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Looking for Some Beginner Crochet Information?Want to learn how simple beginner crochet really is? Step into my classroom... Welcome to Crochet 101 Crochet Hooks:First things first! For your first crochet project, you will need to know what kind of crochet hook to use. There are so many different kinds, brands and styles out there. It can be a little overwhelming! There really is no right or wrong brand of hook. The right one, is the one you are most comfortable with. Once you find one you like, it is the right one for you! Click here to check out my favorite hooksHere’s some of the standard hooks I have.
There are also other types of hooks that are used for special purposes. Like for Tunisian crochet, crocheting on the double, and the afghan stitch. NO!! It's not time to panic!! Those hooks will all come a little later. For now we will just work with the standard, any size, crochet hook. Just pick out something that feels nice in your hand. Something you like the color or look of. Size doesn’t really matter right now. We’re just working on beginner crochet. We don’t really have a particular project in mind. A set with multiple hooks sizes would be a great starting point. Click here for more info on Crochet Hook Sizes How to Hold Your Hook:Now, hook in hand, what do you do with it? There are plenty of ways to hold a crochet hook. These are just a few. You can hold it like I do.... like you would hold a pencil
or like my friend does..... like you would a knife.
(Ergonomically designed crochet hooks will be held like this.) Just pick whichever way is most comfortable for you. There is no wrong way. As long as you have control and freedom of movement, what feels right, is right. Choosing Your Fiber:Ok. So you have your hook, and know how to hold it....what’s next? Well it's time for the Go crazy! Find the most beautiful stuff you can. What colors or textures just make you want to touch them? Do you prefer something completely natural? Man-made? Or a little bit of both?
The only piece of caution I would advise is this: The darker, lumpier, fuzzier or puffier the yarn is, the more difficult it is to see what you are doing at first. That does NOT mean that you can’t pick them, or even shouldn’t. It just means it will be a little more difficult. (You can always compensate by using a larger hook with difficult yarn.) If you feel you are up to the challenge.....I say, GO FOR IT!! If you love your fiber, you’ll love your finished project. My favorite practice yarn is a simple worsted weight in a lighter color. Some things to consider when picking your fiber or yarn.... What kind of pattern will you be doing? Do you want to showcase the stitches or the fiber/yarn? Will the yarn work for you....or against you?
How much will you need?
What’s on the label?
Return to Top of Beginner Crochet Page How to Hold your Yarn: Your yarn or fiber is picked out....but how do you hold and control it? Basically, you want to hold the yarn/fiber:
This is how I hold it
The working end (yarn leading back into skein) of the yarn/fiber comes up, wraps loosely around my pinkie. Then comes across the palm of my hand, goes under, and then drapes over, my forefinger. My forefinger is what I use to adjust my available yarn. When I need more, I simply move my forefinger away from my work and bring it back again. That pulls out more yarn for me to crochet with. My pinkie is what regulates the yarn tension. By wrapping the yarn around it, the tension is kept constant. (Be careful, though, when I do a lot of crocheting at one time, I end up with a yarn burn on my pinkie!! Ouch!!) You can watch a video of me picking up and holding my yarn by clicking here. This is another way to do it
This way just by-passes the loop around the pinkie and drapes over the forefinger. With this method, you have to curl your pinkie into your palm to maintain your tension. (If you crochet for long periods at a time, your pinkie and palm can start cramping.) I use this method, or the next, when working with anything very thick or heavy. It also works well with unyielding things like wire. The simplest way to hold your yarn
In this method, you just wrap the yarn/fiber around your finger. (Any finger would work.) This method is a little harder to maintain a constant tension. It works well with thicker fibers like plastic bag and fabric strips. The double loop method I normally use puts too much tension on anything very thick or heavy. The final method I use, is just to grasp the yarn/fiber loosely in my non-hook hand and feed it into my crochet hook. This is about the only way you would want to work with something as coarse as hemp. Save your hands!! Any other method, and you would definitely end up with a nasty hemp burn!! Once again, there is no wrong way to do it. If it works for you, then it is the right way.
Crochet Swatches and Gauging:So now you’re itching to get started. One last thing before you begin. I need to tell you about swatches and gauging. So, what are swatches? They are little squares of crochet work (usually about 4" X 4”) that you work up in the required pattern stitch. They are used to gauge the size of your crochet. You then measure over and up a certain number of stitches and rows (which will be stated in the pattern.), to determine your gauge. Gauging is just measuring the size of your work to see if it matches that of the designer. A recommended hook size is usually indicated on the pattern. Use that size as a starting point.(For a simple beginner crochet project, swatching is not necessary) Example: (14 st X 16 rows = 10 cm) 14 stitches by 16 rows equals 10 cm (You would count 14 stitches across, and measure. Then you would count 16 rows up, and measure. If your gauge is correct, you will be at 10 cm for both counts. If your gauge is off, increase, or decrease the hook size to obtain the proper measurements.) Everyone crochets differently. Some people crochet tightly, while others crochet much looser. The size of your crochet hook will also determine the size of a finished swatch. (As a beginner crochet project, you could work up some swatches for practice. That way, you can get a feel for your natural crochet tension.) Some sample crochet swatches.
Hook Size Top: Q (15.75mm) Learn more about crochet hook sizes So why are swatches important? Well, it depends on what you’re doing. If you are making a blanket, they really aren’t that important. At least, I don’t think so. Swatches make sure that you purchase enough yarn to finish the blanket. I usually just buy way more yarn than I think I’ll need, and stuff the rest in a tote for later. (Which is probably why my husband keeps complaining about all the totes of left over yarn in our basement!!) They also ensure that your blanket ends up the same size as the designers. (Which I usually don’t worry too much about.) If you are making a sweater, or some other “fitted” project, they become very important. When a designer creates a pattern, they base it on exact measurements. In order to have the pattern be accurate, your crochet tension must match the designers. Make a practice swatch! It will save hours and hours of wasted time! For your first beginner crochet project, I really recommend trying something simple, like a blanket or a scarf. Even a pot holder. Something that doesn’t require exact measurements. Instant gratification is one of the best gifts you can give yourself while you are learning how to crochet. Well done!! You have now passed Beginner Crochet 101!! That wasn’t so hard, right? And now its time to move onto the Crochet Basics. Looking for more tips or crochet books? ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ Want to ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ Return to Crochet Gifts
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