How easy is it to learn crochet?

[Soubriquet]

I keep seeing lovely patterns that I really want and I know I could ask someone to make it and then buy it, but I’m interested in trying myself.

So how hard is it?

Not that hard, and very enjoyable! There are plenty of books and websites where you can learn the basics, and after that the world is your oyster. Come and join us on the Knit Crochet and Natter thread if you want more persuading to give it a go, or help and advice once you've started!

I’ll check it out! Thanks

Do you knit? If so, you'll find crochet just fine. Plus there are lots of YouTube videos (there's one called Coco Bella or something that's particularly good). I weirdly just can't do it, even though I'm good at sewing and general crafts. I think you'll know quite quickly if you 'get' it or not. Good luck!

I've been trying to learn from a book and failing miserably.

I meant to say... I started with a few basic granny squares when I first learned, but then when still very much a beginner I made an enormous crochet blanket during the first lockdown. It was a 'crochet-along pattern', where the designer releases a few rows of pattern each week. It was kind of like a sampler- each week had different style stitches, so I learned as I went along. Fun, instructive and I ended up with a lovely blanket!

I've been trying to learn from a book and failing miserably.

Noooo - don't give up! Try some videos. Sometimes 2D pictures and written instructions don't quite get things across. It will at some point suddenly click, honestly. There are lots of crocheters on the thread I mentioned.

No I don’t knit

When I was a kid, I did do some knitting (I did a blanket for a barbie) but I could never get the cast on right, and there were several holes in the blanket where I dropped a stitch

I found that a book is useful to learn the names of different stitches / techniques etc. then when you know the proper name for what you want to do, type it into YouTube and find a video demo. It is much easier to learn from a video than a book.

I learned to knit and crochet from the books when I was a child. I can't do advanced ones, but can do most of the basic stuff.
And I agree, it's way easier to learn these days from youtube videos.

I think videos are easier than just a book, and I am usually happy with a good block of text and maybe a diagram or two.

I learnt from a booklet called "crochet unravelled" which had really clear pictures and instructions. I preferred book to video as the picture didn't go away and I didn't have to faff about pausing it. I found it really easy whereas I can't knit.

It depends how you prefer to learn TBH - if a book doesn't work try videos and vice versa.

There's loads of YouTube videos which are much better than books. I've just learnt and have made all sorts

I’m a terrible and extremely slow knitter. I was always under the impression that crochet was much more complicated, possibly because of some of the intricate looking lacy designs, so never tried. I was always envious of people who could crochet.

I decided to have a go a few years ago and taught myself from YouTube tutorials. It was an absolute doddle! Really, so easy. Much easier than knitting. I don’t think I could have picked it up from a book, but the videos make it so much easier as they talk you through it and you can watch over and over until you’ve grasped it. The joy of crochet too is that what you’re making grows really quickly, so it’s very satisfying.

Its so easy, I started at the beginning of lockdown in March and now Im hooked! Ive made the Eastern Jewels Persian tiles blanket, a cardi, a scarf and matching hat, a throw, and have just spent another £50 today on yarn to make the Janie Crowfoot Mystical Lanterns blanket 🙈. I was an absolute beginner but followed YouTube tutorials - Bella Coco is really good with clear instructions.

I also should mention that I can knit but find crochet much easier and addictive 😁

I found crochet harder than knitting at the very beginning, but that's because I learned to knit first. The more I crochet, the more I get why people say it's easier than knitting.

One thing to watch out for if you're new to crochet is that US and UK terminology (i.e. what the stitches are called) is not just different but actually contradictory. So for example a single crochet in the US is a double crochet in the UK etc. So always check if your pattern is a US one or a UK one!

I've just taught myself to crotchet and I'm loving it! It's quite addictive and therapeutic. I found the Bella Coco tutorials brilliant and she does them for left handers too which was so good when I was first starting (I can follow a righties tutorial now though).
I'm just finishing a huge blanket that used up all the wool that I bought in Hobby Craft when I first started and I've started on snowflakes and stars for Christmas.
One thing I would say is that I persevered way past the point I would usually have given up for learning something new, I found it hard to start with, particularly getting the yarn tension right and feeding the yarn through my hand to feed the needle, but after a Saturday spent practicing I finally got it and I've been hooked (pun intended!) ever since. I also find the ergonomic hooks with the chunky plastic handles much easier and comfortable to use, switching to those from the traditional all metal ones really helped me to get it finally.

@Soubriquet I learned to crochet during the first lockdown. I was never able to get the hang of knitting but found crochet much easier. Bella coco crochet and blossom crochet both have an absolute beginner series on youtube and I watched them to get the basics. I've made blankets, scarves and hats and I'm now on to Christmas stockings.

I have tried on and off for 15 years. I just cannot do it. I end up in tears every time.

I started to crochet using a book, plus the photo tutorials on a website - gingerachatz, I think, Irishwoman living in Germany. You can see exactly what you're meant to do and what your work is supposed to look like.

I've lost count of the stuff I've made over the past 8 or 9 years, and have started knitting as well. Knitting is better for clothes, crochet for dinky things like garlands of leaves.

Bella Coco videos on YouTube are the best place to start.

I could never master knitting but I can crochet fairly advanced patterns now.

@chickenyhead I always end up crying too. I'm really creative and can pick up most stuff easily. Crocheting? Nope. I manage a single chain and then get utterly lost. I can't "see" it at all.

I have tried on and off for 15 years. I just cannot do it. I end up in tears every time.

@chickenyhead I always end up crying too

I guess maybe the best way is if yiu have someone to teach you in person.

Can I ask - did you start with trying to crochet a granny square or to crochet in rows? I started with granny squares, which were fine, but found it really tricky for a while to understand how crocheting in rows worked. It wasn't until, in a fit of optimism, I decided to make a whole blanket, that I really got it. Is part of the problem that you have trouble knowing exactly where to insert the hook?

I do find the hardest bit is the very start. Just keep going. I found after a bit of perseverance and practice it suddenly clicked and I was away. I find knitting quite scary and am in awe of people who can produce beautiful things from wielding two sticks without looking.
Crochet is one stick with a handy hook on the end and so much easier!
I learnt when someone showed me, then left it too long before I had built up a muscle memory and forgot how to do it. Bella Coco on YouTube got me going again and explained lots of really basic stuff like the shape of the 'V' you are looking for to put your hook into. I couldn't 'see it' either when I started out.
I agree with PPs who say it's very satisfying because it builds up so quickly. And second starting out with a sampler type blanket like Coastal Crochet's Seaside Stashbuster. You learn lots of new stuff, it doesn't matter what size it turns out and the stripes, colours and patterns of stitch vary so you never get bored.

And second starting out with a sampler type blanket like Coastal Crochet's Seaside Stashbuster.

Yes, that's the one I did! I honestly wondered if I'd really be able to make a whole blanket as a beginner, but it's a great pattern and she's got short, clear videos on her website for the slightly trickier bits. Before I made it, I'd only ever attempted simple granny squares.