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Successful Stitching: How to Crochet For Beginners
Whether you're looking for a new creative outlet or simply looking for an activity that will help reduce stress in your downtime, learning how to crochet comes with a number of both mental and physical benefits. Crocheting involves using a hook to create chains of yarn that form a textile fabric with the repetitive movement of creating these chains, enhancing mindfulness while keeping the mind active. This activity also helps to improve your hand-eye coordination with small, precise movements. When you learn how to crochet, you can make cosy blankets, bags and accessories such as scarves and beanies.
Looking to get started in your crochet journey? We've put together a handy how to crochet for beginners guide that will take you through everything you need to know about crocheting, including the supplies you need and basic crochet techniques you should master.
Quick Links
- What is Crocheting?
- Everything You Need to Crochet: An Introduction to Crocheting Essentials
- Basic Crochet Techniques to Know
- Handy Crochet Abbreviations
- Beginner Crochet Projects
What is Crocheting?
Crocheting is a form of needle art that involves interlocking loops of yarn with a crochet hook to create a fabric piece. Easy to enjoy when watching a movie or listening to your favourite podcast, crocheting offers a therapeutic outlet for many crafters.
If you're wondering what the difference is between knitting and crocheting, put simply, crocheting only requires one crochet hook, making it easy for beginner crocheters to master. On the other hand, knitting involves the use of two knitting needles. Knitting is also ideal for more garment-style projects, such as jumpers, while crocheting is better for blankets and decor.
Everything You Need to Crochet: An Introduction to Crocheting Essentials
Before you dive into the different crochet techniques and stitches, you should first make sure you have all the tools and supplies you need ready to go. We'll take you through everything you should know about crocheting tools and accessories to not only understand how to use them but also their purpose.
Crochet Hooks
The most important tool you'll need when crocheting is, of course, a crochet hook. This crochet tool is designed with a hook point at one end that pulls yarn through stitches to create your project. Find out more information about crochet hooks by reading through our helpful knitting needles and crochet hooks buying guide.
How to Hold a Crochet Hook
You can hold a crochet hook in one of two ways. One common approach to holding a crochet hook is holding it how you would hold a pen. Another way to hold a crochet hook is to hold it how you would hold a knife. Both approaches are comfortable and natural positions for many beginner crocheters.
Yarn
While crochet hooks are an essential crochet tool, you can't crochet anything if you don't have yarn. The best yarn for beginner crochet artists is a medium weight yarn, such as acrylic or cotton. Once you get the hang of crocheting, you should start keeping in mind the project you're making when shopping for yarn. Projects such as accessories and baby garments are best made with a lighter weight yarn, while decorative projects such as blankets and wall art are best made from a heavier yarn. Find out more information about how to find the right yarn for your project by checking out our helpful buying guide.
Stitch Marker
Stitch markers are incredibly helpful when crocheting. They offer a number of different functions, with helping to keep track of rows, rounds and stitch counts being their most common purpose. They can also be used to stop your work from unravelling when travelling, pin pieces for you to later join together and to indicate where you'll be adding additional pieces, such as buttons or buttonholes.
Additional Accessories
- Crochet Patterns - Provide a helpful guide on creating crochet works. You can shop Spotlight's range of crochet patterns that outline how to make pieces such as stuffed animals, blankets and more.
- Crafting Scissors - Allow for clean cuts of the yarn when finishing your project or colour and for fixing any mistakes.
- Measuring Tape - Ensure the length of your rows are correct sizes, which is particularly important for projects such as scarves, blankets and sleeves.
Basic Crochet Stitches and Techniques
Before you start with any crochet projects, it's a good idea to practice the basic crochet stitches that you may come across in your crochet journey. Check out a few common crochet stitches and techniques below.
How to Make a Slip Stitch
A slip stitch is used to join the ends of a yarn into a circle. To turn a foundation chain into a circle, insert the hook into the first chain. Wrap the yarn over the hook. Pull the yarn through both hoops
A slip stitch can also move across the work to another position. In this case, insert the hook in the top loop of the first stitch. Wrap the yarn and pull it back through both stitches on the hook. Insert the hook, wrap the yarn, and pull back through the two loops on the hook. Repeat until you reach your desired position. You'll often see Slip stitch abbreviated as "SS".
For a helpful visual on how to make a slip stitch, check out our video tutorial over on our YouTube channel.
How to Make a Slip Knot
Mastering how to make a slip knot is essential when attaching your yarn to your crochet hook. To make a slip knot, simply start by making a loop with the end of your yarn. Fold the loop over the side of your loop closest to the yarn ball. Pull this side through the loop while pulling the end of your yarn to tighten, switching to pulling the side closest to your yarn ball to complete your knot. You should have a small loop that you can now thread onto your crochet hook. Pull the yarn to tighten.
Check out our helpful video tutorial over on our YouTube channel for more information on how to make a slip knot.
How to Make a Chain Stitch
A foundation chain is a string of chain stitches. Position your yarn over your hook, catching this yarn with the hook. Pull your slip knot down the hook, pulling the yarn back through the slip knot. Continue until you have formed sufficient chains.
Check out our helpful video tutorial over on our YouTube channel for a handy visual on how to make a chain stitch.
How to Double Crochet Stitch
Learning how to make a double crochet stitch will help you create taller stitches that are great for creating slouchy scarves or beanies. To make a double crochet stitch, start by inserting your hook through the next stitch, positioning your yarn over the hook and pulling it back through both loops.
For more information on how to make a double crochet stitch, check out our helpful video tutorial over on our YouTube channel for a handy visual guide.
How To Change Colours When Crocheting
When finishing a round of stitches, join the last stitch to the first with a slip stitch. Then, join using the new colour to be used in the next round of stitches. Check out our helpful video tutorial over on our YouTube channel for a handy visual guide.
Handy Crochet Abbreviations
You'll often come across crochet abbreviations in the instructions of your crochet projects. A few of the most common crochet abbreviations include:
- ch: chain
- dc: double crochet
- sl st: slip stitch
- st-ch: starting chain
You can find a full list of crochet abbreviations on our website.
Discover Crochet Abbreviations
Beginner Crochet Projects
Once you've gathered all your crochet essentials and practiced a few of the basic crochet techniques, it's time to test your crochet skills with one of our crochet projects! You can find a great range of free and ready to download beginner crochet projects online here at Spotlight that are perfect for putting your new crocheting skills into practice.
Flinders Cotton Crochet Blanket
Learning how to crochet will allow you to make cosy blankets, bringing warmth to any space. Try recreating the Flinders Cotton Crochet Blanket. Made up of colourful motifs, this cheerful homemade blanket is perfect for elevating the styling of your living room or for gifting to a loved one. A great project for beginner crocheters looking for their next challenge, this project guides you through creating every step of this blanket, including every round of the motif centre and the border. Bring a pop of colour to your couch, bed or armchair with this lively homemade blanket.
Hudson Crochet Beanie and Scarf
When it comes to beginner crochet projects, scarves and beanies are two of the most popular pieces that crochet crafters make, and this Hudson Crochet Project takes you through how to make both! Making a beanie with an approximate 50cm circumference and a scarf measuring around 190 x 29cm, this project is perfect for beginner crocheters looking for their very first crocheting adventure. Choose 6 balls of acrylic yarn in your favourite colour and brighten your winter wardrobe with a DIY charm.
Raffia Crochet Tote
While you can crochet cosy projects such as blankets and scarves, you can also crochet stylish fashion accessories that are sure to elevate any outfit ensemble. This Raffia Tote Bag Project is great for beginner crocheters wanting to elevate their wardrobe. This project takes you through all the finer details of this tote bag, including how to attach studs to the tote base, how to make the press lock clasp strap and how to create a handy pocket for the inside of the bag.
Red Heart Granny Square Hanging Garden
Homemade decor pieces bring an added homely touch to any room in your home, transforming your space into a welcoming and cosy oasis. Introduce a pop of colour that complements the greenery of your plants by recreating this Granny Square Hanging Garden from Red Heart. Outlining all the abbreviations you'll come across, this project provides a detailed overview of all the steps needed to not only create the motifs but also how to assemble this stylish hanging plant holder. Complete with a hanging tassel, this project is fun to recreate for those looking to elevate their home styling with a homemade accent.
Enjoy a Creative New Hobby When You Learn How to Crochet
Crocheting is a relaxing hobby that anyone can take up! Learning how to crochet will allow you to express your creativity while improving your hand eye coordination and fine motor skills. Find all the crochet supplies you need for your next project, including crochet hooks and colourful yarn, at a Spotlight store near you. You can also shop our full range of crochet supplies online, where you can find a collection of free crochet projects to inspire you in your next creative endeavour.
