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Original poster

Crochet is so difficult!

57 replies

AliceRR · 04/02/2019 13:56

Just that.

My husband bought one of those Toft crochet kits for me for Christmas. I really fancied doing it especially as we are due to have a baby this month so i thought it could keep me occupied during mat leave and then be something I can give to the baby.

Anyway I consider myself intelligent and also quite creative (A in GCSE and A Level art) but I don’t do much knitting / sewing and have never crocheted (I can knit basic stitches but not follow a pattern and I can sew a button on, that’s about it)

Anyway I’m just finding it so fiddly and difficult, even watching the videos that tell you how to follow the pattern.

I’m trying to do a double crochet stitch and it just feels like the hook won’t even grip the yarn to pull it through

I only started this morning but I’m almost ready to give up!!

Any tips or advice would be gratefully received

OP posts:
scaredofthecity · 04/02/2019 15:16

It will be a 3mm hook as you want the stitches tight so you cannot see the stuffing when assembled. It's not really for beginners though.

I learnt the basics with chunky wool, it's much easier so see your stitches and control your yarn.

I then bought one of those magazines that come with everything you need and that really helped me learn the next steps, to increase and decrease etc.

You will make loads of mistakes to begin with but once you get the hang of it it's a very satisfying craft Grin

SoupDragon · 04/02/2019 15:36

Yes, the 3mm hook is going to make it more fiddly but it is necessary for the toy.

Original poster
AliceRR · 04/02/2019 15:45

@glenthebattleostrich I’m in Leeds / Bradford area (pretty much on the cusp between the two)

I’m going to go out shortly and see if I can get some bits to practise with while I’m out. It’s DH birthday today and I need to get him a cake - no way I can crochet and bake a decent cake in one day! 😂

OP posts:
glenthebattleostrich · 04/02/2019 16:01

I'm just of j38 of the m1 so not too far!

I have a slight wool habit so you're welcome to some of my stash!

Original poster
AliceRR · 04/02/2019 20:44

@glenthebattleostrich No not that far at all!

I bought a cheaper crochet kit in Aldi while i was out, seems to be modelled in the Toft kit, but we’d less than £5 and I figured I could practice with it, without using up / ruining the Toft wool. The hook is plastic and 3.5mm but seems to have a bit more of a hook to it and the wool is slightly thinner so it’s a bit easier but still b fiddly. I think I get watch a double crochet stitch is now at least but having trouble doing it so just going to practice the stitches a bit and see if I can get somewhere!

OP posts:
thatwouldbeanecumenicalmatter · 04/02/2019 22:18

Glad you got sorted Smile

Original poster
AliceRR · 04/02/2019 22:26

I wouldn’t say it’s sorted - at the end of day 1, I have zero stitches!

I managed six dc stitched and then realised I had not produced a ring like the video - will watch again tomorrow 🙈

Good job I have some time at home to do it 😬

OP posts:
thatwouldbeanecumenicalmatter · 04/02/2019 22:55

It'll come don't worry. I started out very basic, so practicing chains, getting a feel for what feels ok tension-wise without being too loose or too snug. Then chains with a single crochet in each chain, then chain with double crochet in each chain. I made nothing but long strips that the cats enjoyed trying to eat Grin

Mastered doing flat things like granny squares (I love browsing YouTube for ideas/techniques, I really am indebted to people on there for techniques I've learnt) , then progressed to amigurumi/toys which I don't terribly enjoy as a PP pointed out that it needs to be snug which means using a smaller hook and makes my fingers ache.

ModernStoneAgeFamily · 05/02/2019 08:23

This has got me wanting to try again. I never progressed much further than a fingers and thumbs crochet flower. But there’s something really satisfyIng even about that Grin And it grows faster than knitting.

Good luck Alice!

ChristineBaskets · 05/02/2019 10:55

I'm glad you started this thread OP as I want to learn too. I bought a Christmas decoration kit from Aldi that I assumed would include all the instructions for beginners and it may as well be written in Cantonese for all the sense it makes to me. I used to crochet a bit as a girl and I had assumed it would be easy!

I'm interested that pp's recommend YouTube for learning as I had thought I would have to buy a book (I'm a bit skint). Please can someone advise me what hooks and wool to get for learning with the YouTube tutorials? Smile

SoupDragon · 05/02/2019 11:01

A 4mm hook and some DK wool.

Poundland often have wool that is fine for practising with or Stylecraft Special is a good value for money acrylic.

Original poster
AliceRR · 05/02/2019 11:05

I never realised Poundland sells wool!

OP posts:
ChristineBaskets · 05/02/2019 11:17

Thank you SoupDragon Smile

MadisonAvenue · 05/02/2019 11:21

Wilko and Home Bargains also sell wool if your local Poundland doesn't have any.

longtompot · 05/02/2019 11:39

Trying to crochet with a 3mm hook and dk is just a non starter for a beginner.

Get yourself a 5mm hook, a plastic one will hold the yarn a bit more than a metal one, some stylecraft dk yarn and just practise doing a chain. Then undo your work (frog 'ripit') and do it again. And again. And again. You will get used to how to hold everything. That was my issue when I first tried crochet. I tried to do just a chain but eventually threw it down and ignored it for a few days as I got so frustrated. But, I picked it up again and tried again and eventually got it.
Keep at it OP. It will make sense.

wideawakeat3am · 06/02/2019 10:51

Agree that using 3mm hook and a kit isn't the best start for a beginner. Put kits to one side and do as pp suggests - get a 5mm hook and some plain DK or chunky yarn and practice making chains. This will help you to get used to holding the yarn, the hook, and your tension. I started with chunky yarn and a 5mm hook. I found dark colours better to start with as I could see the stitches better. Everyone has slightly different ways of holding the yarn, so experiment a bit until it is comfy. Then try doing rows of the different stitches - double, treble, until you're comfortable with the process. Don't try reading patterns until you have mastered the stitches. Be patient, look at videos on YouTube until you find someone who you understand best. Jaydainstitches is good, as is Bella Coco (although I never got on that well with BC). My first bits of crochet were just samplers - some rows of doubles and trebles, and then I tried a granny square. Good luck!!

comeagainforbigfudge · 06/02/2019 11:04

Yy to doing chains and rows and rows of doubles and trebles. I have yet to produce very much crochet wise but I am going to attempt a blanket this year. Ive had the wool for years, probably moths have got to it by now but never started. This is the the year.

Anyway, I follow Attic24 on instagram. Lots of lovely projects that are well explained with lots of repetition.

I have attempted granny squares many many times but i find them incredibly tricky. I do not know why beginners are always told to start with them Confused

Good luck!

MashedSpud · 10/02/2019 12:36

I started learning last Thursday. I practised chain stitch a lot, unravelled, started again then I tried double stitch and tried making a square...I ended up with pouches and a soft shoe Grin . I watched more YouTube videos, learnt to hold the wool without too much tension and made a granny square by carefully following Bella Coco’s absolute beginners granny square video. DH is using it as a coaster. Grin

explodingkitten · 10/02/2019 12:49

If it's too tight and you have trouble getting your hook in then pull the wool a bit longer after each stitch.

Also, what they said.

ClinkyMonkey · 10/02/2019 22:55

I had several failed attempts at learning to crochet and was surprised at just how disappointed and defeated I felt. It finally clicked for me a couple of years ago. I sat down with YouTube on my iPad and a how to book and refused to move until I had cracked it. Like other posters have mentioned, Bella Coco is great and explains everything in very simple terms.

Sometimes learning a new skill isn't so much about intelligence, but about patience and perseverance. Once you've gained the skill, your creativity will come into play and help you make some wonderful and unique things.

PickAChew · 10/02/2019 23:03

I knit. I love knitting. I've knitted some fabulous stuff.

Crochet involves so much twisting and turning that it hurts my poor hypermobile wrists. I only use it to enhance my knitting.

Fere · 10/02/2019 23:09

3 or even 4 mm are far to small, I was teaching my friend to crochet few months ago and IMHO the bigger the hook the better

she needed my help at the beginning but then she got on with videos on youtube

buy yourself 6 or 7 mm hook and a cheap yarn and don't worry about making anything useful to start with
you are using parts of your brain you've never used before and you have to develop muscle memory as well

it takes time to feel confident but is well worth it!

diamantegal · 12/02/2019 15:27

I've just started one of the Toft kits - it's really hard! No way is it meant for beginners - the instructions are aimed at people who know how to crochet and the yarn is really unforgiving. And I say that as someone who has made amigurumi Christmas tree decorations, so it's not as though I haven't had practice with small hooks etc.

I'd second what everyone else has said - there's much more forgiving approaches to learning to crochet - stick the Toft kit to the back of the cupboard for now!

Fere · 14/02/2019 11:52

@cornflakes5 think of it that sowing machine does the job of positioning, tension and holding the thread as well as the fabric
in crocheting and knitting you have to do it yourself, that why it's harder

so it is really to do with practice and repetition

madcatladyforever · 14/02/2019 11:54

I can knit any complicated pattern...but cochet is rocket science. I cannot get the hang of it.

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