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?

I've had private lessons three times and a I still can't

Ok I don't know what to say to that one...maybe you didn't have a very good teacher?

I tried recently and it was not too successful. I am not a 100% sure is it that the the discount store cheap wool was the problem or me. Planning to buy chunky wool when I can (lockdown Ireland) and the correct hook size and trying again. Seems to be some great tutorials on youtube.

Sometimes it's the teacher, not you! After I'd forgotten how to do it, I decided to treat myself to a refresher session with a tutor and booked a one day course. She was incredibly skilful and her work was exquisite but the way she explained things just didn't click with me. And she tried to get us going with giant oversized hooks which in theory should have been easy but in practice I found impossible to handle.

The most talented practitioners are definitely not always the best teachers. I say that as a teacher as well as a crocheter (but not a teacher of crochet obvs!). Some people, when they become truly expert at things, forget what it's like not to know how to do it. And some people are just really awful at explaining things!

I can crochet pretty much anything as I seem to have the kind of brain that works it out. I can not teach to save my life!

I learned years ago, before Youtube really got going. I tried and failed to learn from a book so went to a class in a yarn shop - turned out I just needed someone to show me in real life. Youtube probably would have done the trick if it had been around then. Once I was shown the very basics and got the hang of it, it was no problem.

It's been a few years since I crocheted anything, must pick it up again.

I can crochet pretty much anything as I seem to have the kind of brain that works it out. I can not teach to save my life!

Whereas I'm a much less advanced crocheter, but I'd probably be pretty good at teaching people how - the learning process is recent enough to be fresh in my mind and I'm good at explaining things.

Is there a free pattern for the coastal stash busting blanket?

Is there a free pattern for the coastal stash busting blanket?

It's available for free on the Coastal Crochet website, but I think only in the separate chunks as it was released. I think if you want the pattern as a whole printable/downloadable format you have to buy it off Ravelry.

Watching with interest as I'm keen to crochet too but have been put off trying as I thought it would be really hard.

I looked at all the stuff in Hobbycraft and it was so confusing, all these hooks in different sizes! Can anyone give me a idiots guide to what to buy to get started please?

Can anyone give me a idiots guide to what to buy to get started please?

You can look at a chart like this to show you which size hook to use with various thicknesses of yarn. But I'd maybe start with a DK yarn and a 3.5 or 4mm hook.

Btw, if anyone wants some inspiration, help or general knitting and crochet chat, pop over to the Natter thread here . Total beginners very much welcome!

I'm going to buy the pattern for the coastal stash busting blanket and see how I go.

DK (Double knit) yarn and a number 4 hook is all you need to get started. Depending on the hook you buy it will cost less than £5 to get started.

I learnt from the Attic 24 blog, her mixture of written pattern (yes, patterns look like a foreign language to start with) and photos were really helpful. If you can learn a slip stitch and a triple crochet you can make al sorts of blankets on her site. There are helpful Facebook groups too.

Bella coco's video tutorials are also brilliant and I often use them to refresh my memory before trying a stitch.

Coastal crochet stash buster looks very daunting but her mix of written pattern, photos and videos make it appropriate for a beginner.

In my experience my Dd loves handmade blankets and ponchos and doesn't care if there are mistakes, in fact she likes to try and find them like 'Where's Wally' . Mistakes are what give handmade items there charm.

In January, Lucy from Attic 24 is doing a crochet-a-long (CAL) where a few rows are released each week, this would be a great time to start. Get the yarn pack from Woolwarehouse when it's released next week its called Meadow and there will be lots of support available on Attic 24 Facebook groups as people complete it together.

I'm going to buy the pattern for the coastal stash busting blanket and see how I go.

Excellent. It's easier than it looks. Here's mine.

Oh looks fabulous

That's gorgeous, lazylinguist. I love the seaside vibe.

When I started mine I didn't have a stash to bust so very much enjoyed choosing the colours. There's heaps of colour inspiration in the photos people have posted on the relevant Facebook group.

Mine's still a WIP but big enough to keep my legs warm when I'm working on it.

I agree it's not as difficult as it looks and well within the grasp of a beginner.

That's a lovely blanket, might do that one next. Currently working on Attic24 hydrangea blanket.

Sorry for resurrecting a thread. I just wanted to say I read this back in November, bookmarked everything and I want to thank everyone who suggested Bella coco YouTube and attic24 blog.

Never made anything in my life apart from cards. I practiced small things, made some mini trees for Xmas cards. Then I started the cosy stripe blanket from Attic24 on New Year's day
Could not be happier!!

Well done! :)

It's very satisfying isn't it?

@dottyrobin. Well done you!!!

I knit very slowly and was also under the impression crocheting was difficult, but it's not! So much easier than knitting :-) I still knit slowly but am more adept at crocheting! Try attic24 blog and Edwards menagerie book for simple but lovely patterns.

Learn how to do a granny square on YouTube, you will learn your own personal tension and way of holding the yarn before you start the proper pattern.

@Soubriquet. Did you try? How did you get on?

I knitted since I was about 7, but crochet I found difficult & always gave up. UNTIL the iPad! & you tube. I wore out the rewind on various granny square tutorials & eventually I learnt how to do it. I still. prefer granny squares, flowers etc I find things in rows much more difficult. Thought might do better if I can get my glasses sorted out!