Crochet & Knitting - Any Fans?

[Hol54321]

Crochet & Knitting - Any Fans?

Always liked the thought of getting into this craft because it's a bit of fun. My friend is very good at crochet, and she reccommended this book as the only one to buy - has anyone got this? x

ebay.us/W76EQ5?cmpnId=5338273189

No experience of the book but I'd suggest Bella coco on YouTube to learn to crochet.

Your ‘friend’
Nice advert.

Just use YouTube

I haven't read that one but my local library has a decent selection of beginner craft books. If you borrowed a few you could see which are most helpful for you and buy your own if you feel you need it?

To be honest, I taught myself most things using YouTube tutorials and the internet. I have a couple of reference books but I very rarely look at them as it's easier to just google a technique on my phone.

If you are interested in knitting, Tin Can Knits have a good section on their site for beginners with a series of free patterns linked to video tutorials to get you started.

@BumbleBumbleBumbleLies why do people instantly assume things and just give negative vibes! This was reccommended to me and I've asked for advice on it before I spend the money. I can use youtube but to get away from screens all the time I thought a hard copy might be good for me and my children, but looking for suggestions! Leave the thread if you have nothing nice to say.

Thanks to everyone else with helpful comments x

Tbh YouTube is better because you can see the movement of the stitches. Images can be very hard to understand if you are starting from complete beginner. Once you've learnt the stitches, you'll never need to look at a screen again, so wouldn't worry about not reducing screen time.

Just be aware with YouTube that a double crochet stitch in the UK is known as a single crochet stitch in the US. But if you stick to British channels you'll be fine. There are loads to pick from, and it comes down to personal preference.

Oh and head over to the crafting board on here, loads of help there if you're stuck

I borrowed a book from the library to try to teach myself to crochet but I ended up using YouTube as I found that I needed to see the movements to actually understand it!

Incidentally though that was 18 months ago and I never did figure it out 🤣

TBH most of the basic crochet stitches are pretty simple so I imagine almost any book could teach you that. More important is if the book has enough projects that interest you so you get some practice.

If you're genuinely wanting recommendations about learning knitting or crochet (rather than selling a book) you'd probably be better posting on the Crafts section rather than the 'What We're Reading' section.

I taught myself in November using Bella Coco on YouTube. A book would have been useless for me as I needed to see it in action a few times and stop and start the clip. Took me a bit of time and a fair bit of swearing was involved.

Once you get the hang of the basic stitches and principles it suddenly clicks together and there is loads of stuff online. I would spend the money on some decent crochet hooks as have found they make a big difference.

Also, I'd recommend YouTube rather than spending money on beginners' books you'll outgrow pretty quickly.

No idea whether it's good or not. I taught myself to crochet from a Good Housekeeping (I think) book in the 70s. YouTube is much better.

I use YouTube whenever I need to learn a new stitch or technique. I also use my local library for pattern books, or a brilliant website called ravelry where you can search for patterns by type, by yarn type and quantity, or by level of difficulty. I do also own some pattern books but it depends on what you want to make really.