While I love knitting, my first fibre love was actually crochet! I love having both techniques to work with - each creates their own unique beautiful effects.

Whether you’ve been crocheting for a while or you’re picking up a hook for the first time, here are some of the tips I’ve found really valuable over the years.

Try a variety of crochet hooks.

The most common type of hook you’ll find are thin plastic or metal hooks, however, I recommend experimenting with different holds and trying ergonomic/curvy handled versions as well. If you’re willing to invest a bit more, there are also many fun hand-turned wooden or crafted versions made by indie makers. There’s no definitive best type of hook or holding technique - find what feels best for YOU!

If you are experimenting with hooks, avoid switching hooks in the middle of projects as it can cause some inconsistency in your stitch sizes - this can happen even with switching between different brand manufacturers because small differences in the hook shape or handle can shift how you make your stitch or hold the hook.

Sudden interruptions?

If you need to put your project down at any point, make the loop on your current stitch really large - it should prevent stitches being pulled out by accident!

First time crocheting?

Pick a smooth, light coloured yarn. It’ll be much easier for you to work with and see your stitches as you practice. Also, consider working on something like a scarf or afghan where you can practice a single stitch over and over until you’ve got it down pat before trying more elaborate patterns.

Try using a larger hook for your foundation chain.

One of the trickiest parts of crochet is maintaining even tension and the foundation chain is key to a successful project. Beginners - and even experienced crocheters - often make the foundation a bit too tight, so using a hook that is one size larger than what you’ll be using for the rest of your project can help.

Stitch smoothly
Speed up your stitches by dabbing a small amount of lotion or hand cream onto the hook and then wiping it off with a tissue. The small amount of residue will help the yarn glide better for easier stitching.

Think about thickness
The structure of crochet results in a thicker and denser fabric than knitting does. As a result, you’ll want to use a thinner yarn than you would for knit - for example, if you’d knit with a DK, you’ll want to use a fingering weight yarn.