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Let me Teach you
Its not always sunshine and rainbows being a beginner in crochet. I want to teach you to the best crochet tips and tricks for beginners to save you time, frustration, and hassle. With 8+ years in the crochet world, I am happy to show you the best crochet tips and tricks for beginners.
1. Count your stitches (overcounting or under-counting)
Counting your stitches is one of the best things to do as a beginner. If done correctly, you will not have any unintentional mistakes happening. If done incorrectly, you may increase or decrease your rows without even knowing! Counting your stitches is completely worth it as a beginner, not always needed as you grow your skill, but best to get into the habit of it. I picked this as one of the best crochet tips and tricks so that you can save time and effort because no one wants to redo their work.
2. Practice, practice, practice
This may be repetitive but practice, practice, practice! There are no specific tips or tricks for beginners better than basic practicing. I’ve been crocheting for over 8 years and I’m still learning new things. As a beginner, you will be able to get better faster if you are practicing more.
Pick a time a day when you can dedicate at least 10 minutes to this hobby. I listed this as one of the best crochet tips and tricks for beginners because it comes before anything else. Practice doesn’t equal perfection, but does equal progression.
3. Stitch Markers (using loose yarn strands)
A stitch marker is a crochet tool that helps you remember the place you left off, a place where special instructions are needed, and/or a place you need to stop at. Stitch markers help you to remember where you left off in your row. It can also be a helpful reminder of what to do if you are customizing your project.
The fancy stitch markers are fine and all, but you can always use a few items such as pins, loose yarn strands, and even earrings! I picked this as one of the best crochet tips and tricks for beginners because it keeps you organized, gives you helpful reminders, and you can customize your stitch marker. And you do not need to run to the crafts store to get them, however, they do have some cute ones I recommend.
4. Comfortable Crochet hook
Let’s consider the importance of a comfortable crochet hook. Having a comfortable crochet hook is one of the best crochet tips and tricks of them all. It helps to avoid tension and eases your grip while crocheting.
You want to find a crochet hook that you can hold on to and not feel fatigued after 10 minutes of crocheting. Having a comfortable crochet hook helps to ease tension, increases the durability of crocheting, and is quite comfortable!
I put this in my as one of the best crochet tips and tricks for beginners because it involves comfort. Sometimes your hands may fatigue out sooner than later, but this is one of the key factors to having a comfortable/enjoyable crochet experience.
5. Gauge
Although many of us do not like to do it (pointing at me) gauging your work is so important. Especially if you are following a pattern and you do not have the same yarn.
You gauge yarn by laying down a ruler or fabric measuring tape, making a swatch (4×4 inches), and counting how many stitches fit into 4 inches. You then want to place the ruler vertically and measure the number of rows that fit into 4 inches. If you are following a pattern, you’ll then want to compare your gauge and the pattern’s gauge.
A crochet swatch will let you know how to adjust your gauge for the project, if you have the right yarn/hook, if your tension is consistent, etc.
The key to making sure your gauge is accurate is by crocheting like you normally would. It will give you all the answers you need. Keep in mind, that individual gauges will always be different. I listed this as one of the best crochet tips and tricks for beginners because this can be a hard habit to get into if you never did it to begin with and will save you time and energy.
6. DIY Yarn Bowl Hack
This DIY crochet yarn bowl is one crochet tool that is great as a crochet tip and trick. This helps to keep your yarn clean and organized, definitely one of the best crochet tips and tricks out of the bunch.
Having a DIY yarn bowl helps to keep your yarn clean because it’s not rolling everywhere. Especially if you own a crochet business, you don’t want cat or dog hair on your yarn skeins. It comes off as unprofessional BUT this solves this issue. You can create this DIY with Tupperware and place your yarn inside.
I listed this as one of the best crochet tips and tricks for beginners because many of us prefer to use something they can make at home. You can use items such as Tupperware, decor bowls, baskets, paper towel containers, and more! Use a binder clip as a hole where your crochet yarn will go through to make things even more organized and personally created.
If you prefer to use a professional made crochet yarn bowl, click this link for a list of yarn bowls you are able to purchase.
8. Yarn Types
Knowing yarn types and what each one is best for your crochet project is a gem. Instead of using yarn that is meant for a hat as a bathing suit, knowing which yarn to substitute will make that project more suitable for water makes all the difference.
Yarn types can get deep very fast. Everyone has their preference, but in the crochet world, the majority of us are in agreement on which types of yarn you use for specific projects. The type of yarn you use is always dependent on the type of project you are deciding to create.
I listed this as one of the best crochet tips and tricks because knowing your yarn type is like knowing your blood type. You do not want to switch and mix without knowing if it is compatible with your project.
You can find out which yarn types work best for your projects by research, experience, trial/error, and reading yarn labels. Usually, most yarn labels will tell you what the yarn is most suited for, and use it as a reference.
8. Stretching/mobility
We tend to forget that stretching is one of the biggest tips and tricks of them all. Stretch your wrist, your fingers, and your entire hand, to help ease tension and potential injury risks. Also not to mention, using our wrists so much can lead to certain medical issues (consult your doctor if you find yourself in pain when crocheting)
Stretching before you start builds up more durability which allows you to crochet longer. Think of it like the gym (even if you don’t go to the gym!) everyone knows that they should stretch and warm up, this is the same for crocheting. If you don’t you could be prone to more injury and we don’t want that.
This is listed as one of the best crochet tips and tricks for beginners because it’s easier to get into the habit now than later. Can potentially save you a ton of time and energy.
9. Yarn Labels
This goes with yarn types but in a different light. Yarn labels tell you so much information. Not only before you start your project but also after you finish your project, how to treat your yarn, and how many skeins to make a project. It also tells you about washing instructions, ironing, etc. Yarn labels can also tell you how to gauge your yarn, give free patterns, and so much more.
If you are deciding on how to treat your yarn, details of the yarn, etc. You always want to look at the yarn label so that you fully understand the type of yarn you have. It’s almost like reading a food label but with yarn!
I listed this as one of the best crochet tips and tricks for beginners because most of the information you need is on a yarn label.
11. Written Patterns
Crochet patterns are a hack to saving time, energy, and even money. If you want to learn how to crochet a sweater, instead of trying to figure it out on your own for days or even weeks, you can purchase a written pattern that will show you how to make it in hours/days. It gives you experience and adds to your portfolio of crochet projects(not to mention the confidence boost).
If your goal is to write your patterns, you can purchase written patterns to get inspiration and ideas from them. Not to copy them, but to study how they format their patterns, how clear their instructions were, what you would change/add/takeaway, etc.
I listed this as one of the best crochet tips and tricks for beginners because it will make your life easier, by giving you more time, inspiration, commitment, and experience.
11. Weave in Loose Ends
Weaving your loose ends at the end of a project may seem tiresome. Trust me, I know and have been there. Truthfully, weaving in the loose ends to your project can eventually become satisfying. When using this tip/trick to weave in your loose ends, will make your life easier.
I LOVE to use a tapestry needle instead of a crochet hook. It can make you move quicker and easier so that you don’t spend more time at the end of your project. This is one of the best crochet tips and tricks for beginners. It will make your projects because it takes the dread out of weaving in your ends. If you ever sewed before, the satisfying motion you make is the same when weaving in your crochet loose ends.
Now you have learned about the 11 best tricks and tips for beginners. Implementing these tricks/tips will elevate your crochet experience and projects. Leave a comment or Tag @Crochetwithhadiya if these tips really helped you!
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