Crocheting For Absolute Beginners

One thing you should know about me is that I've never crocheted by pattern. I never use any kind of instructions, I decide I want to make something and I make it. I've made blankets, hats, phone purses, tablet cases... all just by sitting down and just going with it. So in some ways I'm actually learning with you and we have A LOT to learn. Thank God for Google and Youtube. 

Single and double stitch crocheting in a straight line is actually quite simple once you get the hang of it. When you stick with just one or even going from single to double (alternating rows) (more simple than it sounds), but some of these patterns have you making a line then doing a circle, flip it around now do it all backwards..I feel like they're taking me on some wacky rollercoaster.. its confusing. 

I've been checking out patterns on www.Hobbii.com. The first one I decided to take a look at is the Zoey Babywrap, it seems a bit complicated, but I'm sure with google, Youtube and practice I will eventually be able to make it. For now though I'm hoping to try something that looks a bit less confusing. 

They have plenty of patterns on Hobbii but for now I was only checking out baby blanket patterns. For the record, no I am not pregnant. One day hopefully I'll have another child but for now I'm just making/buying things for when that day arrives. Plus this way I always have an awesome Baby Shower gift if I find out I need one for a friend/acquaintance. 

I found a pattern that I think will be my first try at a real pattern, it's called Aya Baby Blanket on Hobbii website of course. It's not as easy as the blankets I'm used to making but I think I'll be able to follow it easier since it so far is closest to what I've been doing.

  

For absolute beginners (people who know absolutely nothing of crocheting) There are different size hooks. 

Above is what the hooks look like. If you look at the flat area you'll see that it says G/6-4.25m. That's the area you'll look at to find what size hook it is. You can buy hooks as a single hook or a package with several sizes (recommended)

Patterns will tell you what type of yarn you need and how much of that yarn along with what hook(s) you will need. 

If you go out and buy yarn it will also tell you what size yarn it is, how may yards are in that roll, what the yarn is made from and what size hook you should use. Some even have a pattern on the inside of the label around the yarn.

In crocheting you need to keep your stitches the same size which for most will take a lot of practice. You will need to start with a chain and continue to practice doing a chain a lot before you get to the next step. I would suggest buying a cheap yarn for this practice. You can make your chains into simple bracelets if you want to.  

Below I've posted a link I've borrowed to show you how to start from the very beginning.

Step 1: Getting the yarn on the hook and secured

Step 2: How to make a chain

Step 3: How to knot the end of your chain

https://youtu.be/7v-mssy5rKU

Like everything else you can crochet left or right handed. I'll post a video for each, also borrowed from Youtube.

https://youtu.be/PmSoXNqpP8Y (left)

https://youtu.be/uqQWpTOx22c (right)

There are A LOT of helpful videos on YouTube from some pretty awesome people. Some more helpful than other of course and if you find you dont quite follow that person choose another video. There are different ways to hold the hook and yarn. Different ways to do a Slip Knot. Use whatever method that is best and most comfortable for you. 

I hope this helps any visitors who have been wanting to crochet but were totally lost on where to start. Happy practicing