All you need to know, when starting out on your crocheting adventure!
So it’s always a bit daunting when you are starting a new hobby! It’s hard to know what to buy and what to use and what to follow. So here’s a little bit of an introduction into crocheting and how to get started. So first things first, your crochet kit. So this is my kit, which I have built up over time!
As you can see there are a lot of crochet hooks. There are all different sizes ranging from 2.5mm to 12mm. Each one is used for different weights of yarn and projects. Now to get started, I suggest you buy a 4mm hook and a 3mm hook. These are both used for Double Knit yarn which is the most commonly used yarn I would say. Once you get into crocheting, you can add to your collection. I do find this crochet kit pouch is great for keeping mine all safe and tucked up together. And obviously goes most places with me. (Something to put on your birthday list!)
So there are also different types of hooks that you can buy, from wooden, metal, plastic and then ergonomically designed ones with rubbery handles. These are the ones that I find the best, they are from a company called Clover and are so lovely to work with and can be bought from any online shop or local yarn shop. But if you don’t want to spend too much, at the beginning then, you can buy a pack of cheaper, but still comfy in your hands ones. So it’s up to you.
Now the other thing that you will find in my crochet kit are these.
These are fantastic, they are Lite Up crochet hooks. So basically crochet hooks that have a little torch at the end. It means you can crochet in the dark or in the car at night. I found them fantastically handy when you are camping or on car journeys, when you just want to carry on crocheting. They are also great for dark yarn too which is hard to work with. So definitely a great thing to add to your kit later on down the line.
So you will also need some scissors and a blunt ended tapestry needle. I find the metal ones are the best. These needles help you to sew in all those yarny ends when you finish your projects.
Other things that are handy are a little tape measure and some stitch markers, but again, they are something you add to your kit when you need them.
So just to clarify, to start off get yourself a 3mm and 4mm crochet hook, some scissors and a blunt ended tapestry needle! The crochet 4mm hook is used for normal double knit crocheting, but the 3mm hook will be used if you want to make toys with double knit yarn using the Amigurimi method (crocheting in the round.) See my tutorial on magic rings and crocheting in the round, if you are intrigued!!
Now all you need to do is buy some yarn. So there are all sorts of different types of yarn that you can use – cotton, wool, cashmere, silk, sock yarn (which is a wool/nylon mix) and acrylic to name but a few. I tend to stick with wool or wool mixes as they are great to work with and soft to use for your hands. Cotton is a great yarn to work with at the beginning, as it’s cheap and cheerful and easy to work with. King Cole Cotton Soft is a nice one to use.
If you are looking for something a bit more special but great to work with then the Sublime Cashmere/Merino Mix Wool range is fabulous.
It’s a definite go to for me. And then you have all the incredible handdyed yarns that are just out of this world. Luxury Yarns and HeyJayYarn are just a couple of my favourites.
This is from the amazingly talented Abby Parkes at Luxury Yarns, who hand dyes all her own yarn.
And this one is a beautiful sock yarn from the incredible Hannah at HeyJay Yarns.
But there are sooooo many more to choose from!! Oooo the posssiblities!!
There are also loads of magazines and books that you can get your hands on in most shops. Simply crochet is one of my favourites. But there are lots on the market. Most have lovely patterns in abs handy tutorials at the back too. And some of the books that are on the market are just incredible. Some real yarny treats to keep you busy.
Now it’s time to have a go. First things first. Slip Knots, Foundation chains and Double Crocheting. Now to start with just use some simple double knit yarn such as cotton and a 4mm crochet hook.
Once you’ve mastered these 3 elements of crocheting it’s then time to choose what you would like to make first. Something simple I would say. Anyways, hope this all makes sense and I am always here if you need any extra help.
Good luck…
Right so you can either follow the link below to a video tutorial or follow the photograph tutorial.
Video Tutorial –
Photograph Tutorial –
Slip Knot
With any crocheting you will always start with a slip knot. Whether you are starting with rows or rounds, a slip knot is required to anchor the yarn to the hook.
Now you are ready to start crocheting.
Foundation Chain
A foundation chain is required when you are starting your crocheting project with rows. Now that you have created your slip knot, you can make the chain.
Now you are ready to start your crocheted rows.
Double Crochet
So start by having 10 chains in your foundation chain. You can count them by the top loop. See where the arrow is pointing – that is one chain stitch. I have 10 here. Remember that you don’t count the loop on the hook.
Now it’s time to chain 1, as this will give us the height of a double crochet. Now we are going to work our first double crochet stitch in the second chain from the hook. (This is where the arrow is pointing.)
*Ok so insert the hook, into the stitch and place your yarn over your hook.
Now pull the yarn through the stitch leaving you with 2 loops on your hook.
Now yarn over your hook again and pull through both loops and there you have your first double crochet.*
Now continue working down the row in each of the chain stitches repeating this ** process.
Ok so you now have 10 double crochets in your row. So turn your work and chain 1. Remember to chain you need to put your yarn over your hook and just pull it through the loop on your hook.
*Now insert your hook into the first stitch. Can you see how it goes through the V now, so both little loops.
Yarn over your hook again and pull through the stitch to make 2 loops.
Then yarn over your hook again and pull through both loops on your hook. This completes your first double crochet in the row.*
Now repeat the process ** down the row to give you 10 double crochet stitches.
Once you are here you can now turn your work, chain 1 again and work 10 double crochet stitches.
And you are off!! Please shout if you need any help or any other photos.
Hmmm, now what will you make…
Good luck!!
🌈Xx
Don’t forget, there is also a tutorial on magic rings and crocheting in the round if you are interested in that. And also have a peak at all my patterns, as they are all photograph tutorials, so hopefully you will find these handy too.
