If you’re interested in picking up a new hobby that’s both fun and relaxing, consider learning how to crochet. Crocheting is a wonderful way to make a variety of items, such as stylish scarves or cozy blankets. Whether you’re a complete beginner or simply looking for a refresher, this tutorial is perfect for you. With step-by-step guidance, you’ll be well on your way to mastering the art of crocheting in no time.
How to Crochet for Absolute Beginners
In this crochet tutorial, you will learn the following:
- How to attach the yarn to the hook and make a slip knot
- How to make the first chain
- How to make the first stitch – single crochet
- And how to turn and start the second row of single crochet stitches
Watch the video demonstration on how to crochet below, or scroll down to see the written instructions with pictures! By the end of the tutorial, if you follow along, you’ll be able to crochet something like this in the picture below!
What materials are needed to start crocheting?
To learn how to crochet, you’ll require a few essential materials. First, you’ll need a crochet hook and some yarn. Crochet hooks are available in various sizes and types, and the size you choose will depend on the yarn you plan to use. Yarn also comes in a range of weights, textures, and colours, so it’s best to begin with a solid, light-coloured worsted weight yarn (4) to make it easier to see your stitches.
If you already have a crochet hook and some yarn, then that’s all you need to learn to crochet! But if you want to create a basic item like a washcloth, you’ll need scissors to cut the yarn at the end of your project. You’ll also need yarn needles for weaving in the ends to give your project a polished look. Weaving in yarn ends is necessary, so the item looks finished. It’s an easy process that helps give your work a professional touch. So, with these essential tools, you can easily begin to learn to crochet and create stunning handmade items.
Let’s get a hook & some yarn, make yourself comfortable, and make a few crochet stitches together!
Watch the video below or scroll down to see the step-by-step photo guide.
How to Crochet Step by Step – Video Tutorial for Absolute Beginners
In the video demonstration, I’m using a 3mm (D) crochet hook and some light worsted weight (3) yarn. But you can use any type/size of hook you have currently available and any type of yarn. Initially, it might be easier to work with a larger hook and thicker yarn. For the first time practice, try using a 5mm (H) crochet hook and worsted/medium-weight (4) yarn. Have fun experimenting and finding what works best for you!
As with everything, the more you practise crochet, the better you’ll get at it. Don’t expect your very first stitches to look perfect. Nobody ever made their very first crochet stitches perfectly.
Just have fun learning how to crochet! Don’t try to make it perfect. 🙂 And if you don’t expect a perfect outcome and just enjoy the process, you’ll come back to it more and more often, and that’s what will make a difference!
The only rule here is to enjoy the process and have fun 🙂
How to Crochet for Beginners – Photo Tutorial
This photo tutorial provides step-by-step guidance to help you learn the basic skills for crochet beginners. You will learn how to make a slip knot, which forms the first loop on your crochet hook and serves as the starting point for your work. After that, you’ll learn how to make the foundation chain and do the very first basic crochet stitch, known as Single Crochet. Once you master these fundamentals, you’ll be ready to learn other stitches!
How to make a Slip Knot
Make a loop by placing the tail of the yarn on top of the working yarn. Take yarn from the long end (the side where the yarn is coming from the skein of yarn) and pass through the loop. Pull on one end of the yarn to tighten the loop.
Insert your hook in the loop and pull one side of the yarn to tighten the knot around the hook (don’t pull too tight though, as it will be harder to chain!)
Hands Position
Loosely wrap the working yarn around your little finger and your index finger. This will create some tension for the yarn to pass through your fingers. You still need to regulate the tension a little but don’t worry too much about this initially. The tension will improve naturally with practice as you get used to holding the hook and making the stitches.
How to Chain
Yarn over the hook and pull through the loop (That’s one chain). Chain 11 (or any amount to practise foundation chains).
How to Single Crochet
Insert your hook in the second chain from the hook, yarn over and pull through the chain.
Yarn over again and pull through two loops. That’s one single crochet stitch.
Work single crochet stitches into every chain stitch until the end of the row. Chain 1 and turn at the end of the row.
Second Row. Work a single crochet in the very first stitch.
Continue working single crochets into every stitch to the end of the row.
What Can I Crochet as a Beginner?
Now that you know how to crochet one of the basic stitches – the single crochet stitch, you might ask yourself, what can I crochet as a beginner? What is the easiest thing to crochet?
As a beginner, there are several crochet projects that you can try your hand at. However, I recommend starting with simple square or rectangular items like scarves or washcloths. For instance, you could begin with this beginner crochet dishcloth pattern or this simple and easy-to-make crochet scarf.
Beginner-Friendly Crochet Patterns
- Single Crochet Dishcloth Pattern
- Double Crochet Dishcloth Pattern
- Easy Crochet Dishcloth Pattern
- Crochet Men’s Scarf Cool Ombre
- Crochet Moss Stitch Scarf
Ready to learn the next stitch? Next stitch to learn after the single crochet stitch is the Double Crochet Stitch! Have fun and enjoy the new stitch! 🙂
If you’re still reading this, let me know in the comments section below if you enjoyed learning to crochet! After all, learning a new skill and being creative should be fun! And when we enjoy the process, that in itself is beneficial for our mental and physical health. There are many creative handcrafts you can still explore and find the one you like the most, and that makes you happy! 🙂
6 replies on “How to Crochet for Beginners – a Step by Step Guide”
I like the video but it didn’t say how to tie it off when done. But that is the only negative, it showed how to do the single stitch very clearly and has gotten me farther than some books.
Hi Dee, thanks for letting me know about that. That’s a good point!
If you like, I have a video tutorial on how to crochet a scarf and there I demonstrate how to fasten off and weave in ends (you can skip the beginning and go straight to about 4:40), see link below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-D7Jb1igWo&t=282s&ab_channel=MyCrochetSpace
I hope that helps! 🙂
Olga
Best video I’ve seen for a beginner.Thank you.
Nice and slow and clear.
I just love the fact that I can play it over and over.
Thank you
Hi Carol, so glad you liked it! Thank you 🙂
I have been trying to get the hang of crochet for the past 2 weeks with books, images and people showing me but to no avail. Your video has been the first to help me achieve a sample of crochet. Thank you for taking the time to explain so clearly. I still struggle with holding the thread in the left hand though.
Hi Rachel, happy to hear that!!! 🙂
You can try to hold the yarn in a different way and find your most comfortable position. When I was learning to crochet I used to hold it by wrapping the yarn around my index finger and hold the rest in my fist and and let it slide through. There is no right or wrong way, it’s just what’s comfortable for you. And as you practise more you can always re-adjust it!