CAN ANYONE CROCHET??

[stilletoe]

I want to learn how to crochet, but am not sure of what to buy to get started. Can anyone advise what equipment I need to buy and a really good book on how to learn to crochet?

Hi

I can't crochet (sorry) but am going to learn this winter. I would suggest having a look in your local library for a crochet book and if you can find this book
I've got all the knitting versions and they are fantastic. Also have a look at a couple of the knitting mags that are in shops at the moment as most of them have the basics of crochet in the back. I think there is one at the moment which has a small book free with it and also a few crochet hooks.

Possibly your local knitting/wool shop will be able to advise you or if you pop into Hobbycraft they sometimes have crochet books and hooks and needles.

Good luck

agree with paranoid...

i can crochet, but my mum taught me so no idea what books would be good, try the library.

just start with some cheap wool and a medium sized crochet hook, just incase you dont like it.

oh thought of something else. A lot of people who go to the knitting shop will probably be able to crochet to. Ask the shop person if they know of anyone who'd help you. We have knitting groups that you can go to a few times a month normally. Something like that might be fun.

Hi there
I crochet, nothing complicated but enough to have fun...The Happy Hooker book that paranoidmother recommdended is good for diagrams, and I'd also recommend going on to YouTube & checking out videos about how to start to crochet (there's a Threadbanger episode about how to crochet flowers).
If you sign up to Ravelry you may be able to find a crochet/knitting group in your area - it's a great way to learn & get inspiration.
Hope that helps.

I taught myself this year from teh Happy Hooker book and then using you tube to watch tutorials.

Another recommendation for the Happy Hooker. The only problem is that the american stitches aren't the same as the english ones but I think their is a list that explains it in the book.

I can crochet but if I don't do it for a while I always have to go back to looking at instructions. I'm completely unable to retain the information for some reason!

Gosh you are all so knowledgable here on Mumsnet,what a great site.

Thanks heaps for all of this info, I'l signed up to the Ravelry site and I,m off to the library to look for the Happy Hooker book. I don't use You Tube, but I'll get my OH to show me how to do this.

Another recommendation for the Happy Hooker book. I learnt to knit as a child thanks to my mum but always wanted to crochet but don't know anyone else that does.

While pg with DS I got the book from Waterstones and watched clips on youtube aswell and although i'm still a beginner I can actually do it now!

I went through about five books from the library (oldies) and it was'nt until i got the happy hooker that I managed to get further than the starting chain.

i would second watching some youtube clips as then you get to see them execute the whole stitch. otherwise you need to watchsomeoen else do it with a big hook and chunky wool.

Get some double knitting wool and a 4mm or 4.5mm hook. Use wool that is a fairly light colour as it far easier to see the stitches and where to put the hook, if you use a light colour.

Another vote for Happy Hooker for instructions on how to crochet, but do be aware, when moving on from that book, that the UK and US use different stitch terminology.

I crochet. I made an really cool granny square blanket for our bed last year that I'm totally in love with.