Cute cuddly toys, summery shawls in bright, bold colors, trendy home decor… when I first stepped into Yarnplaza’s inspiration center, I saw so many beautiful crocheted pieces. I wanted to be able to do that, too! And so do you, right? That’s why I’m starting this new blog: Crochet for Beginners.
My first visit to the Yarnplaza Inspiration Center felt like stepping into a candy store. Seeing that rainbow of yarn balls lining the walls made my hands itch to get started. And that’s even though I don’t even know how to crochet! I decided that had to change. So I peeked over the shoulders of my creative colleagues, YouTube became my new best friend, and I figured out the “crochet dos and don’ts” all on my own. Now that my first crochet project is finished (with a blissfully happy daughter as a bonus!), I’m convinced: crocheting is fun—and addictive!
Crochet for Beginners: the basic stitches
Anyway, back to the beginning. Because the desire is there, but where do you start? No matter which crochet project you decide to tackle—whether it’s a Cuddly Toy or a Blanket—you won’t get anywhere without the basics. I took Yarnplaza’s online crochet course on YouTube. In addition to following along on YouTube, the course has also become available in the online Academy. There, every basic stitch is examined in detail through clear instructional videos. With my brand-new Crochet Hook and a ball of test yarn, I got started. The magic ring, a chain stitch, single crochets, half double crochets, and so on. I really struggled with the magic ring, figuratively speaking. But as with anything new, it was mainly a matter of practice, practice, practice. It’ll be tricky at first, and you’ll have to pay close attention and count your stitches. But once you’ve mastered the stitches, you’ll find that it becomes more and more second nature and turns into a wonderfully relaxing pastime.
Crochet for Beginners: needles, yarn, and accessories
The selection of yarn and crochet hooks is, of course, enormous. So it’s no surprise that, as a beginner crocheter, you might feel like you can’t see the forest for the… uh… balls. That’s why I asked our Haakster Annemarie Arts for help in choosing the right yarn and hooks. The new, ergonomic Crochet Hooks from Yarn and Colors are particularly popular. And that’s definitely not just because of their trendy look. Thanks to their soft grip, they feel very comfortable in your hand. And if you don’t happen to have a Stitch Marker on hand, the cute little charm comes in handy too. They aren’t the most affordable Crochet Hooks in the collection. But precisely because you’ll often grip the Crochet Hook tightly when you’re just starting out, investing in a sturdy Crochet Hook is highly recommended.
As a “trial skein,” I bought the Yarn and Colors Must-have glossy cotton. The combination of Yarn and Colors Crochet Hooks and this yarn makes it easy to insert the hook. Thanks to the coating, your hook glides through the yarn more easily than when using a simple Crochet Hook and Acrylic yarn, for example. Other items that definitely come in handy are a Row Counter, lockable Stitch Markers, and a pair of small scissors.
Crochet for Beginners: Your First Crochet Project
Techniques Dachshund Tony
You’ve practiced enough—time for the real thing. But let’s face it, reading a Crochet Pattern can be a bit of a challenge. The perfect project to kick off your crochet adventure is the adorable Techniques Dachshund Tony. In step-by-step videos, we’ll guide you through your first crochet project. We’ll review the basic stitches and you’ll learn several special stitches. You’ll also learn to read the pattern as you go. After seven lessons, you’ll have crocheting down pat and you’ll have a beautiful, handmade cuddly toy to give as a gift—just like I did for my daughter. I don’t know who was prouder, her or me.
Dream Blanket 1.0
Would you rather crochet Home Accessories instead of Amigurumi? Then the Dream Blanket 1.0 is a fun project for crochet beginners. Detailed instructional videos have also been created for this crochet project. In them, Tessa van Riet explains the basics of crocheting in great detail. In addition to learning about stitches, you’ll also learn what a good sitting posture is and how to hold your Crochet Hook properly. Highly recommended!
Crochet for Beginners - beginner mistakes
You’re bound to make them when you’re crocheting your first project: beginner’s mistakes. I was no exception. Instead of inserting the hook through both loops, I only crocheted through the back loop. By the time I realized my mistake, I was already almost on row twenty… oops!
Crocheting too tightly
At the very top of the list of beginner mistakes: crocheting too tightly. You keep pulling the yarn tighter and tighter. As a result, on the next round, you can’t get your Crochet Hook through the tight stitches. This beginner mistake usually goes away on its own as you gain more crocheting experience. It’s a matter of getting used to how you hold your Crochet Hook, yarn, and work. It’s especially important to sit comfortably and let the yarn hang loosely. Is your work still too tight? Try pulling each stitch out a little longer. Or use a larger Crochet Hook.
Identify the stitch
Many beginner crocheters find it difficult to recognize the next stitch. This can lead to skipping stitches or, conversely, inserting the hook twice. The same rule applies here: practice makes perfect. You might see it as a tangled mess of threads right now, but after a while, you’ll know what the stitches look like. If you look at the top of your work, each little “V” is a stitch. Together, they form a sort of braid.
Increasing, decreasing, and changing colors
Increasing, decreasing, or changing colors neatly can also be a stumbling block for you. In the Crochet Kits mentioned earlier, these techniques are covered in the clear instructional videos. The great thing about these videos is that you can watch them as many times as you want, and you can pause or rewind them at any time.
Ready to start crocheting?
Are your hands starting to itch to get started with crocheting? Great! We hope you enjoy it as much as we do. Remember: start with something easy—it should be fun and relaxing. Grab a cup of tea or coffee and make sure you have all your Tools & Supplies within reach.
We’re really excited to see your first crochet projects. Share them with us on our Facebook page or on Instagram using #Yarnplaza. Or leave a helpful tip or a story about a beginner’s mistake in the comments below.
Have fun crocheting!
