When I started crocheting in 2009, I have a lot of things that I missed out as a new crocheter. The biggest thing that I missed is learning the standard yarn weight and its type, as I only used that one yarn type for more than 5 years. I’m grateful of the learning experience that I have back then. Though I missed some of the important things before crocheting, at least I don’t feel overwhelmed when I just starting and focus on the joy of making.
Here are the 8 things that you should know before start crocheting. I hope that this list is helpful to you when you are just starting crochet. Bear in mind that this is just a guidance, and don’t feel overwhelmed about it.
Yarns are categorized according to standard weight
There are many types of yarns such as acrylics, cotton, nylon, wool and etc. The yarns also categorized using standardized weight (or some call sizes).
Crochet designers often indicates the type of yarn and its weight at the first page of the pattern instruction, to ensure that you get the same size of finished project.
Here are the list of yarn weight and its other common name:
| Yarn Weight Symbol& Category Names | 0- lace | 1- super fine | 2- fine | 3- light | 4- medium | 5- bulky | 6- super bulky | 7- jumbo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Also known as | Fingering 10-countcrochet thread, 1-3 ply | Sock, Fingering, Baby, 4 ply | Sport, Baby, 5 ply | DK, LightWorsted, 8 ply | Worsted, Afghan,Aran, 10 -12 ply | Chunky, Craft, Rug, 12-14 ply | Super Bulky,Roving, 14-16 ply | Jumbo, Roving, 16 ply+ |
| RecommendedHook in MetricSize Range | Steel*** 1.6–1.4 mm. Regular hook2.25 mm | 2.25— 3.5 mm | 3.5—4.5 mm | 4.5— 5.5 mm | 5.5— 6.5 mm | 6.5 —9 mm | 9— 15 mm | 15 mm andlarger |
| RecommendedHook U.S.Size Range | Steel*** 6, 7, 8 Regular hook B–1 | B–1 to E–4 | E–4 to 7 | 7 to I–9 | I–9 to K–10 1⁄2 | K–10 1⁄2 toM–13 | M–13 to Q | Q and larger |
Next time you go shop for yarns, don’t simply check out without checking the yarn label; there is the information about yarn weight and type.
For beginners, I recommend medium weight yarn to start. It is easy to learn stitch counting with medium weight yarn.
Choose the right crochet hook size according to yarn weight
If you buy a medium weight yarn, do not buy a crochet hook belong to super fine yarn! You can always check the recommended crochet hook size at the yarn label. Or you can refer to the above chart. Choose crochet hook that is compatible to your yarn weight.
Choose bright color yarn
I don’t recommend working with dark color yarn for beginners. It is difficult to differentiate and count stitches with dark color yarn.
Choose bright color yarn if you are just starting out. This will ease yourself to learn counting stitches. Even your crochet tutor can provide coaching to you easily too.
Know 5 basic crochet stitches
Learn how to make these 5 basic crochet stitches:
- Chain
- Single crochet
- Half double crochet
- Double crochet
- Slip stitch
**Above is US crochet terminology
Even with these 5 basic stitches, there are a lot of awesome crochet projects can be done using these stitches such as bags, flowers, cases, throws, blankets and granny square.
Mastering these stitches allow you to learn the advanced type of stitches which can add ‘spices’ to your project.
Practice chaining until your hands familiar with crocheting
I always encouraged beginners to familiarize their fingers holding crochet hook and yarns by taking time mastering crocheting chain until you get even size of chain stitches.
Just crochet chains until your hands get it. Until you get even chains.
Most beginners including me always get uneven size of chain stitches. That’s ok and normal. I keep chaining until my hands are well coordinated with the crocheting routine.
Learn how to count stitches
As a part of foundation of crocheting skills, knowing how to count stiches is so important. This allows you to know how much you have crochet. This skill also prevents you to skip stitches without you realize it!
Skipping stitches is one of the most common error that new crocheters face. Knowing how to count stitches is really helpful to prevent skipping stitches.
Know how to read crochet patterns
There are two types of crochet patterns. Crocheters from the West side such as US and UK use written pattern. The written pattern consists of abbreviation and written in step by step manner.
Crocheters from Asia use diagram to illustrate the patterns.
Both are great! Some crochet designers use both to provide better instruction to crocheters.
Below are the 5 basic stitches and its diagram pattern:
Know the difference between US and UK crochet terminology
For written crochet pattern, there are two types of crochet terminology: US & UK. Crochet designers are often indicate which crochet terminology they used at the first page of the crochet pattern instruction
Before you start crocheting a written crochet pattern, make sure that you know what crochet terminology that you are using. You can always manually translate the terminology from one another.
You may refer the difference between US & UK crochet terminology in the above table.
There are a lot of free crochet patterns and video tutorials to try for beginner
You don’t have to pay crochet pattern when just starting. There are plenty crochet projects that you can try, either in blog and Youtube. For better illustration, go for Youtube. If you have master how to read crochet patterns, you can skip Youtube and search them at blogs.
Stitch marker save your time from counting stitches
I don’t have a piece of stitch marker until I was in 10th year of crocheting. It took me too long to realize of its importance!
With stitch marker, I don’t have to recount back stitches from the beginning whenever I wanted to know which stitches number that I’m at. I don’t have to lose count in the middle of the project.