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Have you ever felt that urge to create? I think it’s human nature. We all have some desire to make something out of nothing, to express ourselves creatively, to build something with our own two hands! I know I sure did. That drive to create within me wasn’t satisfied until beginning crochet.
I believe everyone should have a creative outlet. I also believe that anyone can learn to crochet. Heck, I didn’t think I had any skills or talents until I picked up crocheting about six years ago.
I picked it up on a whim because I had just gotten married and moved across the country. I knew no one and needed a hobby, something to call my own. So I decided to try crocheting, mostly because it seemed like something I could try without investing a lot of money.
I taught myself online and was surprised by my success. Since then, I have often heard people say, “I could never do that!” when they see something I’ve made. And I always think to myself, “I bet you could if you just learned how.”
Beginning Crochet Lessons
I hope to help anyone who wants to crochet learn how and feel confident they can be successful. To help you on your crochet journey I’ve come up with five beginning crochet lessons:
- Lesson One: Crochet Foundations teaches you how to get started by going over the way to hold the yarn, how to do a simple chain, and how to make a magic ring.
- Lesson Two: Basic Crochet Stitches demonstrates how to slip stitch, single crochet, double crochet, and half double crochet. It also teaches how to work into chains and magic rings.
- Lesson Three: Changing Color and Hiding Ends goes over how to switch between colors while crocheting and how to hide all those pesky ends.
- Lesson Four: Fronts and Backs explains how to crochet in the front loops, back loops, front posts, and back posts.
- Lesson Five: Reading a Crochet Pattern shows how to read a crochet pattern, increase and decrease, fasten off, and the common crochet abbreviations.
When I started learning crochet, I began with amigurumi, stuffed animals. Because, well, as an adult woman, I have an unhealthy obsession with stuffed animals. So, much of my tutorials might be geared towards that method of crochet. However, it’s been my experience that if you know the basics and how to read a pattern, there’s just about nothing you can’t make!
But before we get into all that, I wanted to talk about a couple of things.
- WHY you should learn to crochet
- What you need to start crocheting
Why crochet?
Perhaps you’re wondering why you should learn crochet over any other craft. Before beginning crochet, let me give you some of the reasons I love it.
It’s affordable.
If you really wanted to invest a ton of cash in crocheting, you certainly could. There are gorgeous and very expensive yarns out there. But there’s no reason why you have to. You can find plenty of affordable and quality yarns that get the job done. I’m cheap, so I usually take the less expensive route.
The same is true for crochet hooks. I’ve seen ads for hooks that had me drooling but were way out of my price range. And the cheap hooks that I grab from my local craft store have never let me down.
If you’re looking for a new hobby that doesn’t break the bank, it’s hard to go wrong with crochet. If you find that you love crocheting, you’re really good at it, and you want to invest in fancier hooks and the highest quality yarn, go for it! But if you want to try out a craft without spending a lot of money first, give crochet a try!
It’s forgiving.
I am NOT a perfectionist. In fact, feeling like I need to make something mistake-free makes me just plain anxious. So in the past when I’ve tried to craft something that required exactness, it did not end well.
Crochet is very forgiving of mistakes. This might be the biggest reason I’ve stuck to crochet all these years. I don’t feel that need to make things perfect or feel stressed about little mistakes.
You can crochet almost anything.
Believe me. I have. I’ve made stuffed animals, blankets, hats, cardigans, dresses, Halloween costumes, holiday decorations, flowers, and more. It’s the only crafty skill I’ve got, so I use it for EVERYTHING.
Here are just a few of the different things I’ve crocheted:
If you think crocheting limits you to scarves and blankets, you couldn’t be further from the truth. And there are so many great, free patterns out there!
It makes great gifts.
You can make really awesome gifts for people at the fraction of the cost of buying a gift. And the fact that you made it is so meaningful!
Last Christmas, we were feeling a little tight on money and like we couldn’t afford to get presents for everyone in my husband’s family like we normally would. I decided to make everyone a hat. I made nine hats and only spent about $50. Nine gifts for $50! And each one was unique and personal and much more appreciated than many of the gifts we’ve bought.
Make something one of a kind for the next baby shower or birthday or whatever! Your recipient will feel how much thought and effort you put into it and love it.
It’s good for your mental health.
Alright, alright. Let me first say, I am not a health professional of any kind. I am not in a position to give any sort of medical advice. All I can say is that as someone who has struggled with depression and anxiety for the vast majority of her life, crochet has been a big help.
Having a project to throw myself into helps snap me out of it when I feel depression come creeping in. Following a pattern, focusing on my hands, concentrating on my stitches all work to push anxiety aside. And creating something beautiful that I feel proud of helps me feel happy!
You don’t have to be the basketcase I am to experience the boost that crafting gives you. I think everyone can benefit from creating.
Hopefully, now you’re feeling motivated to crochet! Next, let’s talk about some of the things you might need to get started.
Crochet Supplies
The supplies and tools you need will vary depending on what you’re making, but here are some of the basics you might need when beginning crochet:
- Crochet hook – Obviously the most important part of crocheting and not to be confused with a knitting needle. When knitting, you use two knitting needles that come to a point. In crochet, you use one hook. As the name implies, it’s hooked at the end. There is a wide range of sizes to choose from. You’ll want to choose a size based on what kind of yarn you’re using. Most yarn will tell you a recommended hook size.
- Yarn – The next most important part. If you’re following a specific pattern, it will likely tell you what kind of yarn to use. If you choose yarn in colors you love, chances are you’re going to love whatever you make! NOTE: If you are just starting out, I HIGHLY recommend choosing a light-colored yarn. It will make it so much easier to see what you’re doing!
- Scissors – For cutting yarn and whatnot.
- Needle – For weaving in your ends and sewing pieces together. Make sure you have a needle with an eye big enough to fit the kind of yarn you’re using!
- Stitch markers – You probably won’t need these unless you’re working in continuous rounds. They are used for marking specific stitches, such as the first stitch of a new round.
- Fiber fill – You’ll need this if you’re crocheting anything that needs to be stuffed, such as stuffed animals or pillows.
hooks 
stitch markers 
needle 
yarn 
fiber fill
I strongly recommend getting a hook set like this one from Amazon, especially if you’re just starting out. I bought one just like it about a year ago and wished I had gotten it from the get-go. It comes with a wide range of hook sizes, plenty of stitch markers, and big needles. Plus it’s cheaper than it would be to buy all those things individually from a craft store!
One note on fiber fill. It’s not all created equal. Some of the cheaper stuff clumps together and will make your stuffed project all lumpy. I learned this to my sorrow after creating a very lumpy pillow! Here’s the fiber fill I use. But don’t buy it from Amazon. You can get it for significantly cheaper at Wal-mart!
You might need more things depending on your project, but really as long as you have yarn and a hook, you can crochet.
So get your hook, get some pretty yarn, get excited, and let’s learn to crochet!
