Hooked on Crochet: Tips and Tricks for Getting Started
“Crochet is the perfect antidote to the stresses of modern living - a calming, repetitive, and therapeutic hobby that can have a positive impact on mental wellbeing.” - Today's Crochet World
Have you always fancied learning to crochet but didn't know where to start?
Crochet is becoming an increasingly popular craft around the world. It is proven to reduce stress levels, it's very portable and quick to learn, making it ideal for busy people. Crocheting is a fun and rewarding craft that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and skill levels but getting started can sometimes feel overwhelming. Let me guide you through some of the pitfalls.
Equipment
It is relatively cheap to start crocheting, compared to some other crafts. Essentially, all you need is a crochet hook and some yarn. There is a whole world of hooks and yarn to choose from and these vary in price as well as quality.
I recommend starting with a 4mm hook and a Double Knit (DK) weight yarn or a 5mm hook and an Aran (worsted) weight yarn. Aran weight is slightly chunkier than DK yarn and therefore easier to work with so I would recommend it if you are buying new, although I'm aware that many of you will have inherited or been donated yarn and this will often be a DK yarn. Use what you have to get started.
My favourite yarn to use with beginners is Stylecraft special. This comes in both the DK and aran weight and they have a huge range of colours for you to choose your favourite. Talking about colours, choose a light coloured yarn as this will make it easier for you to see the different parts of the stitches. Crocheters generally dislike making items in black or dark navy - if you receive a gift crocheted in black yarn, they must really love you ❤️
Crochet hooks can vary in quality and price and, as a beginner, I recommend getting a set of hooks of reasonable quality with aluminium hooks and plastic handles. Below is a photo of the set I recommend from Amazon.AD
This set is perfect for beginner crocheters. It contains 11 crochet hooks ranging from 2 mm up to 8 mm (including the 4 mm or 5 mm you will want to begin), tapestry needles of different sizes in a clear tube for weaving in you ends, snippers, a tape measure, a row counter, a yarn cutter and stitch markers which all comes in this cute hook case making it easy to keep control of your equipment.
Learning the basics
As a beginner crocheter, it's common to experience issues such as struggling to hold the crochet hook and yarn correctly, getting the right tension in the yarn or feeling totally confused by the different crochet terms and patterns.
But don't let these problems hold you back! With 'Learn to Crochet with Conquer Crochet', you can learn how to crochet with confidence and ease. This ebook is a complete guide to the basic crochet stitches, with clear, concise written explanations and step-by-step photographs to guide you through each step of the process.
Whether you're a complete beginner or looking to improve your technique, 'Learn to Crochet with Conquer Crochet' has everything you need to get started. You'll learn how to hold the crochet hook and yarn correctly, how to fix mistakes in the troubleshooting section, and even how to tackle more complex projects as you gain experience.
There's also a digital ebook version, if you prefer to work from a kindle or tablet available here - Ebook version
Both versions of this book also include beginner-friendly patterns that are achievable for those who are just starting out. These patterns are designed to help you gain confidence and experience as you travel on your crochet journey.
So why choose 'Learn to Crochet with Conquer Crochet'? It is written in UK crochet terms and is designed specifically for beginners. It's the perfect resource for anyone who wants to learn how to crochet or improve their technique. With a ebook, you can zoom in on the picture to really see what's going on which is great for beginners.
With 'Learn to Crochet with Conquer Crochet', you can take the first step towards becoming a confident and skilled crocheter. Don't let the confusion of learning to crochet hold you back any longer. Order your copy today and start your crochet journey with confidence!
So whilst you are waiting for you book to arrive, here are my top tips for beginner crocheters
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Start with the basics: Begin with simple projects such as scarves or dishcloths. This will help you to get comfortable with the basic stitches and techniques before moving on to more complex projects.
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Choose the right materials: Use the right type and weight of yarn and appropriate crochet hooks for your project (see above). Be sure to read the label of your yarn for recommended hook size and care instructions (There is a page about this in the book!).
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Practice, practice, practice: Like any skill, crocheting takes practice. Take the time to work on your stitches and technique regularly. You'll improve with each project you complete.
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Keep it loose: Tension is key to crochet. Try to keep your stitches relaxed and loose so that they're easy to work with and not too tight but remember to keep tension in the yarn you are working with or you'll find it tricky to make those stitches.
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Count your stitches: I can't stress this one enough - Count your stitches often to make sure you're on track and not accidentally adding or dropping stitches. It's much easier to fix a mistake early on than to unravel your entire project.
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Be patient: Crocheting can take time and patience, especially when you're just starting out. Don't get discouraged if your first few projects don't turn out exactly as you hoped. Keep practicing and you'll get better with time. Nothing is wasted when practising crochet. You can use your yarn again and again to practice.
Happy hooking
Love
Karen x