Learn to Crochet!

[Shandeh]

Would you like to learn to crochet? We are happy to help you learn!

You will find lots of great instructions, and many helpful people here in the Bernat Forum. So, you will never be alone as you try out crochet.

Here's how to get started with crochet.

First, you will need a size H (5 mm) or I (5.5 mm) crochet hook.

crochet hooks 2 by Shandeh, on Flickr

You will also need a skein of sturdy medium weight yarn. (Bernat Handicrafter Cotton, Bernat Super Value, or Bernat Waverly are all good choices.


We will be making a Dishcloth, but it can also be used as a hotpad or large coaster.

If you want it to be used a dishcloth, you will want to use cotton yarn. But, keep in mind that cotton yarn can sometimes be difficult for beginners, since it has no stretch at all.

You might want to use an "ombre" or "variegated" skein of yarn, which has lots of different colors all in the same skein. Bernat Handicrafter in "Beach Ball Blue Ombre" is a good example of this.

Beach Ball Blue Ombre by Shandeh, on Flickr

When you crochet with an ombre yarn like that, the colors will change as you work, making your project very colorful and fun. Makes it even more fun to learn. Plus, it makes it easy to see your stitches as you are working them.

If you don't have your crochet hook and yarn yet, you can watch these videos for now. It's a great way to familiarize yourself with crochet. Crystal with Bernat made these, and they are very easy to see and learn.

How to Start Using Yarn from the Center of the Skein
Making a Slip Knot and Crochet Chains
Working Single Crochet
Working into a Chain Space

You can also see some basic crochet illustrations here on the Bernat website on this page:
Learn to Crochet Instructions: http://www.bernat.com/learntocrochet.php
PDF Version: http://www.bernat.com/misc/Bernat_LearnToCrochet.pdf

UPDATE: Here are the videos I made, showing how to make our dishcloth:
SHANDEH'S BEGINNER DISHCLOTH VIDEOS

After you start crocheting, you will probably have lots of questions.
You'll find some answers to lots of those questions here: http://www.bernat.com/yarnKnitCrochet/

Of course, you should feel free to ask questions here in the Bernat Forum as well. We want to help!

If you are learning along with us here in the forum, be sure to join the forum, so you can talk to us about your progress! In our next post, we will get started on our project.

[Kaleigh]

You know what? I have no idea how to crochet. On my first day at Bernat my computer wasn't set up, which meant I had next to nothing to do. My boss handed me a book on how to crochet, a hook, and some worsted-weight yarn.

I made a granny blob

Today, I will learn how to crochet!

(here's the irony - I tested all of our how-to-crochet videos. I can double treble, I can half double crochet... I can't make a dishcloth! It's time!)

[Shandeh]

You know what? I have no idea how to crochet.......Today, I will learn how to crochet!

Nice! You can do it, Kaleigh!

When I decided to REALLY learn to crochet, I used the exact pattern we are using in this tutorial. I made some mistakes at the start, because I didn't understand how to crochet "in the space", but some helpful friends talked me through it. Then, I dove into the 2010 Mystery CAL, and learned TONS!

So, I can thank Bernat for teaching ME how to crochet!

[laceyj1204]

I'm a book person so I bought the "crochet for dummies" booklet. It was awesome. There are some things I come across in patterns that I can't figure out so when that happens I tend to hit youtube and see if I can find a video there. Theresa from Art of Crochet on there is totally awesome!!! I did the same thing when I decided I needed to learn to knit. Now I want to learn to knit in the round, but have too many projects lined up to take the time right now. It is, however, on my list of things to do!!!

[zhanie]

YAY!! learning to crocheters!! You will love it!

[BuckeyeMom]

So, I think I will give this a try. I don't know if I can but there are several patterns that I would like to be able to do. So I have the yarn. I bought some of the Handicrafter Cotton to make placemats, but I really wasn't thrill with the color for the table. I think the color will work better in the kitchen. So, here goes. :

[Shandeh]

:hrmm: So, I think I will give this a try. I don't know if I can but there are several patterns that I would like to be able to do. So I have the yarn. I bought some of the Handicrafter Cotton to make placemats, but I really wasn't thrill with the color for the table. I think the color will work better in the kitchen. So, here goes. :

Awesome!
Let me know if you have any questions. There are others who will be reading this also, and we will all be available to help you along.

My first word of advice would be to LET THE YARN FLOW. Don't hold it very tightly, or you will get frustrated with trying to push the hook through the holes for the next row. Also, since you're using cotton yarn, it has no stretch at all, which will make it even more difficult to work with if it's tight.

[BuckeyeMom]

:hrmm: So, I think I will give this a try. I don't know if I can but there are several patterns that I would like to be able to do. So I have the yarn. I bought some of the Handicrafter Cotton to make placemats, but I really wasn't thrill with the color for the table. I think the color will work better in the kitchen. So, here goes. :

Awesome!
Let me know if you have any questions. There are others who will be reading this also, and we will all be available to help you along.

My first word of advice would be to LET THE YARN FLOW. Don't hold it very tightly, or you will get frustrated with trying to push the hook through the holes for the next row. Also, since you're using cotton yarn, it has no stretch at all, which will make it even more difficult to work with if it's tight.

Right now, tightness shouldn't be a problem. When I was watching the videos and practicing, my yarn was very loose. I do have a question. The pattern said " *Ch 1. Miss next ch. 1 sc in next ch. Rep from * to end of ch. Turn. 31 sts." I don't know what "miss next ch." means. It seems to me if I do that then I won't have 31 sts but half of that.

[ladycath]

Right now, tightness shouldn't be a problem. When I was watching the videos and practicing, my yarn was very loose. I do have a question. The pattern said " *Ch 1. Miss next ch. 1 sc in next ch. Rep from * to end of ch. Turn. 31 sts." I don't know what "miss next ch." means. It seems to me if I do that then I won't have 31 sts but half of that.

Your ch 1s count as stitches. After you do it and count the ch 1s and stitches across the top of your work you should still have the right amount of stitches.

[zhanie]

That is a really good question! And it sounds like you do know what skip next chain means from your math. Keep going (and keep asking questions when you need to) you're doing great!!