Crochet: are some people just not able to do it?

[sparepantsandtoothbrush]

I want to crochet! I'm so desperate and have tried so many times over the last 5 or so years. Books for beginners, YouTube videos, someone trying to show me and I just can't figure it out (beyond a chain!).

Is there any hope for me or should I just accept its never going to happen for me ☹️

Try knitting. I am a really proficient knitter (can work fair isle etc) and I am shit at crochet. I can do it if I watch YouTube videos, but I never remember what to do or get quick at it.

What have you been trying to make? The first thing I made was a granny square, it took a few goes to work out what was going on but I got it. And since then I've myself a cardigan, which I do wear.

Me, I cannot for the life of me do it, no matter how many times I try

I was the same as you then used these guides and now am able to do iy

www.gathered.how/knitting-and-crochet/crochet/crochet-for-beginners-guide/

I taught myself to crochet and I'm now pretty good at it - but I cannot knit to save my life. Try knitting!

There a few different ways of holding a hook and wool and I think you need to find the one that works for you. See if there’s a local knitting/crochet group near you - I also think it’s easier if someone starts it for you so you get the hang of trebles first. The first row into chains is always the hardest. Our group has taught a few people successfully!

I can't. At a staff training day one of the other teachers was demonstrating how to teach crochet to the key stage 2 children with the statement "you can teach absolutely anyone to crochet". She used me to help with said demonstration. After about ten minutes she changed her initial statement to "you can teach absolutely anyone to crochet apart from Mrs stormelf"

me too, i can do basics but i really cant get into crochet but can do complicated knitting

I'm a semi competent knitter but I can't crochet. I can't even get past the first knot.
My mother was a supremely good knitter but she couldn't get a handle on crocheting either. It looks so bloody easy on YouTube 🤬🤬

My mum is an amazing knitter but can’t crochet. I can crochet but cant knit

Its funny I can't knit beyond a basic knit stitch but I find crochet really easy. Maybe you should try knitting as others have said
With crochet I would say forget books, they're confusing. Look at Bella Coco on YouTube. She's good for beginners and uses UK terminology (assuming you're in the Uk) as a lot on YouTube are American. Try and get to grips with a granny square first of all as I think it gives a good basic understanding. Use a light coloured basic DK yarn and a 4-5mm hook.

I'm really good at crochet but can't knit very well. Have you tried holding the hook through the palm of your hand a bit like a knife rather than like a pen?

Have you tried Bella Coco YouTube tutorials? That’s how I learnt.

I second BellaCrochet - that was how I learnt. I’ve also been told that if you can knit, it’s really hard to pick up crochet and vice versa. All to do with the way you hold your needle / hook and your yarn. However, crochet is much easier to do if you knit continental style and vice versa so that’s on my list to try.

I can’t chain start so do a foundation chain. It might be worth trying that or an i-chain (I think it’s called) but otherwise, chain 2 then go into the first chain about 6 times. You will find it easier to see your next stitches. I also suggest a yarn such as Aran in a pale colour (not white)and a hook at least as big as they recommend or slightly larger.

Lastly, try asking at your local yarn shop if any one can do the first couple of rows to start you off - mine would do that in a flash.

Good luck 🤞🏻

I really can't get my head around crochet. I can knit, cross stitch, hand and machine sew, check my car's oil and do simple DIY. Some things just don't make sense to my brain. So I focus on the things I can do.

I can’t crochet , have tried several times can knit anything very frustrating

I can't crochet at all, not even one stitch. I just cannot figure out how to pull the yarn through a loop without snagging the loop too. MIL can both knit and crochet at the speed of light, she couldn't teach me. YouTube couldn't teach me. A kids 'how to crochet' book couldn't teach me. I'm a lost cause.

I just stick to mediocre knitting now!

If you aren't selling it and you are making it for yourself then it doesn't have to be perfect. Try making a blanket even if it's too loose or too tight it will work out fine and do its job which is to keep you warm and you'll come better as you practise.

If you can chain then you just need to learn a treble stitch and then you could make the Granny Stripe from the Attic 24 blog (it's the first thing I made) or a waffle blanket. They both literally just use a starting chain and a treble stitch.

I enjoy Crochet but avoid granny squares as they always go wonky (turning the work is supposed to help this) and I also don't enjoy sewing pieces together.

Whenever I start a new project I always use some scraps to practise and Crochet along with a video tutorial to get my mind in the right space and refresh the different stitches.

If you let us know where you are going wrong, it could be hand position or dropping or gaining stitches etc we might be able to help.

Also I recommend starting with a big hook and chunky yarn and crocheting very loosely.

For some reason the advice seems to be that DK is the best yarn to start with but I think big yarn is much easier to see what you’re doing.

I think the videos are often very confusing - some things I've learned by looking at videos and checking against written instructions with diagrams.

I second the Bella Coco you tube videos, otherwise try knitting. Crochet may not be your medium!

Oh my goodness. Thank you for all the replies. I wasn't expecting that at all 😂

Maybe I'll try the coco YouTube videos in a last attempt. I also don't know which yarn is good to start with so those comments are helpful! I was using a 4.5 hook though so I had that bit right.

If you can chain then you just need to learn a treble stitch and then you could make the Granny Stripe from the Attic 24 blog (it's the first thing I made) or a waffle blanket. They both literally just use a starting chain and a treble stitch

I can chain but that is all I can do, I tried doing what I assume was a treble but just ended up literally going round and making a circle of chains! No idea what happened but I guess it looked pretty 😬

I haven't tried for about 6 months but I'll give some of this tips a try and if it still doesn't work then I'll give the knitting a go!

Thanks again 🧶

It sounds like you struggle to Crochet into the starting chain which is my least favorite bit of a new project and the hardest part of Crochet I think.

When I Crochet when I do the 'Yarn round the hook' bit and pull through I twist the Crochet hook a little which grabs on to the Yarn a bit better - I don't think that's the proper way but it works for me I think it does the same job it's just not as quick but other wise when I first started it kept dropping off the hook and now it's a habit.

The Bella Coco videos are brilliant but Lucy over at Attic 24 also does some brilliant close up photos of where to place the hook when moving on to a new stitch which might be helpful.

I can't crochet. My mum tried to teach me, my friend who is amazing at crochet tried to teach me, I've watched the Bella Coco videos and I've done a full day crochet workshop. I still can't do it! I think it doesn't help that I'm left handed.

Nope, can’t crochet. I can knit pretty well but cannot crochet no matter how many times I try to learn. It was one of my lockdown challenges, but nothing and no one can teach me it seems!