Have you ever thought about teaching your child how to crochet? Maybe you want to learn how to crochet and want to learn alongside your child at the same time and the holidays are the perfect time to spend doing things with meaning and purpose. You’ll find all the resources you need in this blog to get you started with my step by step guide and just like any hobby crochet has so many positive impacts on our mental health and its a chance to get creative.
the benefits of crochet
- Crochet is a fun craft that provides children with a creative outlet to express themselves.
- Help with your child’s fine motor skills.
- Children learning how to crochet will also get a boost to their reading, maths and problem solving skills.
- Crochet is calming and therefore great for mindfulness – so it’s fab for reducing stress, boredom and frustration.
- Learning a new skill is a huge boost to self-esteem, provides a sense of accomplishment.
what will my child learn?
In this blog you’ll have all the resources you need to teach your child how to crochet as I’ll walk you through the basics step by step and after that I have a fun free pattern for your child to put their skills to the test by making a lovely friendship bracelet. I’ll also include some further reading around crochet clothing and even more free patterns for your child to try from beginner friendly projects to more advanced. I’ll even include some more quick and easy but also practical crochet ideas to try out, the beauty of quick and easy projects is that you can experiment and make them in multiple different colours which then make great gifts for friends and family to showcase your Childs new skill!
materials and tools: getting started
Before you get started you’ll need to get a few things if you haven’t already, see a recommended shopping list below:
- Crochet Hooks
- Yarn: I recommend starting to learn with a DK, Aran or Chunky yarn. Style Craft by Love Crafts do a great selection of these weights in so many beautiful colours!
- Scissors
- Darning Needle
- Tape Measure
getting started
Below you’ll find a beginners step by step video series to help your child grasp the fundamental stitches used in crochet.
1. foundation chain
To begin you’ll need to learn how to attach your yarn to your hook and begin to chain.
2. double crochet
3. treble crochet
4. half treble crochet
Is your child ready to put their new skills to the test and have something to show their friends? A crochet friendship bracelet is an excellent starting pattern and they are super easy to customise whilst putting your new skills to the test. And whats even more lovely is your child will get to make these for their friends.
When it comes to reading a pattern you will see there are crochet terms and abbreviation. I work using UK terms however some patterns are written in US terms, CLICK HERE for a free conversion chart. I also have a Handy Reference Guide Ebook which is perfect for beginners, you can find the link below the terms and abbreviations.
terms and Abbreviations
- Stitch(s): st(s)
- Chain(s): ch(s): Yarn over, pull through loop on the hook.
- Double Crochet(s): dc(s): Insert hook into stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop, you will have two loops on the hook. Yarn over, pull through remaining two loops.
- Treble Crochet(s): tr(s): Yarn over, insert into stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop, you will have three loops on the hook. Yarn over, pull through two loops, yarn over, pull through remaining two loops.
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.
pin for later
pattern NOTES
- Written in UK terms
materials and tools: friendship bracelet
- Yarn: I have used Style Craft Special DK in colours, fondant, duck egg and shrimp
- Hook: 4mm
- Scissors
- Tape Measure
- Beads: metalic (Optional)
- Beads: multi colours (Optional)
- Sewing needle and thread if you are using beads.
Crochet Friendship bracelet pattern
Time needed: 5 minutes
How to make a crochet friendship bracelet:
- Before we get started…
Use a tape measure to see the circumference of your child’s wrist. This will determine how big you want the bracelet to be.
- Row 1:
When you attach your yarn to the hook make sure you have a long tail end.Ch 3, begin in the 2nd ch from the hook and work 1 dc in each of the next 2 sts. Ch 1 and turn work.
- Row 2:
Begin in the 2nd ch from the hook and work 1 dc in each of the next 2 sts. Ch 1 and turn work.
- Row 3:
Work 1 tr in each of the 2 stitches. Ch 1 and turn work.
- Row 4-end
Repeat Row 2 and Row 3 until your bracelet measure 2 cm less than your wrist measurement ending on a Row 3 repeat.
- Fasten off.
You can then use the loose threads to fasten the bracelet to your wrist.
personalise your bracelets
Using thread, beads, sequins or more yarn you can personalise your crochet friendship bracelets for you and your friends and unleash your creative potential. I have chosen to embellish these bracelets with these adorable moon and star beads I had in my craft box however see the materials and tools list above for some bead suggestions.
granny squares
Is your child ready for another crochet challenge? Well, once your child is confident with the treble crochet, why not try a crochet granny square as they are made up from treble crochets! Granny squares are an icon staple in the crochet and fashion world as we are seeing more and more crochet garments on the high-street. Does your child love to read? They might like to learn a little more about the impacts of fast fashion and crochet on the high-street in these blogs:
- Mass Produced Crochet, Cheap But Not Cheerful
- Crochet on The Highstreet and Why You Shouldn’t Buy it
Learn how to crochet a granny square, you can follow the written pattern here or watch the tutorial below:
Once your child has mastered the granny square the possibilities of turning these satisfying little squares into a project are endless! You’ll feel like there are not enough hours in the day to crochet once you get hooked on granny squares! Check out the patterns below from beginner to more advanced: Ostara Vest, Not The Highstreet Tote Bag and the Coco Bucket Hat.
mood blanket
Is your child eager to make a bigger project with their granny squares?
Crochet a beautiful bespoke mood blanket made up of granny squares. Similar to a temperature blanket however you assign your colours to your emotions and moods.
This crochet mood blanket project is worked over 365 days which equates to crochetting a granny square a day. You can start a mood blanket at any time throughout the year…
colour inspiration
Need help choosing colour combinations?
I have the perfect blog you and your child to read together sharing my top tips choosing yarn colour combinations whilst you sharpen up on your colour theory knowledge.
Quick and easy makes
The lovely thing about quick and easy crochet makes is that you can get creative and make them in several different colours and gift them to your friends and family showcasing your Childs new crochet skills! Don’t you just love a practical, handmade item! I know I do. The following patterns use the stitches your child would have tried earlier on in the post, these fun quick and easy makes are perfectly practical and make lovely gifts: Daisy Bookmark, Nesting Baskets and Crochet Coasters.
easy crochet blankets
Are you ready to move onto a blanket? Crochet blankets just fill me with nostalgia! These beginner friendly crochet blankets do what they say on the tin and allow you to be creative with your colour choices. the Switch it Up/Fast & Easy, By the Sea Blanket and Moss Blanket are all manageable, fun blankets for children to make.
I always love to see your makes so if you try any of my patterns or follow my stitch tutorials please tag me @bellacococrochet or use the #bellacococrochet
sarah-jayne
Teach your Child How To Crochet a Friendship Bracelet
Teach your child how to crochet a friendship bracelet with my step by step pattern.
Materials
- Yarn: I have used Style Craft Special DK in colours, fondant, duck egg and shrimp
Tools
- Hook: 4mm
- Scissors
- Tape Measure
- Beads: (Optional)
- Sewing needle and thread if you are using beads
Instructions
- Use a tape measure to see the circumference of your child’s wrist. This will determine how big you want the bracelet to be.
- Row 1: When you attach your yarn to the hook make sure you have a long tail end.
Ch 3, begin in the 2nd ch from the hook and work 1 dc in each of the next 2 sts. Ch 1 and turn work. - Row 2: Begin in the 2nd ch from the hook and work 1 dc in each of the next 2 sts. Ch 1 and turn work.
- Row 3: Work 1 tr in each of the 2 stitches. Ch 1 and turn work.
- Row 4-end: Repeat Row 2 and Row 3 until your bracelet measure 2 cm less than your wrist measurement ending on a Row 3 repeat.
- Fasten off. You can then use the loose threads to fasten the bracelet to your wrist.
Notes
Adding embellishments: using thread, beads, sequins or more yarn you can personalise your crochet friendship bracelets for you and your friends and unleash your creative potential. I have chosen to embellish these bracelets with these adorable moon and star beads I had in my craft box however see the materials and tools list above for some bead suggestions.
Skip to Instructions
2 Comments
Tricia
August 26, 2020 at 5:23 pmHi! So helpful guide. My daughter is left handed… it has been very difficult to me show her how to start. Any suggestions? A video? I switch hand?
BellaCocoTeam
August 27, 2020 at 6:24 pmI have many left handed tutorials for beginners, here is the link o part one:- https://youtu.be/PmSoXNqpP8Y I hope this helps 🙂