I would like to learn how to crotchet - any good 'How to' book recommendations or tips?

[Niecie]

I have been knitting for years but I don't know how to crotchet and I would like to learn. It seems to be all the rage at the moment and there are loads of lovely yarns and patterns around which I would like to try.

I know there are threads on learning to knit but does anybody have any recommendations on crotcheting specifically?

Thank you.

Google 'Learn to Crochet' and there is loads.

Are you on Ravelry? There are lots of resources there, too

There is a 'Crochet for Dummies' which covers it pretty well.

Thank you - I will try googling.

I was thinking books as DH will be asking what I would like for Christmas soon and I thought a book would be a good thing to suggest (he likes getting books, they are easy).

No I am not on Ravelry - it is worth joining? Can you see things you can't see just be going onto the site?

I used these videos www.knitwitch.com/crochet%20videos.htm but bear in mind they use the American terms not the British ones.

Would definitely recommend joining ravelry.

I've got the Stitch'n'Bitch 'Happy Hooker' which is quite good. Look out for differences between US and UK terms (eg double crochet) though!

Thank you both for your suggestions

I had a quick look at the link and it seems interesting.

I will have a look out for the book too.

Do any of these books have a bit at the back for differences in terms? Are there a huge number of differences, like its a completely different language.

I presume the hook sizes vary between here and the US in the same way that the knitting needles do?

Hi Niecie

I am struggling with the same ie UK and US
I have been able to crochet for a while and self taught myself, but I havent got a clue which I have learned

for example I have learnt that sc is yarn in work yarn over and pull through and through all loops.

dc is yarn over into work pull through yarn over and pull through 2 and yarn over 2 pull though remaining 2 stitches.

Does anyone know which one I have learnt, hope I have explained it ok.

Niecie, I use youtube for any vids its brill and there is a woman on there called Teressa and she is fantastic (but is american) very confusing

alfiemama - sounds like you use US terms like I do. Have a look at the link I put lower down - it's the US terms and the video is v clear on so should give you a definitive answer

Oh, I didn't realise it was so different in the US. Knitting is easy - there have always been loads of UK knitting resources and so I don't think I have ever noticed differences.

I suppose, if I had started crotchet when I was 8 yrs like the knitting, it would have been the same but the internet seems to have confused things by making the US system so accessible.

I think some crochet things for Christmas are a good idea though

Our local wool shop has some lovely yarns that seem to be for crotchet rather than knitting so I might pack my mum off and let her loose - she'll like that. It would all be too much for DH!

Hi Nuttygirl

Thanks, nice to finally know lol
looks like I do use the us terms, hope the pattern I am following from ravelry is us terms aswell otherwise gonna have an odd shaped hat

www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/swirls-cap

Yep, that pattern is in US terms. Generally speaking you can tell from the the hook size (G is a US term and it's quite common for them to put the mm size next to it), the weight of yarn as worsted (tends to indicate US pattern) and the stich list, sc suggests US pattern.

www.yarnfwd.com/crochet.html you'll see on here there isn't a UK equivalent of sc.

Ooh thats good, phew, thought it was looking ok ish, bit rusty with crochet
thnks nuttygirl, that charts is very clear.

Now just hope 10 ply is like a aran

Yes, thanks for the conversion chart.

I have just applied to join Ravelry - I can't see your pattern for a start, Alfiesmum and I think it is about time. People keep referring me to it!

oh its amazing, really good, takes a while to get on at first, but worth it, some very nice trendy patterns and lots that are free.

Erm... the UK equivalent of sc is double crochet, their dc is our treble.

I would try and get someone to show you, esp if you're very visual, I would avoid the Happy Hooker like the plague, lovely patterns but it is riddled with mistakes, a friend tried to learn using it and when I looked at the directions for a UK treble, they are wrong, plus the patterns are also littered with errors too.

If you're going to use a book, use Jan Eatons' Encyclopedia of crochet techniques, very clear and very well written, not a lot of patterns in it but, it is very good for beginners.

Oops, I meant there isn't a sc on the UK equivalents bit - so a pattern with a sc on is a US pattern iyswim.

see its that confusing we cant even explain it,

Can anyone show me a uk pattern, trying to find one, so I can see the difference