New to crochet.. please help me not give up!

[BabloHoney]

I’ve wanted to learn crochet for absolutely ages, not hugely crafty though I can sew. I’ve watched some of the YouTube videos of the basic stitches over and over so I can “get” how they work if that makes sense.. that always works better for me learning something new then just trying to watch and copy. I can chain stitch ok but with everything else I end up in a knotty mess.. my yarn always seems to split and I get my hook in the wrong place and tangled up. Not sure if I need a bigger hook, better quality wool (it’s just cheapy craft shop wool) or if it’s all just a bit too fiddly for me?! In my head I understand how to do the stitches, I just don’t seem to be able to do them in practice.

Having flashbacks to 30 odd years ago and my dear old grandma offering to teach me to crochet, and me saying no chance and running off to play Thundercats. Maybe this is payback

Awww don't give up! I'm pretty new to crocheting (but was already a knitter). I'm just finishing a massive blanket which hss taken me ages. It was a crochet-along project that taught me different crochet stitches as I went along from row to row, so I've learned a lot. There were video tutorials for some bits.

Anyway, it may well be that you're not getting on well with the wool you've chosen, or that your hook isn't the right size. I started my blanket with the recommended size hook for the pattern, but had to re-start with a smaller one, as I seem to crochet quite loosely. Definitely experiment with a different yarn and different hook!

Thundercats

Meant to say, it may be a smaller hook you need rather than a bigger one. Compared with the people on the videos, I seem to have trouble getting the hook through such a relatively small, tight loop of yarn. I need more space to get it through without splitting the wool or something. So a smaller hook works better for me.

Are you using cotton? Some brands can be very splitty even for experienced crocheters. Try a good quality acrylic, it will still be cheap but a bit more forgiving for a new crocheter. Stylecraft Special DK is fairly widely available and had tons of colours. Other companies also do good quality acrylic, Scheepjes, Patons, Rico, King Cole. Check what weight you're using too, DK or Aran is a good size for a beginner, 4 ply/sock weight can be a bit fiddly.

There will be a recommended hook size on the ball band (they might just give a knitting needle size, but hook size will be the same). See how you go with the recommended size, if your work is coming out too loopy and floppy then go down a size, if it's coming out tight and solid and you're having to force the hook through the stitches then go up a hook size and try to relax your hands.

The first transition / rows where you go from a chain to a proper stitch is always really hard as you don't have anything of any substance to hang on to.

So I'd suggest doing a sample / test / practice piece where you don't worry too much about that beginning bit but focus on trying to get to a stage where you are confident with a stitch / pattern of stitches. Then change colour and change to a different stitch but using your existing sample so you don't have to go through the starting process again. Experiment with different size hooks and try a different wool.

The hooks with rubber grips are much nicer than full metal hooks and a decent double knit is much easier to work with than cheap stuff or fancy / fluffy yarn.

You might already be watching her, I find Bella Coco on YouTube very clear and helpful.

Yes, I'm using Scheepjes Colour Crafter. Great range of colours and cheap. I don't normally use acrylic, but my big blanket would have cost me a fortune in natural wool and I didn't know how well it would turn out, as I'm pretty much a beginner!

A decent hook really makes a HUGE difference, the cheap ones can really snag. I use these.

www.google.co.uk/shopping/product/4192398735366345486?q=crochet+hook+l%27amour+4&client=safari&hl=en-gb&biw=375&bih=553&tbs=vw:g,ss:44&prmd=isvn&prds=num:1,of:1,epd:16503437651820696331,paur:ClkAsKraX75SFDgdMKhxDWEudEI0Vlahc_R0N1y3aKBxcMhUOgJGLcFE66LW80Sq6zOqCUJfTcv3-iWeZtRRVjYmJUyckZkj7rN087E8TImudtpCVl5CTF2JjhIZAFPVH71BSxCxxpVHddmlouTC8GNSxFXsrg,prmr:1,cs:1

As others have said, different yarn. I use a lot of Stylecraft Special DK (as I do stuff for WoollyHugs) but even within that, some colours are 'better' than others.

Glasses if you need them!!

And the most useful thing 'rewind' button!! I wear mine out learning a new stitch!!

Find an online person that works for you & learn as much from them as you can.

As others have said, starting from a chain stitch is tricky and the first bit is definitely the hardest! Practice doing Granny Squares.

Ask away if you have any specific questions!!
But don't give up

Sorry! Having issues with links!

I taught myself to crochet in lockdown, i’ve made a couple of hats, a baby blanket, a cushion and an amigurumi animal. I tried knitting but found it too confusing.
I started same as you with cheap wool that kept splitting and was getting frustrated. I bought some bernat softee baby wool which is quite smooth/not fluffy and it didn’t spilt and i got on much better.
Hooked with robin is a good you tuber to follow. Her videos are very clear.

You lot are the best! Thanks so much everyone - lots of great tips and advice here. Am definitely going to pick up some more hooks and different yarns and have a play around with what works best for me.. am determined to not give up and it’s lovely to read all the encouraging words on here ❤️

Don't give up! For a long time I could only do chain stitch and very holey pseudo-squares Echoing other posters on here to say that getting a smoother yarn in a light colour (not white) can make all the difference when you begin.

Also, don't resent the knotty messes. Failure is still data. Keep them if you can; first, so you can look at them and maybe work out what went wrong, and second so you can look at them in a few months and see how far you've come :) Good luck!

Yes - granny squares a good place to start as you aren’t forcing the yarn through the stitches but using spaces. So you can build the muscle memory that way first.

Ive been trying to teach myself for a few days and have made a granny square! Its a bit messy but easy to learn. I second using Bella Coco on youtube. Really easy to follow. Have fun!

Whoops forgot to add the picture

I learned to hook about two years ago and really struggled as a lefty. I simply could not get my head around where the hook goes after the foundation chain. Being left-handed made it a PITA too.

1. Bella Coco YouTube videos are brilliant at taking you through it
2. Treat yourself to some decent yarn that you enjoy handling; it will cost about a fiver, but then, so does a magazine.
3. Focus on single and double crochet. One you have those two stitches down, everything else is just a variation on them.
4. See if there's a crochet operating in your area (Covid-19 aside). Some have gone on zoom and it can be really useful just to have some one sit and watch what you are doing.

I am now crocheting a witches hat for Halloween with just the basic stitches which gives you an idea of how versatile they are. :-)

The foundation chain is always a real pain. I found doing a foundation row easier as you do your chain and first row at the same time. It's then much easier to follow the stitches for the next row. I think Bella Coco has a video called chainless foundation that explains it.

I also like Attic 24 - website language can be a bit twee but her colour choices are amazing.

Don't give up - I learned 2 years ago and am on my 15th blanket

The comments on here are so helpful and made me determined to persevere! I’m now the proud owner of a selection of hooks and yarn thanks to the recommendations on this thread ☺️ My plan is to get the kids in bed nice and early over the weekend, pour myself a nice little glass of red wine and practice with some of the YouTube videos recommended here. Thanks again for all the comments

Those are beautiful @diplodocusinermine !

@diplodocusinermine love those blankets. The colours are fab

Bablo I'm a new crocheter too, like you I sort of understand how it works but doing it in practise is so hard. I have made a couple of things but I still don't really 'get' the counting of the v's and which ones you ignore and which ones you count. I have made a couple of easy shawls which use a treble crochet stitch into a space so they are super easy to follow and quick to make something worthwhile.
makeanddocrew.com/desert-winds-scarf-caron-cakes-crochet-pattern/

I keep trying amigurumi but I think my pieces are always inside out and for the life of me I can't ever get the right number of stitches once I've increased in a round. I make it up and they end up lopsided. Not giving up though! One day it will click.

Hazelmazel mine used to be inside out. I think turning point was when I realised you need to go in an anti-clockwise direction. Pleased to hear you aren’t giving up ! A good hook helped things improve for me.

@FoolsAssassin

Hazelmazel mine used to be inside out. I think turning point was when I realised you need to go in an anti-clockwise direction. Pleased to hear you aren’t giving up ! A good hook helped things improve for me.

I meant clockwise, sorry!

Fool I just read your comment and thought, AHA that must be the secret! But then I read the next one 😆
I do go clockwise but I think it still ends up being inside out, I must hold it weirdly. To be honest, how to hold it is a big blind spot, I think because I'm so used to knitting and I try to crochet like I knit which just doesn't work!

I think it is sort of like learning to drive - eventually the muscle memory kicks in. I spent the first week or so of crocheting frogging (pulling all the stitches out again) and swearing and suddenly it worked! OK I still do quite a lot of frogging and swearing but that is because I try lots of different patterns but my hands know what they are doing! (left hander here btw)

I used both Bella coco and Blossom Crochet on YouTube (you can also slow them down by clicking the three dots and adjusting the speed.)