Learning To Crochet

Choosing Your First Project:
I think the most important part of learning how to crochet is choosing the right first project. Your first project should be something small like a washcloth or coaster, at the absolute largest a scarf (scarves can be very boring to learn on because they are so long.) Making something small will keep you from getting bored, and it will allow you to toss out your mistakes without feeling wasteful. If the washcloth looks horrible toss it out, anyone asks how it is coming along look at them and say "what washcloth" : )

Along with being small the first project should be simple. A challenge is a wonderful thing, but learning something new is a challenge in it'self, keep it simple. By picking something simple you are more likely to be successful and build up your confidence, rather than picking something difficult and getting frustrated.That is why I am posting a few "beginner friendly" projects on here along with the slightly more challenging ones.

Choosing The Right Yarn:
There are so many beautiful specialty yarns out there that just call to you when your at the store. As a general rule, the fancier the yarn the harder it is to use. So avoid the super fluffy, the eyelash yarns, the "homespun" yarns and go for a nice worsted weight yarn (normal stuff like Red Heart Super Saver).

I use acrylics for blankets because it is cheaper, stain resistant, doesn't shrink and  holds up very well over time. I love cottons for making washcloths, coasters and the such because it is absorbent. I haven't used wool yet because it shrinks and I think it is itchy, but they do have some wonderful wool blends out there.

If you must us a yarn that is out of the ordinary shoot for something ultra bulky that is smooth like a typical yarn, it will still be more of a challenge than worsted weight acrylic, but you won't end the day bashing your head against a wall.

Choosing The Right Hook:
Having the right hook for your project is a matter of having the right tool for the job. Are you going to try to empty a pool with a soup ladle? No, so don't try to use a hook that is too big or too small. They make everything from tiny steel hooks used for threads up to giant plastic hooks that look more like a children's toy than a crochet hook.

Your yarn should easily fit inside the curve or cutout of the hook, and should fill it at the same time. A hook that is too small may not grab the entire strand of yarn, causing ugly snags in the yarn and a lot of frustration. A hook that is too big is going to get caught on the loops and stitches you are trying to draw it though causing snags in your work, which you may have to pull out and re-do to eliminate.


If anyone has any other questions, please ask them and I will post the answers here. Odds are that if you are wondering someone else is too.