I wish I could crochet!

[PosiePootlePerkins]

I bought a beginners guide to crochet book, I bought the needles and wool, I watched countless youtube videos, can I get the hang of it? I dream of sitting on my sofa of an evening, creating gorgeous things....sigh. Anyone know any foolproof tips? Tried searching evening classes but I guess its a bit niche... Anyone live in South East Hampshire fancy giving me some lessons? I'll pay!
or maybe I am just a bit dim

Does anyone apart from me use the "knitting" approach rather than the "crochet" approach?
Me too. I can still only do double crochet.

The result is the same no matter what method you might use.

However..... some crochet perfectionists might have a conniption to see the "knitting" method being used!

It is what I was taught when a young un. And I love it. It is so soothing and keeps me occupied, with some nice results too, same as any other method!

Just do it and enjoy it.

I think the only reason to worry about the method is if you want to do it fast.

I learnt via my local Hobbycraft store. A woman did lessons from there. I had 10 2 hour is about 2 years ago and haven't put a crochet hook down since ! Maybe try your local one.

I tried for ages to crochet, using the metal hooks, I find them really difficult to hold. Finally bought a set of hooks on Amazon with the plastic handle and it was so much easier as i feel more in control. I also thread my yarn around my two fingers (pinkie and middle) as my tension is too loose when I just go round my pinkie. I’m absolutely in love with clover amour hooks now! They are so smooth! I flipping love crochet! Box set on Netflix and crochet in hand and I’m in my happy place

Very excited! Just found out from my mum that my auntie can crochet. I knew she could knit but not crochet! She is going to bring round some wool this evening and give me a lesson, yay! If I make any progress I will update. Was just about to pay £40 for a 4 week course so this will save me money too. I will pay her in wine!

I highly recommend Jayda in Stitches on YouTube. I learned to crochet by watching her videos and found her the easiest to follow by far, having watched loads of other YouTube vidoes first before coming across hers. She does a 'learn the basics' series which shows you all the basic stitches. The only thing is she's Canadian so uses US terms rather than UK, but I didn't mind that as when you search for a pattern online you need to figure out the terms being used first anyway. She's also a little bit quirky but that can make things more interesting... Good luck with your lesson!

@ButterfliesandMoths I have no idea sorry. There are lots of them. Just have a browse.

I crochet 'knitting way' too, my fingers are often too painful to do it in the traditional way.
I use Stylecraft and Clover hooks, or those with padded handles.
I've been doing it for about 3 years after a very talented friend showed me.

When I've taught friends I've found success in making them chain lots yo get the rhythm first. Surely there are some (probably older than you) crocheters local to you who'd be delighted to teach you? Ask around? Join a knit and natter?

Hilarious Posie, I did the same and threw it all away in disgust, I'm getting nowhere. i can knit anything, but crochet....pah!

I'm happy to have found this thread! I decided last night 4am this morning to attempt to start to crochet. I need a hobby! I have 2 young children and my husband works long shifts so I find myself with nothing much to do in the evenings when the kids are in bed. It has resulted in me reaching for the wine a bit too much so I need something else to with my hands

My husband is off to his mum's today to raid her loft as he said his Nana's old crocheting things should be in there then he's off on a wool hunt! He said he's bringing his mum back and seemingly she can crochet so hopefully she can show me how it works! Then I'll be youtubing later.

I would love to be able to make a lovely scarf or blanket.

I printed off simple stitches from the internet so I have a guide for when patterns say things like 1tr and 2trinto1 etc. I knew nothing about crochet at the start of November when I started Mat leave but have been learning using YouTube videos that I play on slow and follow along! Have gotten a lot better in just a few weeks - but I recommend printing out the stitches in picture form since otherwise I keep forgetting what I am meant to do!

This site I found useful: www.learn2knit.co.uk/crochet/basic-stitches.php

I would second getting the soft, larger-handled hooks as the traditional hooks made my hand cramp. I'm also a continental knitter and hold my yarn in my left hand for both knitting and crochet; I'm left-handed and I notice that I tend to move the fabric and yarn around the hook with my left hand rather than move the hook in my right 😁. I also don't stick my left forefinger up in the air like so many videos have it but hold it down on the fabric - I find I have more control as well as comfort.

Blankets are very good for getting the basic stitches well fixed in your head - again, I second Lucky of Attic24. And my treat to myself when I got a new job was a subscription to Little Box of Crochet with a new box of project and goodies every month. ❤️

I got a set of cheapy ergonomic hooks from amazon from China, they're brilliant and more comfortable to me than the knit pro ones. Plus the sizes are engraved into the handle so they can't rub off.

www.amazon.co.uk/FUSION-Aluminium-Colourful-organizer-LIFETIME/dp/B00OACMMVE/ref=cm_sw_em_r_awdb_dzs_XpbdAbAPG10XN_tt?tag=mumsnetforum-21

@TooManyPaws What’s are the boxes like, assuming you get all your yarns etc. with it? Might give one a go next month!

I've had the crochet hooks Flavia linked to but I don't rate them. The rubber wore out on the handles on the ones I had. It's really thin where it meets the metal and flakes easily.

I like these [[https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00LYG89ZM/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?psc=1&tag=mumsnetforum-21&ie=UTF8 Tulip]] ones. Yes, they are more expensive but they are so comfortable to hold, the handles are well made and the aluminium isn't sticky so the yarn glides across them.

@3EyedRaven Lovely!

Yarn, notions for project, soft-handled crochet hook, stitch marker, postcard or similar extra goodies, pattern book with a discount code for Wool Warehouse, bodkin for sewing up etc. Absolutely everything included plus extras. See www.littleboxofcrochet.co.uk. Some previous boxes available on www.etsy.com/uk/shop/sweetpea0161.

Oh that's not good TheFairyCaravan, must be down to chance or maybe how we hold them, I ordered some for my DM too and we've both been lucky...

@TooManyPaws Right I’ll order it when I get paid. Thanks