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?

Another vote for Bella Coco! Her starter tutorials go stitch by stitch at beginners pace.

I use Stylecraft Special DK because i started crocheting for Woolly Hugs snd that's what they use. It's 100% acrylic so if you are used to a yarn with a wool or cotten content you might fine it a bit "squeaky". Drops Merino is a lovely yarn for when you get more confident and want to produce something gorgeous.

I use Clover Amour hooks which i find more comfortable than metal hooks.

I always use Stylecraft Special DK or Paintbox Simply DK for blankets because they're soft, washable and come in a good range of colours. Or if you want something that changes colour then Stylecraft Merry Go Round is the same as SSDK just multi-coloured.

I also recommend trying a few different types of hooks. I like the soft-handled hooks, but some like them with Fimo clay handles or just the skinny aluminium ones. I have some quite expensive ones like Tulip Etimo and Clover Amour but Amazon have some quite cheap sets that feel almost the same, like this that I keep for emergency loss of the good hooks.

I really like the soft handled Knit Pro hooks.

I second The Happy Hooker by Debbie Stoller too. Even though she uses American terms, she just explains things in a clear way that stayed in my head.

Knitting, crocheting, and embroidery requires good mathematical and organisational skills. Not only do you need to follow a pattern you also need to count stitches and keep track of where you are in relation to the pattern. Dressmaking, tailoring etc In all it’s forms requires logical thinking

I run a group on Facebook called Crochet UK. It’s a lovely group and we share patterns, inspiration, tips etc! Come join!
www.facebook.com/groups/843368652529681/?ref=share

I love to crochet 🙂 I get my crochet patterns off ebay! Loads of easy ones on there. Also second buying quality hooks x

Mrsfennon I’ve requested to join

I personally find videos incredibly hard to follow and much prefer diagrams and written instructions but I think that's fairly personal. But if you try one and don't succeed try another.

I also don't hold my crochet hook or yarn in a way that I've yet seen anyone else demonstrate in a video

I bought a set of clover style hooks when first starting out, they were adequate, but they're definitely not as smooth as the real thing. It did allow me to get some experience and work out which size hooks were worth buying for the projects i do though

I love Debbie Stoller's Happy Hooker book. It clearly explains a number of things which I'd never really understood before and I'd been crocheting for 30 years. I'd find a list of UK and US crochet terms to refer to in order to avoid confusion - Pinterest will have lots.

Although granny squares are fairly easy and quick, I'd rather crochet a complete blanket than spend all the time it takes joining squares together!

You need more yarn for crochet than for knitting - worth remembering if you see something you like and aren't buying in relation to a specific pattern.

I can knit any pattern but crochet defeats me. I think I need someone to teach me.

I'm the same as Hamster in that I hold the yarn in my own way. I'm left handed and my gran taught me using a Ladybird book and a mirror. I've always found crochet far more straightforward than knitting, plus you've only got one stitch to drop.

Crochet is great, and it’s pleasing how quickly your work grows compared to knitting. I tend to knit, but am planning to get back into crochet soon.
My granny squares have always been a bit wonky though.

I cannot knit to save my life! Gave up trying. I’ve learned to crochet through online tutorials. I struggled with Bella Coco’s granny square tutorial but found Jayda Institches one easier to follow. I’ve also learned to do hats with Jayda (She’s Canadian and they use the same terms as U.K.).

My sister tried to teach me but I just couldn't get the hang of it. I think I may be particularly cack handed and incompetent though.

Marking place (sorry, there's a big MN black friday advert over the 'watch thread' button

Another vote for Bella Coco. I watched so many beginners guides to the granny square, and her video was the one for me where it suddenly all clicked.

Also placemarking due to the black Friday advert over the watch thread button @MNHQ please sorry that out!

I started crocheting a couple of years ago and loved it but fell away from it. You have all inspired me to go back to it.

Will be having a look into the yarn you've all recommended.

I used Bella Coco too after recommendations on here.

Would it be easiest to start with a granny square blanket? I used to love knitting fair isle, the complexity of it.

I'm another Bella Coco fan - I learnt from her granny squares tutorial too. It was frustrating at first but soon got the hang of it, and I now prefer it over knitting.

Personally I would go for something smaller than a blanket, but there's no reason why you shouldn't go that big.

A granny blanket is a really good place to start op. My other tops tips are:

1. Go to The Works and see if they have any cheap crochet books and buy one for the stitch library at the back of the book. When I first started I found it helpful to be able to refer to the different stitches.

2. I only crochet on Rowan cotton hand knit. It is a really great yarn to start with as if you get the tension a bit tight you can easily pull back. 7 years in I still only use that yarn although I buy random lots on eBay. John Lewis has a 20% off deal on atm.

I adore crochet it makes me so happy.

The advantage to starting with a granny square blanket is that you can quickly see progress (and can chuck the first wonky squares once you improve!). Disadvantage is you have to join it all at the end.

Something like a granny stripe blanket works up into something that starts to look like a blanket fairly quickly but the starting chain is always a pain in the bum and if you're new to crochet you may find the blanket doesn't end up the same width as you improve as you go along.

This thread is great. My new years resolution is to learn crochet next year. What size hook do I need to knit granny squares with that DK wool?

Attic24 blog is great, and also the patchwork heart blog has the best granny square pattern I’ve found.

@HappyHarlot I usually use a 4mm hook with dk yarn.