FAO ER - crochet

Atm, I am just making things to order (hats, blankets etc). I am REALLY new to crochet (literally, a couple of months), so am still learning.

I am working on a granny square (6mm) blanket for my friend (as requested, for a Christmas present), along with a scarf. I would love to try clothing, but struggle with following patterns.

I don't follow any blogs etc, I just teach myself basic stitches via YouTube, and work from there.

No help, am I?

I had a breakdown with crochet the other day.

Ive tesirted to mrmini watching a YouTube video, learning himself and then teaching me.

not working and we may well kill each other over it.

This facebook page is great for inspiration & they post lots of links to patterns: https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Creative-Crochet-Collective/142317845834754?fref=ts

I use YouTube tutorials to learn new stuff too.

Ducky made an amazing hat this week!

What's the basic kit I should buy so that I can learn?

I started with some cheapo wool to practice with, and a pack of mixed sized crochet hooks (under £3 on ebay) The hooks turned out to be decent, so I have stuck with them. I also followed this you tube tutorial, and taught myself from there.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqca00LdmAc

My first attempt at making a square, somehow turned out as a circle... It can take a fair bit of practice.

Thanks ER, that's really helpful. I imagine it'll take me a while to get to any kind of good standard, but would love to learn.

Mrs_imp, I have LOADS of spare wool and hooks, if you want me to send you a little starter kit. Honestly, I could do with offloading some of this!

That's really kind of you footers, are you sure you don't mind?

E - I would love to knit. I just can't seem to get the hang of it. I also wish I could follow patterns. I'm pretty much limited to blankets and hats ATM ?

Here's some of my "makes"

ER that mini mouse hat is so cute.

I taught myself to crochet last week by watching YouTube videos.

So far I've made two hats. A grey beanie with removable crocheted flower brooch for my step-mum's birthday:

And this little cashmere beauty for our very own Bonnie100!

Mrs Imp - I agree with ER. I bought a bundle of odds and ends wool on ebay. Different wools, thicknesses etc so you can get to know what type of weight and material you work best with. I found the ones with real wool, a tight twist and a chunkiness to them were the best to start with.

I got myself a selection of crochet hooks of ebay for pence each. I have a 3mm, 4mm (the baby hat), 5mm (the grey hat) and I should have got a bigger one too for the really chunky wool.

And bl00dy fabulous you are too are crocheting!

Aww, thank you lovely.

ER and Ducky you cannot tell that you are both new to crochet. The things you've made look fantastic!

I'm off to ebay. My Gran taught me the basics of crochet when I was young, but I've not tried it since.

Here is my best blankie to date:

Now that is impressive Footers! Look at the size of it!

Wow! I absolutely love that blanket footers! Well done you!

I know what I'll be attempting this weekend!!

Wow these are all amazing. Footlong that blanket looks amazing. This has inspired my to give it a try. I doubt I'll be very good though!

Not at all. If you send me your address (FB?), I'll pack a couple of hooks and some wool up for you, just so you can have a try and see if you like it.

Footers, how did you learn to crochet? Dud someone show you or were you self taught from YouTube etc?

I've sent you a message footers. Thanks again and let me know how much postage costs and I'll paypal it to you.

Self-taught, using internet guides/You Tube videos/a beginner book (Mrs_imp, will include this in package!).

It's a very basic stitch pattern, repeated ad nauseum! I improvised the edging.

As for wool, that was very much "buy as you go". It probably cost about £300, because I started it off with "posh" £8 balls, completely underestimating how many balls I'd need. By the end, I was grabbing any old bargain bucket acrylic stuff. The colours were picked at random along the same colour scheme (purple/pink/grey), depending on what I bought in whatever shop. I had to over-estimate as well, because I didn't want the same row (by the end, the rows were 8 m long) worked in different colours, so I always had to have enough to finish at least the row.

What book do you use please? Am having a nightmare of a time learning currently. Very frustrating.

Will check. I think it was one of those dodgy, generic Bookworks cheapo jobs though.

What are you getting stuck on? Are you a kinesthetic learner?

I struggle on holding the wool and moving the hook around- quite intrinsic to crochet I find!

I can't watch videos in it as I can't 'see' how it's done, I am fairing better when I can find photos or pictures to learn from instead.

I don't think I'm a kinesthetic learner though.im better at reading and doing as opposed to learning hands on

Did I read that right? You taught yourself LAST WEEK and you have already made those 2 HATS?! This is truly inspirational and impressive!

Is crochet easier than knitting? Bought a 'how to knit' book before I got engaged and haven't done more than flick through since, it seemed tricky! Wedding is 5 weeks tomorrow so by Christmas I will have much more time on my hands and be ready for a creative challenge!

Ace hats, Ducky!

I think crochet is miles easier than knitting. Easier to work, easier to improvise, easier to correct mistakes.

Yes last week!

I am a stubborn moo with too much time on my hands. I did lots of starting, unravelling and starting again because it wasn't neat enough. The hats are just single crochet which is the most basic stitch but once I had got the hang of it - I was away!!