I hear you’ve just learnt to crochet? Not sure what’s next? Here are your five top tips to kick start your new hobby!
- Practice, Practice, Practice!
You know what they told you at school: practice makes perfect. Well, they were right! As soon as you have learned to crochet, get into the habit of regularly sitting down to practise your new skill. If you’ve learnt to crochet with me, as soon as you get home, get your crochet out and do a little bit more. I’d recommend at least half an hour a day, practising those basic skills you’ve been taught. If you leave big gaps between learning and doing, you’ll struggle to pick it back up again (and nobody wants that!). Give yourself the gift of this special, and frequent, time with your hook and yarn. You won’t regret it. - Keep counting your stitches in each row
As you may or may not know by now, when you are crocheting it is very easy to add an extra stitch… or even lose one. One minute your project looks fabulous and the next it’s just a bit…well…wonky. (Just ask my friend Laura, who started off making a fairly straight blanket that ended up more like a long triangle. She always counts her stitches now). When you’ve just learnt to crochet, the most likely place you’ll add an extra stitch is the beginning or end of the row…but thankfully I have the answer to all your prayers with this little post HERE about keeping your edges straight (and not adding / losing stitches!) - Persevere with holding the hook and yarn
I know it might feel awkward, and I hate to sound like a patronising, bossy teacher, but make sure you keep holding the hook and yarn just like you’ve been shown. It’s all about muscle memory and if you keep doing it, I promise it will get more natural. Your hands will get used it it and it’ll gradually feel more comfortable. It’s a technique that really works! If you can nail this basic thing, everything that follows really will feel like a piece of cake. Mmm, cake. Luckily for you, I have a video on holding the hook and yarn! - Keep it simple! I don’t mind telling you: this is my new motto for life. If only we took things one step at a time, we could all have an easier (and happier!) time of it. And this applies to crochet, too! Don’t run before you can walk – pick easy to follow patterns to play around and experiment with while you find your feet. Keeping it simple is likely to lead to success, which will give you a sense of joy, and that’ll keep you coming back to your hook and yarn time and time again.
- Share the love One of the best things about crochet is being able to share it with others; whether that’s by crocheting some super lovely gifts for family and friends, or by joining a group where you can meet other crocheters. There’s nothing better than crocheting away an afternoon whilst chatting, gossiping and sharing crochet tips and tricks. If you’re local to me, you might like to have a nosy at my list of crochet workshops on offer, or perhaps if it’s just the gossip you’re after, then Yarn & Yap will be right up your street! And if you’re not local, how about my CABIN CREW CROCHET COMMUNITY?! This is where you can join my online crochet family, make friends and get your hands on a FREE pattern every month….plus much more!
There we are then, off you go now on your crochet journey! Don’t forget to embrace the imperfections, celebrate your progress, and most importantly, have fun with it! Whether you’re stitching up a cosy blanket, crafting cute amigurumi, or adding a personal touch to your wardrobe with handmade accessories, crochet has endless possibilities waiting for you to explore.
As you continue to hone your skills and expand your repertoire of stitches, patterns, and techniques, remember that the beauty of crochet lies not only in the finished pieces but also in the memories, relaxation, and satisfaction it brings along the way.
So grab your hook, pick out some yarn, and let your creativity soar! Happy crocheting, my friends, and may your stitches always be snug and your projects filled with love. Until next time, keep calm and crochet on!