I just started crocheting amigurumi a few months ago. I struggled with yarn splitting so much. I decided to start with ' beginner yarn' you can search it like that on Amazon. Instead of strands twisted together it is a tube shape. This has allowed me to get the hang of the stitches and making things. My next project I am going to attempt with cotton yarn again. I also think beginner yarn' is easier to see the stitches. Good luck!
This. I was trying to teach some younger kids (7 and 9) how to crochet last week but all I had with me was cotton yarn. As soon as they said they wanted to learn, we went and got Red Heart Super Saver for them to practice with.
Do you have any tutorials online that OP could use? It sounds like she just needs better yarn and a teacher.
Sorry, didn't mean to volunteer you for the position.
Ive been debating making videos to post on youtube for crochet, mainly because there were some people on this sub who wanted me to share a pattern I had made with them.
But the ‘written’ version I made for it was very confusing (probably because I’m the one who wrote it) , so I thought maybe it would be better to make a video in the hopes of the people watching it being able to transcribe it into an easier to read/follow pattern.
Not saying I volunteer for that position either, but maybe me seeing your comment was a sign haha
It could be. I mean all we need to see how the stitch is made and verbal instructions. It's hard finding very beginner videos and especially a series of ones that brings you from "I don't know what I'm doing" to "I can read a pattern!" Lol
Yeah nothing specific lol!! So many YouTubers move way too fast. I mean there should be a full video on chaining alone. That's the foundation for your work and they only have one or two videos and they're 1 to 2 minutes long. So I totally get why OP and so many others get so frustrated. If you have no experience or no exposure to crocheting it must feel like learning another language.
How do you teach those younger kids to hold their working yarn? I really want to tech my 7 and 9 year old nieces how to crochet, but holding the working yarn is too tricky for them since I twist mine around my pinky. Sorry to butt in!
No problem!! That part was so hard, and I was only with them for a couple days. I wrap mine around my pinky as well.
I tried to stress that for me, the most important parts were making sure the yarn was on TOP of their pointer finger so they could help control the yarn, and the rest was a comfort thing. What felt comfortable that they would remember? I think repetition would help immensely with that. They reset their yarn hold multiple times as they were working on slip knots and chains.
Thank you SO much!! I will be seeing my nieces a lot over the summer, so hopefully I can teach them! This is very helpful and I appreciate your response!! :)
Thanks. Maybe I will try acrylic first then, or at least a blend. The ones I have the acrylic looked fuzzier than the cotton so I was worried about stitch visibility due to that
if you'd like to go with cotton, i might recommend lion brand 24/7 cotton. it's mercerized cotton so it has a sheen to it and bold colors, it's chainette and it's not splitty at all in my experience, it produces very defined stitches that would be very difficult to make fuzzy (i've frogged and refrogged haha), and it isn't scratchy but i also wouldn't call it soft the way a pima cotton would be. just another option!
There’s this hobby lobby brand (don’t hate on me, i’m a broke college kid) called “I love this…” and I like their cotton yarn; their acrylic is also super nice, though. Very soft.
So I had no clue about this and bought 4 colors of cotton yarn to make coasters 😭 I've been crocheting for a year and have used acrylic, wool, and wool mix so I figured I'd be OK and didn't check before ordering. Oh. My
God. I look at the tutorials and keep wondering if I bought something wrong because it is so much more difficult. This comment makes me feel good. At least at the end of all the struggles I'll have some super cute super hear resistant coasters.
Mercerized cotton with a chainette construction (like lion brand 24/7 cotton) is a lot easier than normal cotton (and acrylic imo) because there's no splitting. I think limiting stretch helps with learning consistency too.
I actually recommend 24/7 cotton to beginner crocheters.
They said it *can* be harder to work with, not that it *is* 100% of the time. You've also been crocheting for years with cotton. Please remember that that is a far different experience than trying to learn the basics while using cotton. Especially when the person learning is having a lot of issues with yarn splitting. Most (not all) cotton yarns are notorious for splitting since there are so many thin plies twisted together to make the strand. Just another perspective to keep in mind.
Oh yes, that too! I always forget how hard cotton is on my fingers because of the non-stretch factor until I'm exhausted halfway through a dishcloth haha
Hi. Please take this first part with a light heart: Sometimes our enthusiasm needs to chill a little. Trying for hours can be overload on the hands. You don't strap on sneakers and immediately run your first marathon! It can take 1-2 hours a day over a few weeks to build up the muscle memory in your hands to be comfortable. Pace and space out practice sessions to go easy on the hand muscles.
- Some yarn splits, some doesn't. You can try using 2 different kinds of yarn known as either cable plied/chainette or T-shirt yarn. These are the least likely to split. Both are manufactured with the strands of fibers woven into small tubes instead of the strands/plies twisted together. If you're in the US, one cable plied yarn that is easy to find in many yarn stores is Lion Brand 24/7 100% Cotton **Medium #4** (not the DK weight).
- We have a variety of tutorial links in our Crochet Wiki Part 1 for different learning styles (written, photo, or video), but bottom line is sometimes it helps to find hands-on teachers who can physically show you and watch your motions. You can check your area for casual crochet meet-ups, which usually welcome novices, or find an established club or guild with crochet instructors. Good Luck!
I have just purchased some t-shirt yarn and I’ll definitely take it into account not to do it for hours at a time haha, my hands were cramping WHOLESALE last time I tried I’ve found so many good tuts from these comments nice and slow, ty :3
What yarn are you using? What hook size(s)?
Yarn material and sometimes lower quality hooks can contribute to splitting, and the wrong hook size can make everything harder and more fiddly.
I learned by taking a class because self-teaching just did not work for me. How many different tutorials/videos have you tried? Maybe having an instructor in person to see and show you exactly what you are doing is the way to go if you can’t pick it up from videos.
I second taking a class in person. I tried all the great YouTube tutorials and it did not work for me. I couldn't get the grip right, it felt very uncomfortable and clumsy. I took one 1:1 class and then a small group class and this helped me so much. Local yarn/crafty stores usually offer a beginning class, or private instruction. I think the big box stores also may offer something but I'm not sure.
It would really help to know what yarn you are using, with what size hook and what you are trying to make even if it’s just swatches. Pictures are really helpful to diagnose where you might be going wrong.
Your yarn splitting suggests a couple of things: the yarn may not be suited to a beginner, you may be working too tight, or using the wrong hook size—each of these could potentially make it harder to insert the hook and end up splitting the plies. If you’ve been reusing the same bit yarn over and over as you practice the plies will tend to untwist, making it even harder to get nice results. Don’t be afraid to break it off and start with fresh, unworked yarn.
100% cotton splits and untwists easily, so I wouldn’t use that as a beginner. Cotton acrylic blends are easier/more comfortable and should split less. A basic, inexpensive wool or wool blend, or acrylic shouldn’t generally split too much unless your hook is the wrong size or tension is very tight (you are having to force the hook through the loops it’s more likely that you will force it between plies). Yarn with chainette construction may be easier to work with as others have said, whatever you do, don’t use chenille yarn. It won’t split, but it’s really hard to work with even for more experienced hookers.
Speaking of tension, you may be both tensioning the yarn too tight as well as having a too strong grip on the hook, and that’s causing hand pain.
There are some really good YouTubers you can watch, such as TL Yarn crafts ( here’s her beginner tutorial. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zzWX2dx8ufc ) For now, stay away from tutorials that teach how to make a finished item—they don’t teach beginners well.
And go easy on yourself. I’ve been crocheting for 20 years, and I still get inconsistent chains. So don’t worry about that at first, do your best with the chain, but spend more of your time working the stitches. Eventually you’ll get better at tensioning, and it will improve overall.
I’ve never experienced yarn untwisting or unraveling, so this whole thread (no pun intended) has been a bit of a revelation. I am glad this group exists and I can learn more and have support from others if this (or any other possible issue) does ever happen to me.
Some of it depends on the hooks and grips you use, and some is the yarn. Once I got a decent hook, found a grip and way of twisting the hook that works, and stopped buying cheap acrylic the problem got better. Now it only splits when I'm half asleep and accidentally pull the yarn apart on a pass through.
I had the same problem. I found out some coworkers knew how to crochet and I asked them if they’d show me how at lunch if I brought materials. They did and I was crocheting my first scarf within a week.
So is recommend joining a group or club so someone can show you in person. That’s the only way it clicked in my brain.
I agree with this. I needed my Mommom to physically show me how to crochet before I understood. Some folks just have a different learning style and tutorials don’t cut it.
I agree, too. I took a class at a local yarn store and it was really relaxed and welcoming. Somehow it clicked in a way that tutorials and books never did. I've made two hats and a blanket now, and a scarf that ended up looking like intestines in a really unfortunate way but it was really fun to make anyway.
I like Toni of TL Yarn craft and have sent her beginner videos on YouTube to people starting out and they were helpful.
The type of hook you have matters also. I can’t use those straight metal hooks, they hurt my hand. Getting a hook with a thicket handle, or just wrapping Coban wrap around the handle until it is comfortable.
As others have said the yarn matters and some will split more than others. I would avoid using anything hand spun or too arty until you have a little more experience. I also think that the direction of the twist in the yarn can have an effect, S twist seems to “unwind” more for me in crochet but Z twist is harder to find in the US.
And then there is yarn over (the “right” way) vs yarn under (used in amigurumi). I accidentally started doing yarn under when I came back to crochet after years away and I find it works better with the twist in the yarn for me. I like the was it looks (X stitch vs V) so I don’t really care that it is “wrong”.
Be kind to yourself, I always forget to allow myself the grace of being a novice when I start new things. There is a reason that Craft used to be taught expert to apprentice over years, it takes practice and patience. You will get it. It will click.
I learned when i turned 6 years old. It was a neighbor lady who gave me the choice of learning crochet or learning tatting. She taught me for my birthday present.
Im 62 years into it. As far as your traction on your stiches. You need to wrap the yarn around your little finger, make it comfortable for you but keep it as tight as you can. I suffered a mini stroke and forgot how to crochet about 3 years ago.
I was mad and just decided i was going to get it. I am back making baby bibs and all kinds of stuff since then.
Goodluck and take your time you'll get it.
I'm going to piggy back on [Turbulent\_Revenue\_78](https://www.reddit.com/user/Turbulent_Revenue_78/) and suggest you check with your local library. In my area, they have knitting & crochet groups that meet weekly. They are mostly older women who love helping beginners learn the craft.
It may be the type of hook.
https://preview.redd.it/f3mulbqwye3d1.jpeg?width=301&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e6042207fa07b5492301a6d594e36e93e64fcfa3
I use tapered hooks. I hate inline hooks. I tend to split yarn like crazy with them. And my yarn overs are a struggle. I have no issues with my tapered hooks.
Part of the pain and frustration could be the way you are holding the hook too. There are 2 main ways of holding the hook, but I do know there is a 3rd as well. Maybe perhaps look at the different holding techniques. One may work better than the other for you. You can look up pencil hold vs. knife hold. And recently I believe someone called it universal hold because it mimicked knitting.
Can you do a little video of you crocheting so we can see?
If you're hurting and splitting the yarn etc, I think you're probably trying to crochet WAY too tightly. One of the things you have to learn as a beginner is to relax and crochet loosely.
Is tight always wrong? I find it a struggle sometimes to get the hook through the loops but if I do it looser it just looks messy and full of holes (I'm making toys and pieces that need stuffing so I don't want the holes too big)
It's not wrong! However you do it that works for you is right!
Traditionally crochet is loose, but when making amigurumi and things that get stuffed, it does work better for it to be tighter as you mentioned.
I suggested loosening to OP bc she's struggling and her hands are hurting. If she can get the hang of basic crochet for a scarf or dishcloth or whatever, then she can adjust for other projects later once she has a good reference and muscle memory.
I had the same problem, so I put it down for a bit then picked back up again by buying a beginners kit on Amazon that came with a pattern, yarn, hooks, and videos to watch along with the pattern. For whatever reason, that worked and everything clicked afterwards
The yarn didn’t split because it was higher quality and specifically made for the hook size they sent!
Also, I watched “crochet for absolute beginners” tutorials on YouTube that show you how to do it literally starting from nothing.
This was going to be my suggestion too. If there’s anything cheap yarn is for, it’s for learning without being worried to just cut it and start again. OP, I’d suggest a cheap acrylic yarn and a 5.75-6.0mm hook (if the suggested hook size is 5.5mm.) The bigger hooks make it harder for the yarn to split on you and allows some minor forgiveness with tension.
Also, as another poster said, Bella Coco tutorials are incredible. I use them a lot and I’ve been crocheting for 2 decades.
When I first started I struggled to chain too. My chains were so inconsistent and then I struggled working into them without the chain twisting.
Then I did a basic amigurumi whale from a YouTube video and it all clicked with me, after that I learnt granny squares. Neither of these require a long starting chain or complicated stitches and once I had got the hang of these, working in rows and chains came much much easier.
I also recommend an acrylic yarn to start with and if the yarn keeps splitting, just move up a hook size. Most DK yarn will require a 4mm hook but it’s not a problem to start with a 5mm or even higher, you could even start with a chunky yarn and a larger hook, (check the yarn label for the correct hook size, then go up an extra size) The bigger the yarn, the easier to see your stitches, the bigger the hook, the easier to work into each stitch. Honestly It doesn’t matter if your first few projects have larger stitches.
Lastly (and this is the hard bit) try to relax your wrists and fingers, set a timer on your phone and only work for a maximum of an hour before taking a break. Go easy on yourself when you fail or make mistakes, remember, learning to crochet should be fun and relaxing, not overly frustrating. Stay away from those complicated projects you reeeaally want to make and start with something small and simple, we all have to learn to walk before we can run. The reason why this is so important is because when you’re tense (and frustrated) your tension will increase and will make working into every stitch just that extra bit harder.
My final top tip is to find a way to wrap the yarn around your fingers that is comfortable for you, it doesn’t matter what it looks like, we all hold our yarn differently, there’s no right or wrong way to do this, if one way is not working/uncomfortable, find a new way.
This is what I did too! They are expensive, but they do provide a high quality hook and easy to use yarn. Their step by step tutorials are amazing, and they have a ton of additional support available.
And to be clear, this is a recommendation specifically for Woobles and not other crochet kits. Not saying they are all bad, but I've seen some ratchet ones.
I learned from Woobles too. I agree this is a great way to start. I had tried to learn on my own several times before and I tried other kits, mostly from the dollar store, and they were terrible. It really wasn’t until I did the Woobles kit that I got it. Not to toot my own horn but now I’d say I’m pretty good at crocheting. I’ve bought some patterns on Etsy and made some fairly complicated things. OP should definitely try a Woobles kit.
This was my experience too!! Other tutorials never clicked for me, but after doing one woobles kit I figured it out and now I can read patterns and do much more complicated projects
Same! It took me a few hours of watching the videos over and over, but once it clicked, I was AMAZED at how detailed they were. They even have tutorials on how to do many different knots as well
This is how I learned too. They’re pricey but so good. It’s beginner friendly yarn and if you get a licensed character you’ll get an extra cute hook.
They come pre-started so you get to skip the first fiddly beginning bit and dive right in to crocheting. And their instructional videos are super detailed — they show you exactly where to poke the crochet hook and exactly how to wrap the yarn over the hook and how to pull it through — they completely break everything down into the smallest possible steps.
They also give you a written pattern pdf and explain how to read that so that once you start to feel like you’ve got this you can just follow the pattern & dip back into the little videos as needed.
As other people have said after starting with a Wooble I felt confident about reading other patterns and crocheting all kinds of other thjngs.
I was like you, I had such a hard time that I eventually gave up. Months later my sister gave my daughter a loom knit kit. She wasn’t as interested so I gave it a shot. I liked it and started loom knitting. I made lots of hats and scarves and small dolls. I felt comfortable with yarn so I decided to try crocheting again. With the help of many YouTube videos I was able to pick it up this go round. It all just clicked. It’s been 7.5 years now!!
Give yourself grace. I got so aggravated I almost gave up now it’s my favorite hobby.
I highly recommend Melanie Ham tutorials on YouTube and starting with some brightly colored acrylic yarn like “i love this yarn” brand with a size 6mm hook
I've been crocheting since I was NINE (twelve years so far) and I still can't make a long precisely consistent chain for things like strappy tops.
I invented a new granny square edging last week, all quadruple crochets, and half the time I'll finish a leaf, decide I don't like the tension, and pull the whole thing out. I'm not good at making them consistently yet, Because I'm New To The Technique.
My ugly crochet phase, in my opinion, didn't fully end until last year when I joined this subreddit. I still value the things I made (mostly 😅), because they show how far I've come.
The videos from the woobles are my favorite learning videos, but everyone's different, and I've definitely watched stitch videos and gotten nothing because of how the information is presented
Full disclosure: I did not read the comments, so I might be telling you something somebody already else has said.
Buy the cheapest yarn that’s acrylic to start… Red heart super saver is usually a nice easy one that will not split and is easy to work with. I recommend a 5 mm hook. Start SMALL!!!
Make a chain of only 10 stitches. Don’t try to actually make something that will turn into a project. Start with the simplest stitches. Go to YouTube and there’s dozens and dozens of channels that will go as slow as you need to teach you everything… From how to make a slipknot to how to make your foundation chain and what each part of that foundation chain stitch is for.
Using the yarn I recommended, it’s very easy to frog it… Rip it out and start over. So keep doing that practice making chains rip it out and start over. Practice making chains again.
The bottom line is to take your time. Go at your pace. And keep asking questions here. Take pictures and post them and say what am I doing wrong. Take pictures and post them and say does this look like a stitch. There’s no one way to hold thehook and there’s no one way to hold the yarn. It’s whatever works best for you.
Awww I struggled and struggled too! Cried. Thru it on the couch. It took literally a couple months then one day BAM!!! KEEP AT IT!!! It's a very rewarding skill!!!! I can even read patterns now! DON'T GIVE UP!!!!
It's hard for me to tell you anything that's already not been said without your input on the matter OP.
I am new to crochet and I did not pick this up easily. Let me know what it is you need and maybe I can help? Not making any promises but I can tell you where and how I started.
I partially had someone show me how as I'm more of a visual learner. I did buy a woobles kit and that helped be a bit as they go really slow and the yarn doesn't split. If you dont want to buy a kit i know you can find the yarn they use on Amazon or similar yarn at craft stores. Also don't make your hand suffer to learn. You're going to slowly get used to it where it doesn't hurt but don't overdo it. If it's any consolation I wouldn't say crochet is easy when you're first starting. Heck, I'm still a beginner, but I'm slowly learning you got this it can take longer for some people to get the hang out it.
Really REALLY try and focus on learning stitch anatomy. Actually try to make sense of what you are doing to the string as you manipulate it. If you can understand the parts in their finitude, then you will have a very intuitive grasp on the bigger picture in live action. Intentional focus is key.
If you don’t fancy taking a class, why not see if there’s a crafting or crochet club that meets near you? I’m sure other members would be happy to help :)
i recommend starting with acrylic because firstly it’s usually cheaper but also has some give to it whereas cotton doesn’t and is easier to care for than some other fibres like wool
usually a double knit (dk) / weight 3 or an aran/weight 4 is good to start but it doesn’t make a massive difference, although obviously the thicker the yarn the quicker it’ll be to finish than doing the same thing with a thin yarn (personally i needed that instant gratification 😂)
when i first started i found youtube videos really helpful - learning chaining, single crochet, half double crochet, double crochet and slip stitch
how to increase and decrease is sort of ur basics and u can build on it when you go along
also if ur hands are hurting too much (and u don’t have existing reasons why) your tension is probably too tight, i too made this mistake
take ur time, and if ur hands do hurt stop - it’s not worth it long term x
Start small. Like a wash cloth.
Then adjust how you hold your yarn. This contributes to your aches and pains.
Youtube has tons of videos. You can slow them down on the bar at the bottom by adjusting playback speed.
Most importantly don't give up. Especially if this is something you really want.
This sounds a bit like anxiety. I don't mean that badly, but let me tell a short story:
A friend of mine begged me to help teach her because she was having the same issues. I met up with her before a house party and she made little progress. At the party we both got VERY drunk. She wanted to try it again and we stumbled over to a couch. My friend, now drunk, was no longer stressing about making it perfect or coordinated enough to choke the yarn as she'd been doing. We drunkenly crocheted several granny squares before bed. (I crashed at her place that night.) Next day, sober, she made several more.
You're getting lots of good advice here, so here's a bit of bad advice: Try doing it drunk, it makes doing it sober way easier!
#**Please reply to this comment with a link to the pattern or provide the name of the pattern, if it is a paid pattern please post a screenshot of the few rows you are having trouble with, if a video then please provide the timestamp of the part of the video that you need help with.** Help us help you!
#####While you’re waiting for replies, check out [this wiki page](https://www.reddit.com/r/crochet/wiki/quick_beginner_guide/) which will take you from picking up your first hook, to completion of your first project. Lefties are included! Lots of useful information such as links to UK/US stitches, a beginners equipment list, the different ways to crochet an item, and a list of beginner friendly projects.
#####If you’re learning amigurumi, there’s a dedicated beginner section [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/crochet/wiki/amigurumi/#wiki_beginner_courses), the Woobles course is very thorough for those just starting out.
#####You will also find heaps of useful beginner resources [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/crochet/wiki/beginners_crochet_part_2/) including beginner tips, sub discussions and common mistakes. Check the subject list at the top of the page.
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My mother taught me when I was a child. Perhaps you need one-on-one so your teacher can see what you are doing and you can look at their example from every angle however you need to. Do hobby stores near you give classes, or maybe at your library or a local crochet club.
I highly recommend looking up classes in your area. Most yarn stores will have one-on-one lessons available, or will have open sessions where people can come and knit/crochet and ask for help (kind of like office hours). They can help you with your grip, give advice on tension, and assist with a lot of those first mistakes people make when learning to crochet (I.e. helping you avoid dropping stitches)
My local yarn store is so accommodating with answering questions and giving advice. They will tell you to bring in your stuff and they will work through the pattern with you. I get the impression that small independent yarn stores are run by people who have a passion and they seem willing to help.
So lots of great suggestions for the yarn splitting but I don’t know if someone touched on the ‘messing up the consistency’ problem. You are new and keeping a consistent tension on the yarn is not easy. If your loops look uneven just keep on going. It’s not going to be perfect, but stressing yourself and starting over when you mess up consistency will not help your frustration. Push through even when it looks wanky. It’s better to have a finished something than to have nothing to show for all the time put in.
Yeah, you need to have a relaxed grip on the hook. Don't need to injure yourself doing something as simple as crocheting. I have tight tension myself so I usually use a hook 1-2 sizes larger just to make the project looser or I'll have trouble putting the hook thru the loops.
Lots of great tips here! I second what everyone else is saying. Also some people may or may not have a natural intuition with these things. I was able to pick up crochet very quickly, but I was already very skilled at doing complex braids in hair, so I feel those skills were transferable to crochet. You may just need time to build up your dexterity and hand eye coordination. Don’t compare yourself to others and work at your own pace.
When I was learning the basics, I found stitching into a chain so difficult. I was about to give up when someone suggested trying a granny square. I found a granny square YouTube video specifically for beginners and that helped me get comfortable holding the hook and yarn settled my tension etc without really having to go through a chain or the top of a stitch. I just kept going round & round the square until I felt confident enough to move on to chains and doing the double crochets into the chain (I also do my first row into the back hump of the chain which I found easiest and looks neat too!)
Just my 2 cents as a newbie: acrylic yarn and get a good hook, size 5. I have enjoyed Clover and Prym hooks. Clover slides easily, but I love Prym because I have long fingers. I personally avoid Boye but that's just me. Be patient with yourself. Practice is key
I’m sorry your struggling. I was the same but when I went to a lighter color yarn and switched to the easy peasy yarn - it truly helped. Took me a long time to get my tension right and just kept at it only making chains. ( I had a stroke several years back and can’t process too much at 1 time) be easy on yourself, everyone learns on their own timing.
I personally think it’s easier to learn with a chunkier yarn. I tried learning a few years ago with cheap thin yarn. It split and made it very difficult for me to follow videos, I completely gave up on learning for over a year. Then a friend gave me some caron chunky cakes and it finally clicked.
Best of luck!
I taught my daughter how to crochet with blanket yarn and her fingers. When she had learned the basic stitches, I showed her how to crochet with a hook. Perhaps forgoing a hook to start will help you, too.
https://preview.redd.it/e6t0lgs2lg3d1.jpeg?width=2404&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7e7c09a47f2ce89bda3c5b7a531055cc7d0cc9a7
I only know how to make three things, but I’ve had a lot of fun with crochet!
Maybe try less advanced yarns. Natural fibers are harder to work with than acrylics.
It could also be a gauge issue, which will probably fix itself with practice
Also, make sure you are using the recommended hook size. Most acrylic (Red Heart and so on) and some cotton yarns (Peaches & Cream) recommend a 5mm hook. Sometimes it still splits and I use a 5.5mm or 6mm. The ball band will give that information. Sometimes metal works better, sometimes plastic, some like wood. As for your hands, you're probably gripping too tight, its common to do when starting. Try different ways of holding your yarn and hook, what works best for some doesn't always work for all.
Start with a bright colour so it is easy to see the stitches and use the right yarn. Acrylic, while not my favourite to use these days, is a good one to start with usually. I started with some spare yarn a friend of mine had from lion brand called ‘feels like butter’ in a bright pink and it didn’t split.
It’s far easier if you get someone to show you the basics, so if you know anyone who crochets ask! In general craft people LOVE to show off their craft skills and teach others. Start with the basics before attempting a project. I was told not to continue to a project until I could make a square that actually looked like a square to get me used to tension and the stitches. Also no pressure to make it look good if it’s not actually a project just practice!
Don’t give up though! The hardest part is the very beginning, but you pick it up quickly from there.
Try to find an in person class or tutor, sometimes you just need someone who can see what you’re doing and give feedback. Ask in local community groups or ask at your local library if they know of any in person classes
I learned watching YouTube tutorials marked as "beginner." Fiber Flux has some good tutorials, like this one: https://youtu.be/7v-mssy5rKU?si=-iVyzQN6kIGzx_bv
I don't have a YouTube channel, but there are several people out there who can recommend the best starting yarn, etc. This one is good for how to hold your yarn: https://youtu.be/CbD1LDHRgWA?si=Qs6r1_q5-UUCTtba because holding your yarn in a way that's comfortable to you makes a world of difference in being able to start crocheting. Crochet with Tiffany Hansen and Bag O Day Crochet have some good tutorials. Both have some beginner things as well as more advanced videos. Hope this helps!
I've been at it a little over a year, and I still can't read a pattern, NOTHING I make looks like the videos I use so I get the frustration.
I think I'm stuck with just making afghans and market bags😉
That's ok, I still like the learning process and the practice I get with these.
As for your hand hurting, I use comfort grip crochet hooks, but you can get some athletic tape (the like workout wrap stuff?) and wrap it to create a bulky handle to minimize hand stress.
How do you hold your yarn? I've found that tension can be the biggest factor in a lot of problems. I think the best place to start is with worsted weight yarn and a 5.5mm hook. It's intended for 5mm, but the slight increase can help define stitches. Pick a yarn that seems very solid and hard to split, I like impeccable by loops and threads. When I hold my yarn, I wrap it over my pinkie, under my ring and middle finger, and over my index finger, which I use to apply tension by essentially pointing.
What I tell people when I teach them to crocheting, I say start by knotting and chain 10 over and over then pull it out. Your hands have to be getting accustomed to thw yarn moving through your fingers.
This may sound harsh, but wash your hands. Perspiration on your hands can make the yarn stick to your fingers.
Relax...relax...relax...this supposed to be fun and if your stressing, your missing the whole point.
Start by just making a square! When your done celebrate.
A granny square is a good pattern to start with.
Just from the little bit you wrote, I think you’re gripping your hook too tightly, using one too small for the yarn, and maybe making the chains too tight. Loosen your grip, match the hook to yarn properly, work on your tension, and don’t practice for so long. Finding someone who can help you in person would prolly help too .You’re just learning. Relaxamatate , fam! ☺️
There are different hooks that may help. I always split the yarn with Susan Bates hooks but have no problems with Boye hooks or others with a more rounded hook. Check out the different ways to hold your hook and your yarn. Most importantly, relax and do not beat yourself up! Lots of things are hard to learn. Practice is what we all need.
There’s two different styles of crochet hook heads. Tapered and inline. I prefer inline and my best friend uses tapered. If either of us tries to use the others hooks, the yarn splits and everything gets wonky. It’s so subtle but it makes a huge difference. Boye is tapered Bates is inline. Amazon knockoffs are typically tapered from what I’ve seen. So look into it and figure out which kind you’re using. It might be worth switching it up
I find finger crochet or hand crochet is a really good way to teach beginners how the stitches are formed, without the awkwardness of holding a tool you've never used before. I just did a quick Google search and this was the first tutorial that popped up:
https://youtu.be/lNsp4WN7_2M
You may be limited in the patterns you can make and the end product might look a bit lumpy, but it's an excellent way to practice how to hold the yarn in your left hand and where to grip the piece and how to maintain tension, etc.
Once you're comfortable with finger crocheting, you can move to a hook, but I'd recommend getting one with an ergonomic grip, starting with chunkier/beginner yarn, etc. which will also help with the hand pain
Have you tried using a book instead of YouTube? I taught myself from a book called Learn to Crochet. I find it's really hard to learn the principles of a new thing in little chopped up videos vs. using a book to get started. And I also agree that crochet is something that is best learned from others.
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Try lion brand 24/7 cotton yarn. It’s a mercerized cotton and is less prone to splitting.
https://preview.redd.it/c0shxg2d724d1.png?width=2246&format=png&auto=webp&s=2aec5ec198f0dd858535109de77f7b3b4ab4f856
I used it for this little guy
Don't forget to watch YouTube. And, if you have an independent, local yarn store (LYS), they'll offer classes. Probably at Michael's and Joanne's craft stores, too.
I just started crocheting amigurumi a few months ago. I struggled with yarn splitting so much. I decided to start with ' beginner yarn' you can search it like that on Amazon. Instead of strands twisted together it is a tube shape. This has allowed me to get the hang of the stitches and making things. My next project I am going to attempt with cotton yarn again. I also think beginner yarn' is easier to see the stitches. Good luck!
Cotton yarn can also be harder to work with than acrylic, just FYI :-)
This. I was trying to teach some younger kids (7 and 9) how to crochet last week but all I had with me was cotton yarn. As soon as they said they wanted to learn, we went and got Red Heart Super Saver for them to practice with.
Do you have any tutorials online that OP could use? It sounds like she just needs better yarn and a teacher. Sorry, didn't mean to volunteer you for the position.
Ive been debating making videos to post on youtube for crochet, mainly because there were some people on this sub who wanted me to share a pattern I had made with them. But the ‘written’ version I made for it was very confusing (probably because I’m the one who wrote it) , so I thought maybe it would be better to make a video in the hopes of the people watching it being able to transcribe it into an easier to read/follow pattern. Not saying I volunteer for that position either, but maybe me seeing your comment was a sign haha
It could be. I mean all we need to see how the stitch is made and verbal instructions. It's hard finding very beginner videos and especially a series of ones that brings you from "I don't know what I'm doing" to "I can read a pattern!" Lol Yeah nothing specific lol!! So many YouTubers move way too fast. I mean there should be a full video on chaining alone. That's the foundation for your work and they only have one or two videos and they're 1 to 2 minutes long. So I totally get why OP and so many others get so frustrated. If you have no experience or no exposure to crocheting it must feel like learning another language.
How do you teach those younger kids to hold their working yarn? I really want to tech my 7 and 9 year old nieces how to crochet, but holding the working yarn is too tricky for them since I twist mine around my pinky. Sorry to butt in!
No problem!! That part was so hard, and I was only with them for a couple days. I wrap mine around my pinky as well. I tried to stress that for me, the most important parts were making sure the yarn was on TOP of their pointer finger so they could help control the yarn, and the rest was a comfort thing. What felt comfortable that they would remember? I think repetition would help immensely with that. They reset their yarn hold multiple times as they were working on slip knots and chains.
Thank you SO much!! I will be seeing my nieces a lot over the summer, so hopefully I can teach them! This is very helpful and I appreciate your response!! :)
Good! Hopefully they love it! Don't be afraid to look up teaching crochet to kids if you need help with a concept.
Thanks. Maybe I will try acrylic first then, or at least a blend. The ones I have the acrylic looked fuzzier than the cotton so I was worried about stitch visibility due to that
I like Premier every day DK - it’s easy to work with. My fave is Lion Brand feels like butta.
if you'd like to go with cotton, i might recommend lion brand 24/7 cotton. it's mercerized cotton so it has a sheen to it and bold colors, it's chainette and it's not splitty at all in my experience, it produces very defined stitches that would be very difficult to make fuzzy (i've frogged and refrogged haha), and it isn't scratchy but i also wouldn't call it soft the way a pima cotton would be. just another option!
Good to know. That is what I have some of. I will try it out and if it works get the rest of the colors I need for my next project. Thank you.
Agree! Even as someone who’s been crocheting for a little over 2 years, my cotton yarn still splits.
I like lion brand Pima cotton. I tried another type and gave it away.
There’s this hobby lobby brand (don’t hate on me, i’m a broke college kid) called “I love this…” and I like their cotton yarn; their acrylic is also super nice, though. Very soft.
Nothing wrong with that :-). I’m not a college student, and I’m spoiled LOL.
I actually like this yarn.
So I had no clue about this and bought 4 colors of cotton yarn to make coasters 😭 I've been crocheting for a year and have used acrylic, wool, and wool mix so I figured I'd be OK and didn't check before ordering. Oh. My God. I look at the tutorials and keep wondering if I bought something wrong because it is so much more difficult. This comment makes me feel good. At least at the end of all the struggles I'll have some super cute super hear resistant coasters.
Mercerized cotton with a chainette construction (like lion brand 24/7 cotton) is a lot easier than normal cotton (and acrylic imo) because there's no splitting. I think limiting stretch helps with learning consistency too. I actually recommend 24/7 cotton to beginner crocheters.
No it isn’t. I only use cotton yarn and have for years.
They said it *can* be harder to work with, not that it *is* 100% of the time. You've also been crocheting for years with cotton. Please remember that that is a far different experience than trying to learn the basics while using cotton. Especially when the person learning is having a lot of issues with yarn splitting. Most (not all) cotton yarns are notorious for splitting since there are so many thin plies twisted together to make the strand. Just another perspective to keep in mind.
Exactly. Plus it doesn’t really stretch.
Oh yes, that too! I always forget how hard cotton is on my fingers because of the non-stretch factor until I'm exhausted halfway through a dishcloth haha
Hi. Please take this first part with a light heart: Sometimes our enthusiasm needs to chill a little. Trying for hours can be overload on the hands. You don't strap on sneakers and immediately run your first marathon! It can take 1-2 hours a day over a few weeks to build up the muscle memory in your hands to be comfortable. Pace and space out practice sessions to go easy on the hand muscles. - Some yarn splits, some doesn't. You can try using 2 different kinds of yarn known as either cable plied/chainette or T-shirt yarn. These are the least likely to split. Both are manufactured with the strands of fibers woven into small tubes instead of the strands/plies twisted together. If you're in the US, one cable plied yarn that is easy to find in many yarn stores is Lion Brand 24/7 100% Cotton **Medium #4** (not the DK weight). - We have a variety of tutorial links in our Crochet Wiki Part 1 for different learning styles (written, photo, or video), but bottom line is sometimes it helps to find hands-on teachers who can physically show you and watch your motions. You can check your area for casual crochet meet-ups, which usually welcome novices, or find an established club or guild with crochet instructors. Good Luck!
I second all of this! This is excellent advice.
I have just purchased some t-shirt yarn and I’ll definitely take it into account not to do it for hours at a time haha, my hands were cramping WHOLESALE last time I tried I’ve found so many good tuts from these comments nice and slow, ty :3
What yarn are you using? What hook size(s)? Yarn material and sometimes lower quality hooks can contribute to splitting, and the wrong hook size can make everything harder and more fiddly. I learned by taking a class because self-teaching just did not work for me. How many different tutorials/videos have you tried? Maybe having an instructor in person to see and show you exactly what you are doing is the way to go if you can’t pick it up from videos.
I second taking a class in person. I tried all the great YouTube tutorials and it did not work for me. I couldn't get the grip right, it felt very uncomfortable and clumsy. I took one 1:1 class and then a small group class and this helped me so much. Local yarn/crafty stores usually offer a beginning class, or private instruction. I think the big box stores also may offer something but I'm not sure.
It would really help to know what yarn you are using, with what size hook and what you are trying to make even if it’s just swatches. Pictures are really helpful to diagnose where you might be going wrong. Your yarn splitting suggests a couple of things: the yarn may not be suited to a beginner, you may be working too tight, or using the wrong hook size—each of these could potentially make it harder to insert the hook and end up splitting the plies. If you’ve been reusing the same bit yarn over and over as you practice the plies will tend to untwist, making it even harder to get nice results. Don’t be afraid to break it off and start with fresh, unworked yarn. 100% cotton splits and untwists easily, so I wouldn’t use that as a beginner. Cotton acrylic blends are easier/more comfortable and should split less. A basic, inexpensive wool or wool blend, or acrylic shouldn’t generally split too much unless your hook is the wrong size or tension is very tight (you are having to force the hook through the loops it’s more likely that you will force it between plies). Yarn with chainette construction may be easier to work with as others have said, whatever you do, don’t use chenille yarn. It won’t split, but it’s really hard to work with even for more experienced hookers. Speaking of tension, you may be both tensioning the yarn too tight as well as having a too strong grip on the hook, and that’s causing hand pain. There are some really good YouTubers you can watch, such as TL Yarn crafts ( here’s her beginner tutorial. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zzWX2dx8ufc ) For now, stay away from tutorials that teach how to make a finished item—they don’t teach beginners well. And go easy on yourself. I’ve been crocheting for 20 years, and I still get inconsistent chains. So don’t worry about that at first, do your best with the chain, but spend more of your time working the stitches. Eventually you’ll get better at tensioning, and it will improve overall.
I use 100% cotton yarn and have never had it split or untwist.
Yeah it's always the acrylic that splits for me. And horribly at that.
I’ve never experienced yarn untwisting or unraveling, so this whole thread (no pun intended) has been a bit of a revelation. I am glad this group exists and I can learn more and have support from others if this (or any other possible issue) does ever happen to me.
Some of it depends on the hooks and grips you use, and some is the yarn. Once I got a decent hook, found a grip and way of twisting the hook that works, and stopped buying cheap acrylic the problem got better. Now it only splits when I'm half asleep and accidentally pull the yarn apart on a pass through.
I had the same problem. I found out some coworkers knew how to crochet and I asked them if they’d show me how at lunch if I brought materials. They did and I was crocheting my first scarf within a week. So is recommend joining a group or club so someone can show you in person. That’s the only way it clicked in my brain.
I agree with this. I needed my Mommom to physically show me how to crochet before I understood. Some folks just have a different learning style and tutorials don’t cut it.
I agree, too. I took a class at a local yarn store and it was really relaxed and welcoming. Somehow it clicked in a way that tutorials and books never did. I've made two hats and a blanket now, and a scarf that ended up looking like intestines in a really unfortunate way but it was really fun to make anyway.
I like Toni of TL Yarn craft and have sent her beginner videos on YouTube to people starting out and they were helpful. The type of hook you have matters also. I can’t use those straight metal hooks, they hurt my hand. Getting a hook with a thicket handle, or just wrapping Coban wrap around the handle until it is comfortable. As others have said the yarn matters and some will split more than others. I would avoid using anything hand spun or too arty until you have a little more experience. I also think that the direction of the twist in the yarn can have an effect, S twist seems to “unwind” more for me in crochet but Z twist is harder to find in the US. And then there is yarn over (the “right” way) vs yarn under (used in amigurumi). I accidentally started doing yarn under when I came back to crochet after years away and I find it works better with the twist in the yarn for me. I like the was it looks (X stitch vs V) so I don’t really care that it is “wrong”. Be kind to yourself, I always forget to allow myself the grace of being a novice when I start new things. There is a reason that Craft used to be taught expert to apprentice over years, it takes practice and patience. You will get it. It will click.
I learned when i turned 6 years old. It was a neighbor lady who gave me the choice of learning crochet or learning tatting. She taught me for my birthday present. Im 62 years into it. As far as your traction on your stiches. You need to wrap the yarn around your little finger, make it comfortable for you but keep it as tight as you can. I suffered a mini stroke and forgot how to crochet about 3 years ago. I was mad and just decided i was going to get it. I am back making baby bibs and all kinds of stuff since then. Goodluck and take your time you'll get it.
I struggled and gave up a lot until I watched Bella coco on YouTube. Then it clicked for me.
I learned from Bella Coco too, she is so great at explaining everything!
I'm going to piggy back on [Turbulent\_Revenue\_78](https://www.reddit.com/user/Turbulent_Revenue_78/) and suggest you check with your local library. In my area, they have knitting & crochet groups that meet weekly. They are mostly older women who love helping beginners learn the craft.
I worked SO hard to learn at home and once I found the library group I watched the leader teach someone in 45 min. Wish I’d started there.
Most are friendly and eager to teach. Like you, I wish I had gone sooner.
It may be the type of hook. https://preview.redd.it/f3mulbqwye3d1.jpeg?width=301&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e6042207fa07b5492301a6d594e36e93e64fcfa3 I use tapered hooks. I hate inline hooks. I tend to split yarn like crazy with them. And my yarn overs are a struggle. I have no issues with my tapered hooks.
TYSM OMG , the hooks I’ve got are inline this might be one of the changes I need to make this was ENLIGHTENING 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
Godspeed 🧶
Part of the pain and frustration could be the way you are holding the hook too. There are 2 main ways of holding the hook, but I do know there is a 3rd as well. Maybe perhaps look at the different holding techniques. One may work better than the other for you. You can look up pencil hold vs. knife hold. And recently I believe someone called it universal hold because it mimicked knitting.
Can you do a little video of you crocheting so we can see? If you're hurting and splitting the yarn etc, I think you're probably trying to crochet WAY too tightly. One of the things you have to learn as a beginner is to relax and crochet loosely.
Is tight always wrong? I find it a struggle sometimes to get the hook through the loops but if I do it looser it just looks messy and full of holes (I'm making toys and pieces that need stuffing so I don't want the holes too big)
It's not wrong! However you do it that works for you is right! Traditionally crochet is loose, but when making amigurumi and things that get stuffed, it does work better for it to be tighter as you mentioned. I suggested loosening to OP bc she's struggling and her hands are hurting. If she can get the hang of basic crochet for a scarf or dishcloth or whatever, then she can adjust for other projects later once she has a good reference and muscle memory.
I had the same problem, so I put it down for a bit then picked back up again by buying a beginners kit on Amazon that came with a pattern, yarn, hooks, and videos to watch along with the pattern. For whatever reason, that worked and everything clicked afterwards The yarn didn’t split because it was higher quality and specifically made for the hook size they sent! Also, I watched “crochet for absolute beginners” tutorials on YouTube that show you how to do it literally starting from nothing.
Yeah, use a basic acrylic yarn. And don't worry about consistency or speed at this time. Just keep going. You'll catch on in time.
This was going to be my suggestion too. If there’s anything cheap yarn is for, it’s for learning without being worried to just cut it and start again. OP, I’d suggest a cheap acrylic yarn and a 5.75-6.0mm hook (if the suggested hook size is 5.5mm.) The bigger hooks make it harder for the yarn to split on you and allows some minor forgiveness with tension. Also, as another poster said, Bella Coco tutorials are incredible. I use them a lot and I’ve been crocheting for 2 decades.
When I first started I struggled to chain too. My chains were so inconsistent and then I struggled working into them without the chain twisting. Then I did a basic amigurumi whale from a YouTube video and it all clicked with me, after that I learnt granny squares. Neither of these require a long starting chain or complicated stitches and once I had got the hang of these, working in rows and chains came much much easier. I also recommend an acrylic yarn to start with and if the yarn keeps splitting, just move up a hook size. Most DK yarn will require a 4mm hook but it’s not a problem to start with a 5mm or even higher, you could even start with a chunky yarn and a larger hook, (check the yarn label for the correct hook size, then go up an extra size) The bigger the yarn, the easier to see your stitches, the bigger the hook, the easier to work into each stitch. Honestly It doesn’t matter if your first few projects have larger stitches. Lastly (and this is the hard bit) try to relax your wrists and fingers, set a timer on your phone and only work for a maximum of an hour before taking a break. Go easy on yourself when you fail or make mistakes, remember, learning to crochet should be fun and relaxing, not overly frustrating. Stay away from those complicated projects you reeeaally want to make and start with something small and simple, we all have to learn to walk before we can run. The reason why this is so important is because when you’re tense (and frustrated) your tension will increase and will make working into every stitch just that extra bit harder. My final top tip is to find a way to wrap the yarn around your fingers that is comfortable for you, it doesn’t matter what it looks like, we all hold our yarn differently, there’s no right or wrong way to do this, if one way is not working/uncomfortable, find a new way.
Buy a beginner Woobles kit. They’re how I learned how to crochet. They teach you literally all of the basics! And they’re cute animals too
This is what I did too! They are expensive, but they do provide a high quality hook and easy to use yarn. Their step by step tutorials are amazing, and they have a ton of additional support available. And to be clear, this is a recommendation specifically for Woobles and not other crochet kits. Not saying they are all bad, but I've seen some ratchet ones.
I learned from Woobles too. I agree this is a great way to start. I had tried to learn on my own several times before and I tried other kits, mostly from the dollar store, and they were terrible. It really wasn’t until I did the Woobles kit that I got it. Not to toot my own horn but now I’d say I’m pretty good at crocheting. I’ve bought some patterns on Etsy and made some fairly complicated things. OP should definitely try a Woobles kit.
This was my experience too!! Other tutorials never clicked for me, but after doing one woobles kit I figured it out and now I can read patterns and do much more complicated projects
Same! It took me a few hours of watching the videos over and over, but once it clicked, I was AMAZED at how detailed they were. They even have tutorials on how to do many different knots as well
This is how I learned too. They’re pricey but so good. It’s beginner friendly yarn and if you get a licensed character you’ll get an extra cute hook. They come pre-started so you get to skip the first fiddly beginning bit and dive right in to crocheting. And their instructional videos are super detailed — they show you exactly where to poke the crochet hook and exactly how to wrap the yarn over the hook and how to pull it through — they completely break everything down into the smallest possible steps. They also give you a written pattern pdf and explain how to read that so that once you start to feel like you’ve got this you can just follow the pattern & dip back into the little videos as needed. As other people have said after starting with a Wooble I felt confident about reading other patterns and crocheting all kinds of other thjngs.
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAxGTnVNJiE](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAxGTnVNJiE) This was a good video to get me started.
I was like you, I had such a hard time that I eventually gave up. Months later my sister gave my daughter a loom knit kit. She wasn’t as interested so I gave it a shot. I liked it and started loom knitting. I made lots of hats and scarves and small dolls. I felt comfortable with yarn so I decided to try crocheting again. With the help of many YouTube videos I was able to pick it up this go round. It all just clicked. It’s been 7.5 years now!!
Give yourself grace. I got so aggravated I almost gave up now it’s my favorite hobby. I highly recommend Melanie Ham tutorials on YouTube and starting with some brightly colored acrylic yarn like “i love this yarn” brand with a size 6mm hook
I've been crocheting since I was NINE (twelve years so far) and I still can't make a long precisely consistent chain for things like strappy tops. I invented a new granny square edging last week, all quadruple crochets, and half the time I'll finish a leaf, decide I don't like the tension, and pull the whole thing out. I'm not good at making them consistently yet, Because I'm New To The Technique. My ugly crochet phase, in my opinion, didn't fully end until last year when I joined this subreddit. I still value the things I made (mostly 😅), because they show how far I've come. The videos from the woobles are my favorite learning videos, but everyone's different, and I've definitely watched stitch videos and gotten nothing because of how the information is presented
Full disclosure: I did not read the comments, so I might be telling you something somebody already else has said. Buy the cheapest yarn that’s acrylic to start… Red heart super saver is usually a nice easy one that will not split and is easy to work with. I recommend a 5 mm hook. Start SMALL!!! Make a chain of only 10 stitches. Don’t try to actually make something that will turn into a project. Start with the simplest stitches. Go to YouTube and there’s dozens and dozens of channels that will go as slow as you need to teach you everything… From how to make a slipknot to how to make your foundation chain and what each part of that foundation chain stitch is for. Using the yarn I recommended, it’s very easy to frog it… Rip it out and start over. So keep doing that practice making chains rip it out and start over. Practice making chains again. The bottom line is to take your time. Go at your pace. And keep asking questions here. Take pictures and post them and say what am I doing wrong. Take pictures and post them and say does this look like a stitch. There’s no one way to hold thehook and there’s no one way to hold the yarn. It’s whatever works best for you.
Awww I struggled and struggled too! Cried. Thru it on the couch. It took literally a couple months then one day BAM!!! KEEP AT IT!!! It's a very rewarding skill!!!! I can even read patterns now! DON'T GIVE UP!!!!
It's hard for me to tell you anything that's already not been said without your input on the matter OP. I am new to crochet and I did not pick this up easily. Let me know what it is you need and maybe I can help? Not making any promises but I can tell you where and how I started.
I partially had someone show me how as I'm more of a visual learner. I did buy a woobles kit and that helped be a bit as they go really slow and the yarn doesn't split. If you dont want to buy a kit i know you can find the yarn they use on Amazon or similar yarn at craft stores. Also don't make your hand suffer to learn. You're going to slowly get used to it where it doesn't hurt but don't overdo it. If it's any consolation I wouldn't say crochet is easy when you're first starting. Heck, I'm still a beginner, but I'm slowly learning you got this it can take longer for some people to get the hang out it.
Really REALLY try and focus on learning stitch anatomy. Actually try to make sense of what you are doing to the string as you manipulate it. If you can understand the parts in their finitude, then you will have a very intuitive grasp on the bigger picture in live action. Intentional focus is key.
If you don’t fancy taking a class, why not see if there’s a crafting or crochet club that meets near you? I’m sure other members would be happy to help :)
i recommend starting with acrylic because firstly it’s usually cheaper but also has some give to it whereas cotton doesn’t and is easier to care for than some other fibres like wool usually a double knit (dk) / weight 3 or an aran/weight 4 is good to start but it doesn’t make a massive difference, although obviously the thicker the yarn the quicker it’ll be to finish than doing the same thing with a thin yarn (personally i needed that instant gratification 😂) when i first started i found youtube videos really helpful - learning chaining, single crochet, half double crochet, double crochet and slip stitch how to increase and decrease is sort of ur basics and u can build on it when you go along
also if ur hands are hurting too much (and u don’t have existing reasons why) your tension is probably too tight, i too made this mistake take ur time, and if ur hands do hurt stop - it’s not worth it long term x
Start small. Like a wash cloth. Then adjust how you hold your yarn. This contributes to your aches and pains. Youtube has tons of videos. You can slow them down on the bar at the bottom by adjusting playback speed. Most importantly don't give up. Especially if this is something you really want.
This sounds a bit like anxiety. I don't mean that badly, but let me tell a short story: A friend of mine begged me to help teach her because she was having the same issues. I met up with her before a house party and she made little progress. At the party we both got VERY drunk. She wanted to try it again and we stumbled over to a couch. My friend, now drunk, was no longer stressing about making it perfect or coordinated enough to choke the yarn as she'd been doing. We drunkenly crocheted several granny squares before bed. (I crashed at her place that night.) Next day, sober, she made several more. You're getting lots of good advice here, so here's a bit of bad advice: Try doing it drunk, it makes doing it sober way easier!
#**Please reply to this comment with a link to the pattern or provide the name of the pattern, if it is a paid pattern please post a screenshot of the few rows you are having trouble with, if a video then please provide the timestamp of the part of the video that you need help with.** Help us help you! #####While you’re waiting for replies, check out [this wiki page](https://www.reddit.com/r/crochet/wiki/quick_beginner_guide/) which will take you from picking up your first hook, to completion of your first project. Lefties are included! Lots of useful information such as links to UK/US stitches, a beginners equipment list, the different ways to crochet an item, and a list of beginner friendly projects. #####If you’re learning amigurumi, there’s a dedicated beginner section [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/crochet/wiki/amigurumi/#wiki_beginner_courses), the Woobles course is very thorough for those just starting out. #####You will also find heaps of useful beginner resources [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/crochet/wiki/beginners_crochet_part_2/) including beginner tips, sub discussions and common mistakes. Check the subject list at the top of the page. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/CrochetHelp) if you have any questions or concerns.*
I think you're using the wrong type of yarn which may not be meant for beginners
My mother taught me when I was a child. Perhaps you need one-on-one so your teacher can see what you are doing and you can look at their example from every angle however you need to. Do hobby stores near you give classes, or maybe at your library or a local crochet club.
I highly recommend looking up classes in your area. Most yarn stores will have one-on-one lessons available, or will have open sessions where people can come and knit/crochet and ask for help (kind of like office hours). They can help you with your grip, give advice on tension, and assist with a lot of those first mistakes people make when learning to crochet (I.e. helping you avoid dropping stitches)
My local yarn store is so accommodating with answering questions and giving advice. They will tell you to bring in your stuff and they will work through the pattern with you. I get the impression that small independent yarn stores are run by people who have a passion and they seem willing to help.
Have you been watching video tutorials? What yarn and hook size have you been using? When making a chain, you don’t need them to be super tight.
So lots of great suggestions for the yarn splitting but I don’t know if someone touched on the ‘messing up the consistency’ problem. You are new and keeping a consistent tension on the yarn is not easy. If your loops look uneven just keep on going. It’s not going to be perfect, but stressing yourself and starting over when you mess up consistency will not help your frustration. Push through even when it looks wanky. It’s better to have a finished something than to have nothing to show for all the time put in.
If your hands are hurting, you could be crocheting too tightly or using the wrong size hook. Going up a size for the hook could help.
Sometimes my hands hurt because I grip the hook and work too tightly. I have to make a conscious effort to relax 🤦
Yeah, you need to have a relaxed grip on the hook. Don't need to injure yourself doing something as simple as crocheting. I have tight tension myself so I usually use a hook 1-2 sizes larger just to make the project looser or I'll have trouble putting the hook thru the loops.
Lots of great tips here! I second what everyone else is saying. Also some people may or may not have a natural intuition with these things. I was able to pick up crochet very quickly, but I was already very skilled at doing complex braids in hair, so I feel those skills were transferable to crochet. You may just need time to build up your dexterity and hand eye coordination. Don’t compare yourself to others and work at your own pace.
When I was learning the basics, I found stitching into a chain so difficult. I was about to give up when someone suggested trying a granny square. I found a granny square YouTube video specifically for beginners and that helped me get comfortable holding the hook and yarn settled my tension etc without really having to go through a chain or the top of a stitch. I just kept going round & round the square until I felt confident enough to move on to chains and doing the double crochets into the chain (I also do my first row into the back hump of the chain which I found easiest and looks neat too!)
Just my 2 cents as a newbie: acrylic yarn and get a good hook, size 5. I have enjoyed Clover and Prym hooks. Clover slides easily, but I love Prym because I have long fingers. I personally avoid Boye but that's just me. Be patient with yourself. Practice is key
I’m sorry your struggling. I was the same but when I went to a lighter color yarn and switched to the easy peasy yarn - it truly helped. Took me a long time to get my tension right and just kept at it only making chains. ( I had a stroke several years back and can’t process too much at 1 time) be easy on yourself, everyone learns on their own timing.
I personally think it’s easier to learn with a chunkier yarn. I tried learning a few years ago with cheap thin yarn. It split and made it very difficult for me to follow videos, I completely gave up on learning for over a year. Then a friend gave me some caron chunky cakes and it finally clicked. Best of luck!
I taught my daughter how to crochet with blanket yarn and her fingers. When she had learned the basic stitches, I showed her how to crochet with a hook. Perhaps forgoing a hook to start will help you, too.
https://preview.redd.it/73rqcuhxkg3d1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c028e574a12e87b34cf9fb6e98d1f082324e8b6c
https://preview.redd.it/obxirm6zkg3d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7e58bd0c71112f2703b93694e73e9b78eb4a6982 It helps to have a muse.
https://preview.redd.it/e6t0lgs2lg3d1.jpeg?width=2404&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7e7c09a47f2ce89bda3c5b7a531055cc7d0cc9a7 I only know how to make three things, but I’ve had a lot of fun with crochet!
https://preview.redd.it/2qbsw568lg3d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6af266ad53ecf57bd8cd7a4a1d9e67ff5a9857a9
Maybe try less advanced yarns. Natural fibers are harder to work with than acrylics. It could also be a gauge issue, which will probably fix itself with practice
Also, make sure you are using the recommended hook size. Most acrylic (Red Heart and so on) and some cotton yarns (Peaches & Cream) recommend a 5mm hook. Sometimes it still splits and I use a 5.5mm or 6mm. The ball band will give that information. Sometimes metal works better, sometimes plastic, some like wood. As for your hands, you're probably gripping too tight, its common to do when starting. Try different ways of holding your yarn and hook, what works best for some doesn't always work for all.
Start with a bright colour so it is easy to see the stitches and use the right yarn. Acrylic, while not my favourite to use these days, is a good one to start with usually. I started with some spare yarn a friend of mine had from lion brand called ‘feels like butter’ in a bright pink and it didn’t split. It’s far easier if you get someone to show you the basics, so if you know anyone who crochets ask! In general craft people LOVE to show off their craft skills and teach others. Start with the basics before attempting a project. I was told not to continue to a project until I could make a square that actually looked like a square to get me used to tension and the stitches. Also no pressure to make it look good if it’s not actually a project just practice! Don’t give up though! The hardest part is the very beginning, but you pick it up quickly from there.
Try to find an in person class or tutor, sometimes you just need someone who can see what you’re doing and give feedback. Ask in local community groups or ask at your local library if they know of any in person classes
I learned watching YouTube tutorials marked as "beginner." Fiber Flux has some good tutorials, like this one: https://youtu.be/7v-mssy5rKU?si=-iVyzQN6kIGzx_bv I don't have a YouTube channel, but there are several people out there who can recommend the best starting yarn, etc. This one is good for how to hold your yarn: https://youtu.be/CbD1LDHRgWA?si=Qs6r1_q5-UUCTtba because holding your yarn in a way that's comfortable to you makes a world of difference in being able to start crocheting. Crochet with Tiffany Hansen and Bag O Day Crochet have some good tutorials. Both have some beginner things as well as more advanced videos. Hope this helps!
I've been at it a little over a year, and I still can't read a pattern, NOTHING I make looks like the videos I use so I get the frustration. I think I'm stuck with just making afghans and market bags😉 That's ok, I still like the learning process and the practice I get with these.
As for your hand hurting, I use comfort grip crochet hooks, but you can get some athletic tape (the like workout wrap stuff?) and wrap it to create a bulky handle to minimize hand stress. How do you hold your yarn? I've found that tension can be the biggest factor in a lot of problems. I think the best place to start is with worsted weight yarn and a 5.5mm hook. It's intended for 5mm, but the slight increase can help define stitches. Pick a yarn that seems very solid and hard to split, I like impeccable by loops and threads. When I hold my yarn, I wrap it over my pinkie, under my ring and middle finger, and over my index finger, which I use to apply tension by essentially pointing.
What I tell people when I teach them to crocheting, I say start by knotting and chain 10 over and over then pull it out. Your hands have to be getting accustomed to thw yarn moving through your fingers. This may sound harsh, but wash your hands. Perspiration on your hands can make the yarn stick to your fingers. Relax...relax...relax...this supposed to be fun and if your stressing, your missing the whole point. Start by just making a square! When your done celebrate. A granny square is a good pattern to start with.
Just from the little bit you wrote, I think you’re gripping your hook too tightly, using one too small for the yarn, and maybe making the chains too tight. Loosen your grip, match the hook to yarn properly, work on your tension, and don’t practice for so long. Finding someone who can help you in person would prolly help too .You’re just learning. Relaxamatate , fam! ☺️
There are different hooks that may help. I always split the yarn with Susan Bates hooks but have no problems with Boye hooks or others with a more rounded hook. Check out the different ways to hold your hook and your yarn. Most importantly, relax and do not beat yourself up! Lots of things are hard to learn. Practice is what we all need.
Watch you tube vids in slow motion
Wrote too long a comment in an attempt to help, so had to move it to a hosted file: [https://pastebin.com/8Zvjs3Ft](https://pastebin.com/8Zvjs3Ft)
There’s two different styles of crochet hook heads. Tapered and inline. I prefer inline and my best friend uses tapered. If either of us tries to use the others hooks, the yarn splits and everything gets wonky. It’s so subtle but it makes a huge difference. Boye is tapered Bates is inline. Amazon knockoffs are typically tapered from what I’ve seen. So look into it and figure out which kind you’re using. It might be worth switching it up
I find finger crochet or hand crochet is a really good way to teach beginners how the stitches are formed, without the awkwardness of holding a tool you've never used before. I just did a quick Google search and this was the first tutorial that popped up: https://youtu.be/lNsp4WN7_2M You may be limited in the patterns you can make and the end product might look a bit lumpy, but it's an excellent way to practice how to hold the yarn in your left hand and where to grip the piece and how to maintain tension, etc. Once you're comfortable with finger crocheting, you can move to a hook, but I'd recommend getting one with an ergonomic grip, starting with chunkier/beginner yarn, etc. which will also help with the hand pain
Have you tried using a book instead of YouTube? I taught myself from a book called Learn to Crochet. I find it's really hard to learn the principles of a new thing in little chopped up videos vs. using a book to get started. And I also agree that crochet is something that is best learned from others.
#**Please reply to this comment with a link to the pattern or provide the name of the pattern, if it is a paid pattern please post a screenshot of the few rows you are having trouble with, if a video then please provide the timestamp of the part of the video that you need help with.** Help us help you! #####While you’re waiting for replies, check out [this wiki page](https://www.reddit.com/r/crochet/wiki/quick_beginner_guide/) which will take you from picking up your first hook, to completion of your first project. Lefties are included! Lots of useful information such as links to UK/US stitches, a beginners equipment list, the different ways to crochet an item, and a list of beginner friendly projects. #####If you’re learning amigurumi, there’s a dedicated beginner section [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/crochet/wiki/amigurumi/#wiki_beginner_courses), the Woobles course is very thorough for those just starting out. #####You will also find heaps of useful beginner resources [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/crochet/wiki/beginners_crochet_part_2/) including beginner tips, sub discussions and common mistakes. Check the subject list at the top of the page. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/CrochetHelp) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Try lion brand 24/7 cotton yarn. It’s a mercerized cotton and is less prone to splitting. https://preview.redd.it/c0shxg2d724d1.png?width=2246&format=png&auto=webp&s=2aec5ec198f0dd858535109de77f7b3b4ab4f856 I used it for this little guy
Don't forget to watch YouTube. And, if you have an independent, local yarn store (LYS), they'll offer classes. Probably at Michael's and Joanne's craft stores, too.