Crochet as a hobby?

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I need a hobbie. I want to learn to crochet. How easy is jt to learn and how would I go about it ? Would YouTube be a good way or a book?
I used to knit a little bit but never really got into it. My dream would be to crochet baby blankets and cardigans.

Look up Bella Coco on you tube , she's really good.

YouTube is the best way! I couldn't do any crochet at all and taught myself using YouTube 😊

I was going to suggest Bella coco as well. I find videos the easiest way… looking at a book or pattern would really confuse me.

Crochet Crowd is another good YouTube channel. To start you just need a 4mm hook and some DK yarn, not a dark colour as it can be hard to see stitches. Maybe start with a granny square as they can be easier to physically handle than something that requires a long starting chain (you don't have the stability/support that you get from a cast on row on needles).
If you don't have a local yarn shop, then a garden centre or wool warehouse online are good for supplies. Check out your local Facebook pages you may have a local group and sometimes it can help to have in person advice.

As a relative newbie to crochet (and a left handed one to boot) I would also recommend Bella Coco. I bought this set of hooks from Amazon Crochet hook set I found it easier to start with a 6mm hook and an aran or chunky weight yarn in a mid to light colour so I could clearly see stitches when practising. I also bought a basic how to crochet book (Coats Learn to Crochet) so if my mind goes blank now I can refer back to how to do a stitch when following patterns. Also Youtube is your friend but be careful that you follow English videos until you are confident as American stitches are different to British ones (i.e. UK double is US single, UK treble is US double).

Oh am looking to take up crochet so some good pointers thank you

I learnt from this book https://www.amazon.co.uk/Crochet-Unravelled-Clear-Concise-Learning/dp/0954829611/ref=sr_1_1?crid=A6MU3PEYH77H&keywords=crochet+unravelled+book&qid=1699824156&sprefix=Crochet+un%2Caps%2C94&sr=8-1

It depends how you learn best really. Some like videos, some prefer a book with pictures.

I have never been remotely interested in craft but a couple of years ago I was quite ill and needed something to occupy me. I taught myself crochet from YouTube, BellaCoco and others.
Lots and lots of repetition and practice.
I absolutely love it. I've made several king size blankets and I'm currently making quite an intricate shawl.
I hated making stuffed toys though so if you don't enjoy one thing, try another.

Easy to learn, I thought myself in lockdown. I've done blankets, soft toys, jumpers, tops, hats, gloves- it's great to do!

Oh, I leant watching videos on YouTube. There are crochet along videos where you do it along with the person and pattern once you've picked up the basics

I got a book to learn the names of the stitches and see pictures of the kind of thing I might want to make. and then youtube to see videos of people actually doing the stitches.

start out with a granny square or an amigurami animal and then see how you get on.

I learned to crochet in lockdown using youtube. Bella Coco is good. I also used Blossom Crochet when I was learning the basics.

Thanks everyone. Any recommendations on which yarn to start with and where to buy from?

If you've ever knitted, you should find crochet relatively easy. I used to be quite baffled by it till I signed up for a day course which was immensely helpful in getting over the initial hump and learning the basic stitches which are really the foundation to everything else - then I moved on to Bella Coco.

If you possibly can, I'd recommend joining a local group, either a class or just a social group: it's a great way to get help and ideas, as well as to relax.

Try Knitting Network, Lovecrafts and Hobbycraft. They usually have some good deals, but in general I think Stylecraft yarns are pretty reliable and they have a good range of colours.

I taught myself using a Crafty class one boring Christmas, which would be very similar to using YouTube. I think it's worth at least being aware that there are UK terms and American terms because they use the same terms to describe different stitches and once you start using patterns you will need to be know of which terms are used in the pattern or it will come out looking very strange. Bella Coco does a video that gives the basic differences.

I spent the first few days cursing crochet and thinking that knitting was infinitely better, but then it suddenly clicked and I much prefer crochet now. I had quite bad knitting technique which made my wrists tired quite quickly but crochet is more comfortable.

My handy hint for a beginner is to put a stitch marker into the first stitch that you make on a row or on a round so that it's easier to find the right end stitch to work into. My accuracy improved no end once I started doing that. If you don't have stitch markers then a scrap piece of yarn in a different colour would do.

I recommend Stylecraft Special DK for a beginner, it's cheap and easy to work with, feels ok considering it's acrylic and comes in a massive range of colours. It's very widely used for non-clothing crochet like blankets and toys. I used to buy online from Wool Warehouse a lot when I lived in the UK. They have a great range and deliver quickly. https://www.woolwarehouse.co.uk/yarn/stylecraft-special-dk-all-colours

Style craft from wool warehouse

Like others, I would definitely recommend Stylecraft special yarn - lots of colours, is quite soft once washed and won't break the bank.
Do you have a local craft shop? I find a lot of yarn cheaper in mine than it is online.

To learn, I used a mix of YouTube videos (didn't get on with the Bella Coco ones though) and Attic24, where there are written patterns and pictures along with them.

Set aside time and accept you're going to be frustrated at first, but it should click soon enough.

Good luck OP!

If you don't have a local craft shop, check out B&M and the British Heart Foundation; they often have a mix of yarn in. I've also found it in the Works. Having said that, I have crocheted with wire (jewelly), plastic (door mats) and chopped up cotton T-shirts (rugs).

The most common grade is Double-knit wool with a 4mm hook, but it's more a case of grabbing something that looks and feels nice.

People always say to start with DK yarn and a 4mm hook, but personally I found bigger chunky yarns much easier to start with because you can see the stitch better.

Whatever yarn you start with, just use the hook size recommended on the label

The wool I use is mainly DK acrylic. I find cotton is quite hard to pull through and unless you are making toys DK is fine for most things. I use a clover hook which has a rubber handle and a size 4 or 5 hook is a good starting point. It can be quite hard on the wrists depending on your technique.
I buy wool from local markets, craft shops or online from places like Lovecrafts or The Little Wool shop.

Have a look at the Toft crochet toys. They have a huge following if Facebook is anything to go by.

I've been ill this week (just a cold but they always impact on my breathing) so I've spent the two days on Domestika (I have a subscription to learn to paint) and have been watching crochet tutorials.

Today I went and bought some hooks and thread. I'm a poor knitter but looking forward to crochet.

I spent years watching you tube videos including bella coco, and just couldn't get it, I went to my local hobby craft and did a beginners class for £20 and it finally clicked!

I taught myself years ago by watching Bella Coco on YouTube. Just give yourself time to get the hang of it, don't give up after one evening!

I would totally recommend buying a decent quality 4mm and 5mm hook to start with. E.G Clover Amour are great, the cheap sets on amazon are quite poor quality and you'll never use all the more obscure sizes anyway.