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Crochet can seem very confusing when you’re getting started. But eventually it all starts to become clear and you get into the groove. To help that along a bit quicker, or to level up your crochet skills if you’re already on your way, here are my top 10 favourite tricks to make your crochet awesome…
1. Crochet into the back bumps of a foundation chain
Starting at the beginning… when I’m making a blanket or any project that starts with a foundation chain, I always think that first row of crochet into the foundation chain is the worst. It can be tricky to insert your hook under both loops. So flip it over! Work into the neat little back bumps (or ridges) on the under side of the chain. This leaves a neat row of stitches that are easy to crochet into if you go back round to do a border, or a lovely finished edge if you don’t.
Check out my blog post How to: different ways to crochet into a foundation chain
2. Skip the starting chain altogether
This trick blew my tiny crafty mind when I first discovered it. Instead of making a foundation chain, and then crocheting into it, you can DO BOTH AT THE SAME TIME. This is brilliant because it’s easier, it avoids the awkward first row and it looks neater. Best of all, you can adjust the length.
If you start with a foundation chain, and then crochet your first row all the way along it, only to realise it’s too long or too short, you have to unravel the first row to adjust your initial chain, and do the first row all over again. With this technique you create the chain and first row at the same time so if it turns out you need more stitches, add them. If you’ve done too many, just unravel a few.
Sandra of the beautiful Cherry Heart blog has several brilliant detailed tutorials for these stitches, check out this one https://www.cherryheartcrochet.co.uk/2014/09/foundation-treble-crochet-ftc.html
3. Use a starting treble crochet (or starting double crochet in US)
This trick made me want to unravel all of my blankets and re-do them it’s so brilliant.
For projects using treble crochets (double in US terms) you often are instructed to start the row with a chain 3. This gets your hook to the right height to start the row but it can leave that first ‘stitch’ standing out and looking a bit ‘gappy’ or loopy. In the past I’ve experimented with doing 2 chains instead of 3, or trying various things to make it look better, but it never quite did. Until I discovered the starting treble crochet.
It may seem like not much of a difference in the photo. But multiplied up all the rows of a blanket, those non-conforming loops really started to make my brain itch. This really is a crochet level-up skill. I learned it by watching this brilliant video from Moogly on YouTube.
4. Learn The Russian Join – a tidy and secure way to join a new ball or colour
You might start to detect a theme here, which is that I like things to be neat and tidy! So I love this way of joining in a new ball of yarn. It’s really secure and there are no ends to sew in afterwards. There will be a few stitches where you are working with double the thickness so they could appear to be slightly bulkier. Usually though, this is barely visible.
Have you seen those lovely multi coloured balls of scrap yarn that people make with their odds and ends? This join is perfect for that, lots of beautiful colour changes without worrying about ends and unraveling.
Check out my little tutorial on The Russian Join
5. Use a stitch marker or progress keeper
I really need to take my own advice with this one, I’m currently working on a blanket and I keep forgetting to do this trick and then regretting it. This is more about making sure your crochet STAYS awesome.
Have you every picked up a crochet project you’ve been working on, or fished it out of your bag, or wrestled it off a pet or small child, only to find the yarn has got caught on something and pulled and unravelled a load of your stitches? Annoying.
Simple solution, put something in your active loop to stop it unravelling! You could use a scrap piece of yarn, or a safety pin, or a charm or small keyring with a little lobster clip. Or, not like we need an excuse to shop for craft stuff but, you could buy something shiny and new that’s made to do just this job! If you don’t have any stitch markers yet, they are also very useful (sometimes essential) to mark pattern repeats or start and finish points if you’re working in the round. You need them in your life.
6. Tie ends together to make a fringe
Along with my neat and tidy theme, you may detect another. I do not like sewing ends in and will do anything to avoid it. I do, however, love the way crochet looks in various stripes and colours. So this is a brilliant, neat and tidy trick to solve the problem of what to do with all those ends…
just tie them together! Instead of weaving in loads of ends and creating a lot of bulk at the ends of a scarf or blanket, you can tie them neatly together and trim the ends to the same length. It actually looks like a pretty professional finish. And not like you were being too lazy to sew them in.
7. Choose the right hook
When I first really got into crochet and began work on a blanket, I quickly started to get all kinds of aches and pains in my hand and wrist. I was using regular metal standard crochet hooks. After a bit of trial and error (and googling) I discovered that just widening my grip on the hook slightly made all the difference, so I started to use hooks with thicker handles.
There are many different styles of hook available, made from various materials and for various budgets! I started with a basic, inexpensive set from Amazon – https://amzn.to/3zP5lR1 . I bought them 5 years ago and while I now have some newer hooks in my most used sizes, I still go back to this set for other sizes. They serve me very well.
My favourite hooks
My favourite hooks are these beauties shown in the picture from Pedros Plaques on Etsy. I’m slowly building up my collection. They are all crafted by the very talented Karen. She is a crocheter so she’s got the dimensions just right, and adds a neat little thumb rest and they are so comfortable to work with.
My favourites are these painted rose hooks but she has a gorgeous range of designs. They are usually handmade to order so it can take a few weeks for them to arrive, but they are definitely worth the wait, I’ve also purchased stitch markers and a magnetic needle holder from Karen, she has lots of beautiful things in her Etsy shop. I love them.
So take the time to find the right hook for you. The right thickness and ergonomic shape for you can help prevent hand and wrist strains. If it feels smooth and comfortable in your hand and to hook with, your work will be neater and more consistent. If it looks beautiful too, even better. You’ll take more care with it and be less likely to lose it down the back of the sofa.
8. Join Ravelry
Goodness knows how many actual hours I have spent browsing on Ravelry. It’s a bit of a paradise for crocheters (and knitters!). It is a huge database of patterns, yarns, designers, users and projects. So if I see a pattern I am interested in making, I see if it’s on Ravelry – if I didn’t find it there in the first place.
For each pattern there is a ‘project’ section so you can see how other makers got on with the design. Whether it turns out like the pictures, which yarns you could use, tips and tricks in the comments sections – and much more. If you have a random ball of yarn in your stash that you’re not sure what to do with, you can find it on Ravelry. Click projects and see what other people have done with their yarn. If you’re searching for patterns you can filter by price (many are free), yarn, pattern type. It’s just so flexible.
There’s a social element too. You can message people or interact on forums. Get involved with a hosted make along or crochet along, you can join groups of people with common interests. If you haven’t already, I would recommend you take a look. It has definitely inspired me and helped me to widen and develop my crochet skills.
9. Find some brilliant bloggers
It’s not the first time I’ve mentioned this on my blog but I was really inspired to learn more about crochet by Lucy of Attic 24. She has as beautiful blog, with lovely updates about her life, and she creates awesome, colourful designs and projects. Lucy generously shares all her patterns for free – often with step by step instructions, so they are ideal for beginners. My first big project was her Ripple blanket. Even though I didn’t use the nicest yarn to make mine, it has a special place in our lounge and is pulled over one or more of my family for snuggling under on a daily basis.
My current favourite blogger is Ashley of A Crafty Concept. She freely shares some brilliant, fun designs along with a wealth of knowledge and expertise about running a crochet business. She is a very big source of inspiration for me at the moment and has really fired up my creativity.
I definitely wouldn’t be the crocheter I am today without the bloggers I found on the internet. We are all different, and there must be thousands of crocheters out there on blogs and social media. So search about, find some you’d like to follow that suit your taste and style, and let them inspire and educate you.
10. Make some crochet friends
Last but most definitely not least: find your people.
Through Ravelry, Facebook groups, Instagram, even on TikTok, you will find communities of crocheters that you can connect with online. If you’re looking for advice before you start a project, or you get stuck, or you just want to show off your ta-dah, look what I made moment – crocheters on the internet will be there for you. And you can be there for them, which is equally nice.
Not just virtually, you can get together with crocheters in actual real life. There is something really special about being in a room full of crocheters and crafters all making and chatting. I had a brilliant day of escapism at The Crochet Sanctuary in Cheshire where I met some lovely ladies.
If you have a local craft school or teacher you could go to an evening class and tap into a local community. My craft teacher is the lovely Jo at French Knots Craft Studio. Jo has been teaching me to sew, but she runs various crafty gatherings (including crochet based). She has a Facebook group too which is a lovely way to keep in touch with local makers and people I’ve met at Jo’s classes.
I’ve joined a group of makers in my town who meet once a month for tea, cake and making in a cafe. We also have a Facebook group so we can update each other on things we’ve been making or ask if anyone has half a ball of yarn we’ve run out of mid project.
Through the local group I’ve met my person, Jane. Well my craft person anyway. Jane is very experienced at many crafts (and life skills in general) so if I’m stuck or I want a pat on the head she’s always there to encourage or help. Or test and edit my first crochet pattern. Or give me some spare Miffy fabric she found because she knew I’d love it. If I ever go missing, I’m probably hiding in Jane’s craft room.
And that’s the end of my top 10! Do any of these make your list? Have you got some other tricks I’ve missed? Let me know in the comments…
