Catch the knot of the loop between the thumb and the forefinger. Take hold of the broad bar of the hook as you would a pencil. Bring the middle finger forward to rest near the tip of the hook. Adjust the fingers of the left hand, the middle finger is bent to regulate the tension, the ring and the little fingers control the thread. The motion of the hook in the right hand and the thread in the left hand should be free and even.
Ease comes with practice.
Chain is used to begin crocheting, to obtain height at the beginning of a row, and in patterns where an opening or a hole is required. Pass the hook under the thread and catch the thread with the hook. Draw the thread through the loop on the hook. The loop on the hook is not counted as a stitch. Always keep the thumb and the forefinger of the left hand near the stitch on which you are working.