Crochet 101: What Every Beginner Needs To Know
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If you’ve been on the internet at all in the past three years, you’ve certainly noticed the resurgence of DIY clothing and accessories. Textile mediums, like crocheting, make these at-home creations accessible to everyone and make creating your own wearable works of art almost–dare I say–easy. Crocheting is a great way to foster your flame of creativity and is also a wonderful stress reliever. Once you finish this 101 guide, you’ll be ready to run out and create one-of-a-kind pieces for you and all of your loved ones.
What is crochet?
Crocheting is a method of textile creation that utilizes a hook and yarn. When crocheting, you continually loop your working yarn with your crochet hook. This creates a unique pattern, resulting in beautiful pieces of art.
Contrary to what you may believe, you can make so much more from crocheting than simple sweaters or washcloths. With the rise of social media platforms like Pinterest and TikTok, both indie and small companies have come up with literally thousands of useful and wearable pattern ideas. Now, if you can think of it, you can probably find a crochet pattern for it.
As someone who has dabbled in both knitting and crocheting, I personally find it much quicker to crochet, rather than knit. While a knitted beanie might take me several weeks of work to complete, crocheting a beanie can take a few days. This is due in part to the size of the crochet hook and yarn used, but can mainly be attributed to the fact that crochet stitches are taller than knit stitches. Since crochet stitches take up more surface area than knitted ones, you get more bang from each stitch.
Crochet Term Glossary
Learning the crochet lingo can be just as difficult as actually learning the stitches! There are plenty of confusing terms that can be incredibly helpful when navigating patterns and deciphering the difficulty level of patterns.
Here are some of the most commonly used phrases you will need to know before you start your first project.
Working yarn: This is the yarn that comes directly from the ball of yarn you are creating your project with.
YO: Standing for “yarn over,” this is the foundation for every crochet stitch you’ll create.
WIP: Work in progress. This refers to the piece(s) you are currently working on.
( ) or [ ]: You’ll see parentheses or brackets in patterns quite often. These indicate the number of times you’ll repeat the instructions inside the parentheses or brackets.
BL or BLO: Back loop or back loop only. This is a style of crochet that only works in the back loop of crochet stitches.
Ch(s): Chain or chains. A chain is made up of one foundational stitch. As a beginner crocheter, you’ll become very familiar with these!
SC: Single crochet. This is the most basic crochet stitch.
HDC: Half double crochet. This is another foundational crochet stitch you’ll use quite frequently.
DC: Double crochet. This is a third foundational crochet stitch. You’ll use this often.
WS: Wrong side. This indicates you work from the wrong side (or the back) of your WIP.
RS: Right side. This indicates you’ll be working from the right side (or the front) of your WIP.
Tools to Get Started
At the most basic level, you’ll only need a single crochet hook and some yarn. However, there are many tools that you can get that will make your crocheting experience easier. My advice is to start slowly with purchasing fun tools and build out your toolbox as you gain experience.
Image: Amazon
Ergonomic Crochet Hooks
Vodiye
Believe it or not, crocheting can be pretty hard on your body! Using your fine motor skills to create tiny stitches can wear down on your hands over time. These ergonomic hooks are perfect for relieving some of the stress your hands are under! I also love this kit because it gives you a variety of sizes of crochet hooks–2 millimeters all the way up to size 6.
Image: Amazon
Easy Peasy Yarn
The Woobles
The second most important tool when it comes to crocheting is the yarn. Typically, I use worsted-weight yarn, otherwise known as medium weight. This is not too fine or thick and makes really great finished products. This yarn is specifically designed for beginners as the fibers of the yarn won’t split as much when you’re working with it. It also comes in tons of different colors, making it perfect for almost every project.
Image: Amazon
Soft Measuring Tape
IBayam
Although a measuring tape isn’t exactly a “necessity,” it is an incredibly helpful tool to have on hand. When choosing garment patterns, you’ll likely have to take a look at your body measurements to find out which size you are. This flexible measuring tape makes it easy to take your own measurements rather than a stiff ruler. Additionally, the measuring tape is great to keep on hand to take fast measurements of your WIP.
Image: Amazon
Colorful Stitch Markers
Lunarm
This kit combines two essentials that may slip your mind when you first start crocheting: stitch markers and tapestry needles. A stitch marker is exactly what it sounds like: a small clip that helps you mark certain stitches. Sometimes, patterns will require you to perform certain actions, like an additional yarn over, on a certain number of stitches in a row. Stitch markers help you keep track of which stitch is which. A tapestry needle helps to weave in yarn ends into the finished project.
Image: Amazon
Yarn Ball Winder
Knit Picks
Although not a necessity, a yarn ball winder will certainly make your life easier! Sometimes, fresh skeins of yarn can tangle around itself. A ball winder allows you to create cakes, or balls, of yarn that are much easier to work with. Not to mention, it keeps all of your yarns aesthetically pleasing!
Image: Etsy
Knit Hat Templates
Sofasaurus
This hat pattern kit will make creating hats for your friends and family a breeze. In six different sizes, all you’ll need to do is ensure your WIP covers the template. No measuring tape necessary!
Beginner Friendly Patterns
The key to learning how to crochet is selecting a pattern that is right for you. Starting with a difficult pattern may kill your confidence–my advice is to start smaller than you’d like! We all want to knit a beautiful afghan on our first go, but sometimes, simpler is better.
I also suggest finding patterns with stitches and textures you really like the look of. Once you become more confident in your abilities, you can take the stitches you’ve learned from patterns and apply them to your own creations.
Our FavoriteS:
Image: Etsy
Cropped Mesh Top Pattern
Royal Dsgn
Boleros had a serious moment last winter, and I don’t think that trend is going anywhere anytime soon! Save yourself some cash and crochet your own coverup with this adorable mesh pattern.
Image: Etsy
Mabel’s Sweater Collection Pattern
Autumn Olive Crochet
This cropped mock neck sweater pattern is perfect for beginners! Worked entirely in half double crochets, the pattern includes colorwork graphs to help you personalize your own sweater. I would make a solid sweater first, or one in very simple colors. Then you can take on more colorwork!
Image: Etsy
Fruit Bag Pattern
McScottys
Hello, intersection of fun and function! This ingenious, packable bag may look like just a crochet fruit at first. But upon closer inspection, you’ll notice that you can pull out a full-sized tote! Gift this to everyone for every holiday for the rest of time. Your loved ones will thank you next time they’re the most popular person at the farmers market.
Image: Etsy
Checkered Bucket Hat
Ocavve Shop
Colorwork doesn’t have to be scary if you start smaller! This pattern will help to teach you important basics, like switching colors and the magic circle–a fundamental stitch to crocheting in the round. Your head will be warm and stylish!
How to Crochet
The first thing you’ll want to do when you start a crochet project is to pick up your hook. Find a position that feels comfortable to you! Next, you’ll create a slip knot and place it onto the hook. This is the first “stitch” of your project!
From here, you’ll yarn over, or slip the working yarn counterclockwise around your hook and bring the working yarn into the front of your hook. Use your hook to pull the working yarn through the loop on your hook. Congratulations! You just cast on your first stitch.
Cast on as many stitches as your pattern denotes. Then, flip your work to the wrong side. You should always work with your work on the left side of your hook, or the right side of your hook if you are left-handed. Next, you’ll insert your hook into the first two loops of your foundation chain. From here, yarn over, and pull your working yarn through the two loops. You just created a single crochet stitch!
If you are more of a visual or audio learner rather than a reader, you’ll be glad to know there are plenty of creators on YouTube, TikTok, and other social media platforms with hugely informative videos on the dozens of different crochet stitches. Public libraries also have dozens of pattern books–be sure to take advantage of them!
I hope this article makes you feel creative! My best recommendation for beginner crocheters is to keep trying. Unfortunately, mistakes are unavoidable, but don’t let them get you down. The more you work on crocheting, the better you’ll get. I promise! Keep at it, and by the end of this winter, I’m sure you’ll have the perfect, handmade cardigan to show off. Happy crafting!
