So, you’ve decided to pick up crochet. Maybe you saw a TikTok of someone effortlessly creating a cozy blanket, or perhaps you’ve been wooed by the idea of handmade gifts (no shame if it’s because store-bought scarves are getting too expensive). Either way, Welcome to the World of Yarn tangles, accidental knots, and the joy of shouting “Why doesn’t this look like the tutorial?!”
Don’t worry. Every master crocheter started as a confused beginner, wondering why their “simple” granny square looks like a lopsided hexagon. Let’s unravel (pun intended) the 10 BASICS every crochet newbie needs to know!
1. Yarn Comes in More Varieties Than Ice Cream Flavors
Walk into any craft store, and you’ll find yourself in a yarn aisle so vast it might as well be Hogwarts’ Great Hall. There’s acrylic, wool, bamboo, cotton, chunky, sport weight, baby weight and even fancy blends with alpaca.
As a beginner, stick to medium-weight yarn (called worsted weight) in light colors. Why light colors? So you can actually see what you’re doing instead of squinting like you’re deciphering ancient hieroglyphs. Save your sanity and stick to lighter colors so you can count your stitches easier.
2. Hooks: Not Just for Pirates
Crochet hooks come in sizes ranging from “toothpick tiny” to “tent pole huge.” As a beginner, aim for a 5mm or 6mm hook (size H or J in the U.S.). It’s the Goldilocks of hooks—not too big, not too small, but juuuust right for most starter projects. It also works great with worsted weight/medium yarn.
Oh, and invest in a comfortable hook. I prefer Etimo Tulip hooks and others like them. Your hands will thank you when you’re binge-watching & crocheting.
3. The Holy Trinity: Chain, Single Crochet, Double Crochet
If crochet were a video game, the chain stitch (ch), single crochet (sc), and double crochet (dc) would be your tutorial levels.
- Chain (ch): The foundation of almost every project. It’s like laying the tracks before the train rolls in.
- Single Crochet (sc): Short and sweet, this is your bread-and-butter stitch.
- Double Crochet (dc): Taller than a single crochet and makes your work grow faster—perfect for the impatient among us.
4. Patterns Are Written in Their Own Secret Language
Reading a crochet pattern for the first time feels like decoding a spy manual: “ch 10, sc in 2nd ch from hook, 2 dc in next st…” Huh?
Take a breath. Crochet patterns use abbreviations to save space, not to confuse you (though it does feel like a prank sometimes). Use my handy cheat sheet, and soon you’ll be fluent in “crochet-ese.”
5. The Magic Circle (No Wands Required)
The magic circle (or magic ring) is a technique for starting circular projects like hats and amigurumi. It’s fiddly at first, but once you master it, you’ll feel like a crochet wizard. Seeing it in action beats any written explanation so I am working on a Magic Circle Tutorial so stay tuned!
6. Frogging Is a Thing, and It’s Weirdly Therapeutic
Made a mistake? Welcome to “frogging,” where you rip out stitches to fix errors (rip-it, rip-it… get it?). Sure, it’s frustrating, but it’s also satisfying in a “destroy to rebuild” kind of way. Plus, mistakes are how you learn, so embrace the frogging and trust the creation process.
7. Gauge Matters (But Don’t Let It Scare You)
Gauge is how big or small your stitches are and affects the final size of your project. If a pattern says, “4 inches = 12 stitches,” don’t ignore it. Doing a gauge swatch, can help you avoid having to redo hours of work! Unless you want your sweater to fit your cat instead of you. Also I have found the gauge swatch helps me see if the stitch I’m using works well with the yarn I chose. Detailed stitches can get lost in variegated yarn.
8. You’ll Collect Yarn Like It’s a Pokémon Game
Every crocheter develops a stash—yarn bought because of an amazing sale or because it was gifted. Yeah. Gifted. Anyhoo, don’t fight it. Just invest in storage bins and accept it as part of the lifestyle.
9. Blocking Is the Secret Sauce
Ever wondered why your finished square looks more like a parallelogram? Blocking can fix that. Wet your project, shape it, and let it dry. It’s like giving your crochet a spa day so those stitches can relax.
10. Crochet Is Supposed to Be Fun
Finally, remember this: Crochet is a hobby, not an Olympic sport. It’s okay to mess up, laugh at your wonky stitches, and take breaks when your hands ache.
Ready, Set, Crochet!
Armed with these basics, you’re officially on your way to crochet greatness. Start small—think dishcloths or simple scarves—and don’t forget to share your creations (even the flops) with fellow crafters.
And remember, the most important thing in crochet isn’t perfection—it’s the joy of creating something with your own two hands. Happy hooking!