This post is the beginner’s guide to crochet: tips to get you started.
So you have been hanging out social media and been seeing a trending pattern or a loved one wearing a handmade piece and you are in love! You decide to learn to crochet! welcome to a world of endless
I have been crocheting since 2012 or 2013, to be honest I can’t remember the exact time. I never thought I would be blogging and writing patterns, not in my wildest dreams at least.
Now I am excited to share with you all that I have learnt and continue to learn because I believe in you!
In this post I share 7 things that are worth considering for that new crocheter who has not yet made anything or for the one who has just started. I hope these tips will point you in the right direction, boost your confidence and improve your learning journey and help you achieve your goal of learning how to crochet.
Let’s dive in, shall we?
1. Avoid dark colours
I do not recommend dark colours because they do not show the stitches very well. If you are not yet familiar with the appearance of stitches and cannot distinguish between the single crochet and double crochet stitches, for example or where the loops are, then dark colors will make it challenging to crochet.
Also they do not photography well, part of photographing crochet and knit pieces is being able to show the stitches, the texture and the patterns. Dark yarn colours can hide this.
I recommend bright colours, or neutral shades. The good thing is that when you go to most yarn shops, you will be spoilt for choice.
2. Avoid Specialty Yarns
These are the fancy yarns such as loop or feather yarns.
While these yarns have their place in crochet and knitting projects, for a beginner, they can be tricky to use. I found some break easily because a novice tends to be crochet a bit tightly.
Find regular acrylic yarn that is also affordable, no need to break the band while you are taking baby steps.
3. Avoid small and large hook sizes
I recommend 5.00mm or 6.00mm hook sizes as they are not too small or huge for your hands.
The challenge with very small hook sizes such as 1.5mm is that the stitches formed are very small, making it challenging to see them. A very large hook can be difficult to crochet with for a long time.
A medium hook sizes is relatively comfortable and friendly for your wrists.
4. Practice small and go from there
You will be gratified when you complete a project, so start with a small project such as washcloth. I remember I was too ecstatic when I made a complete flower and showed my entire family with so much joy and pride. (Mind you, it was a small flower. hahhaha!)
I suggest one of your first projects be washcloths for they are normally squares of 24 inches and are worked back and forth.
A headband would be a great beginner’s project too. See pattern here The Slant Double Crochet Free Headband Pattern.
Avoid starting with a long cardigan before you even make a dishcloth or a scarf. First, because it is not realistic expectation and secondly because your speed is still very low, it will take you a while to complete a long cardigan or afghan and I fear you might be discouraged and quit.
5. Choose a relatively simple pattern
By simple pattern I am referring to patterns that have one or two or even three rows repeat. As you advance you will find complex patterns that have different shapes and several stitches. For the novice this can be overwhelming. Perhaps you could wat till you’ve mastered a few basic patterns then improve from there.
That said, with just a few stitches you can take on a huge project such as a blanket. For example a granny square blanket made of 20 squares can be done even if you have not learnt how to make a hat which would be considered a beginner’s project. This is because a hat can have more techniques than a baby blanket worked in a single stitch back and forth in rows.
6. Do not be afraid of frogging
Mistakes are part of learning!
When you make a mistake do not fear undoing your work.
When I was learning I remember I frogged so many times. There were days I was frustrated and undid the whole piece and decided not to even make the item. Hahaha I was just discouraged as I had spent hours only for it to look nothing like I had imagined!
My mother is an expert knitter who designs and I remember seeing her frog a line or two. However, for her it would be a missed stitch and she would quickly notice it so within a few minutes she would resolve it. But these are very few times for her. As a new crocheter you might not even notice a mistake until your gone so far, then you go back and find you made the mistake 15 rows ago! trust me it happens, I have experienced this and more than once.
Take a break, pick another project to do and then come back to it with a fresh mind.
7. Focus on mastery of stitch than speed
Whenever you watch these pros online, one thing that you will see is that some have amazing speed, or they crochet without even looking at their garments.
Always remember they started where you are. They put time and effort and over time their speed improved. Use them as your inspiration.
One of my favourite verses is
I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill, but TIME and CHANCE happens to them all
Ecclesiastes 9:11
8. Rest and exercise your hands
Stretch those fingers! Rest your hands!
Common Repetitive Strain Injuries is a real thing! Too much of crocheting may harm your hands and using ergonomic hooks, and resting is very vital. Have breaks every 20- 30 minutes, set an alarm so that you don’t get carried away.
9. Document your journey
I sometimes scroll back on my crochet pictures in my phone and I find projects that I made that I now see so many mistakes in them. I learn and improve from them!
Start a blog too if you can or journal and write down your experiences. Reading them a year from now you will see how far you have come and that in itself is rewarding!
For example, I made a cute infinity scarf but I should have used a larger hook so that it would have lovely drape and ease around my neck. The sewing of the ends leaves a lot to be desired. I am glad I took pics of it because now I have learnt from them and I can say I have improved.
Conclusion
There is likely a crocheter or knitter in your life, ask them how they got into it, how they improved their skills. As you continue to practice you will keep learning and the more you learn the more your confidence grows. Soon a sweater will not be intimidating!
There are of course more tips out there but I hope these tips point you in the right direction.
I wish you all the best. Feel free to ask any questions or share any tips for our readers.
Some free patterns for you: Scrap Yarn/Left over Yarn Crochet Coaster – Free Pattern or the Classic Granny Stitch Blanket: Free Pattern
Shalom!
Happy crocheting
