Crochet- where/how to begin

[zinher]

Hiya I have got some spare time on my hands and was thinking of learning to crochet. Am going to hobby craft soon. What do I need to buy? I dnt want to break the bank as I am not crafty at all and dnt know how long the enthusiasm will last but really love the idea of it. Is it difficult to learn?

All you need is a couple of different sized hooks, some wool and access to the internet. Check out Attic24 blog for inspiration and there are loads of tutorials online. My one tip is to beware of the transatlantic language differences ... The same terms are used in the UK and the US but they mean different things. I also found the crochet book by Mollie Makes and the Happy Hooker very useful. All the best ... I started in May and am totally hooked.

What size hooks do I need. There seem to be a multitude. And what sort of yarn is good for a complete beginner?

I would go for size 4 probably and really any ball of wall you have / like. But I just had a thought... I started on my yarn journey last Easter when I bought one of those knitting / crochet mags to take on holiday. It was I think Let's Get Crafty ... Knitting or something. It comes each month with a pair of knitting needles and a crochet hook, half a dozen little balls of yarn and a magazine full of patterns to knit or crochet. At the back are diagrams of how to start and do some stitches. I think it is a brilliamt kickstart to a new hobby. Worked for me. Will look for a link to the mag now.

This is it. 7.99 but you do get all you need to start you off.
www.letsgetcrafting.com

Check out YouTube tutorials such as This

I think a ball of acrylic double knit (dk) yarn and a 4mm hook should be plenty to start learning! I found the little tin bird and attic24 blogs really useful, plus crafty minx blog has a crochet school (in american terms though, but you soon learn the difference!) which helped me get started :) happy hooking!

Personally I think the hook and wool selection are at hobby craft are very disappointing and not a big selection.

I would find out your local independent yarn shop, they often run well priced beginner courses and will always offer help. My yarn shop also run free knit and natters (you can crochet not just knit) and you will get help then. Once you have the basics Attic 24 is brilliant and I like the simply crochet magazine.
My local yarn shop helped me to find what type of hook suited me best ( I like knit pro soft touch - if I can get the waves ones even better).
I have through Attic 24 and the we love Lucy group on Ravelry found Stylecraft Special DK a great economical yarn with lovely colours so that is a good one to start with.

I google some local yarn shops, unfortunately they aren't very local so not really an option. I think I will start with the 4 hook and DK yarn. What do I make first? Something easy as I get frustrated when things dnt work out well.

If you don't have a yarn shop near you them again I recommend the mag as it is available at supermarkets and newsagents. I started with granny squares then moved on to little projects like flowers and bootees.

Ok thanks Jayne. I would love to be able to make some booties or hats for baby 1. Was looking to buy them originally but they are so expensive so thought will give it a try myself.

Any YouTube channels recommendations?

I learned to crochet from Debbie Stoller's book "the happy hooker". I highly recommend it.

Zinher I read an interesting post on some crochet thing recently. It was discussing the difference between knitters and crocheters and the lady wondered if knitters are more about thr process while crocheters are more about the end product. Had never thought of that before but I definitely prefer crochet over knitting because I want to produce a nice finished object in the time it takes me to watch Holby rather than have some bif work on the go. So personally I always look for little projects that can be done quickly and put to use. Having said that I do have two crochet wreaths on the go (à la attic24) and they are taking ages.

Granny squares are a good way to start. Nice and easy and you can join them together later and make something with them if you want.
I too used the Happy Hooker book to learn the basics and also the 'For Dummies' website.

jayne
I've seen the wreaths you mean, they are all fantastic, so gorgeously colourful. Which ones are you doing?

5hundred I took inspiration from her wreaths but then used my own colours ... did a winter base and a spring base and am now making random bits go on. Have done butterflies and flowers for the spring one and snowflakes and snowballs for the winter one so far.

jayne
They sound fab. I hope you will post a photo when they are done. I would love to see them.

I started watching this thread last night as I have just bought a couple of crochet hooks to see if I enjoyed it (love knitting & sewing) but really struggling to get the basic techniques of crochet; I'll have a look at some of the links you've all put on, see if I can get the hang of it-thank you

www.craftyminx.com/crochet-school/ really helped me start :)

You tube is agreat start. I learned by doing amigurumi toys. they are small and allow you to practise your single crochet stitch while getting used to increases and decreases.

I learned from You Tube and now teach others how to crochet. before i knew it I was up and away learning new techniques all the time. My latest obsession is tunisian crochet...