Do’s & Don’ts: Crochet for Beginners

Hi Everyone!  I’m Ashley, the designer and maker behind The Loopy Lamb.  I’m so excited to be invited back to the Clover blog to talk about some do’s and don’ts of crochet for beginners.

Let’s start with some of the Do’s:

DO learn the standard abbreviations for crochet stitches and techniques
Learning these things up-front sets a foundation for you to expand your skillset and assists in understanding written patterns.  Check out the Craft Yarn Council Website for a full listing of the standard abbreviations used in crochet.

DO learn about gauge and how to measure it
Gauge may not be vital for every type of project but if you want to get the same results as the designer or that crochet garment, hat or mittens to fit, then you’ll need to understand what gauge is, how to measure it and how to match it.

 

DO take time to take care of yourself
Crocheting for hours on end may seem enticing but taking time to stretch, take breaks and make sure your posture is good will keep you from injuring yourself.

DO read the pattern thoroughly BEFORE starting it
Read the pattern to make sure you understand what you’ll need to do so you can look up or learn anything you don’t know yet or understand before starting.  It’ll save you time and frustration down the road.

DO learn about yarn and how to care for it
Save yourself some money, time and potential heartbreak by learning about the yarn you want to use and how to care for the finished project made from that yarn.  You’ve put time and care into creating those handmade pieces, you want to make sure they last.

 

Let’s Cover Some of the Don’ts

 

DON’T crochet if you feel pain.
Taking frequent breaks to stretch your hands/wrists will help to keep you healthy and pain-free.  If you feel pain, take a break until you can crochet pain-free again.

 

DON’T be afraid to try new things
Just because you may not know how to do a technique or it may seem intimidating, don’t hesitate to give it a try.  You can learn so many new and wonderful techniques by stepping out of your comfort zone and giving it a shot.  You may even try something that turns out becomes a new favourite technique or style.

 

DON’T give up when you hit a roadblock
If you find yourself struggling to master a technique or you think your work isn’t good enough, don’t give up.  Many crocheters feel like this or struggle to learn something from time to time.  Don’t give up when the going gets tough.  You’ll improve with practice.

 

DON’T disregard blocking
Blocking can dramatically improve the look of your project and after spending all that time making your project, you want it to look it’s best.  Learn how to and when it’s best to block your projects to help open up those stitches to help them live their best life.

 

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