Learn To Crochet Part 1 - Crochet 101

Autumn has officially arrived where I live, which has me in the mood to make something cozy for this cool weather. When this mood strikes, my mind immediately goes to crocheting.

To me, crochet is an easier for a beginner to start with than knitting is. There's just one hook and some yarn in crochet, as opposed to knitting which is two needles and some yarn. When I was teaching myself to crochet, I already knew how to knit and found crochet to be so much quicker and easier. This quicker-gratification is why now I find myself reaching for my crochet hooks before my knitting needles, and which is also why I decided to do a series on crochet so you can make something quick and cosy too!

This series will be going through the why's and how's of crochet, with a quick washcloth pattern in the middle of the series to help you practice, and ending the series with a pattern for a modern, unisex scarf that will be easy enough for beginners, and fun enough for advanced crocheters. With the holidays coming up, keep in mind that the scarf would definitely make a great gift, too!

Before we dive into the technical aspects of the project, I'd like to share some crochet 101 that I learned along the way. No one told me these tips, and I think that starting out with them at-the-ready will help to keep the stress levels low and the fun levels high!

• Look locally, ask questions, make friends. Look around your area to see if there are any local yarn stores. The people that work there will be knowledgable and will gladly answer any questions you have. Who knows, you might even make new friends! Local yarn stores often offer classes too if you want to take your skills to the next level.

old-school crochet. source

• Set aside quiet time to learn. Learning to crochet does require counting stitches and rows, and while this will become easy as pie with practice, at first it does take some concentration. It's best to set aside distraction-free time at first to get the hang of it.

new-school crochet. source

• Take breaks. Even if you feel like you could keep going, it's always a good idea to get up and stretch your legs, drink some water, have a snack. This helps to avoid making mistakes and feeling frustrated. Remember, this is supposed to be fun and relaxing. Walk away for a while if you need to.

• Find a comfortable place to sit, while keeping your posture in check. There's a reason you always see grandmas sitting in rocking chairs while crocheting in old movies - It's comfortable and good for posture. Sitting hunched-over never feels good on your back, so it's a good idea to be conscious of where you are sitting for an hour or more while working on a project. I usually end up knitting on the couch because I can sit pretty upright while having all my supplies close at hand.

I'm looking forward to starting this series, and am looking forward to seeing your finished projects! Be sure to let me know if you plan on joining in, and don't forget about the forum to ask any questions along the way!

#diy #crochet #fiberarts #crochet101 #handicrafts #selfcare #stress #learntocrochet