quickcluck Posted January 18, 2015 Share Posted January 18, 2015 Hi guys. Have never crocheted but can knit. Would like to look into learning to crochet flowers so I could put them together for a blanket..... anyone have any advice on where to begin? Or which wool should be used? Do crochet hooks come in sizes like knitting needles? I think I'll be able to find some info on good old youtube.... but if difficult when you dont even know where to start! Thanks K Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted January 18, 2015 Share Posted January 18, 2015 Start with a size 2,5 or 3 hook and use cotton rather than wool. Wool stretches, which makes it harder to use and get right. I would start with the basics and a good one would be making a phone cover. Just a square which you can fold over and close up with a needle and some yarn. Phildar, Kania, Catania all do a simple cotton for 2,5 to 3,5 hooks in lots of colours. A good source of patterns is Ravelry. They have lots of free ones, but you do need to make an account. (Lots of knitting patterns too!) If you need any help, just give a shout! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted January 18, 2015 Share Posted January 18, 2015 Yes, crochet hooks come in all sorts of sizes just like knitting needles. I'm another big fan of Ravelry. As well as lots of different patterns, many of them free, you can see what other people have made and what yarn they used. For some really clear tutorials, look at Lucy at Attic 24 - a great blog as well as lots of free patterns and step-by-step guides. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purplemaniacs Posted January 18, 2015 Share Posted January 18, 2015 I agree with Olly, Attic 24 is great. I learnt to do a Granny Ripple blanket (I think it was called) for my grandchild, the instructions are lovely and clear. I have also made her Christmas Advent garland. Good luck, I like crocheting as well as knitting. Chrissie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Groovychook Posted January 18, 2015 Share Posted January 18, 2015 Another fan of Attic 24 here That's where I learnt to crochet after months of frustration trying to follow instructions on youtube and books. Her tutorials are so easy to follow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kinsk Posted January 18, 2015 Share Posted January 18, 2015 I can't knit, although it is my mission for 2015 to at least get to drips with the basics, but because of this I started to learn to crochet. I bought a basic book which explained stitches and persevered with squares until it made sense. There are a lot of online resources, but what I wish I'd known is that some are US and some UK patterns. I didn't realise this for a while and then it clicked why somethings just didn't look right. This maybe the same with knitting patterns? If there is a reference to single crochet it's US, there are a lot of conversions charts though if you google them. Will be off to look at attic 24 now though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted January 18, 2015 Share Posted January 18, 2015 I still sometimes have to look up some of the abreviations! Don't know which one is which, but one talks about treble where the other calls it a double crochet... Mix in some Dutch patterns and some project turn out slightly different than planned! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted January 18, 2015 Share Posted January 18, 2015 Thanks for the tip of Attic24 For someone who was given a crochet hook and some wool as a present it will be a useful site, but I don't understand all the shorthand jargon And I can't knit either so none of the talk makes any sense Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted January 18, 2015 Share Posted January 18, 2015 It's just a matter of starting with it and along the way you'll discover what works and what not. Another great starting point would be a circle. No turning your work etc. I always use this magic circle, which makes life easier! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted January 18, 2015 Share Posted January 18, 2015 And this is something I'll be making some day... Already made the giraffe once for my mom! Sorry but once I've started about crochetting, it's hard to stop... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Groovychook Posted January 18, 2015 Share Posted January 18, 2015 And this is something I'll be making some day... Already made the giraffe once for my mom! Sorry but once I've started about crochetting, it's hard to stop... Oh I LOVE that!! I really like Heidi Bears designs... I made a bird using one of her patterns last year Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted January 18, 2015 Share Posted January 18, 2015 Here is my giraffe! And just noticed she has two new patterns, the snowman and owl... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Groovychook Posted January 18, 2015 Share Posted January 18, 2015 Wow! It's stunning I love the way you can 'sculpt' a shape using geometric patterns! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimnpaula Posted January 18, 2015 Share Posted January 18, 2015 (edited) Crochet Unravelled: A Clear and Concise Guide to Learning Crochet by Claire Bojczuk is a very useful little booklet to help you start off. And yes, watch out for US or UK patterns as they have similar terms for stitches but US single crochets = UK double crochet, US doubles are UK trebles - check the pattern carefully first; I'm a musician so I don't have too much trouble transposing though! Edited January 18, 2015 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Groovychook Posted January 18, 2015 Share Posted January 18, 2015 I think my best advice would be... to be prepared to be very frustrated for a time but don't give up! All of a sudden, all will become clear. I learnt from my many mistakes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kinsk Posted January 18, 2015 Share Posted January 18, 2015 I think my best advice would be... to be prepared to be very frustrated for a time but don't give up! All of a sudden, all will become clear. I learnt from my many mistakes Very true!! I remember getting so frustrated but perseverance paid off. What I found easier with crochet is that when you do go wrong it's a lot easier to unravel your work back to where the mistake is, something I just can't do with knitting so have to start again from scratch rather than just a few stitched back or the beginning of the row! You may find to start with that stitch markers help, especially if working rounds. ETA - I love that dragon! Just signing up to ravelry now to see your giraffe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted January 18, 2015 Share Posted January 18, 2015 ETA - I love that dragon! Just signing up to ravelry now to see your giraffe. Oops.. Didn't realise you need an account to view that too... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kinsk Posted January 18, 2015 Share Posted January 18, 2015 ETA - I love that dragon! Just signing up to ravelry now to see your giraffe. Oops.. Didn't realise you need an account to view that too... Don't apologise!! Something else to waste a bit of time on now Your giraffe is amazing!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted January 21, 2015 Share Posted January 21, 2015 Absolutely LOVE that dragon.(sorry, couldn't see the giraffe) Think looking at something like that makes me feel I should try harder to start learning to crochet. Perhaps I will try on Friday after work, I really must. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted January 21, 2015 Share Posted January 21, 2015 (edited) Heidi Bears has a free ducky that uses the same techniques. I wouldn't start too big... It might put you off of crocheting once you finally finished. It took me a few of those flowers to get the hang of the whole thing and half way through putting my giraffe together, I discovered I used the wrong technique... But left it at that. It has a slightly different appearance than planned. One of the other projects I started were these little snowmen. Not too hard, but fun to make and you have something finished within an hour. Edited January 21, 2015 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted January 21, 2015 Share Posted January 21, 2015 Had a look at both of those Cat tails - they are fab. I must try harder to get started (if only there was nothing else to do) Friday is the day !!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quickcluck Posted January 21, 2015 Author Share Posted January 21, 2015 Well. I have hooks here now and DH is going to delve into the loft for some wool to have a go with so will try this weekend.... wish me luck. Thanks for the sites I have saved them all for reference! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted January 21, 2015 Share Posted January 21, 2015 Good luck you both! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kinsk Posted January 22, 2015 Share Posted January 22, 2015 I wouldn't start too big... It might put you off of crocheting once you finally finished. A very good point. Definitely try to pick something where you can see the results sooner rather than later. My second project I started was a throw, half way through I thought I'd never get to the end, two years on it's still not finished I love the duck and the snowmen are going in the file for next Christmas. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicken shack Posted January 22, 2015 Share Posted January 22, 2015 I haven't crochet for 30 years and want to start again. Where can I buy hard copy patterns from I don't want to down load Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
