How to Crochet for Beginners | Part 1

If you’re looking to get into the vintage craft that 53% of young consumers ages 18 to 34 have come to love, we have everything you need to know about crocheting. In part one of our beginner’s guide to this time-honored craft, we provide three vital steps to crocheting that even beginners can understand and learn.

1. Buy the Proper Supplies

Fortunately, you don’t need many items to be able to enjoy crocheting. You’ll need just three basic crochet supplies: a crochet hook, some type of fiber—yarn and crochet thread are the most common—and scissors. If you’ve never crocheted before, there are a few different things you should know when it comes to the different types of yarn.

Natural Fiber Yarn Types:

• Wool
• Cotton
• Hemp
• Linen
• Silk
• Cashmere
• Alpaca/llama wool
• Angora

Synthetic Yarn Blend Types:

• Acrylic
• Bamboo
• Nylon
• Polyester
• Rayon

Each type of yarn has its own benefits, whether that be its strength, cost, or functionality in projects. Either way, if you’re a beginner, we suggest starting with an inexpensive yarn—such as basic wool yarn—as you learn.

2. Learn How to Hold the Needle

Before you start learning crochet techniques, we’d like to quickly discuss how you should hold the crochet hook. There are a couple different ways you can hold a crochet hook, and the one you choose should simply depend on which way feels best for you. Those who crochet fall into two separate categories: “pencil” grippers or “knife” grippers. A pencil grip (holding the hook the same way you would hold a pencil) will give you more control over the hook. The knife grip (similar to holding a dinner knife) is often claimed to be easier on your hands, but it’s a bit less precise than pencil grip. Try both grips and see which works better for you.

3. Start with a Slip Knot

The first step to getting started in crochet is learning the simple slip knot. Forming a slip knot is how you will begin any crochet project. To start, hold the yarn in your left hand, in between your thumb and index finger—letting the yarn relax over your index finger. The tail of the yarn should be in front of your finger (facing you).

Holding the hook in your right hand and keeping it facing upward, slip the hook between your index finger and the yarn. Use the hook to lift the yarn above your left hand, turning the hook in a circle to create a loose loop of yarn on the hook.

Meanwhile, hold the end tail of the yarn in your left hand between your middle finger and thumb to create tension. Then, use your index finger to wrap the yarn over the top of the crochet hook from behind. Then use the hook to pull the yarn through the loop you previously created. You’ll then want to pull on both ends of the yarn to tighten up the loop, but don’t make it too tight.

You’ve mastered your first slip knot, and as you practice, you’ll become more confident in your abilities. Next, you can move onto chain stitching—you’re on your way to becoming a crochet master!