Are you at the beginning stages of learning to crochet? Could you use some crochet tips from a seasoned veteran? Well, you’ve come to the right place. I’ve been crocheting for over 40 years. My mother taught me at a young age. Can we talk about patience! She had a major supply of it when she began teaching me. I remember getting so frustrated at first. My stitches were so tight I couldn’t even get the hook in them. I would sigh dramatically, and growl, and throw it down in defeat. Does that sound like you? Then read on, and find some tips that may help you eventually become a crochet master.
This post may contain affiliate links. If you click on one, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. These links help me to provide free content for you.
Crochet Tips Every Beginner Can Use
Crochet Tips #1 What size hook you should use
My first tip would be to choose a large size hook. The stitches will be looser, thereby making it easier for you to insert the hook into the stitches. I learned on a J hook (6 mm). I recommend a J or K to start with. As you become more comfortable with the stitches, and crocheting in general, you can switch to smaller hooks. There are so many different options for crochet hooks as well, from aluminum(which I learned on), wood, and resin. If you need an ergonomic hook for less stress on your hands, Furls is a very popular company with many crocheters.
Check out Furls HERE
Crochet Tip #2 The size of the yarn matters
To go with that large hook, you’ll want to use a thicker yarn. Use at least a #4 worsted weight or higher. A #5 bulky yarn would be a great choice to help keep your stitches loose and easy to work in. Lion Brand Hometown is a nice bulky weight and less expensive yarn. Also, Red Heart Soft Essentials is good choice.
Crochet Tip #3 Your tension
When first learning to crochet, keep your beginning chain and stitches loose and relaxed. Once you have some mastery, you can begin to work on your tension. Below you will see two different beginning chains. One I kept the tension on my yarn loose, and one I held the yarn tightly. I used the same hook and yarn for both chains. The one on the right, a beginner might have a hard time getting their hook back into the chains to make the next row.
Crochet Tips #4 How do you hold the hook and yarn
The two most common ways people who crochet hold their hook are the knife hold and pencil hold. I’m a knife holder. For the knife hold, you hold the crochet hook as if you were holding a knife ready to cut your food. For the pencil hold, you hold it like you are about to write with it. I’m also sure there are people who hold it neither of these ways and use it in a way that works for them.
You will also need to experiment with how to hold the yarn. A lot of people wrap it around their pinky finger and then around their index finger. My mom showed me how she held it, and I tried and tried and could not hold it the same way. There is no right or wrong way. Don’t let anyone tell you there is. Find your own way to hold the hook and yarn that is comfortable to you.
Crochet Tip #5 Start small
The very first thing I crocheted was a Barbie size blanket. The best thing to do is start small. A square potholder or hot pad is a perfect first project. Don’t be in a rush. Take your time and go at your own pace. Every exceptional artist masters their art before they create their ultimate masterpiece.
Crochet Tips # 6 Master the Basics of Crochet
Learn and practice the 3 basic stitches of crochet. The chain will be your foundation, and from there you will build using either the single crochet, the half double crochet, or the double crochet. In patterns, you will see them as sc, hdc, and dc. Books, online videos, and even an in person class are the best ways to learn. This is one of the most important crochet tips. Once you master these, you’ll be on your way to crochet proficiency. One of my favorite stitches is the Sedge stitch and it incorporates all three of these stitches. You can find my tutorial below.
Crochet Tip #7 What to do if you are bogged down in frustration
Frustration can be the ultimate killer of a person’s desire to learn crochet. You will become frustrated at some point when first learning. It has happened to most of us. The best thing to do is put it in time-out. Walk away, do something else, come back later, and try again. If it happens again and again, there is one crochet tip you may not want to hear. Crochet is fun and relaxing to most of us. If it feels more like work to you, then crochet may not be for you.
I hope you enjoyed my crochet tips, and I hope they help you to become a master at crochet. To recap, use a larger hook and yarn, keep your tension loose, decide your hook holding method, begin with small projects to become proficient with the three basic stitches, and step away for a bit if you become frustrated.
Now that you have the tips, check out the tools you’ll need:
Crochet Tools Every Beginner Needs
Other places you can find me. Join my Facebook Crochet Community. Check out my shops:
You can also subscribe to my newsletter for member only discounts, sales, and news. SIGN ME UP
Have a happy day!
