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Hi Everyone! I pray that everything is well with you. So, this is my first post for 2024. With so many people starting to learn how to crochet, I thought that I would start out by talking about some of the things that I wished I knew when I first started to learn how to crochet.
I learned how to crochet over 50 years ago. It was long before YouTube was in existence where you can get so much help on just about anything on the platform. When I learned how to crochet, you either had to depend on someone else showing you or getting instructions and information from a magazine or book.
Fast forward, there are so many things to know and learn about crochet and I’m constantly learning. However, as I look back when I got started, these are 5 things that I thought were prominent on my list that could have benefited me when I got started crocheting. I think that knowing these 5 things could have made my crochet journey a little easier. Therefore, I wanted to share them with you and perhaps they can help you or a friend as you embark on your crochet journey too. So, let’s get started!
- Gauge
- How to Read a Yarn Label
- How to Read a Pattern
- How to Make Yarn Substitutes
- The Difference Between U.S./Canada and U.K. Crochet Terms & Abbreviations
1. Gauge
If you’re making a fitted garment, it’s very important to make a gauge swatch to be sure that your garment will come out the correct size. For example, years ago I was making a sweater for my toddler and I didn’t pay any attention to keeping to the yarn size. I just used any yarn that I had. The sweater came out soooo big and I couldn’t figure out why. Later, when I learned about the importance of knowing about different sizes of yarn and how not using the correct size yarn can impact a pattern, I finally realized my mistake. The Clover Swatch Ruler and Needle Gauge is a good tool that can help you make gauge swatches.
2. How to Read a Yarn Label
There is particularly valuable information on a yarn label, i.e. yarn brand, yarn size, what size crochet hook to use, type of yarn fiber, how to care for the yarn, yardage and yarn weight, color, dye lot, etc. I have a video on YouTube that covers the important information that you need to know on a yarn label.
3. How to Read a Pattern
It’s important to know the skill level of the pattern you intend on making. If you are a beginner, you don’t what to start out making a pattern that is labeled advanced. It could prove to be very frustrating. In addition, it’s also important to understand crochet abbreviations when following a pattern.
You should always use the correct crochet hook, yarn, etc. to be successful in reproducing the pattern. If you must substitute the yarn, make sure that it is the same weight. For example, if the pattern calls for 4 medium weight, the substitute yarn should also be 4 medium weight. Then, you should also check the gauge with the substitute yarn.
In addition, you also should know if the pattern is using U.S./Canada terms or U.K. terms. There is a difference. Please see #5 below to get more information. This book can help you learn how to read crochet patterns. Learn to Read Crochet Patterns, Charts, and Graphs by Dorothy Wilks
4. How to Make Yarn Substitutions
If you have to substitute another yarn for the original called for in a pattern, you have to be sure that the substitute yarn is the same size. You should also make sure the yarn fiber is as close to the original as possible. It’s especially important to make a gauge swatch with the substitute yarn in case you have to adjust your crochet hook size to meet the gauge requirements.
Here is a link to information regarding Yarn Substitution from AllFree Crochet that can help you when you need to substitute yarn.
5. The Difference Between U.S./Canada and U.K. Crochet Terms and Abbreviations
There is a definite difference between U.S. and U.K. Crochet Terms and Abbreviations. So, you should be aware of what terms the author of the pattern is using. For example, the U.S./Canada term for single crochet (sc) is called double crochet (dc) in U.K. terms. Here is a link to the Craft Yarn Council’s list of Crochet Abbreviations. https://www.craftyarncouncil.com/standards/crochet-abbreviations
This is just 5 of the things that I wish I knew at the beginning of my crochet journey. There are still so many more things to learn regarding crochet. That’s what makes crocheting so much fun and you can never get bored. I hope that this information can help you on your crochet journey.
So, what about you? What things did you wish you knew when you first learned to crochet? Please let me know in the comments below.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read this post. In the meantime, have a great day!
MAA, AA
You also might be interested in my blog post The Tops 7 Supplies That You Need To Crochet
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