Top 10 Crochet Tips

Crocheting is a wonderful hobby. Once you learn the basic stitches, you can create many wonderful items for your own home and to give as gifts to family and friends. Here are some tips and hints to keep you hooking (crocheting, that is) all year long.

1. Keep it loose.

This is a twofold hint. If you have any experience with crocheting, you know that it is very important to keep your stitches loose. But, then again, you do not want them too loose. The trick is to find the happy medium where your finished items will turn out as they are designed to.

The second part of this hint involves winding your yarn into balls. You need to unravel the skeins you purchase to make sure there are no knots. And, if there are, you can untangle them before you start your project. This will avoid a lot of mid-project frustration. However, be sure you wind the balls loosely. The ball of yarn should not be hard. It should be be soft and cushy. If you wind the yard tightly, it will stretch. Later, when it is washed, there is the possibility it will shrink and your project will no longer be the shape you intended.

2. Keep it cool.

Crocheting during the cold winter months is a wonderful way to keep warm. Especially if you are creating a large piece, such as an afghan. But, during the warm months of summer, it can be too much to have all that yarn in your lap. So, during the warmer months, focus on smaller projects. These can include scarves, hats, mittens, socks, animals, pillows, doilies, holiday ornaments, or anything that does not accumulate a large amount of yarn covering you and getting you all hot and bothered.

3. Keep it fun.

There are so many patterns out there, it can sometimes be difficult to choose which to try next. Be sure you do not try something that is too advanced for your skill level. It is easy to get frustrated with a project if you are having trouble figuring out the directions and cannot make progress. On the other hand, it can also be undesirable to work on something that is too easy for your skill level. You run the risk of becoming bored and leaving your project unfinished. A hobby is supposed to be fun. If it is no longer fun, try a different approach.

4. Keep it tidy.

If you are not able to find your supplies, you will not be able to crochet. Period. There are several ways to keep your crocheting supplies neat and tidy. Keeping all of your crochet needles in the same place is a start. You can buy a commercially made needle holder or make one yourself. I found it easier to just buy one. You may prefer to make your own.

It is also a good idea to keep your yarn together. You can keep it in a storage tote. They are cheap, easy to find, and come in a large variety of sizes. It is also fun to use milk crates as shelves for storage. This makes it much easier to see what you have. Another way to keep things neat is to keep multiple skeins of yarn purchased for one project together. This can be accomplished by just putting them on the shelf together or you may want to have small tote bags for each project. If you keep it separated in this manner, it might be a good idea to put the directions for your project into the bag, as well.

5. Read the directions.

It is a great idea to read the directions through at least once before you begin the project. If there is something you do not understand, you can try to work it out before you get half way through your project and have to stop. It is very frustrating if you are unable to finish a project because you do not understand what you are supposed to do next.

You can research the stitch or stitch combo online. Or, there are some great books that will help you. The Crochet Answer Book by Edie Eckman is a great resource for the beginner and the more experienced crocheter alike. You can get it at most bookstores or try online. There are many books that will help you learn what you need to know.

6. Keep at it.

When a task is difficult to learn, it is easy to become discouraged. Do not give up, when trying to learn to crochet. It takes lots of practice. And, it is worth the work it takes to become proficient. An easy way to learn is to do projects that only require a simple stitch, such as single crochet. The first year I was learning to crochet, I made everyone in my family scarves using only single crochet. I used different types of yarns and got great results. My family loved them and I got a lot of practice without getting too bored.

7. Plan ahead.

Do not make the mistake of thinking you can make all of the projects you plan to give as Christmas presents in one month. Give yourself plenty of time if there is a deadline for the finished project. Do not start a baby afghan a week before the baby is due to be form. If you start with plenty of time, the project will be more fun for you. It will also be of better quality because you will not have rushed through it. So plan ahead and give yourself plenty of time to get the project done and do good work as well.

8. Try something different.

Once you have mastered crocheting and feel comfortable with most patterns, you might try something different. Using beads to embellish your projects is a wonderful way to be creative. You can also try Tunisian, or Afghan, crochet. This method uses a longer needle that looks like a cross between a crochet and knitting needle. There are many patterns and books using both methods that you can use to keep you interest going.

9. Look for bargains.

There are many ways to get bargains on your crocheting supplies. Look at yard or garage sales for portions of skeins of yarn. These can be used for granny squares to help fill in gaps when you don't have quite enough yarn. Or, you might luck up and find someone getting rid of their supplies because they do not want to crochet anymore. You might also find books and hooks that are no longer being used.

10. Be sociable.

Look at your local yarn shops for groups of people who get together and crochet. It can be a lot of fun to talk to others about your hobby. If it is a smaller city, the group may be a mix of needle workers. This could include knitting, tatting, or many other kinds of crafts. Being able to ask someone who has more experience is a good way to solve many problems. And, you never know, you may become the person that is asked for advice before long.

Starting a new hobby can be intimidating. This is especially true of you have no idea where to start or where to find someone to ask questions. Use these tips to help you find a wonderful hobby and keep your interest high when learning to crochet.