Teaching myself crochet tonight - wish me luck!

[Bouquetsofdynomite]

Hello, think this is my first time on this forum. Have become increasingly jealous of friend who takes knitting everywhere and after several aborted attempts at that throughout my life, I'm told crochet is easier. So have borrowed a hook and some wool off my lovely crochety MIL and have printed some instructions off the net. Soon as DH goes out I will get started.
Anyone got any tips for beginners?

Do your row of chains loosely, that way you get a better edge and you can see where you're supposed to put the hook. When you work into the chain put your hook through both the top bumps, (you will have a bump at the top and in the middle, these two), gives a tidier result.

Thanks. Didn't take your looseness advice for the first row and had to start again as I couldn't get the hook in LOL. I managed a small rectangle which I drew up with the end wool, et voila a cloak for Polly Pocket! My dd is v impressed .
Will try for a scarf this week.

How do you keep a half-finished thing safe? Would a safety pin hold the loop in place?

I just pull the loop big then put the whole thing in a cloth bag - it doesn't unravel in the same way knitting does.