Groovychook Posted January 19, 2012 Share Posted January 19, 2012 (edited) I've got a bee in my bonnet about wanting to make a granny square blanket! I'm an arty crafty person but have never attempted crochet- wouldn't know where to start! Is it the sort of thing you can learn from a book- if so, can anyone recommend one with clear instructions? Edited February 7, 2016 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted January 19, 2012 Share Posted January 19, 2012 Well I've just learnt and now made a couple. I think I googled the pattern but I have a nice book that takes you from beginning gradually up to more interesting pieces. It's called 'cute and easy Crochet' by Nicki Trench link Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Groovychook Posted January 19, 2012 Author Share Posted January 19, 2012 Ooh, thanks Plum That looks like a lovely book! I might have a looky on youtube for a tutorial video too... Is it the sort of thing where you need loads of different sized hooks? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted January 19, 2012 Share Posted January 19, 2012 Well not so far I've just used a 4.0mm with double knitting so far but bought a set of cheap colourful pretty ones from Amazon but the 4.0 is a different size to mine. But they do look pretty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LolaLayla Posted January 19, 2012 Share Posted January 19, 2012 I went for a day course at a local wool shop. After, I looked online and found some really good tutorials which are easy to follow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted January 20, 2012 Share Posted January 20, 2012 This is a super book for beginners. Crochet Unravelled. Clear and concise. Online videos are very helpful, but you have to remember that US names for stitches are different to ours. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kazzy73 Posted January 20, 2012 Share Posted January 20, 2012 You tube have alot of helpful videos,I taught myself a couple of years ago from a book I bought in the works called learn to crochet,but im always going on you tube to teach myself new stitches and patterns etc."Crochet geek "is a good one to look at on you tube as she does alot of the video in slowmotion so can see how to make the stitch easier.Good luck x x x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Groovychook Posted January 20, 2012 Author Share Posted January 20, 2012 Thanks everyone- there are loads of good suggestions there I went for a day course at a local wool shop. That's an idea- there's a lovely wool shop in town... I might go and see if she'll take me under her wing- just to start me off! By the way Plum, I'd spied those colourful hooks you mentioned on ebay... I might treat myself- no harm in being prepared Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluekarin Posted January 20, 2012 Share Posted January 20, 2012 I learnt crochet about 2 years ago now, by following the step by step instructions on Attic24. Lucy (who's blog it is) does some fabulous stuff and does really great tutorials. Also, looked at youtube vids, and borrowed a book from the library, which I ended up buying. I love it. I've always got loads of ideas going through my head, yet to be started Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miss Millies Chicken Posted January 20, 2012 Share Posted January 20, 2012 I taught myself to crochet last year by using the book that Egluntyne recommended and watching Youtube. Attic24 has some lovely stuff and ideas. I crocheted the petal flower cushion over the christmas hols which has turned out pretty good Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyhunnypie Posted January 20, 2012 Share Posted January 20, 2012 I learnt from You tube! Be careful though as a lot of terms are American they call the stitches different names. For example...American double crochet is the same as a U.K treble! Crochet unravelled is great, as is a really old fashioned book by ladybird or brochure by Patons. Emma.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freddie Posted January 21, 2012 Share Posted January 21, 2012 Where are you in Cornwall, as I'm in N devon, nr Holsworthy?? and I crotchet.. it's cheaper than Gin!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purplemaniacs Posted January 21, 2012 Share Posted January 21, 2012 I learnt many years ago from my great aunt, I don't think I could have done it from a book. I haven't crocheted for years must have a go and see if I can still remember how, I hope so Chrissie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Groovychook Posted January 21, 2012 Author Share Posted January 21, 2012 Where are you in Cornwall, as I'm in N devon, nr Holsworthy?? and I crotchet.. it's cheaper than Gin!! Hiya Freddie, I'm only just just over the border near Launceston- it'd be nice to see you again! I may just pop up your way if I get into a pickle with my on line tutorial! Well, I've just come back from town and have got myself a hook and a ball of wool... the nice lady gave me a printed sheet of instructions too I spent ages last night looking at Attic24- what a great site... I'm itching to get going! I've got a load of books in my wish list on Amazon too and the wool shop lady recommended a gorgeous looking book called 'The Crochet Bible'. She did say to try and master the basics first though. I'll update you with my first efforts later Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted January 21, 2012 Share Posted January 21, 2012 Is it straight into the granny squares? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClaireG Posted January 21, 2012 Share Posted January 21, 2012 This is a super book for beginners. Crochet Unravelled. Clear and concise. Online videos are very helpful, but you have to remember that US names for stitches are different to ours. Have ordered the book, some hooks and wool Am determined i'm going to crack it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Groovychook Posted January 21, 2012 Author Share Posted January 21, 2012 Is it straight into the granny squares? I bloomin' well hope so!! Right- chooks have been shut in, cup of tea is at the ready... I can't wait till this evening! Printed instructions from wool shop lady already look like gobbledegook- I'm off to find a good video for simpletons! Prepare for my next post to contain a 'banging head against wall' smiley... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted January 21, 2012 Share Posted January 21, 2012 no it will be a granny knot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Groovychook Posted January 21, 2012 Author Share Posted January 21, 2012 I have done a chain... a very long chain!! It took a few rewinds to get my slip knot mastered The wool feels really weird wrapped around my fingers and I don't feel like I've got any control over it! The nice American man who's teaching me has been trying to get me to move onto the next stitch for the past ten minutes, but he may as well be speaking in tongues... I'm just cracking on with my chain for now- I'm sure I'll be able to find a use for it?!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted January 21, 2012 Share Posted January 21, 2012 Chicken lead? Do we get a photo of the chain Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Groovychook Posted January 21, 2012 Author Share Posted January 21, 2012 Chicken lead? Do we get a photo of the chain Noooo! I will master something other than the chain. I really, really will! I have had a few attempts at 'breaking out' into the next row... fell out with my American friend and have moved onto nice lady called 'Girlybunches'. I'm struggling to keep my tension loose. Grrrrr!! Might have something to do with the fact that I've just felt a tug on the end of my wool. Got up and followed the trail of lovely pink yarn, all the way up the hall and into the kitchen, where small dog who shall not be named had gathered said wool into an arrangement of his liking under his dog blanket. I am now entering a mode of detangling. This might take some time, as small dog and bad tabby cat think it is the best game ever. I think I may need a hermetically sealed room for crocheting in future. Humph Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted January 21, 2012 Share Posted January 21, 2012 Sounds familiar Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Groovychook Posted January 21, 2012 Author Share Posted January 21, 2012 Naughty! My lovely wool smells of James Wellbeloved ocean fish biscuits now! Anyway, I have progressed and have now and managed to reverse up my chain stitch- a double crochet?! That's enough stress for one evening- I'll try and do another row tomorrow ... A granny square seems ever so slightly unachievable at the moment! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goosey Lucy Posted January 21, 2012 Share Posted January 21, 2012 To help with your tension, try using a hook larger than you need for your chain. Then use the proper size for the first proper row onwards. Hope this helps you as much as it did me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClaireG Posted January 25, 2012 Share Posted January 25, 2012 Thanks to the Crochet Unravelled book and a bit of youtube footage, i've managed to do double crochet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
