Crochet...is it difficult?

[CatUnderTheStairs]

I’d like to crochet a granny square blanket. I can knit but I’ve never crocheted.

I’m looking for something to keep me occupied on the dark winter nights.

Is there a book anyone can recommend. Any tips?

You’re better off with YouTube I would suggest as the diagrams never really show where you put the hook.

I learned a couple of years ago and may have got a bit obsessed with yarn...

And if you can knit that will give you an advantage as it’s similar but different iyswim

I taught myself from YouTube videos. Took a bit of practice but got the hang of it. Used to troubleshoot using google. There is lots you can make if you master the basic stitches.

YouTube is great. I like Bella Coco and she has a granny square

That's a pretty basic pattern and it shouldn't take too long to master. I learnt from watch YouTube videos and I'm a fairly confident crocheter now.

I chose Bella Coco on YouTube. Very clear and slow instructions. Just be careful though. US and UK stitches are called different things, so a double crochet in US is a single crochet in UK terms, so stick with either all English or all American tutorials whilst you get the hang of it!

I'd second YouTube. Also, make sure to check out whether the video is aimed at left handers or right handers, and pick one to suit whichever you are.

I learnt from YouTube. Bella Coco was the easiest to understand.

I think it’s easier than knitting.

Yes easier than knitting. There are some good picture tutorials on the Attic24 blog especially for granny squares/stitch.

I couldn't get on with learning from videos, they were always too fast for me and its faffy stopping/starting. I learned from this website www.learn2knit.co.uk/howtocrochet.php

Waaaaaaay easier than knitting! It’s a great hobby and a granny square blanket is a good place to start. My tip: don’t make the squares too small cos joining them together at the end is a pain, so the bigger the squares, the fewer joins!

Bella Coco on YouTube is excellent. She’s from the UK so uses English crochet terms - US terms are different. She explains things clearly and tells you when to pause the video so that you can have a go without losing track of what she’s doing.

I think it’s much easier than knitting and it grows quicker too so you soon see results.

I hate crochet with a passion. It infuriates me. I desperately want to be able to do it and I can’t. My friends have tried, I’ve tried books and I’ve tried You Tube. I just end up with a tangled web of wool. Crochet is my nemesis.

I find it super easy - much easier than knitting, and that blanket, although big, would be very simple to do.

This is a good starter book IMO

I find it much easier than knitting personally.

I really struggle to learn off videos and found 'the Happy Hooker' by Debbie Stoller incredibly helpful.
I also used Spruce Crafts website quite a lot.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0761139850/ref=cmswwrcppapiii_LSx4DbDEPRTHF

www.thesprucecrafts.com/crochet-4162930

Make sure you buy decent crochet hooks. I used cheap ones and they gave me cramp in my hand.

Other than that, I used Bella Coco videos.

I’m another one who thinks it’s easier than knitting. I can crochet really well, and really fast. I can knit, but I’m not very good, stitches are uneven etc, so if you’re good at knitting you will be fine
Crochet also builds up a lot faster than knitting as well.

I have finally mastered it on attempt number 3. That Bella Coco granny square video the one that cracked it. Am far from expert as only been doing it a few weeks but I finally get it.

Bella coco on YouTube and you'll be set.

Attic 24 has some wonderful blankets and other items with good detailed instructions and photos. I can no longer crochet as I managed to give myself RSI so don't overdo it would be my advice.

No it's knot ( sorry, couldn't resist !)

Ooh brilliant lots of advice. I’ve just followed the attic 24 link. Great. But how do you know which yarn to start with.

Stylecraft Special DK is cheap (about £2 a ball) and comes in 80 colours. It’s also acrylic so it doesn’t split too much or fluff so you can see your stitches clearly.

Yes agree Stylecraft special DK. If you want to make a specific Attic 24 blanket, you can buy packs with all the colours in from Wool Warehouse (link on Attic 24 website)