Tips For Beginning Crocheter -- Choosing The Right Project And The Right Pattern For Beginning Crocheter

Let's get ready for the cooler weather!  Make something that will keep us warm.  Make a hat, a mitten or a scarf.  There are lots of written patterns and video tutorials available on the internet.  One only has to decide what to make and what pattern to use.  It's hard to make a choice because of the abundance of wonderful projects to make, abundance of patterns and also abundance of different yarns available in the yarn market.

If we don't watch we will be spending most of our time browsing the internet to help us make decision but getting distracted because of so many things that we see.  So how does a crocheter (crocheter, not an official word according to the autocorrect), make a decision without getting distracted?

My suggestions are:  1) Decide on what you want to make without relying on the internet.  Once you decide this then 2) look for the best pattern that you like using the internet, such as Ravelry, Craftsy, Etsy and many other sites.  Be mindful of time spent browsing, otherwise you waste so much of it because there are so many pretty patterns on the internet that it is hard to choose.  You can use written patterns on Crochet Magazines or Crochet Booklets available at Walmart, Hobby Lobby, Michael's and other craft or yarn store,s in your area.  Video tutorials are also great.  I watch and follow tutorials on YouTube! 3)  Decide on the type of yarn based on what the choosen pattern requires and make sure to buy enough yarn.  It is better to have extra yarn than to run out of it before the project is finished.  It is hard to match color.  To match the exact color in yarn, you have to go by "dye lot" number.  4)Finally, buy the crochet hook called upon by the pattern.

Gauge VS size of Crochet Hook:  It is important to follow gauge in order to achieve the correct sizing of the project.  Obtaining the specified size, specially for fitted garment is complicated in crochet because the size of individual stitches is affected by how tight or loose each crocheter crochets  therefore I would not suggest to beginners to make garments or fashion accessories that has to fit exactly.  Another fact is that individual stitch is also affected by the crocheter's mood.  For example, if the crocheter is tense, he or she would crochet tightly and when relaxed, he/she would crochet loosely so that in order to keep stitches the same size, you have to maintain the same focus and attention to your stitches all through the project and checking your stitches for uniformity until project is completed.

Loose fitting scarves, cowls, handbags or purses; small dish towels or hand towels are appropriate for beginning crochet projects.

In selecting the pattern, keep in mind the stitches that you already know and choose a pattern that uses stitches that you are familiar with.  Everyone enjoys challenge most of the times but when the challenge is too much, it is easy to get overwhelmed.  It is better to do a simple project that you know you can finish than choose a complicated one because the joy comes mostly in having completed a project.

Free Pattern for the Hat is available at my other crochet site City Girl Crochet.

Thank you for stopping by.

My next post will be The importance of Swatching.  First of all, what is "swatching"?  Please find out on my next post.