Is it easy/possible to learn to crochet from a book?

[BigBirthdayGloom]

I've bought a Dorling Kindersley how to book. I knit, but don't crochet and would love to get to the standard where I can make granny squares for a Roseanne's sofa style blanket (but smaller!). Would that be very ambitious, assuming I've for any aptitude for it?

I learnt the basic principle from my grandmother, I was told that you can ONLY learn crochet by being taught. Having said that, I've learnt loads of more techniques from books rather than being shown so you should be fine.

Also, my grandma was left handed. And now, I, a right handed person, crochet left handed which is a bit odd. At least you'll avoid that pitfall!

I've just taught myself to crochet using a book and several YouTube videos. A book alone wasn't enough for me to figure it out, but now I have the techniques and know the stitches the book is helping for reference and basic patterns.

I was able to make decent looking granny squares within a couple of weeks, I just bought some cheap wool and practiced every night until they looked square rather than the round ones I started off with!

I taught myself from family circle when I was about 16, just the basics and have built on it from books. But I feel I need a bit of coaching from someone experienced.

My mum taught me the very basics and I learnt every thing else from books and magazines. I don't hold my wool in the 'correct' fashion, however, my tension is good so I ignore the correct way.

Youtube is excellent. Some of it is in slow mo too.

I second YouTube alongside your book. I haven't crocheted fir 30+ years, re-taught myself from YouTube and have just finished my first (very basic!) granny squares for Woolly Hugs

I mostly taught myself to crochet Granny Squares from a book, however my mum gave me a couple of pointers that were really useful!

I'm sure it's possible to teach yourself 100% from a book but it's probably far easier if you can get someone to show you a bit.

I learned from a Craftsy class, but good YouTube videos would work just as well. I learned over the cChristmas holidays and did the basic stitches over and over until it clicked.

I have tried with a book and YouTube but can't do it. I need a teacher. I have now progressed, after a basic lesson, but can't read a pattern. My mother is very good at it, but useless as a teacher.

In my limited experience, knitters struggle with crochet as it's basically something completely new, but they expect to be able to get it quickly, unlike those who are complete novices to both! Be patient with yourself and do some of those slow mo videos, practising the basic stitches over and over until you've got them. It took me a couple of months, doing it most nights, to master most of the stitches.

I learned from a book, so it is possible. I saw someone crocheting with fine cotton about 25 years ago and bought a book and taught myself.

Some people can learn from books. I learned that way years ago, but was slow and I had to pick the yarn over every stitch because I couldn't work out from a book how to hold the thread and release/hold and increase tension at required times.

Maybe that is the problem- I can knit anything and find it frustrating to be a beginner.

But Delphiniums, don't think like knitting, think of the lovely flowers and unusual shapes you can create with crochet. Try this blog for inspiration.

I'm a lefty and learnt from books and youtube, YT's great for hunting out left handed tutorials.

I'm a lefty and learnt from online tutorials and you tube. I strongly recommend Planet June.

I learnt knitting from a book and YouTube back in February and I've just completed my Tom Baker Doctor Who Scarf :) definitely possible. Takes patience though.

I couldn't get the link to work. My mother taught me right handedly but I have rebelled! I want to do it left handedly and there lies the problem! I can't cope with the left handed tutorials on YouTube.

I'm a beginner and I've made these this week from online tutorials. I like that there no waste, if I go wrong I just pull it undone and start again.
I had to try the magic loop several times before I got it.

I learnt from a book called Crochet Unravelled so it is perfectly possible to learn withough being taught.

I was 13 when I taught myself to crochet from a book. I've also learned tatting and macrame from books. Would have gone on to learn needle lace if dc hadn't come along and will go back to it one day. Of course it is possible.

Admittedly I may not be doing things absolutely right, for instance I always use my thumbnail to help me get the loops over the crochet hook, (never noticed til I was demonstrating for someone else) but it works for me!

I taught myself from "stitch n bitch: the happy hooker." I think the basic stitches are pretty easy to learn from a book.
Now I just need to find a good book for learning left handed knitting.

My mam and nan taught me to knit and crochet. I don't think I could have learned purely from a book but I have learned some new stitches in both knitting and crochet from books.

YouTube is pretty good for tutorials on the basics.