Way to go!! 🎉 FYI, crocheted edging around knitted afghans is useful, especially to stabilize looser stitched patterns. Look forward to seeing future crochet projects! ❤ Happy Stitching, Lynn
You did an excellent job!!! When I first learned to crochet I bought variegated yarn and kept working on my granny square -- ended up becoming a cute baby blanket. Happy stitching ❤️
👏You did a great job jumping into crochet. Your granny square looks great. I agree your yarn choice did better with the smaller hook. Tension comes with practice and figuring out the best way to hold your yarn and your hook. Also whether you choose to yarn over or yarn under when picking up your yarn with your hook can make a difference. It is addictive...I know you've suffered with tendonitis in the past so just watch how you're gripping your hook and listen to your body. If you're looking for a good stitch for a pillow or blanket you could try moss stitch. It's quite easy and creates lovely fabric. It's basically a chain stitch & a single crochet on repeat once you have your foundation row set up. That's the stitch pattern I used for the cardigan I was wearing at the last Stitch North.
Your first crochet looks SO much better than my first attempt at knitting. 😂. But I will persevere to finish my coaster so that I can graduate to socks!
OMG !!! How you feel about crocheting is how I feel about knitting…. I want to knit so bad but I’m intimidated and scared to start something…. I want to knit socks, but I think I should stick with dishcloth until I get good tension. Your granny square is beautiful!!! My grandmother taught me to crochet when I was 5, (I’m 61 now) that’s a gift I’ve had my whole life. Hope to teach my granddaughter someday… she is 16 months. Congratulations!!!! Keep practicing!!! Ohh check out TL yarns latest video- she has a crocheted pillow on her couch that is so cute!! If you did a granny square pillow you can put your granny square over a premade pillow… just an idea. Love watching all your videos!!!
Hi Caroline - Love your beginning square and pink and grey colors. Just to let you know I have been crocheting for many years and I am a right handed crocheter. I hold item that I am crocheting in the right hand, and loop the yarn I need a few times around my left pointer finger only )(no pinky use and that would cramp my hand eventually so I would not go that route only use the pointer finger).. As I crochet - I gently pull the yarn from the left pointer finger and it unravels slowly to crochet my item (making a baby blanket now). As I need more yarn, I would wrap more yarn around my pointer finger etc .. Also, since you are a knitter you understand tension; with crochet - tension is a feel that you always aim for as you crochet and you will know when it feels the right tension - It is a firm stitch (not too tight or wobbly). I swear by Boye needles (in the U.S.) and go with the G hook, or F, and E. (I think yours 4 is a E or an F). So if you do the smaller hook you would have to crochet more squares for the item; same applies to next size hook - depends on the amount of squares you wanted to do. Same idea applies to the type of yarn - thicker or thinner yarns will change the look. Also, remember as you use wool with knitting, if you wash it in hot water, it shrinks - that is why is prefer to use baby sports weight yarn (washable too). It is all based on personal preference and what you are making, Hope this information is helpful to you. Monica A.
I crochet my first afghan last year. I loved doing it. I watched Play Hookie with me. Problem with learning all the things is finding time to do all the things. 😅
Nice job! I'm learning to crochet by watching videos. I'm finding it much easier than knitting. I never figured that out. I started with The Giddy Stitcher's crochet tutorial and then worked my way through the free Crochet Academy from TLYC. I don't do it much since I'm always stitching but have a scarf and dishcloth as Wips and have finished a few dish clothes. I want to make my son a blanket and the pattern I like uses a the herringbone half double crochet. So I watched a video to learn that and am making a dishcloth to practice it. Check out that stitch for your pillow. Or my scarf and other dish clothes are in single crochet. Have fun.
I learned to crochet first, so continental knitting came very naturally to me. My grandma taught me how to hold the yarn- just like you showed. My index finger doesn't get tired faster than any other parts of my hand. Will be interesting to see if you try knitting differently once you get comfortable with crochet...
I was watching you and you mentioned possible soreness and I was about to tell you to be careful 😀 I agree with Keri, you’re the opposite of me as I was super tight. The way I tension in my left hand wrapping yarn around my pinky and ring finger, then over my index finger. I don’t flick I use the hook to scoop under. You did great and I’m proud of you 😉❤️👍🏽
Congratulations on your first square, Caroline 🎉 Glad you know when to stop and rest. I’m a continental knitter so crocheting is very easy for me as both involve the left hand
My first crochet attempt was 54 years ago. A blanket for my soon to be born. I got a learn how book, yarn and a crochet hook. I was , like you, so pleased with myself. It actually turned out great. I have continued crocheting over the years and have made more baby blankets for children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Good for you, learning and doing such a great job. 🎉🎉🎉❤
Oh that sounds fun! This is going to take away from my stitching time but I am looking forward to learning how to crochet. My mom knits but could not get the hang of crocheting so when I figure it out maybe I can teach my 85 year old mom how to crochet. ❤️❤️❤️
Have watched Massive Crochet videos when looking for simple patterns. You can always do granny squares to desired size pillow and line it with coordinating fabric. Some will be more apt to catching on such as dog nails. I remember teaching my mother to do granny squares in her ‘80’sShe was always a throw knitter. My Italian grandmother did the fine crochet used to make table clothes, bedspreads and antimasscars. Those were projects! Unfortunately that was also during WWII years and those cotton yarns have not always aged well. Just enjoy! It is another relaxing pastime.
I’ve been crocheting for 25 years. I had to laugh because I’ve been learning to knit this whole year. Trying to tension my yarn on my right hand has been tough cause I’m an English knitter for some reason has been difficult, but I figured it out. The way I tension my yarn to crochet is I wrap it around my left pinky finger one whole time, then under my ring finger and middle finger , then over my index finger. It may take some time for to get the hang of it, but that works for me. Hooked on Robin has some great videos and Lori Holt also has really good crochet videos. Congrats. Your granny square looks great. Your tension will get better over time. Keep practicing!
Learned to crochet at age 7. At 12, I stopped & then relearned at age 19. I also knit. The tension will come. If you are loose like I used to be, use a smaller hook, but be aware that your tension will make it so you get tighter. I wrap my yarn around my left hand thru the pinkie, etc., but I use the hook at all times. I basically keep my left hand the same & use all the movement from the hook wrapping around and pulling thru. I will be 76 in a few short months & am content to know & do x stitch, needlepoint, embroider, knit & crochet. I plan in my next life to learn how to tat and weave (& make cheese), so you will find me in my next life at a monastry or a nunnery learning those things. LOL.
Sandra of Cherry Heart on TH-cam also has good crochet tutorials and Beautiful crochet designs. Your first Granny Square looks Great! Tension in crocheting is something that will get easier for you as you Crochet more. ❤
I love Hooked with Robin. Another wonderful channel is TL Yarn Crafts. I was an English/throwing style knitter when I learned to crochet from a teach yourself visually to crochet library book. I weave the yarn loosely through my left fingers so the yarn is resting above the ring and index finger. I hold my hook like a pencil. I throw the yarn over the hook with my left hand and hook with the right hand. The traditional way leaves me with a sore index finger and no circulation in my pinkie and my right wrist makes a terrible clicking noise that is painful. Also, I use a stitch marker on my last stitch before I put the project away to stop any unraveling. Happy Stitching 🪡
Hi Caroline, when I knit, I loop the yarn around my pinky finger of my right hand , so when I started to crochet, I automatically looped it around my left pinky finger, letting the yarn flow freely around the fingers. I hope this makes sense. 😊 good luck, crocheting can be very addictive.
Yes - that sounds the same as me, thank you! I think I'm on the right track, just need more familiarity with left hand - thank you for the confirmation. Totally addictive LOL
Great job of your first Granny Square! Is there anything you actually can't do?? 😂 I looked at how I tension my yarn (because its so automatic that I don't actually notice anymore) and I apparently only hold it between my index and middle finger with about an inch or 2 between that and where my hook is. I don't wrap it around any fingers. I hope you continue to enjoy your crocheting adventures! Much love, Clare xx
Caroline, bear with me. I taught myself how to crochet AND knit because I am left handed and my mother was not. She knitted Continental. I taught myself left-handed crochet first, from books because there was no Internet. So *I learned to tension yarn with my right hand*! And when I taught myself basic knitting, English style/throwing came pretty easily to me because *I could tension the yarn with my right hand*! I have never been able to knit continental -- and I have tried. So I, a lefty, taught myself both skills in exactly the opposite order from you. But the hand I used to tension yarn was the same in both. Is it possible that holding the crochet hook in your left hand and the yarn in your right might come to you more easily that you would expect? Update: but I must say your first granny squares look **much** better than mine did!. And I believe you're holding the yarn in your left hand the same way I hold mine in my right.
tension for crochet, you are doing the little finger right but the thread should go over the top of your index finger from left to right and hold the thread with thumb and middle finger. This is how my Mammaw taught me at 9 and now I am 66. Won the Beautiful Christmas advent kit for 2023 when you turned 49 Hope this helps Love Crocheting and you will too Postscript: th-cam.com/video/3bCPtlOAIgs/w-d-xo.html she shows at 8:42 how she is holding the tension on the yarn , there are several ways to tension the thread , and no one right way.
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Way to go!! 🎉 FYI, crocheted edging around knitted afghans is useful, especially to stabilize looser stitched patterns. Look forward to seeing future crochet projects! ❤ Happy Stitching, Lynn
You did an excellent job!!! When I first learned to crochet I bought variegated yarn and kept working on my granny square -- ended up becoming a cute baby blanket. Happy stitching ❤️
👏You did a great job jumping into crochet. Your granny square looks great. I agree your yarn choice did better with the smaller hook. Tension comes with practice and figuring out the best way to hold your yarn and your hook. Also whether you choose to yarn over or yarn under when picking up your yarn with your hook can make a difference. It is addictive...I know you've suffered with tendonitis in the past so just watch how you're gripping your hook and listen to your body.
If you're looking for a good stitch for a pillow or blanket you could try moss stitch. It's quite easy and creates lovely fabric. It's basically a chain stitch & a single crochet on repeat once you have your foundation row set up. That's the stitch pattern I used for the cardigan I was wearing at the last Stitch North.
I learned to crochet by watching Hooked by Robin too. 😊
Your first crochet looks SO much better than my first attempt at knitting. 😂. But I will persevere to finish my coaster so that I can graduate to socks!
OMG !!! How you feel about crocheting is how I feel about knitting…. I want to knit so bad but I’m intimidated and scared to start something…. I want to knit socks, but I think I should stick with dishcloth until I get good tension. Your granny square is beautiful!!! My grandmother taught me to crochet when I was 5, (I’m 61 now) that’s a gift I’ve had my whole life. Hope to teach my granddaughter someday… she is 16 months.
Congratulations!!!! Keep practicing!!!
Ohh check out TL yarns latest video- she has a crocheted pillow on her couch that is so cute!!
If you did a granny square pillow you can put your granny square over a premade pillow… just an idea. Love watching all your videos!!!
Hi Caroline - Love your beginning square and pink and grey colors. Just to let you know I have been crocheting for many years and I am a right handed crocheter. I hold item that I am crocheting in the right hand, and loop the yarn I need a few times around my left pointer finger only )(no pinky use and that would cramp my hand eventually so I would not go that route only use the pointer finger).. As I crochet - I gently pull the yarn from the left pointer finger and it unravels slowly to crochet my item (making a baby blanket now). As I need more yarn, I would wrap more yarn around my pointer finger etc .. Also, since you are a knitter you understand tension; with crochet - tension is a feel that you always aim for as you crochet and you will know when it feels the right tension - It is a firm stitch (not too tight or wobbly). I swear by Boye needles (in the U.S.) and go with the G hook, or F, and E. (I think yours 4 is a E or an F). So if you do the smaller hook you would have to crochet more squares for the item; same applies to next size hook - depends on the amount of squares you wanted to do. Same idea applies to the type of yarn - thicker or thinner yarns will change the look. Also, remember as you use wool with knitting, if you wash it in hot water, it shrinks - that is why is prefer to use baby sports weight yarn (washable too). It is all based on personal preference and what you are making, Hope this information is helpful to you. Monica A.
Great job I also taught my self how to crochet years ago. Those granny squares can be addicting I have a plastic tub of them.😂
Great job Caroline!
I have been crocheting for 55yrs, taught myself from a book,no internet back then. Love hooked by Robin.
I crochet my first afghan last year. I loved doing it. I watched Play Hookie with me. Problem with learning all the things is finding time to do all the things. 😅
I’d love to crochet an afghan - and I’ll have to check out Play Hookie, what a great name!!!
Nice job! I'm learning to crochet by watching videos. I'm finding it much easier than knitting. I never figured that out. I started with The Giddy Stitcher's crochet tutorial and then worked my way through the free Crochet Academy from TLYC. I don't do it much since I'm always stitching but have a scarf and dishcloth as Wips and have finished a few dish clothes. I want to make my son a blanket and the pattern I like uses a the herringbone half double crochet. So I watched a video to learn that and am making a dishcloth to practice it. Check out that stitch for your pillow. Or my scarf and other dish clothes are in single crochet. Have fun.
I learned to crochet first, so continental knitting came very naturally to me. My grandma taught me how to hold the yarn- just like you showed. My index finger doesn't get tired faster than any other parts of my hand. Will be interesting to see if you try knitting differently once you get comfortable with crochet...
I was watching you and you mentioned possible soreness and I was about to tell you to be careful 😀
I agree with Keri, you’re the opposite of me as I was super tight.
The way I tension in my left hand wrapping yarn around my pinky and ring finger, then over my index finger. I don’t flick I use the hook to scoop under. You did great and I’m proud of you 😉❤️👍🏽
Good for you!!!!!
Congratulations on your first square, Caroline 🎉 Glad you know when to stop and rest.
I’m a continental knitter so crocheting is very easy for me as both involve the left hand
My first crochet attempt was 54 years ago. A blanket for my soon to be born. I got a learn how book, yarn and a crochet hook. I was , like you, so pleased with myself. It actually turned out great. I have continued crocheting over the years and have made more baby blankets for children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Good for you, learning and doing such a great job. 🎉🎉🎉❤
❤❤❤ you did great !
You are so addicted to these flosstubes. Lol. LOVE THEM. Don’t stop!! ❤️❤️❤️
Love any video you do. You are a very talented and gifted woman! You inspire me and others I’m certain! 😀😀😀
I am not a knitter. I have crocheted since I was a teen. I love Hooked by Robin. I have crocheted several things by her.
I have been waiting to see your crochet journey start. Of course you inspired me so I promptly ordered the crochet bag!
❤️❤️❤️ it’s so fun!!!!! I’m going to attempt the “Cobweb Cover” that my friend Candace suggested as a super easy first project. Here we go!!!!!
Oh that sounds fun! This is going to take away from my stitching time but I am looking forward to learning how to crochet. My mom knits but could not get the hang of crocheting so when I figure it out maybe I can teach my 85 year old mom how to crochet. ❤️❤️❤️
Have watched Massive Crochet videos when looking for simple patterns. You can always do granny squares to desired size pillow and line it with coordinating fabric. Some will be more apt to catching on such as dog nails. I remember teaching my mother to do granny squares in her ‘80’sShe was always a throw knitter. My Italian grandmother did the fine crochet used to make table clothes, bedspreads and antimasscars. Those were projects! Unfortunately that was also during WWII years and those cotton yarns have not always aged well. Just enjoy! It is another relaxing pastime.
Fiber Flux is an excellent channel for crochet!!! There are so many step by step videos for every kind of item you want to make!!!
Great video!
I’ve been crocheting for 25 years. I had to laugh because I’ve been learning to knit this whole year.
Trying to tension my yarn on my right hand has been tough cause I’m an English knitter for some reason has been difficult, but I figured it out. The way I tension my yarn to crochet is I wrap it around my left pinky finger one whole time, then under my ring finger and middle finger , then over my index finger. It may take some time for to get the hang of it, but that works for me. Hooked on Robin has some great videos and Lori Holt also has really good crochet videos. Congrats. Your granny square looks great. Your tension will get better over time. Keep practicing!
Lori Holt has some wonderful crochet tutorials too.
Learned to crochet at age 7. At 12, I stopped & then relearned at age 19. I also knit. The tension will come. If you are loose like I used to be, use a smaller hook, but be aware that your tension will make it so you get tighter. I wrap my yarn around my left hand thru the pinkie, etc., but I use the hook at all times. I basically keep my left hand the same & use all the movement from the hook wrapping around and pulling thru. I will be 76 in a few short months & am content to know & do x stitch, needlepoint, embroider, knit & crochet. I plan in my next life to learn how to tat and weave (& make cheese), so you will find me in my next life at a monastry or a nunnery learning those things. LOL.
Yippee, you started! Great job ❤ Sending you an email about tension as visuals are best I think. Jenny x
Thank you so much!!!
Sandra of Cherry Heart on TH-cam also has good crochet tutorials and Beautiful crochet designs.
Your first Granny Square looks Great! Tension in crocheting is something that will get easier for you as you Crochet more. ❤
I love Hooked with Robin. Another wonderful channel is TL Yarn Crafts.
I was an English/throwing style knitter when I learned to crochet from a teach yourself visually to crochet library book. I weave the yarn loosely through my left fingers so the yarn is resting above the ring and index finger. I hold my hook like a pencil. I throw the yarn over the hook with my left hand and hook with the right hand. The traditional way leaves me with a sore index finger and no circulation in my pinkie and my right wrist makes a terrible clicking noise that is painful.
Also, I use a stitch marker on my last stitch before I put the project away to stop any unraveling. Happy Stitching 🪡
Hi Caroline, when I knit, I loop the yarn around my pinky finger of my right hand , so when I started to crochet, I automatically looped it around my left pinky finger, letting the yarn flow freely around the fingers. I hope this makes sense. 😊 good luck, crocheting can be very addictive.
Yes - that sounds the same as me, thank you! I think I'm on the right track, just need more familiarity with left hand - thank you for the confirmation. Totally addictive LOL
Great job of your first Granny Square! Is there anything you actually can't do?? 😂 I looked at how I tension my yarn (because its so automatic that I don't actually notice anymore) and I apparently only hold it between my index and middle finger with about an inch or 2 between that and where my hook is. I don't wrap it around any fingers. I hope you continue to enjoy your crocheting adventures! Much love, Clare xx
😂😂😂 Tatting! I hate tatting - I stink at it. And thank you so much for the tips!
Caroline, bear with me. I taught myself how to crochet AND knit because I am left handed and my mother was not. She knitted Continental. I taught myself left-handed crochet first, from books because there was no Internet. So *I learned to tension yarn with my right hand*! And when I taught myself basic knitting, English style/throwing came pretty easily to me because *I could tension the yarn with my right hand*! I have never been able to knit continental -- and I have tried.
So I, a lefty, taught myself both skills in exactly the opposite order from you. But the hand I used to tension yarn was the same in both. Is it possible that holding the crochet hook in your left hand and the yarn in your right might come to you more easily that you would expect?
Update: but I must say your first granny squares look **much** better than mine did!. And I believe you're holding the yarn in your left hand the same way I hold mine in my right.
People who are not left handed thing it is not a deal. But we back when learn on our know there was no books for us, So glad you made it.
Have a TH-cam for you to watch: Daisy Cottage Designs. Her granny-type patterns are nicely more dense than others.
Thank you Dianne! Off to subscribe and watch in the morning!!
tension for crochet, you are doing the little finger right but the thread should go over the top of your index finger from left to right and hold the thread with thumb and middle finger. This is how my Mammaw taught me at 9 and now I am 66. Won the Beautiful Christmas advent kit for 2023 when you turned 49 Hope this helps Love Crocheting and you will too
Postscript: th-cam.com/video/3bCPtlOAIgs/w-d-xo.html she shows at 8:42 how she is holding the tension on the yarn , there are several ways to tension the thread , and no one right way.
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