keithurbanlovinpea
Pearl Clutcher
Flowing with the go...
Posts: 4,267 
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Post by keithurbanlovinpea on Nov 11, 2015 19:56:14 GMT
If someone you knew wanted to learn, what would you tell them to buy as starting supplies, and would you recommend a book or a video series or You Tube?
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Post by Patter on Nov 11, 2015 20:45:30 GMT
As far as learning from a book or YouTube it depends on how they learn best/easier. I am a visual learner so books rarely do anything for me. I need videos or to see it in person. There are a wonderful series of lessons here that may help. www.craftyminx.com/2011/10/crochet-school-lesson-1.html |
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Post by withapea on Nov 11, 2015 21:00:13 GMT
I learned through online tutorials and YouTube videos.
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Post by RiverIsis on Nov 11, 2015 21:03:25 GMT
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Post by snugglebutter on Nov 11, 2015 21:11:36 GMT
I learned back in the late 90's and used a book called "I Can't Believe I'm crocheting!" I chose it because it had good instructions for lefties. I'm pretty sure this book is still around but I haven't looked lately. IME working the first row into the chain is the hardest part to learn, and I'm sure videos would help this.
That book suggested an H hook and a light colored acrylic yarn (like Red Heart) to start. You will also need scissors and a yarn needle for finished projects. Cotton dishcloth yarn (Peaches and Cream) is also good, as dishcloths make good beginner projects.
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Post by baylorgrad on Nov 11, 2015 21:49:24 GMT
I do better learning from books -- I hated stopping, going back, etc when watching videos. I also got a kids crochet book. The pictures are larger and the explanations are much clearer. An H (5 mm) hook or an I (5.5 mm) hook are good beginner hooks, as is worsted weight yarn.
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Post by Butterfly Momma on Nov 11, 2015 21:53:50 GMT
I was just going to suggest Mikey from Crochetcrowd.com - the link that RiverIsis provided is his YouTube channel. As for supplies - I would suggest a midweight yarn and the corresponding recommended hook size (it will give the suggested hook size on the yarn wrapper). Stay away from novelty yarns at first - ones with sparkles, shiny, textured. They are harder to keep track of stitches in. |
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keithurbanlovinpea
Pearl Clutcher
Flowing with the go...
Posts: 4,267
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Post by keithurbanlovinpea on Nov 11, 2015 21:57:59 GMT
Thanks everyone! Today is the last day for my 25% off entire purchase at Michael's, so off I go.
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Post by jamielynn on Nov 11, 2015 23:34:53 GMT
I would recommend a skein of worsted weight yarn, cotton or wool - as I don't care for acrylic unless it is mixed with something else. Not a dark color like black/brown/navy as it's hard to see stitches.
I like The Crafty Minx blog "crochet school." She has a lesson a day and you start when you please and can stop whenever you like. She does video tutorials.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
May 13, 2024 10:11:26 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Nov 11, 2015 23:45:59 GMT
So you are making your first project! Splurge!
Nice yarn is , well, nice to work with. It does not get tangled as bad and slips off the the needle or hook easier.
I found a $$$ skein of yarn at the thrift store. The first time I had ever used a yarn so expensive. Oh my, now I am spoiled.
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Post by scrapsotime on Nov 12, 2015 0:02:04 GMT
As someone who taught themselves to crochet left-handed from a right-handed book, I would first tell them to not give up to soon.
Second, I don't care what any book or video says, there is no right or wrong way to hold your hook or yarn. Whatever feels comfortable and works for is you what you should do.
Last, relax. Most people hold everything too tight in the beginning.
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milocat
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,433
Location: 55 degrees north in Alberta, Canada
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Post by milocat on Nov 12, 2015 0:25:24 GMT
Yes Mikey from Crochet Crowd is great. I taught myself from You Tube videos lat year, I'm left handed. i would say a lighter coloured yarn is easier to see in the beginning. Nothing too fancy and furry either. I would also recommend a granny square or stripe pattern if she is going to do blankets or just for practice. You stab into the hole not the stitch so you learn the rhythm of the stitch but it's more forgiving and not too finicky.
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Post by yoursweetwhimsy on Nov 12, 2015 0:29:09 GMT
I learned using you-tube. I still use it when I am trying a new stitch. It feels so awkward at first but then it feels like you could do it with your eyes closed. Have fun!
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Post by jeremysgirl on Nov 12, 2015 1:13:41 GMT
I learned with the Stitch and Bitch book, the Happy Hooker.
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Post by RiverIsis on Nov 12, 2015 1:53:42 GMT
I learned with the Stitch and Bitch book, the Happy Hooker. OK that is worth quoting just love on the names!  |
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likescarrots
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,879
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Post by likescarrots on Nov 12, 2015 2:12:51 GMT
I learned better on bulkier yarn so maybe some Lion Brand Hometown USA. I prefer metal hooks with a flat hook area - like Susan Bates. And I learned to crochet using the Stitch 'N Bitch Crochet, The Happy Hooker book.
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peaclare
Junior Member
Posts: 74
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Post by peaclare on Nov 12, 2015 2:25:03 GMT
Perfect timing! I was just looking this up:)
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Deleted
Posts: 0
May 13, 2024 10:11:26 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Nov 12, 2015 2:59:58 GMT
Perfect timing! I was just looking this up:) Me too. I just bought hooks and some yarn and a small beginners book. Years ago my grandma taught me the basic zig zag chain and I made an afghan. I want to do more now. |
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Post by Jen in NCal on Nov 12, 2015 4:34:01 GMT
I learned with the Stitch and Bitch book, the Happy Hooker. Me too!! |
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AmyS
Full Member
Enrich your life through crochet. (tm)
Posts: 178
Location: North Alabama
Jun 26, 2014 3:16:46 GMT
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Post by AmyS on Nov 12, 2015 6:12:43 GMT
Some people on YouTube, even wildly popular people, have incorrect stitch instructions in their videos. I personally recommend the learn to crochet videos that designer Kim Guzman did on behalf of The Crochet Guild of America. Kim most definitely knows exactly what she is doing. She is also a very good teacher. She has both right and left handed versions available. (It's simple: You just have your video editing software flip the video. Then edit in some word replacements in the audio, unless you've been careful to have a script that will work for both versions.)
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keithurbanlovinpea
Pearl Clutcher
Flowing with the go...
Posts: 4,267
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Post by keithurbanlovinpea on Nov 12, 2015 13:06:12 GMT
Wow! I did not realize there were so many crochet folks here (and around in general). My grandma taught me when I was very young, but in watching/reading Craftyminx, I was happy to see that she dropped it for the same reason I did... scratchy, ugly afghan memories. LOL
In any case, I thought I would try again. I am hoping to get to a point where I can do it sort of "mindlessly" and I don't mean that offensively because it is a craft, but I like to have something to do with my hands while I watch TV and relax in the winter.
I did buy some yarn and hooks yesterday, and successfully got back into chain stitches, but looping back into the chain was difficult. I know it will take practice, but I blame the yarn partially. It doesn't give at the back humps like I see in the videos. Probably because it is 100% acrylic. I also think my inexpensive hook is not the best.
I will keep practicing and maybe invest in better yarn as suggested.
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Post by Patter on Nov 12, 2015 14:32:19 GMT
I have used many crochet hooks in my 35+ years of crocheting. My favorite now that I have carpal tunnel are the Addi Swing hooks. Awesome. Truly worth every penny. They glide so beautifully with any yarn even acrylic.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
May 13, 2024 10:11:26 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Nov 12, 2015 14:45:32 GMT
I have used many crochet hooks in my 35+ years of crocheting. My favorite now that I have carpal tunnel are the Addi Swing hooks. Awesome. Truly worth every penny. They glide so beautifully with any yarn even acrylic.
I am so tempted by those hooks, I've been doing a lot of crocheting recently and I find that my wrist is becoming painful after a while. I may have to have a try! I second what people have said about starting with a better quality yarn, the cheaper, scratchier ones are a bit off putting. I like cottons for blankets but some acrylics are much better than others, it's wise to squish them all  |
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Post by Patter on Nov 12, 2015 14:53:38 GMT
@bumpsy, purchase just one (the size you use the most) and give it a try. I love them. |
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ginacivey
Pearl Clutcher
refupea #2 in southeast missouri
Posts: 4,685
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Post by ginacivey on Nov 12, 2015 17:52:38 GMT
I would recommend a skein of worsted weight yarn, cotton or wool - as I don't care for acrylic unless it is mixed with something else. Not a dark color like black/brown/navy as it's hard to see stitches. I like The Crafty Minx blog "crochet school." She has a lesson a day and you start when you please and can stop whenever you like. She does video tutorials. you might not like acrylic but it's definitely the best for a beginning crocheter it has enough heft to make the stitches easier to see - i was trying to help a friend learn with cotton yarn...it was very frustrating....all it took was a switch to some red heart super saver yarn gina |
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Post by baylorgrad on Nov 12, 2015 18:14:53 GMT
I have used many crochet hooks in my 35+ years of crocheting. My favorite now that I have carpal tunnel are the Addi Swing hooks. Awesome. Truly worth every penny. They glide so beautifully with any yarn even acrylic.
, how many of those Addi Swing hooks do you have? I bought one -- can't remember the size off the top of my head -- and really don't like it. It doesn't fit well with how I hold my hooks. If you're looking for another hook, I'd be glad to send mine to you! I just need to check the size. |
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Post by RiverIsis on Nov 12, 2015 18:46:25 GMT
Anyone have a good hint on keeping track of how many stitches in that first row. I have rechained that first row so many times (too tight, still too tight, still too tight, oh not even, too loose etc.) now I think I can chain in my sleep but I lose count even going back to count at this rate the baby will be getting this as a graduation present!
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Post by elaine on Nov 12, 2015 19:01:15 GMT
I also learned from The Happy Hooker.
I don't like my Addi swing hooks that much because the hooks themselves aren't aluminum. I much prefer my Tulip hooks and Clover Soft Touch hooks because they are polished aluminum and the yarn glides better for me.
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Post by elaine on Nov 12, 2015 19:03:28 GMT
Anyone have a good hint on keeping track of how many stitches in that first row. I have rechained that first row so many times (too tight, still too tight, still too tight, oh not even, too loose etc.) now I think I can chain in my sleep but I lose count even going back to count at this rate the baby will be getting this as a graduation present! Buy a pack of crochet locking stitch markers - the kind that are like plastic safety pins. After each 10 or 20 chains - you decide - place a stitch marker. So you will be able to keep track and not lose your place. |
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keithurbanlovinpea
Pearl Clutcher
Flowing with the go...
Posts: 4,267
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Post by keithurbanlovinpea on Nov 12, 2015 19:09:11 GMT
I would recommend a skein of worsted weight yarn, cotton or wool - as I don't care for acrylic unless it is mixed with something else. Not a dark color like black/brown/navy as it's hard to see stitches. I like The Crafty Minx blog "crochet school." She has a lesson a day and you start when you please and can stop whenever you like. She does video tutorials. you might not like acrylic but it's definitely the best for a beginning crocheter it has enough heft to make the stitches easier to see - i was trying to help a friend learn with cotton yarn...it was very frustrating....all it took was a switch to some red heart super saver yarn gina The yarn I bought has fibers that make up the yarn strand and I keep getting the hook caught inside the fibers. Very frustrating. |
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