Things I Wish I Knew When I First Started Crocheting
When I first decided to learn crocheting, I thought it would be simple—almost effortless. People online made it look easy: smooth movements, neat stitches, beautiful projects forming magically in their hands. I imagined myself finishing scarves and soft toys in a matter of days. I bought my first ball of yarn with the kind of optimism only beginners have.
What I didn’t realise at the time was how much of crocheting happens quietly inside your own mind and hands. It’s not just about technique; it’s also about patience, rhythm, mindset, expectations, tiny frustrations and tiny victories. If I could sit down with my beginner self now, I’d have so many things to say—things that would have made the journey calmer, less stressful and even more enjoyable.
This is everything I wish I had known when I first started crocheting.
1. Crochet Doesn’t Click Immediately — And That’s Normal
I truly believed crocheting would feel “natural.” But the reality was that my hands didn’t know how to hold the hook. My fingers didn’t know how to control the yarn. The yarn would slip, split or tighten suddenly as if it had a personality of its own.
And here is the truth I wish someone told me:
Crochet is a skill your hands learn gradually.
Like typing, playing piano or knitting, it starts awkward. Your fingers try to move together but don’t quite cooperate. Your brain imagines what you want to create, but your hands can’t yet deliver it. This gap between imagination and reality frustrates many beginners.
But once your hands learn the rhythm, something magical happens. The yarn glides more smoothly. The movement becomes more predictable. One day you realise you're no longer thinking about each stitch—you’re simply doing it.
Learning crochet is like learning a language. You need practice, time and forgiveness.
2. Your First Stitches Will Be Uneven — And They Should Be
I remember staring at my first row of single crochet stitches and thinking it looked like a crooked fence after a storm. Some stitches were huge loops; others were tiny knots. I pulled out the yarn and restarted again and again, convinced I was failing.
What I wish I knew at the time is that every crocheter—every single one—starts with messy stitches.
If I had embraced imperfection earlier, I would have enjoyed crocheting much more from the start.
3. Yarn Choice Matters More Than You Think
When I first started, I picked yarn solely based on colour—usually whatever looked cute on the shelf. I didn’t know that fibre content, yarn weight and texture dramatically change how a project turns out.
Some yarns split easily.
Some yarns catch on the hook.
Some are stiff and scratchy.
Some are too slippery and stretch strangely.
A good beginner yarn makes learning smoother.
Honestly, I look back and wish I had something like the Flamingo Amigurumi Crochet Kit when I first tried making toys. The chenille yarn is soft, beginner-friendly, and forgiving of uneven tension. Kits save you from accidentally choosing yarn that's too difficult or unpleasant for beginners.
Choosing the right yarn isn’t about buying luxury—it’s about picking yarn that supports your learning.
4. Starting With a Big Project Is One of the Hardest Ways to Learn
Like many ambitious beginners, I started crocheting by trying to make a giant blanket. It was heavy, slow, repetitive and not at all beginner-friendly. I loved the idea of a finished blanket, but the reality was exhausting.
If I had chosen a small project—like a dishcloth, coaster or even a single granny square—I would’ve built confidence so much faster.
Small projects give quick wins. Each one teaches you new skills in manageable bites. They’re encouraging in a way big projects rarely are.
A project like the Granny Square Scarf Crochet Kit would have been perfect for my early days—small squares, easy repeats and a rewarding finished piece that doesn’t require months of commitment.
If you're just starting, choose small, satisfying projects that give you momentum.
5. Patterns Are Hard at First — But They Eventually Make Sense
When I opened my first written pattern, I thought it was written in another language. Abbreviations, parentheses, repeats, brackets... I felt overwhelmed.
Here’s what I now know:
- You’re not stupid for not understanding patterns.
- Patterns aren’t meant to be intuitive immediately.
- You need time to learn the symbols.
- Your brain and hands slowly sync.
The first time you read a pattern, it feels like instructions for building a spaceship. By your tenth pattern, it feels like a cooking recipe. By your twentieth, it feels like a comforting rhythm.
If you’re confused, that’s normal. Confusion is part of the pattern-learning process, not a sign of failure.
6. Video Tutorials Aren’t Cheating — They’re Lifesavers
At first, I thought “real crocheters” only used written patterns. I thought relying on videos made me less skilled. Now I know that video tutorials are one of the most effective ways to learn.
They show how movements actually look. They help you visualise the stitches. They show how the yarn is held, how loops are shaped and how tension works.
Combining videos and written instructions is the fastest way to improve.
I wish I hadn’t been so stubborn and had allowed myself to learn visually sooner.
7. Frogging (Undoing) Isn’t Failure — It’s Part of Crocheting
I used to feel devastated when I had to undo rows of work. It felt like losing progress. But frogging is a natural part of crocheting. Even experienced crocheters do it constantly.
Frogging teaches you:
- how to recognise mistakes
- how stitches are constructed
- how to avoid the same mistake next time
- how to improve your stitch consistency
Undoing your work doesn’t erase progress—it creates progress.
8. Ergonomics Matter — More Than You Expect
Crochet looks gentle and relaxing, but if you hold the hook incorrectly or sit in a tense posture, your hands and shoulders will hurt quickly.
In the beginning, I ignored discomfort, thinking it was just part of the process. It wasn’t. With proper hand positioning, posture and light stretching, crocheting becomes much more comfortable.
Your hands are your most important tools. Treat them kindly.
9. Progress Is Slow — But Joyful
Crochet is not a sprint. It’s a slow, steady craft that rewards patience.
Some rows will take ages.
Some projects will test your patience.
Some days you’ll pick up your hook for just 5 minutes.
Some days you’ll lose yourself in hours of quiet stitching.
But slowly, something beautiful happens: you begin to appreciate slow progress. You learn to enjoy sitting quietly. You value the rhythm, the calm, the repeated motion.
Crochet teaches you to slow down in a world that never stops.
10. The Crochet Community Is Kind, Welcoming and Full of Wisdom
One of my favourite surprises about crocheting is how supportive the community is. Online or in person, crocheters love answering questions, sharing tips and admiring each other’s work.
As a beginner, I was scared to show my uneven stitches. But every time I shared something, someone encouraged me. Someone said, “You’re doing great, keep going.” It meant more than I expected.
Crocheting is easier—and more joyful—when you let yourself belong.
