15 Crochet Tips for Beginners

Everyone starts somewhere, and when it comes to crochet, we all have a list of things we wish we had known when were first getting started. Below are my 15 Crochet Tips for Beginners. I hope you find them to be helpful! If there is something you feel I should include in this list, please let me know!

Inexpensive Storage Works!

Storing hooks, yarn and accessories can be a bit tricky.  You don’t need to spend a lot of money on custom holders for anything.  I like to use make up organizers and pencil holders to organize my hooks.  Small plastic food containers can hold yarn needles, buttons, and safety eyes.  Bags or plastic bins work well for holding yarn.  As long as it works for you, it doesn’t need to be crochet specific to get the job done!

Need Bigger Yarn?

Double your yarn to get bigger yarn!

• Use 2 strands of lace to make 1 strand of fingering
• Use 2 strands of fingering to make 1 strand of worsted
• Use 2 strands of worsted to make 1 strand of bulky
• Use 2 strands of bulky to make 1 strand of super bulky

Make Clean Bottom Edges

When working into your chain, work into the bar of the chain, rather than the front, for even edges

Make your own yarn bowl

You don’t need an expensive yarn bowl.  You can make your own!  All you need is a bit of elbow grease!

Coffee Containers make great yarn bowls.  Make a hole in the lid to put your yarn through, and you’ve got your own yarn bowl.  If you have a taller coffee container, make 3 holes, for 3 colors of yarn!

Want to buy something instead of making it?  Grab a basket!  You can buy inexpensive baskets from your local dollar store.  Use the holes in the side of the basket to slip your yarn through, and you’ve got your own yarn basket!

Invisible Decrease

When making clothing, stuffed animals, or other items that call for a decrease, consider using the invisible decrease.  Typically a decrease is turning 2 or more stitches from the previous row into one stitch, by pulling a loop up from each stitch and working them all together.  The invisible decrease works into JUST the front loop of those stitches, and gives a cleaner look to your decrease!

Fixing Gauge

Change hooks for gauge, not how you work.  If you crochet tight, and need to have a looser gauge, simply use a bigger hook.  If you crochet loose, and need to have a tighter gauge, use a smaller hook.  That way, when you take a break, you don’t have to remember to crochet differently, your hook adjusted it for you!

Use the same hook for the entire project.  

Not all hooks are created equal, different manufacturers can be slightly different than each other.  Make sure you are using the exact same hook for your entire project, so you can maintain the same tension and gauge.  If you need to use your hook for another project, write down what hook you’ve used, and put it with your project, so you remember when it is time to pick it back up.

When Dye Lots Matter

When doing a bigger project, make sure your yarn is all from the same dye lot.  If your project calls for 6 skeins, and one of the skeins is from a different dye lot, your color may not be an exact match.  Make sure that for bigger projects, all your yarn matches.  For tips on how to buy yarn, check out my post on Yarn Types.

Check your Gauge

When making something where the size matters, do a gauge swatch.  Clothing is a good example of a project where size matters.  You don’t want to spend that much time and effort making a sweater, only to find out that you made it too big or too small, because you didn’t check your gauge and adjust your hook to make your gauge match the pattern.

Join Crochet Groups 

There are always new things to learn, new stitches being made, great patterns to explore, and crochet alongs to join.  Hop on social media and find groups to join!  You can even find and join my Facebook Group!

Let Your Hook Do the Work

You don’t need to drop your work to wrap your yarn around your hook.  Use your working hand to move the hook to grab your yarn, whether that is for a yarn over or to pull up a loop, let your hook do the work.  That’s why it’s there!  This will help you maintain tension/gauge as well as save yourself time picking up and putting down your project.

Count  

Whether we are talking rows or stitches, make sure you are counting.  This can save you from having to undo work, and helps find mistakes quickly!

You Don’t Need Fancy Things to Crochet

Sure, the expensive toys can be fun and may make things easier, but you only need yarn, a hook and scissors to get started. It’s about what you make and how much you enjoy it, not the fancy hooks and the expensive bag to keep them in!

Start Small  

Don’t jump head first into making larger, more in depth projects.  Start small.  Head over to my Beginner Crochet posts to find some easier projects to get you practicing and to grow your skills, so you can tackle those more difficult projects.

There is No Wrong Way to Hold Your Hook

You hold your hook like a knife and your friend holds it like a pencil?  Who is right?  Both of you!  It doesn’t matter how you hold your hook, the stitches are going to look the same regardless, so do what is most comfortable for you!

Let me know your tips and tricks below!  I love to hear from you!