Learning to crochet

[p-pincher]

hi everyone

really hoping somebody can help me. i'm trying to get a headstart on next christmas and thanks to everyoes great ideas on this forum i've just about decided what things i want to make for next year.

I really want to take up knitting again and i am currently weighing up buying a sewing machine but the one thing i'd really like to is to learn how to crochet as to my shame i never bothered to learn at school (was to busy skiving round the back of the bike sheds).

Can anybody give me any advice, things like books or online tutorials on how to get started as well as what are the best type of things to make to get started (would really like to try my hand a scarves),

Thanks Clare x

[zombiecazz]

Check out this thread

If I remember correctly there are some links to tutorials.

[Gingerbiscuit]

Good luck! I think a good way is to go down your library and get out lots of books. Often you can read how to do it several times but there is one way just for you that makes it "click".
Sadly not all the big easy book for beginner's are as easy!

Get yourslef a hook and some wool and see how you get on once you have mastered the basics you be away.

[Rummer]

I would love to be able to crochet but it is a thing I have never been able to do! Some online tutorials and a few books from the library will give you lots of hints and tips to get you started, when you master it can you let me know which resource was the most effective!

[Penelope Penguin]

Originally Posted by Rummer

I would love to be able to crochet but it is a thing I have never been able to do! Some online tutorials and a few books from the library will give you lots of hints and tips to get you started, when you master it can you let me know which resource was the most effective!

I taught myself to crochet last year. I used the online tutorials from LazyDaisy, and the Happy Hooker book

18 months on I'm doing this

[Savvybunny2009]

I saw an advert on TV today for... wait for it... a magazine series which is learning crochet! I think its 1.99 for first copy with free dvd and patterns and stuff, as you go on a learn new stitches you will be able to add all the bits together to make a lovely blanket. I am tempted but being in my 20's I have a feeling my husband would laugh at me, his mum is fab at the art of crochet she made me some lovely slippers for christmas and I love them. Oooh tempted, what do you ladies (and gentlemen) think?

[lollyball]

Penelope Penguin, I absolutely love your blog, I will be back with crochet needle and yarn in hand, I love the granny square.

Thank you for the inspiration!!

[nuttybabe]

Originally Posted by Savvybunny2009

I saw an advert on TV today for... wait for it... a magazine series which is learning crochet! I think its 1.99 for first copy with free dvd and patterns and stuff, as you go on a learn new stitches you will be able to add all the bits together to make a lovely blanket. I am tempted but being in my 20's I have a feeling my husband would laugh at me, his mum is fab at the art of crochet she made me some lovely slippers for christmas and I love them. Oooh tempted, what do you ladies (and gentlemen) think?

does it come with a crochet hook as well? if it does i will probably get the first copy.

[Savvybunny2009]

Originally Posted by nuttybabe

does it come with a crochet hook as well? if it does i will probably get the first copy.

I think it comes with all the bits you need, I will keep an eye out for the advert to check, not sure who is publishing the magazine I will try to google it for you. It goes up to £2.99 after the first copy.

[Hippychick]

I saw this advert as well and thought it would look a good way to learn, I thought the mag with a hook and 2 balls of yarn for 99p was good value.

I tried googling it but no joy. I think it's called How to crochet.

[the_cosmos_rocks]

I also saw the advert.
I thought it was called 'the art of crochet'...but i had no hope in finding it either

[li'l_p]

http://www.theartofcrochet.com/

Saw it in WH Smiths today, in our store it was near to the tills, so not near all the usual craft mags - just in case that's where you were looking. Might be best asking a member of staff.

The first issue is 99p. Goes up to £2.99 for the rest. (120 issues...!!!)

[bunbun2]

Originally Posted by li'l_p

http://www.theartofcrochet.com/

Saw it in WH Smiths today, in our store it was near to the tills, so not near all the usual craft mags - just in case that's where you were looking. Might be best asking a member of staff.

The first issue is 99p. Goes up to £2.99 for the rest. (120 issues...!!!)

thank you for this lil_p and also savvybunny for mentioning it. I will look for this tomorrow as I would like to learn to crochet and have plenty of time to learn before Christmas! I can't knit,sew or crochet so it could take a while!

thanks also to p-pincher for the OP and giving me the idea!

[Hippychick]

Thanks, I think i'll buy the first one but stop there!

[jojotoo]

Have a look at attic 24, she makes amazing crocheted bags, cushions, blankets, flowers and scarves and kindly shares tutorials so we can make them too!
Ah, I'm not allowed to do links coz I'm now so go to attic24 dot typepad dot com and that should take you there.

[the_cosmos_rocks]

http://attic24.typepad.com/ Theres the link jojotoo

[Penelope Penguin]

Originally Posted by lollyball

Penelope Penguin, I absolutely love your blog, I will be back with crochet needle and yarn in hand, I love the granny square.

That's not mine - I'm just following that pattern

[li'l_p]

Originally Posted by Hippychick

Thanks, I think i'll buy the first one but stop there!

Err, me too! A near completed set will probably show up at a car boot sale sometime in the future

[SunnyGirl]

Originally Posted by Penelope Penguin

I taught myself to crochet last year. I used the online tutorials from LazyDaisy, and the Happy Hooker book

18 months on I'm doing this

Thanks for those links Penny. I have knitted for years but have recently fancied giving crochet a whirl so I have ordered the book from my library and bookmarked the LazyDaisy page.

[Yama]

I started learning a couple of days ago. I've been following a YouTube video on crocheting a traditional granny square and, after 20 attempts, it clicked!! Great thing I found with that is that I can watch, pause, go back (jotted key times with understandable steps on paper to refer back to). I prefer to get my hands dirty with a simple task straight away than look at pictures of stitches in books, but I think it seems to make sense...hopefully.

Bought a beautiful book on crochet blocks and ordered the 'happy hooker' plus a couple of books from the library to browse through for hints.

Charity shops are great for balls of wool - especially when you don't want the expense initially.

Good luck!