Best way to learn crochet and wool that feels nice?

[Flimp]

So two requests:

1. recommendations for best 'teach yourself crochet' resources (apologies, I'm sure this gets asked again and again).

and

1. I need to find some wool that doesn't give me the heebeegeebees as it pulls through my hands! Maybe something silky? I have tried to crochet once before, but the fluffy dry feeling of the wool goes through me. SHUDDER.

But I'd really like to learn! I think it could be just the distracting, portable hobby I need to get my concentration back on track.

thanks!

You can crochet using thick cotton (there's probably a proper name for it).

I know that because my friend crocheted a cotton blanket for my baby as I'm allergic to wool!

I'm sure someone who actually knows what they're talking about will be along soon

oh lovely!

i'll have a google

Not amazing advice, but alpaca wool is a softer wool, still has that slightly weird texture to it though! Generally I try and choose more expensive wools and avoid ordering online because I too hate that weird scratchy, dry hand feeling 😂

Also, it is something that you'd need to buy but I found it so good for learning, a book called One Ball of Wool, which has some cute crochet/knitting patterns in :) I was always crap at knitting but this explains literally everything and I'm quite chuffed as I have now made matching hats for me, baby and I'm starting one for DP (not sure how pleased they'll be about matching 😂😁)

I found it here but got mine off my mum who got it at the works or somewhere like that ages ago

https://www.worldofbooks.com/one-ball-of-wool-by-dk-gor007009143.html?keyword=&gclid=Cj0KCQjwkKPVBRDtARIsAA2CG6FpgJJMinwuJFiyZ9i-VdIfIpc8cf4H7Y6dKUp7b0XgiEnVPmtvGcaAktkEALww_wcB

ooh great thank you! I've ordered the book.

Drops make a yarn called Baby Alpaca Silk which is very reasonably priced and feels gorgeous. The only thing is that it's 4-ply and I would usually recommend that beginners start with a thicker yarn like DK or Aran as it's slightly easier to see the stitches.

ok, so maybe I'll build up to the alpaca!

do you think something like this cotton yarn might be quite smooth to the touch?

Hi OP. I know what you mean about the feel of some wool! That cotton looks like it would feel soft and be lovely to crochet with.

oh fab! I've ordered some. Can't wait now. The last time I only got as far as making a series of bum holes, so let's see if I can get to a whole granny square!

I googled beginners crochet this morning and saw a great YouTube video with quite a young teen showing step by step how to make a square. She was very good.

I'm hooked!

Alpaca is not a yarn to learn with :)

I’m not sure I’d learn with cotton either as it can be quite splitty. A lot of the smooth yarns are I think.

What wool did you try before? I know exactly what you mean as that’s why I never learnt to knit as a child - I couldn’t bear it!

Debbie Bliss Cashmerino got me back into knitting - a lovely soft blend and not scratchy . Echo other’s comments about cotton and alpaca though.
King Cole is a good entry level yarn as well ( Debbie Bliss can work out a bit expensive ) - l would suggest a mixture of wool and nylon in the King Cole.

ah bums about the cotton that I've ordered!

I've just dug out the ball of wool I tried with last time. No idea what it is, just, er, grey... probably very cheap.

Cotton can be OK but you do need to take extra care not to split the yarn - with wool the plied strands usually stick together better.

Stylecraft Special is a soft cheap acrylic but it will have that “fluff”. I find it OK even though the word “knitting” still conjures up that teeth clenching memory of scratchy yarn running through my fingers :)

I’ve thought about it too much now and will have to massage the imagined feeling away from my fingers! 😂

Happy Berry crochet is a good youtuber to learn from. She goes really slowly and explains everything really well.
Bellacoco is another one.

ha! glad it's not just me with the weird hand thing Soup!

Thanks for the recommendation MissisB.

I only crochet with cotton or wool, and taught myself to crochet with 4ply cotton with no issues. A decent hook makes a lot of difference imo. I'd stick to cotton to learn with, simply because it's a bit cheaper.

What are you looking to make - blankets, toys, clothing?

The nicest dk cotton I've used is patons, it's mercarised so nice and smooth, but i've always found the DMC yarns to be good too. DMC Petra 3 is my go to yarn for amigurumi.

Thanks for posting as just what I wanted to ask! What's a good hook size for complete beginners?

I taught myself watching BellaCoCo videos on YouTube.

My go to yarn is Stylecraft Special DK. It’s not splitty and unless it’s really hot, or your hook is slightly damp, it doesn’t squeak. The squeaking sets my teeth on edge.

Try Bella coco on you tube for videos. Also Attic24 blog easily found on google.
To make granny squares, this good site is how I learned. Would recommend stylecraft dk and a 4mm hook.

Stylecraft special is no better than other acrylics in terms of feeling icky running through your fingers imo. I bought an attic24 moorland pack as I love the colours and everyone raves about how nice the yarn is but i couldn't stand it.

It is better than some I’ve used. Far far better! [shudders]

It’s all down to your personal Ick though and is something you can’t know til you’ve tried it.

Some colours of the style craft are better than others I find. Which is a bit weird.

I was so disappointed I couldn't use it as i love the colour combos in the pack I'd used. I spoilt myself by crocheting my first blanket in Sublime Merino!

Do some crocheting with jute rope and then try the style craft. Anything feels soft after that! 😂