Crochet - is it possible to self teach?

[Ponyphysio]

Or would I need a class? I'm a fairly good knitter, don't know if that's a help or a hindrance. Any book or website recommends?
Thanks
PP

[TTTatty]

Most definitely you can learn without a class, patterns a plenty on web and YouTube will have lots of help videos :-)

[bryte]

Yes, absolutely. Video tutorials helped me to learn the basics, then a book from the library to learn other stitches.

[WhoKnowsWhereTheMistletoes]

Definitely, I did three or four years ago and can turn my hand to all sortsof projects now. A lot of people use Youtube, I did a bit, but mainly used the step by step instructions on a website called LearntoKnit which also has a crochet section. The main thing to watch out for is the difference between US and UK terminology, stick to one or the other at first. If you see a mention of a stitch called "single crochet" that's American.

[ZingTheGreat]

yep, I did it and I'm no genius

go to your library and borrow a few books for inspiration and drawings that show you step-by-step technique. it is so easy, really.

good luck

and I love using Wendy Supreme DK cotton yarns and Rico Essential Cotton yarns - fab colours and the two yarns are almost identical so I combine them in same items.
I buy them off Ebay

[wightjellybaby]

I taught myself from a book I got from the library, it had a lot a pictures. I found it easy to get the hang of it and its quicker than knitting

[Dumbledoresgirl]

Totally possible. I taught myself from a book when I was 17. I recently learnt some new techniques from watching YouTube videos. YouTube has it all really.

[Burnshersmurfs]

Attic24 blog is really good for simple projects

[FunkyBoldRibena]

Yes...you tube is great for this

[Ponyphysio]

Oh excellent! I'll get myself out to buy a crochet hook tomorrow. Need something to keep my hands busy while I detox in January. Thanks :)

[6133rebecca]

Absolutely agree with the above posters, especially about the American differences. I taught myself how to crochet with youtube and a really good book - I think it was a readers digest book - crochet, lace making and tatting. I lent it to my sister so can't give you the exact title. Give crochet a go. It takes up less room than knitting - elbow wise - especially when travelling

[slippermaiden]

Love crochet, it's my new hobby!

[LoathsomeDrab]

I'm in the process of teaching myself using online tutorials and videos.

I got the hang of the basic stitches and then looked for a project. I started off with amigurumi (cute little animals/figures/objects worked almost entirely in single crochet) and progressed from there.

I tend to pick something that I want to do then learn the stitches involved as I go if I don't already know them.

I still keep this page and this page handy whenever I'm crocheting to try and avoid UK-US terms confusion!!

[Dumbledoresgirl]

I learnt with British terminology and used it for decades. I only recently encountered American terminology but it makes so much more sense to me so I now prefer it. It could confuse a beginner though so definitely be aware of the difference (you can google the comparison of the terms once you are started) and watch out if you start using youtube videos. Basically, listen out for the accent of the teacher! There are both American and British videos out there.

[ZingTheGreat]

my next project is a scarf - granny stripes pattern, lots of colours. yarns in post, bought with Christmas money, can't wait!


Beware OP, it is addictive!

[RedButtonhole]

I can't knit at all but managed to teach myself crochet without amy trouble.

I used a book called The Happy Hooker, which was brilliant, though it does teach you using the American terms so you need to keep that in mind when choosing patterns later. Same stitches, just different names so not to difficult.

[Ponyphysio]

I was thinking of starting with a couple of dishcloths to try out some different stitches, though there are some gorgeous patterns and colours to be had. Shame theres only wee boys in our family :(

[ZingTheGreat]

I've made a beanie hat for my baby boy and now the older ones want some as well, especially DS1 who is 13!

I definitely recommend beanie hats for little boys, very easy.

try making cot blankets out of granny squares , granny stripes (or a combo of them)for little ones, your project will progress quickly.
or some toy animals when you are more confident at reading patterns.

[DoesntLeftoverTurkeySoupDragOn]

I taught myself how to crochet from a book.

Alternatively, there are many members of Team Hooker who will teach for cake if they are local to you :)

[aJumpedUpPantryBoy]

I self taught way back in the pre-internet days using a book.

Make sure you learn using a yarn that isn't too thin, in my blissful ignorance my first projects used 3ply - when I then used DK I thought I'd died and gone to heaven is was so easy.

[WhoKnowsWhereTheMistletoes]

Yes, start with a 4mm hook and double knitting wool if you can, they work well together, I do about 90% of my crochet using that combo.

[GetMeOut]

Yes - another shout for 'The Happy Hooker ' - I loved the name for a start !

I was a life long knitter and failed miserably with all other Uk books and magazines. I methodically worked through the Happy Hooker and finally got it ! I had always struggled with how you wrap the wool round your fingers and this book gives you some alternatives that finally worked for me - I also now hold the hook differently to the conventional Uk way as well.
I felt a sense of achievement as it was the first thing I had really had to learn from scratch as an adult ( having been basically taught to knit and sew even before I could read )

Good luck and hope you enjoy it

[lazybint]

I'm trying to learn crochet too - there's a lady on YouTube called GirlyBunches who is very good and easy to follow

[GetMeOut]

Forgot to say that there are also lots of cool patterns in The Happy Hooker as well.

All this talking about it makes me want to go and get it out again.... I think I will ....