I want to learn to crochet...can you help a complete beginner get started?!

[TeaAndCakeOrDeath]

I put this in chat until I realised there is a separate 'crafts' topic (see, evidence of how much of a novice i am!)

Right, I've wanted to learn to crochet/knit for a while (ever since seeing lots of beautiful but expensive baby things!) but since learning about the Woolly Hugs project I am even more determined than ever than I can contribute.

Only problem is, I am devoid of any craft skills whatsoever! So, how would I get started? Is it possible to pick it up relatively easily or am I fooling myself?!

Hi Tea,
I did this myself about a year ago. There are some really good videos on YouTube which is a good place to start.

Do you use Pinterest? There are often a lot of beginner tutorials come up on there.

I found it relatively easy to pick up once I could see people actually doing it (I was struggling to learn from a book), and the stitches are quite simple - you make the pretty patterns from combining them in different ways.

The hooks and wool can be quite cheap - I picked a big bundle of hooks up in my local charity shop for a couple of £. Wool is available in Poundland/B&M for between £1 (small ball) to about £1.70 (large ball). Good for when you're just starting out. As you get better, you can use better quality yarn - there is a massive selection out there!

You just do need to be careful about the patterns you find - the English double crochet is different to the American here

Good luck and have fun

I taught myself 3 years ago from a book called Crochet Unravelled with cheap DK yarn and a 4mm hook. It was quite straightforward but I do seem to have the kind of brain that picks this stuff up easily :)

Your other option is to see if there is a local member of Team Hooker near you who will teach you in exchange for cake over coffee.

If you are anywhere near Northamptonshire or the bit of Leicestershire near Harborough then I can help. I'm on a diet too so cake is a sweet, sweet memory

No, sorry I'm Lancaster based, dont suppose anyone knows of a Team Hooker near here who will have the patience of a saint teach me? I will offer much coffee and cake (they'd need it!)

I've been wanting to do something creative for ages (DH has said no more jam or chutney making as we have pots of the stuff now) reading your thread I'd like to try crocheting too. (I knitted when I was 8 but could never get the hang of casting on/off!).

I'm hoping crocheting might be a bit easier. Good luck finding a group/teacher - maybe ask in a local wool shop if you have one? We've got one in my village so I might have to pop in and see if they want to laugh at my ignorance

I taught myself to crochet using YouTube.

I am a crochet teacher and can assure you that almost anyone can learn the skills usually within a hour or two.

I think the best way (in the absence of someone sitting next to you) is to try You Tube. I started with amigurumi which is just one simple stitch, but teaches you increases and decreases.

I am based in North Hampshire otherwise I would come and show you myself!

My main advice is to not get too caught up with where your fingers and the wool should be. Everyone has a different way of holding the hook and creating tension on the wool. Just practice the basic technique and let yourself slip into a rhythm. After a while you naturally fall into a way of crocheting which is good for you. it may not be the quickest or the most efficient, but it is your natural way of doing it.

Oh and make sure you choose a wool which won't split easily. I use a 100% DK cotton with my students because it shows stitches clearly. Don't buy organic cotton though, because it is softer and splits more easily. A mercerised cotton is also good as it has a coating to make it stay rounded.

Good luck!

I worked my way through the whole of Crochet for Dummies worked for me! I really like learning through books though, depends which way you learn best...

I taught myself using a book called The Happy Hooker..... T'interweb wasn't doing it for me!!

Love, love crochet - wish I'd learnt years ago....

I've asked for some hooks/wool for my birthday (early December) and been watching the youtube videos so hopefully by next year I can be a pro! (deluded )

You could well be a pro by next year :) I found that the initial learning part was steep but after that I was off and running.