10 Crochet Tips I Wish I Knew as a Beginner

Learning to crochet can be difficult. Here are some things I've had to learn the hard way so you don't have to!

CROCHET TIPS AND ADVICE

7/23/20257 min read

white yarn on white textile
white yarn on white textile

Crochet Tips I Wish I Knew as a Beginner

As a beginner, most people have to suffer through learning by trial and error after error after error. It can be frustrating to the point of wanting to give up - but don’t! Luckily, we have infinite knowledge at our fingertips, and I've compiled a list of things I wish I knew as a newbie crocheter so you don’t have to make the same mistakes I did. Read below for ten ways to make your crochet journey run smoothly!

  1. Magic circle alternative

Many crochet projects begin with a Magic Circle, which is notoriously difficult for beginners to accomplish. I spent days on my first crochet project just trying to complete the magic circle! If I’d known that there was an alternative, I could have saved myself a lot of frustration. Instead of a Magic Circle, try using the Chain 3 Method:

  • Make a slip knot

  • Chain 3

  • Slip stitch into the first chain

  • Make your stitches in the center of this circle instead of into a Magic Circle

If you still find yourself with an unwanted hole in the middle, make sure you leave a long tail before the chain. Crochet over your tail as you add stitches to your circle. When you're ready to weave in your end, pull the tail to tighten and then weave it in to secure it!

If you are determined to use a magic circle, and are still having difficulties, you can try this Magic Circle Tool to help you create the perfect magic circle!

  1. Use a larger hook for the foundation chain

Another common way that projects are started is with a foundation chain (a string of chains that you then crochet into). A common problem for beginners is that the foundation chain is too tight, making it difficult to crochet into and causing the foundation to be smaller and less stretchy than the rest of the project. You can just crochet the chain looser, but it may be difficult to keep a consistent tension that is different than your natural one. Instead, crochet the foundation chain with a hook one size larger than the project calls for. For example, if you are using a 5mm hook for your project, use a 6mm hook for the foundation chain!

  1. Use yarn as a stitch marker and row counter

If you’re doing amigurumi, you will have to keep careful count of your stitches and rows. Sometimes, stitch markers can create gaps in your work if you're trying to create tight stiches. It can also be difficult to visually count how many rows you've completed if you are a beginner. Instead of stitch markers, I sometimes use a long piece of yarn to mark and count my rows. Just place the yarn over your work, with the stitch marker yarn going from the outside of the project to the inside, before completing the last stitch, crochet over it, and place the yarn back and forth through each row as you go! I recommend using an easily visible contrast color and a similar sized or smaller yarn to prevent gaps. This also helps keep track of rows. Just count each entry and exit point of the yarn to count how many rows you have! In the example photo below, I needed 7 rows of single crochet. You can see how the yarn helped keep track for me!

  1. Don’t be afraid to experiment with hook sizes - don’t stitch too tight or too loose!

It’s common for beginners to struggle with their tension. You may find your hands aching from crocheting too tight, or find holes in your work from crocheting too loose. If you have a tension that is too tight, try focusing on relaxing your hands a bit for a few rows. You may have to consciously loosen your tension until muscle memory kicks in. If you find that your tension is too loose, focus on holding your yarn a bit tighter. You can also experiment with different hook sizes. You don’t have to use the exact size that the pattern calls for, and sizing up or down on your hook can create a looser or tighter stitch (If you find that your amigurumi has holes in it, try sizing your hook down!). This can also be helpful for adjusting your gauge swatch if the pattern calls for one. A gauge swatch is a few rows of crochet before you begin a project to make sure it’s working up to be the correct size, which is especially important for wearable crochet!

  1. Different brands of yarn.

One of the most common problems that beginners face is learning that not all yarn is the same, even if it's the same material or size (weight). Each brand of yarn is different, and it's generally a good idea to get different colors from the same brand for any given project. Two different brands may have acrylic 4 weight yarn, but they may feel and look very different. Some brands tend to have softer, thinner yarn, while other brands have rougher, dense yarn. Using the same brand for a project or researching brands that have similar yarn can help avoid wasted money.

  1. Dye lots

Now, you might think you’re safe since you bought all your yarn from the same brand, but there is something else to look out for! Yarn is dyed in batches, and it’s impossible to ensure that each batch turns out EXACTLY the same. Yarn labels usually feature dye lot numbers. When buying multiple skeins of a color, it’s important to check that the dye lot is the same. Using different dye lots may produce yarns that are just slightly different shades, which can be especially noticeable in colors like black. Make sure that you buy enough yarn for a project in the beginning, because there’s no guarantee that you’ll be able to purchase more yarn from the same dye lot next time you go to the store! If you cannot find enough yarn from the same lot, or you have to go buy more of the same color to finish a project, make sure you look in-store instead of purchasing online and bring a sample of your current yarn to compare the colors.

  1. Yarn recommendations - What to avoid as a beginner

As we’ve learned, not all yarn is created equal. It can be helpful to choose certain yarn types and colors for your first few projects. Super fluffy yarn makes it very difficult to see individual stitches- even for advanced crocheters. Color is also important. Black yarn is notoriously difficult to see whether you have good lighting or not! Chenille yarn (the fluffy yarn most common for plushies), can also be difficult to work with, as it often sheds, breaks, and does not frog well. FYI - frogging is the term for “going back” in your project by pulling the yarn out and redoing it! When you’re still getting used to the feel of crocheting, it’s best to stick with light colored acrylic, cotton, or other non-fluffy yarn to start. If you really want a fluffier look for your plushies or blankets, I recommend Bernat Blanket yarn. It is much more sturdy and does not shed much. Find it here.

  1. Invisible decreases

For many projects, decreases will be necessary. This is when you turn two stitches into one stitch. With a basic decrease stitch, pulling the two loops into one can create gaps, which is not good for things like plushies. I recommend looking up how to do an invisible decrease. There are many great tutorials on YouTube, but essentially, you will be inserting your hook into the front loop of the next two stitches rather than through both loops as usual. Then pull up a loop through those two front loops, and complete the stitch as normal. This should eliminate any gaps!

  1. Make sure you are crocheting right side out

This one might seem obvious, but many crocheters (myself included) have found out later that they have been crocheting inside out! Your hook should be entering from the outside of your work, and the outside- or “right side,” rather than “wrong side” in crochet terms- should be facing you. See below for a visual and also an example of an IMPKIN that I made completely inside out! I was wondering why he didn’t look neat and tidy like they did in the pattern book...

  1. Crochet kit for beginner recommendations

If you want to learn how to crochet but don’t know where to start, there are many fantastic beginner crochet kits out there! My very first crochet project was from a kit that I impulsively bought from Lousy Llama on TikTok shop one night. It came with everything I needed: yarn, stitch markers, a tapestry needle, safety eyes, stuffing, a written pattern, a video tutorial, and you can even add on a crochet hook and a magic ring guide! I chose the succulent kit, but there are many other options on the site! The Woobles Beginner Crochet Kits are also a very popular choice, although they are a bit more expensive. They use their own yarn that is perfect for beginners because it doesn't split like other yarns do! Splitting yarn was something I struggled a lot with in the beginning. This is when your hook goes through the middle of the string of yarn instead of around the whole strand. This "splits" the yarn into two.

Wherever you start, there are endless crochet communities on social media that will be there to encourage and support you. Facebook groups have been a huge source of inspiration and knowledge for me! I will be happy to answer any questions and give recommendations if you’d like to reach out to me on TikTok or Instagram. Thanks for reading and happy hooking!

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