Learn to Crochet With Me in 2017

When we asked about your crafting resolutions earlier this week, I admitted something: I can’t really crochet. So my plan for 2017 was to learn how.

When I say I want to learn how to crochet, I don’t mean that I want to just learn a few stitches and never think about it again. I mean I want to be a functional crocheter who can read patterns and make nice garments. Ultimately, I’d like to be as skilled at crochet as I am at knitting, but I have a head start of several years, so that might take awhile.

The Plan

For this series, we’re going to alternate learning new skills with projects that use them. That way, you get to see how these stitches and techniques work in the context of a pattern, and you get to practice them over and over. Instead of just repeating the stitches you learn on scrap yarn, you’ll end up with finished garments you can actually wear.

Crochet Level 1 Wristers

We’re going to start next week by learning to chain and work the single crochet stitch. Then, the following week we will work the Level 1 Wristers pictured above — which only use those two stitches.

Crochet Level 2 Hat

After that, we’ll move into half-double and double crochet, then into reading patterns. From there we’ll make the Level 2 Hat, which will also give us the opportunity to learn how to change colors.

Three Color Tonal Cowl

Next we will learn to crochet in the round. To practice that, we’ll work the Three Color Tonal Cowl. This will also give us a chance to keep working on some of our stitches, as well as reading a slightly more complicated pattern.

Crochet Level 3 Ripple Cowl

The last set of techniques we will learn is increasing and decreasing. We will also touch on chart reading. We will practice both of these skills by making the Level 3 Ripple Cowl.

This may sound like a lot — and indeed, I know I’m being ambitious here —  but you don’t have to keep up the same pace. If you struggle with a technique, work on it a bit longer. The next post will be waiting for you whenever you’re ready.

Learning Materials

To learn a new skill, you will need some new tools and materials. If you’re a knitter, you probably already have many things, like darning needles, measuring tape, scissors, and so on. So really it’s the hooks and yarn that you’ll want to get.

If you look at the patterns we’ll be making, you’ll see that three of the four call for Heartland®. I used that yarn during the Curvy Girl Knit-Along, and it was a great choice to work with. It’s comfortable to hold and has a light feeling, which is ideal for beginners. However, I decided to shake things up a bit. I’m using one of our new yarns — Jeans®! It’s the same weight as Heartland®, so they can be used interchangeably. In fact, if you have a preference, any of our category 4 yarns will work. The wristers use one skein, and the hat and cowl both use one skein each of two different colors.

All of these projects are relatively small, so you may not need the full skeins of yarn for each one. In all likelihood, you can get away with three total skeins — two in one color, one in another.

The Three Color Tonal Cowl uses — you guessed it — Wool-Ease® Tonal. You’ll need one skein each of three colors. Any three will do, so you can be as subdued or as bright as you want. I went with Raspberry, Cabernet, and Fuchsia.

You may also want to purchase a single skein of any other mid-weight yarn for practicing. Vanna’s Choice© is a good option for this because it has good stitch definition and is inexpensive. You can also use scraps from your own stash if you prefer.

One word of warning, however: in all of these projects, you’ll want to stick with light or bright colors. Avoid darker shades like black, charcoal gray, chocolate brown, navy, etc. They make it very hard to see the stitches, and that will make learning a whole lot more difficult.

As far as hooks go, you’ll need an I-9 for the wristers, a a J-10 for the hat and ripple cowl, and an N-13 for the Tonal cowl. If you are using Vanna’s Choice or another category 4 yarn for practice, the J-10 should work there as well.

Your Assignment

If you want to start alongside me, this week you should gather your materials. You’ll just need practice yarn and an appropriate hook next week, since we’ll be learning the first basic stitches. You may want to peruse our Learn to Crochet section to get an idea of what we’ll be doing.