A quick list of the 5 things you should know as a crochet beginner. This beginner crochet guide will help you become a better crocheter.
Today’s post is all about quick tips you should know as a crochet beginner. In the post below, all go over 5 things I wish I knew when I just started to crochet.
Sometimes starting a new hobby can be overwhelming, especially if you don’t know exactly where to start. So I hope that this quick list of 5 tips will help you out in your crochet journey. Scroll down to get started or take a look at the table of contents down below.
Table of contents
Tips for Crochet Beginners
Before I get started with this list, I just wanted to mention that it doesn’t matter where you’re at in your crochet journey. I’ve been doing this for a while now and I learn something new every single day.
It’s about having fun and enjoying the process. So let’s get into some of these crochet tips.
1. Free Crochet Resources
When you first learn a new hobby it can be a bit overwhelming with the number of resources available to us. One great thing though with this fiber hobby is that there are a lot of free resources available online.
If you’re first starting, I highly recommend going to the Crafty Yarn Council website here. They have a ton of great beginner articles on crochet.
- One resource is YouTube, there are a ton of really great beginner crochet videos online. So if you’ve never picked up a hook before and you’re more of a visual learner, I highly recommend YouTube. Some videos literally go step-by-step and you can rewind if you don’t get it the first time. Check out the JewelsandJones YouTube channel here where we show you how to crochet if you’re a beginner crocheter. We also show how to make different crochet stitches and there are even crochet project tutorials.
- Another great free resource is your local library. I have checked out so many different crochet books from my library. Oftentimes, I find myself wanting to see the stitches in written/book form. I love video, but also love having a physical book in my hand. So definitely check out your local library and see what type of things they offer. Some might even have some free art classes available.
- The last resource I wanted to mention is that there are a couple of different yarn websites online, like Yarnspirations or LionBrand, and they offer all kinds of free printable patterns. So there are a ton of options.
And don’t forget you can always browse this blog and find some great crochet beginner articles! Or leave any questions you may have on crochet down below.
2. Where to Buy Yarn
There are a lot of different places where you can purchase yarn, whether it is online or in a yarn shop. There are a ton of different options. I actually found myself getting a bit overwhelmed because when your first starting out there’s so much to learn. Like different yarn weights, names, and even what hooks are best to use.
But more on that later, first let’s talk about where you can buy yarn. One place would be your local craft stores, like Michaels or Joann’s. A lot of these places have a variety of different yarns and at a pretty affordable price range. I personally love going to local craft stores, plus you can use coupons. Which is always great when you’re on a budget like I am.
Another place would be local yarn shops, these places have the most dreamiest yarns. Definitely a lot more expensive, but worth it in my opinion. Especially if you’re making a special project, I think it’s ok to spend a little extra. A lot of time goes into our crochet or knit projects and sometimes I think its ok to spend a couple of extra dollars on high-quality yarn.
Here are some quick tips to keep in mind if you’re a beginner crocheter purchasing yarn:
- Medium to bright colors yarns works best when first learning how to crochet.
- Stay away from any frilly yarn, I know its pretty, but its so hard to see your stitches.
- Worsted (#4) and Bulky (#5) weight yarns are your friends. Use these yarns first, then transition to thinner weight yarns.
3. Crochet Charts
I stayed clear of crochet charts when I first learned how to crochet, but I wish I hadn’t. This might depend on your learning style, but I find charts extremely helpful. Sometimes even more than written directions, especially when a pattern is pages upon pages long. Charts really simplify the crochet pattern-making process.
I find them really helpful because I can double-check where I’m at on my pattern. There are also some really great videos online that do an introduction to reading crochet charts. Another thing that’s great about crochet charts is that the symbols on the chart mean the same thing in every country. So if you see a pattern that’s written in a different language, but it has a chart, you can essentially make that crochet pattern. So I’m a huge fan of charts!
4. Crochet Gauge for Beginners
Gauge is another one of those things that I wish I knew about when I first started to crochet. I would have saved myself so much time if I just took the time to make a gauge swatch. But you know, you learn as you go.
I highly recommend making a gauge swatch for each crochet project. The majority of crochet projects will list a gauge swatch, but some won’t. Based on my research, with some patterns, it’s ok if you don’t make a swatch. But for something like garments, you definitely want to make a swatch. This way your garment fits properly and isn’t 2 sizes too big or vice versa.
I hope I’ve convinced you to make a gauge swatch. If not or it just seems a bit confusing, check out a couple of videos on making a gauge swatch. They can be really helpful and they should also go into detail about why it’s important to make a swatch.
5. Beginner Crochet Hooks
When I first got back into crochet, I just bought the regular aluminum crochet hooks at my local craft store. But I honestly found them really hard to use. It was just not a fun experience for me, but that’s just my personal opinion. I have friends who love using the metal ones and only use those.
I had better luck with the Susan Bates ergonomic crochet hooks and still use them to this day. They have a really soft handle design and it’s also a lot more comfortable on your risk. So if you’re crocheting all the time, I highly recommend looking into these crochet hooks. I also really like the wooden crochet hooks too!
So if you’re new to crochet, I would try out a couple of different crochet hooks and see which one works the best for you. You want crocheting to be fun, not painful. So definitely look for the right one!
Crochet is such a fun hobby to get into, so I hope that this list of 5 quick tips for crochet beginners was beneficial. I know that when I started to crochet again, I was quite overwhelmed with the number of resources available. So hopefully this list made it a lot easier for you.
Drop a comment down below if you have any other questions or suggestions. I would love to know! If you’re interested in more crochet articles, take a look at the list down below. Happy Stitching!
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