Learning to Crochet can be a little overwhelming at first. You might be thinking, where do I start? What do I need? What do I make? If these are questions you have asked yourself then you are in the right place. I want to guide you through a few simple steps to help you get started on your crochet journey and making your own projects in no time.
First of all, I want you to know that you are NOT alone in this journey. Far too many times have I heard people say they tried it once and then gave up. Everyone will learn at their own pace, be patient with yourself. Why not come and join the ‘Bella Coco Crochet Club’ on facebook and get help and support from other members. It’s a happy and supportive place to be.
Also, don’t forget to check out my Handy Reference Guide Ebook which you can download to your phone or tablet or even print out so that you have everything you need I one place.
Contents
What people say about the ebook…
“I love it! Beautiful layout, easy to follow content, and very handy reference to have on hand. Props to you for putting this out!”
–Sarah Taveras
“I highly recommend this e book, instructions are clear and easy to follow, love the tips that are included, its great having the video to go with it, I’m a total beginner its helped me understand the different stitches in both UK and USA, and will help me learn to read patterns”
–Jan Holmes
What do you need?
At first, you don’t need to have a huge amount. As tempting as it is to add 100 balls of yarn to your basket you just don’t need it…YET (hehe)
yarn
I would always recommend a DK (Double Knit) or Aran weight yarn to begin with. Something like Paintbox Simply DK or Stylecraft Special DK is a great place to start. You will notice that I use these a lot for projects and tutorials. I love them because they come in a huge selection of colours and are very good value for money. Both of which are acrylic yarns so if that’s not your thing then simply search for another fibre.
crochet hook
You will also need a crochet hook. You can buy these individually or in a pack. I would always recommend starting with 5mm or 5.5mm hook.
other tools
Embroidery scissors are great for for cutting your loose ends and are small enough to pop in your WIPs (Work in progress) bag.
Tapestry Needles for when it come time to sew in your ends.
You might also want some stitch markers. These come in different shapes and sizes and you may grow to develop your own preference on which ones you like. You may not need them at first but they are a very handy thing to have in your tool kit.
how to crochet – getting started
tips for tension
It’s a common issue to have trouble with tension when you first start to crochet. It could be that you stitches are loose and baggy or so tight you can’t get your hook through. Take a look at the video below to get some tips for tension.
The most important thing here is to KEEP PRACTICING! Don’t feel like you have to hold you hook or yarn like other people. Find the way that works for YOU.
Now that you have your tools, it’s time to get hookin’! The best place to start is your slip knot and chain stitch. This creates the basis for a lot of projects and is often referred to as you foundation chain. The video below should help you get started with these, and remember, you might not get it straight away…but DON’T give up.
holding your hook
This will differ from herpson to person. It’s important to know that you need to hold it in the way that feels most comfortable for you. The two main ways are the knife hold and the pencil hold. Use these as a starting point to see what works best for you.
UK and US crochet terms
At this point in your learning journey, it’s really important to know that there are difference in UK and US crochet terms. On this website, I talk in predominantly UK terms, however, I will always make reference to the US terms too. Whichever you decide to use, it’s a good idea to make yourself familiar with the differences.
crochet stitches
slip knot and starting chain
Okay, so now it’s time to build some stitches onto your foundation chain. We are going to start with a UK Double Crochet (this is also known as a US Single crochet…don’t worry, you can worry about the difference in terms at a later date)
I would recommend that you create a few small practice pieces to begin with until you find your flow. You can then move onto more stitches once you feel a little more confident.
double crochet (UK) – single crochet (US)
half treble crochet (UK) – half double crochet (US)
treble crochet (UK) – double crochet (US)
double treble crochet (UK) – treble crochet (US)
Yay! Well done to you for getting this far! Make sure you share your first practice pieces with the Bella Coco Community so we can tell you how awesome you are!
If you want all of these in one handy place with step by step photos, you might be interested in my Ebook! This Handy reference guide is a crocheters perfect companion!
Unsure of the differences between UK and US terms? Need a refresher on how to do your stitches? In my ‘How to crochet: A handy reference guide’ EBook I help you with all of these terms and you can always have them to hand! You will also get exclusive access to free video instructions. Learn more about the eBook here.
first projects
You might now be eager to get started on a project? Many people start with a granny square blanket for their first project. Here are a few projects I recommend that you can get started with.
What next?
You should now be well on your way with your crochet journey. Now’s your chance to dive into my other tutorials in order to kick start your creativity. You will find a lot of stitch tutorials on my channel. These are designed to teach you the principles of the stitches to adapt and use in your or projects. OR if you want to be guided through a projects, I have tutorials for that too!
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