Crochet blanket - where to start

[Almahart]

I would like to make a beautiful crochet blanket.

I'm a good knitter but have never crocheted. I know I could scour Ravelry and order yarn and so on but to be honest, I quite fancy buying a kit.

I've looked at Janie Crowther and all her beautiful things but I think I fancy something a bit simpler.

Any ideas?

Another question - for a beginner, how many hooks is enough and what sizes? Thanks

Some great advice here. I learned to crochet mainly from Attic24 - her site is so helpful.

One thing nobody has mentioned - I struggled for a LONG LONG time with doing rows of crochet (my blankets would get wider and wider or more and more narrow). Squares were a total eye opener - far less to go wrong. So I'd definitely recommend starting with them before going into rows.

On sewing the squares up - yes it is a bit monotonous but really not that bad! I found it quite satisfying by the end, and enjoy the laying out to decide what went best where. For that latter reason I've never done join squares as you go - I always want to be able to lay the whole thing out and be able to change my mind. Plus if course squares are so helpfully portable in a way that a growing blanket never is - just chuck some wool and a hook in a bag and you're sorted!

Enjoy it! And do give it a go - I struggled for years with knitting but found crochet much easier (and enjoyed it more).

how many hooks is enough

At least one more than the number lost down the back of the sofa.

I usually just added to my hook collection when I need a size. I have amassed a collection now though as I feel obliged to rescue them from charity shops.

Charity shops never have ergonomic ones though! I did buy one thin metal hook in a charry but it was tiny, to try a beading technique I still haven't got round to.

I mostly use 4mm or 6.5mm, plus a small size for pulling yarn through when joining or going into the top of a stitch - that tip made my life a lot easier!

I found this c2c guide fairly easy to follow:

makeanddocrew.com/how-to-corner-to-corner-crochet-c2c-for-beginners/

I mostly use 4mm. I switched to ergonomic hooks a few years ago when I had tennis elbow and hate using plain metal ones now.

I prefer the metal hooks as I seem to twist them about in my hand as I crochet. I find the ones with a handle uncomfortable.

I struggled for a LONG LONG time with doing rows of crochet (my blankets would get wider and wider or more and more narrow).

Glad it's not just me! On the rare occasions I do bursts of crocheting in between knitting projects, I only ever do squares. I only tried rows a couple of times but I found the whole thing about doing an initial chain to get to the right height to do your row (or something ) really confusing. I'm determined to have another go though, and maybe try that coastal blanket thingy. As for crochet being quicker than knitting.... well, it certainly isn't when I do it! And I'm a pretty slow knitter!

I also twist the hook in my hand all the time, I can't use the wave shaped ergonomic hooks but I love the Pony ones with soft round handles.

my blankets would get wider and wider or more and more narrow

I have found that using stitch markers helps a lot with reducing wavy edges. That said, my seaside stashbuster blanket has one distinctly uneven edge but I've decided not to get hung up about it. I'm going to block it and pick a border that will disguise the wobbles. All still a long way off at my rate of progress but enjoying it hugely!

I have hooks with bamboo handles which feel lovely in the hand and I find easier to control than plain metal ones.

aldi and lidl often have yarn/needles/hooks....I haven't been looking recently but they did have yarn in last time i was in.

I have so many sets....my favourite was a set of plastic hooks with little bubbles in...I broke one though which was a nuisance. I also bought some with handles...just straight...none of your mouldings and they are lovely to use.
Also have a set of aluminium ones in very pretty colours.

And a set of wooden one i got from amazon, but I am not keen on those.

Well, I bought some ergonomic ones last night - will see how they go. I need to use cheaper yarn while I still practise as I keep cutting it and, if I undo it, I'm going to end up with lots of little bits.

I do a halfway house to join as you go. I don’t do the last joining round of the squares/hexagon until I’ve finished most of them, and then I lay them out on a sheet the same-ish colour as the yarn I’m intending to use for the joining round. Then you can see how they all look together and can move them about, and can rebalance the colours when you make the last few squares/hexagons.

Then I crochet them together in a row and turn for the next row so I don’t have to do any yarn cutting and sewing in until I get to the end of the ball.

Thanks everyone, you inspired me to start the seaside stashbuster, have finished the first two sets of instructions and already learned so much, 33 more to go! Absolutely loving it, just what I needed. Hope you’re all enjoying new projects too.

@SuperPug...... on you tube the crochet crowd does tutorials in both right and left hand versions, in case thats of any use to you.

I‘ve been inspired by this thread to start the stashbuster too. Started it a few days ago and now on week 14. I’ve learnt so much and really enjoyed it. The videos are so helpful. It’s also using up all my old wooly hugs stash that I never got round to doing and that’s been in the cupboard for the last three years. It’s a bit wonky in places which will hopefully be covered up by the border.

Just doing the popcorn Stich now which I’m finding a bit boring and tedious!! Takes forever to finish a row.

That’s beautiful, and fast going. I’m a week behind you, A bit wonky and seem to have too many stitches but it’s vaguely ok. I’m really enjoying it too. Would love to see more pics as you progress.

Here’s mine

@Lavalamplady2 that looks great. Here’s today’s work added

Attic 24 was my starting point and Bella coco is good too

@murinae That’s lovely. It really is fun to follow the different sections isn’t it. Popcorn next for me!

I'm definitely going to have a go at the stashbuster when I've finished knitting my 'shawlette' (that sounds so twee, but it's a lovely pattern!) and dh's beanie. I love the idea of learning different stitches as you go along- what a great idea!

@lazylinguist I think you’ll enjoy it, I’ve been crocheting for a few years but was unable to follow a pattern until this, she explains everything ever so well. Let us know how you get on! @Murinae how are you getting on? I’m up to the four waves, not sure which week that is.