Crochet For Left Handed Beginners! Help please!

mavisangelica

oopsadaisydoddle wrote: »

I've just ordered the crochet unravelled book off eBay due to the good reviews on Amazon. Can anybody tell me what basics I'll need to get started and I'll order those. I'm assuming it will be a hook - do they come in different sizes and is there a best one to start with? Also are there any specifics I need to know about yarn? Any recommendations for beginners?

Thanks again.

Just noticed that you are in Stockton. Don't know if you are ever in Newcastle but Fenwicks are very reasonable for crochet hooks. Also in the Grainger Market there is Habiknit for cheap wool and hooks and needles (and anything crafty). Failing that Wilkinsons sell cheap wool and knitting needles although sadly they don't do crochet hooks.

Mupette

i'm a leftie, my nan was the only one to teach me knitting as she was a leftie too, took it up for a short while last year, but crochet is something i wanted to try.

don't force yourself to go right handed if it doesn't feel right.

p-pincher

Hi

Im a leftie and I taught myself to crochet left handed about 2 years ago. Ive got loads of books now but most of them show everything right handed and they just tell you do it the opposite way. I really couldn't get the hang of it.

The absolute best way I found was to search left handed crochet on you tube. Theres loads on there and in the end practice makes perfect. I was taught as a kid to knit right handed and it was really really hard and really struggled with holding the needles the right way and the tension. I love to crochet now and find it really relaxing.

PipneyJane

I'm left handed and can crochet both handed. I'd suggest you learn the basics right handed because whether you're right handed or left handed, all crochet feels awkward at first. Ditto knitting. This will save you from a lifetime of having to translate techniques, etc, backwards in your mind to make it work your way around.

When I crochet right handed, the one thing I do different to "righties" is that I have a tendency to move my left hand to wrap the yarn around the hook, instead of maneuvering the hook to wrap the yarn around it. For me, it's a quick flick of the wrist, with the hook held still.

On the plus side, it's good for your brain not to use your dominant hand.

oopsadaisydoddle

Thanks again for taking the time to reply. I'll see how I get on with this book. Will report back!!

lilmisskitkat

PipneyJane wrote: »

When I crochet right handed, the one thing I do different to "righties" is that I have a tendency to move my left hand to wrap the yarn around the hook, instead of maneuvering the hook to wrap the yarn around it. For me, it's a quick flick of the wrist, with the hook held still.

I do this! I've never met anyone who does before :wave: And i'm right-handed. Just never managed to get the hang of manouvering the hook that way. Don;t know if it is because i sometimes have problems with my hands due to my FM.

One woman at my craft group tells me every single time she sees me that i'm doing it all wrong and i'm not crocheting at all. Erm ok The end results are the same as the next crocheter (is that a word?!) so what does it matter? Mind you she does seem to spend all session commenting on everyone elses work and doing very little of her own, we just smile and nod.

K xx

rosalie-lavender

lilmisskitkat wrote: »

I do this! I've never met anyone who does before :wave: And i'm right-handed. Just never managed to get the hang of manouvering the hook that way. Don;t know if it is because i sometimes have problems with my hands due to my FM.

One woman at my craft group tells me every single time she sees me that i'm doing it all wrong and i'm not crocheting at all. Erm ok The end results are the same as the next crocheter (is that a word?!) so what does it matter? Mind you she does seem to spend all session commenting on everyone elses work and doing very little of her own, we just smile and nod.

K xx

It's a good job she doesn't see me knitting then. I am right handed and knit right handed but hold my wool in the left hand instead of the right. I also knit into the back of the stitch instead of the front. if I don't the stitch twists. My sister knits the same and I think it was our grandmother that knitted that way, who had a hand in teaching us.

If I put my mind to it I can knit left handed, which is handy when I have to teach the youngsters in the after school club I work in to knit. I am the only one who can show them how to knit left handed.

oopsadaisydoddle

Woohoo my book has arrived! I'm very excited!

oopsadaisydoddle

I seem to be getting the hang of chain stitch. I'm going to keep practising though but am finding it very therapeutic!

Also, I tried Right handed and I just couldn't do it!x

Patchwork_Quilt

Another left-hander here who crochets and knits right-handed because that's the way I was taught. Like PipneyJane and Lilmisskitkat, however, my left hand works harder than my right.

Try Portuguese knitting - around the neck method - if you're a left-hander too. See U-Tube. It works for people with impaired movement in their hands also.

By way, oopsadaisydoddle, I find my local 0xfam a good supplier of hooks, needles and wool, at a very small cost, although you have to ask for the hooks and needles as they keep them under the counter in case a Dangerous Person gets hold of them.

Have fun!