If you have been contemplating learning how to crochet, you may be feeling a little lost and overwhelmed by all the different information there is to learn.
Don’t worry, it can be confusing as a beginner! That’s why we’re here to help and provide you with a little bit of guidance to get you started.
The important thing to remember is that you should never give up, and keep trying. Something that may have seemed difficult in the beginning, will quickly become like second nature to you, and you’ll feel incredibly proud of yourself each time you complete a new crochet project.
Benefits of Taking Up Crocheting
To start, let’s look at some of the benefits of crocheting. Not only can it just be a fun hobby for a lot of people, there are actually a lot of medical benefits to crocheting.
Reduces Stress
Many people find the act of crocheting to be peaceful, and a stress reliever.
By spending time doing something with your hands, it can help you practise mindfulness, and being in the moment. This mindfulness can help reduce anxiety and stress, as well as boost your overall mood.
Crocheting can be a very relaxing and calming act (once you’ve gotten over the initial frustration as a beginner). If you crochet before you go to bed, it can also help you fall asleep easier.
Helps with memory loss
With hobbies such as knitting and crocheting, you are creating new neural pathways when you learn a new crochet stitch. This has been shown to help reduce the risk of memory impairment.
Because crocheting is a task that requires you to engage in cognitive exercises, it can help you keep your brain sharp, and reduce your chance of memory loss as you age.
What Will You Need?
One of the great things about crocheting is that it is a very inexpensive hobby, and it doesn’t have to take up a lot of storage space in your home.
You only need a few basic, cheap craft supplies to get things started:
Crochet hook: A crochet hook is basically a stick with a hooked end. When you are just beginning, it may be best to buy a pack of hooks with different sizes in it. As you continue to learn new stitches and grow your skill, you will likely start to explore the many different hook sizes and materials that they come in.
Yarn: Obviously the next thing you will need is yarn! There is a lot to consider when choosing your yarn, and we will discuss this further in depth later in the blog. Our yarn is perfect for beginners and starts at $2.99.
Scissors: A good pair of scissors is going to make your life a whole lot easier. You probably already have some scissors lying around, but it might be worth investing in a higher quality pair that is only used for cutting your yarn. This means your scissors will stay sharp, and so when you cut your yarn, it will be a clean cut without lots of loose threads.
Yarn needle: A yarn needle isn’t always needed when crocheting, but for certain types of yarn work it is essential. You will need one to complete things such as weaving in ends, assembling granny squares or adding embellishments. We have incredibly affordable yarn needles, so you are better off getting one right from the get go.
Affordable Yarn For Beginner Crocheters
It’s finally time to talk about yarn!
There are many things to consider when it comes to yarn, such as material and size. Many crochet enthusiasts end up finding that collecting different types and colours of yarn can be almost as fun as actually crocheting.
When you are just starting to crochet, it’s best to go with an affordable option for your yarn. This means you will be able to try a lot of different stitches, without worrying about using too much yarn.
Our cotton yarn comes in a massive range of colours, and is perfect for both beginners and more experienced crocheters. Cotton is also great for any summer or lightweight pieces you wish to create.
Difference Between Crochet and Knitting Yarn?
Crocheting and knitting actually use very similar types of yarn, and there is a lot of crossover. It will usually depend on what you are trying to create, as to whether the yarn is suitable.
Our range of acrylic yarn is also suitable to use for crocheting, and is a very popular choice for beginners.
When choosing your yarn, you will want to consider a whole range of different things. If you want to create something warm and thick, like a baby blanket, you will want a yarn that matches that need. It’s important to match your yarn to the project you’re working on.
You will also want to consider how each type of yarn holds up in a washing machine.
Where To Start?
One of the amazing things about crochet is that there is a massive, friendly community online. You’ll never be alone when learning, there will always be someone willing to offer advice and guidance.
There are a lot of free patterns and tutorials you can find online, but to get you started, you can watch this tutorial. It goes through how to hold your hook and how to insert your hook. It also shows some simple stitches, such as a turning chain stitch, and how to count your stitches.
In terms of choosing your first crochet project, that’s all up to you! Let your creativity come out, and choose something that excites you.
If you don’t have any ideas yet, we recommend starting with something simple, such as a blanket, tea towel or a scarf.
If you’re feeling a bit more brave, we recommend this tutorial on how to make a crochet bucket hat. It’s perfect for Australia, and you can use our cotton yarn to complete it! We stock any of the hooks, yarn or other tools you need, at a cheap price.
So what are you waiting for?
Explore our range of crochet supplies and yarn online or in store today!
Happy crocheting!