck ...