Crochet and knitting are both epic fiber art forms. However, if you know how to do one, it can be a bit intimidating when you are thinking about learning the other. Get realistic and simple tips from a long-time knitter and newbie crocheter, and project recommendations for your first crochet project. After reading this post, you will feel inspired to put down your knitting needles and finally pick up that crochet hook!
How Crochet and Knitting Are Different
Before we dive into the tips and recommendations, let’s first talk about the differences between knitting and crochet. Of course, if you are a knitter, then you probably share the pet peeve of people saying “knitting” and “crochet” interchangeably. They are not the same!! What makes them different is that knitting uses a pair of knitting needles to form a set of active loops, which the knitter moves from one needle to the other. On the other hand, crochet uses a single hook to hook loops together, usually while trying to maintain one active loop on the hook.
Because knitting and crochet use different techniques, they create different fabrics as well. Not only do the fabrics look different, but knitted fabric is usually a bit more stretchy than crochet. Depending on what you’re making, a crocheted fabric could work better. For example, crocheting a bathing suit could help prevent the fabric from stretching or sagging when wet.
Why a Knitter Might Want to Crochet
There are a number of reasons why you, as a knitter, want to crochet. It could be just because you want to achieve a different fabric for a certain project. Or maybe, if you’re like me, you’re curious about it and want to see if crocheting could be another hobby to fall in love with.
For some background, I taught myself to knit when I was 10 years old. Since then, I have always been working on a knitting project. I was always very interested in trying crochet but was very intimidated by it. It all seemed so different from knitting, and I was worried my hands would NOT cooperate! Also, being a bit of a perfectionist, I knew that my knitted work looked good, and I didn’t want my first crochet project to look, well, bad.
Last summer, I finally mustered up the courage and decided to try out crochet, and I was… pleasantly surprised. I can be the type of person who gets frustrated when I don’t pick something up quickly, but I was really mindful about approaching this project with patience and grace. I ended up with a super cute checkered bag that I love to use to carry yarn and knitting projects! I had such a good experience, I bought some crochet patterns afterward too!
How To Do Your First Crochet Project as a Knitter
Follow these steps to make your first crochet project as a knitter a positive and fun experience!
1. Find a pattern you WANT to do
The first step in having a good first experience with crochet as a knitter is to find a pattern that you actually want to make. Now, most people may recommend that you start with making a dishcloth or a scarf, but personally, those items just don’t excite me. And because they don’t excite me, I won’t be motivated to even get started, let alone finish. So if you don’t have a crochet pattern in mind that excites you, start searching around! Scroll through Instagram or TikTok, or browse on Pinterest (or check out the recommendations at the bottom of this post).
Once you come up with some crochet inspo, you’ll want to make sure the pattern is still beginner friendly. Some things to look for in a beginner-friendly knitting pattern are:
A single color (or you can try two colors if you’re feeling like a confident beginner)
One or two stitch types (single crochet, half double crochet, and double crochet stitches are good beginner stitch types)
A repetitive stitch pattern that doesn’t require much shaping
Basic shapes (squares, rectangles, circles)
Finding a beginner-friendly pattern that is ACTUALLY something you want to make is going to be a game changer. So make sure you are really hyped about whatever pattern you choose!
2. Find what yarn you want to use
Now that you have your pattern, the next stop is getting yarn to make your project with. I have three suggestions for this step, and I want you to choose which suggestion speaks the most to you. When choosing yarn for your project, you can either:
Get some cheap yarn. Getting cheap yarn is a good option if you’re afraid you’re going to get frustrated and ultimately give up. Depending on the type of person you are, spending a small amount of money on yarn can be an easier pill to swallow than buying a bunch of expensive yarn. In case you're nervous that you won't like crochet, this could be a good option so you don't buy specific yarn that ends up sitting unused in your stash. (This suggestion was the one I went with, by the way.)
Splurge and get some expensive yarn! Getting some quality yarn that you’re excited to work with and wear or use once the object is complete could serve as an incentive or a way to hold yourself accountable.
Work with yarn from your stash. If you have an overflowing stash filled with impulse yarn purchases, this could be a great project to put some of that yarn to use!
3. Practice the stitch(es) before starting the pattern
Once the pattern and yarn are in hand, it’s time for practice!
*practice gif*
I found this step to be SO helpful when it came to working on my first crochet project. Rather than diving right into the project and getting frustrated when your stitches aren’t coming out pretty or even, take some time to practice first! This could look like a gauge swatch, but you may even want to practice before swatching since your first stitches may not have the right tension.
Refer to your pattern for what types of stitches are needed to make your project. Find some helpful YouTube tutorials and figure out how to do them. Then, take some time practicing them until you feel like your hands are used to the movements and your stitches are looking consistent. When they are, you are going to feel so much more confident when you start the actual project!
4. Make mistakes!
When you’re ready to start on the actual pattern, understand ahead of time that you are likely to make mistakes. That’s okay! You’relearning. And luckily, it is much easier to frog in crochet than it is in knitting, so you can always fix your mistakes if you want. Or you can keep them as a fond memory stitched within your very first crochet project.
5. Google and YouTube are your besties
Be fully prepared to look up techniques and tips throughout your first project. (Thank you, Internet.)
6. Show off your first crochet project!!
When you have finally conquered your first crochet project (which you totally will if you follow these steps), show it off!! You’re going to inspire so many knitters to finally pick up a crochet hook and give it a shot. And you’ll realize that a whole new world of fiber art has just opened its doors to you! Think of how many more things you can now make!! You should also use this time to celebrate how cool it is that you just taught yourself something new. Amazing.
Beginner-Friendly Crochet Pattern Recommendations
Hopefully, you’re feeling inspired to get started on your first crochet project! If you are, here are some beginner-friendly crochet patterns that you might want to try (but remember Step 1, you should REALLY want to do it!).
Beginner Crochet Patterns
These recommendations are great if you’re looking for something as easy as possible.
Easy Crochet Plant Holder Crochet Pattern (a quick first project to try out granny squares with!): “Granny square plant holder” by Coffee x Freckles
Free Crochet Beanie Pattern with video tutorials: “The Everyday Beanie” by For the Frills
Free Crochet Shoulder Bag Pattern: The “Daily Walk Bag” by Elise Made
Crochet Tank Pattern (looks great for layering!): “Easy Crochet Top” by TCDDIY
Crochet Crew Neck Sweater Pattern (with options to add stripes!): The “Mavety Sweater” by Wavelengths
Confident Beginner Crochet Patterns
These recommendations are perfect if you feel like you’re interested in challenging yourself a little extra while working on your first crochet project.
The very first crochet pattern I ever did!: “Crocheted Checkered Tote Bag” by Looped By Ali
Crocheted Scoop Neck Cropped Tank: The “Elide Crop Top” by Handmade Hanna Louise
Ribbed Crochet Dress with Slim Straps, Scoop Neck, and Side Slits: The “Selma Dress” by Mati Denmark
Crocheted Color Block Crew Neck Sweater: “Cropped Color Block Crochet Sweater” by CoolyarnsByPheak
Granny Square Crew Neck Sweater: The Gigi Jumper by Holly Woodward Designs
Granny Square Jacket: “Cropped Granny Jacket” by Theodora Goes Wild UK
Thank you so much for reading! I hope you found this blog post helpful. If you did, comment below what you plan to crochet first!
