Why you should learn how to crochet & other tips for beginners

    I've dabbled in my fair share of hobbies over the years , but nothing ever truly stuck until I discovered fiber arts. I started with cross stitch, then I picked up crochet, and then I'm buying knitting needles and a sewing machine too. I love every single one of them but crochet is the one I'd recommend to anyone curious about fiber arts. it's approachable, versatile, and endlessly rewarding. Whenever a friend even hints at an interest, I can't help but try to nudge them towards picking up a hook and some yarn. Since you're here, I'm guessing you're curious too-- so let me tell you why crochet is the perfect hobby.

1. It's cheap

    Crochet is one of the cheapest hobbies out there as you don't need many things to get started. You'll need a hook and some yarn to start, and eventually a yarn needle (aka a darning needle) and some scissors to finish off whatever you make, and you can get all of this for under $10. You don't need any fancy yarn and you definitely don't need a Woobles kit. And then at the end of it you've got a scarf or fingerless mittens or whatever other beginner project you choose to start with.

  

2. It's easy

    Easy is subjective, of course, but I truly believe that anyone can do it. And if we're comparing it to knitting, crochet is the much easier choice. If you find yourself struggling and frustrated trying to learn, you might just need to go to a different source. If one Youtube tutorial isn't working, try another, or try TikTok. I've learned so many things about crochet from silent GIFs on Pinterest. You can check out books or ask Reddit whatever question you have.

    It's kind of like riding a bike without the training wheels for the first time. It feels wobbly and unstable at first, maybe even thinking, "This is impossible." But the learning curve is so steep, you're zooming in no time. You can learn the few basic stitches in an afternoon and that's all you need to know in order to make a ton of stuff.

  

3. It's the perfect amount of distraction

    Are you ever watching TV and you're kind of bored so you pick up your phone so you have something else to do with your brain and hands, but then you get so distracted by your phone that you totally miss what happens in the show? Crochet is the perfect activity to keep your brain and hands occupied while still allowing you to pay attention to the TV. And then you can watch TV and still feel like you're being productive.

  

4. It's super portable

    I often put a hook and some yarn into a fanny pack and take it wherever I'm going. I've crocheted in many different forms of transportation, cars, trains, planes. I'll bring it to a friend's house to crochet while we chat. It's mindless and occupying at the same time making it the perfect way to pass idle time.

5. Health Benefits

    There are so many different health benefits of crochet. According to some scientific studies, activities with repetitive motion such as crochet actually release serotonin in the brain. And when you're doing something you like, your brain releases dopamine. It's said to help with anxiety and depression. 

    Crochet is often seen as a form of meditation due to the repetitive motions and rhythmic nature of it. That means you can likely expect the benefits that come from meditation to also come with crochet. These benefits include stress relief, improved concentration, lower blood pressure, and better sleep. I've personally noticed I fall asleep much faster since learning how to crochet.

6. The possibilities are endless

    There are SO many things you can make with crochet. This is part of what makes it seem intimidating, but also what keeps it fun. As I said, you can learn the few basic stitches, leave it at that, and still be able to make a ton of things. It can be as easy or as difficult as you want to make it. I tend to flip flop between challenging projects and mindless relaxing ones. The picture I included with this post is a collage of some of my favorite crochet projects. Some amigurumi, some tapestry crochet, some micro crochet, big projects, small projects. And this leads me to my next point.

7. Boosts confidence and self-esteem

I noticed that it feels really good to feel proud of myself, like all the time. There is a unique sense of pride that comes with holding a real life item that you made with your own two hands (and hook). It builds a sort of confidence like "If I can do this, I can do so much more." And, at the end of the day it sounds pretty impress to say that you learned how to crochet or, "Thanks, I made it."

  

Other tips for beginners

-Go for a brightly colored 100% acrylic yarn. Weight 4 medium weight yarn is usually suggested but I found better luck on weight 5 bulky yarn to start. Acrylic fibers provide some stretch which is helpful as beginners usually have a tighter tension (which brings me to my next point).

-Look at the yarn label to find the picture of the little hook and look for the hook size in millimeters. You might want to size up a half or even a whole millimeter. So, for example, if the label calls for a 5mm hook, you can go with that or you can try out a 5.5mm or 6mm. The label is merely a jumping off point, and it's much easier to work with looser stitches than tighter ones.

-Use a stitch marker! Every beginner thinks, "I don't need a stitch marker, I can see what I'm doing." And then they end up with trapezoid instead of a rectangle, myself included. That being said, you don't have to purchase stitch markers. You can use other things around the house such as a safety pin, paperclip, small hoop earring, ect.

-Don't worry too much about mistakes. Not only are they more noticeable to you than anyone else, but also they are the best way to learn. 

-Don't feel like you have to fully understand things right away. Things will click in different stages. Try just picking a beginner project and learning skills as you go.

I hope these tips helped you feel ready to dive into the world of crochet! If you have any questions, need some extra guidance, or just want to chat about yarn, feel free to send me a message @funkyfreshfibers on Instagram. I’d love to help you get started or cheer you on as you tackle your first project!