I’ve taken up crochet recently… like just a few weeks ago. It’s something I’ve wanted to try for ages, but once the weather turned cold this year, I finally got myself organised to start. So when I was in town I picked up a crochet hook and a couple of balls of wool. It turns out, that I choose the wrong sized hook for the wool – of course!
I then started googling away ‘crochet beginners tutorial’. There were thousands of links to all sorts of information. It was overwhelming trying to sift through them all and choose the ones which were actually good. So once I got going, I decided to pool all the resources I used and found useful into one post to make it easier for the beginner to sift through the good, bad, and down right confusing.
This tutorial shows you the absolute basics and is a good place to start! I sat with my hook and yarn and followed along, pausing it every now and then.
Here is a tutorial showing you how to double crochet – so many terms to learn!
Once I had the basics, it was straight to a granny square using this tutorial which was super easy to follow.
One thing I did notice is that there are loads of different ways to hold the hook and tension the yarn. It took me a few goes before I found one that felt comfortable for me. If the first way you try feels super awkward, try another until it feels right.
Basic Patterns
After I got the idea of how to make a granny square, I went straight to the ripple blanket, which is what I really wanted to make. I used this tutorial by Pip from Meet Me At Mikes. She has several other tutorial ebooks for different projects on the sidebar of her page. Definitely look them up.
I also like this link by By Number 19 which lists all the term used in patterns and their equivalents in symbols. Also it turns out that American patterns and European patterns use different terminology. Possibly because they want to make things difficult for those of us trying to wrap our heads around crochet. I found By Number 19 via Pinterest and there are some other interesting free patterns on her site. Take a look.
Hooks and Yarns
Need to know about hooks? Here is a link to a page that can help you out. It seems there are different ways of sizing them, depending on whether they are US, or Australian. To make things more confusing, my mother gave me some of her old hooks, which are different again. I think if you’re unsure of the size of your hook, get out a ruler and measure it. If you buy a new one in a store, it will be marked for you, making life easier! I bought a 5mm hook, which was easy to use for a beginner.
The type of yarn you use really does depend on the project you are doing. To begin with I picked up a couple of cheap balls of 100% wool yarn(we are sheep farmers here, so only Australian wool for us!) from the knitting shop in town. I really had no idea about what I was looking for. I think just grabbing a few balls worked well for me, because I was just experimenting and didn’t want to invest a lot of money to start off with. Wool is sold by weight, with a small ball being about 50 grams. If you read the label it will tell you how many stitches you get in a 10cm length using different sized needles or hooks.
Once I got the basics down pat on some cheaper wool, I ordered some yarn (yarn is the name for the twisted wool string – see I’m learning) from Bendigo Woolen Mills. They have lots of different types of yarns for different projects, but I just got the regular balls in a couple of colours to get me started. I’m sure I will be heading back there to get more for beanies, slippers, and other projects I have in my head. For me, having the wool delivered is a bonus, but if you live in a town, there is probably a local shop where you can get some wool easily.
So there you have it! How I taught myself (with lots of help) to crochet, and where you can find some resources to get you started. If you’re a crochet guru, or even if you know just a little bit, please share your advice and links below so we (I) can build on our knowledge.
Hit me with all your crochet knowledge!
Hi Jo you can find my blog at
http://barbscreations.blogspot.com.au/ I've done quite a few posts recently on a few crochet projects I've been working on 🙂 Barb
Thanks for the heads up… will definitely watch my grip! Hope your rsi has gone now!
If you start, you won't be able to stop. It is so fun and addictive!
I will look up that book sometime soon – thanks!
I will definitely try it out next – so many people have said that it is beautiful. The best thing about crocheting a blanket in winter is that as it gets bigger, it keeps you warmer!
Me too… I've never been much of a knitter, but I can see this crochet becoming addictive!
You're welcome! Let me know how you go!
Absolutely! 🙂
No prob – that was my idea – because I know how long it took me to find the best stuff.
Crochet is cool now, one of my daughter's friends has started and she is putting a whole modern slant on it which is really cute (no doileys there!). Bendigo Woolen Mills for the win. I have almost finished a baby blanket (it's also almost a year overdue but we shan't mention that!) in their machine washable Luxury and it is divine to work with. I'm already flicking through my 1000s of crochet patterns (inherited from both grandmothers) for my next project. Daughter wants a bikini, so that will probably be it. Won't exactly keep me warm however it will be portable (blankets get a bit cumbersome after halfway).
Attic 24 is a great blog for patterns and tutorials. And colour and glorious photography of crochet.
Good on you lovely. I love crocheting but the first year I did it I go so into it and I was holding the hook to tight and ended up with RSI in my thumb joint – no bull lol xx
It is sad… Your ranch house design is a great testament to simple and functional blueprint plans. Thanks for sharing.. ^_^
It's sad moving on, good luck with sale.
My home is where my family is, the person I married and the people I grew. Zoe xx
My mother knew how to knit and crochet; HER mother crocheted rooms full of doilies and table-runners. As I am named for my maternal grandmother, I've had the idea of crochet in my brain for awhile. It may be time for me to learn! Thank you for linking this post in the Weekly Rewind – the Universe brought me to you!
I've been crocheting since I was 11 when my big sister taught me the basic stitches and I haven't looked back I always have a few crochet projects on the go along with my hand stitching as it's a perfect portable craft to just pick up and take with you when you have appointments etc… at the moment I'm working on a solid red block blanket called the "willow" by Jan Eaton out of her 200 squares book which you should be able to borrow from the library if you're interested 🙂 Barb.
This is absolutely the best season for crocheting a blanket! The colder it gets, the more appealing it is to snuggle up under your readily-growing blanky. Bendigo Woollen Milss is pretty much the best place for wool – have you tried their luxury brand yet? It's so soft and delectable.
Yay! I learned to crochet this year too! I have three cowls under my belt now…and am going to try Pippy's Slippys next – I wish I'd picked this up years ago…it suits me much better than knitting with only one needle to keep track of 🙂
Love the colours of your wool – and then just saw that they were from Bendigo Mills! It's lovely to learn something new and enjoy it and it looks like you are enjoying it!
Oh this is perfect! I recently bought myself some crochet hooks and wool and was planning to take to You Tube to teach myself how to crochet. Now I have everything I need in the one spot – thank you!
Oh I do love to crochet! I taught myself a few years ago and kind of forgotten so thanks for this post 🙂 I always had trouble with granny squares but will study the video a few times and go for it! Great to meet another Country Jo – we're a lovely sort aye 😉 xx
Thanks for putting all this info together. Like you I've always wanted to learn to crochet but have never had the time or real inclination to start. If I do finally get the urge, I'll know to come back here to find links to the basics!
Haven't read that blog, but I'm on my way to check it out right now. Thanks 🙂
I can't crochet but I love reading the blog Attic24. So many beautiful blankets and other crocheted things to admire. Lots of beautiful photos as well of the Yorkshire Dales and other parts of England. http://attic24.typepad.com/