I was introduced to crochet by a friend years ago and fell in love with it. It’s relaxing, creative, and inexpensive. By learning a few simple stitches, you can begin creating beautiful products. Once the basics are mastered, you can move on to more advanced stitches. There are no limits to what you can create.

Getting Started

To begin crocheting, you will need a crochet hook, yarn, and a pattern. Most craft stores will have a beginner’s set for under $20. 

Crochet hooks come in different sizes and types. The larger the hook, the wider your stitches will be. For a beginner, I recommend using a hook size I-9 or H-8. Aluminum hooks are great since they are light and easy to grip. 
Tip: Try not to grip the hook too hard so you don’t tire your hand out. 

Like hooks, the yarn comes in a variety of types and sizes. The best kind of yarn to use is acrylic because it rarely breaks or splits. Sizing goes from 0 (Lace) to 7 (Jumbo). I recommend using the 4 (Medium) size. It’s versatile and will work well in most standard patterns.

What to Create

You can create almost anything you want to with crochet. The year I started, I made Christmas presents for my family members. 

I started by making scarves, first with simple stitches and then trying more complicated ones with varying degrees of success. Beanies were a fun challenge and taught me about crocheting in rounds, which I now use to make stuffed animals for my nieces and nephews. I even tried my hand at socks (one sock came out vastly larger than the other). While my first creations were far from perfect, my family loved them anyway. 

As I have honed my skills, I have started a tradition of creating baby blankets for family and friends. They started simple, from granny square patterns (see below) to animal snuggies. Giving something that comes from the heart that shows your creativity makes for the best kind of gifts. 

 

Crocheting has become one of my joys in life. Once you have mastered the basics of the baby blanket, you can begin to embellish them with fun animals, different colors, and much more. Here is a link to a favorite pattern of mine.

Happy crocheting!

Blanket Pattern

1. Create a ring
1. Make four chain stitches. Slip stitch the last chain to the first chain. 
2. This ring is where you will crochet your first round in.
2. Round 1
1. Make three chain stitches. This counts as the first double crochet stitch.
2. Work 2 double crochet stitches in the center of the ring.
3. Make two chain stitches followed by three double crochet stitches in the center of the ring. Repeat this step 2 more times.
4. Make two chain stitches.
5. Slip stitch to join to the beginning of the round.
6. You should have a total of 12 double crochet stitches in this round, counting the first chain of 3 as one double crochet stitch.
3. Round 2
1. Turn your work around so that the two chain stitches are what you will crochet into
2. Make three chain stitches. This counts as the first double crochet stitch.
3. Make two double crochet stitches on chain 2 of round 1, make two chain stitches, and then three double crochet stitches in the same space.
4. Make two chain stitches followed by three double crochet stitches in the following two chain spaces of round 1. Next, make two chain stitches followed by three double crochet stitches in the same space. Repeat this step two more times.
5. Make two chain stitches. Slip stitch to join the end of the round to the beginning.
6. You should have a total of 24 double crochet stitches. Each corner of the square will have six double crochet stitches separated by a chain of two.
4. Round 3
1. Turn your work around so the two chain stitches are what you will crochet into.
2. Make three chain stitches. This counts as the first double crochet stitch.
3. Make two double crochet stitches on chain 2 of round 2, make two chain stitches, and then three double crochet stitches in the same space.
4. Make two chain stitches followed by three double crochet stitches in the following two chain spaces of round 2. Next, make two chain stitches followed by three double crochet stitches in the same space.
5. Next, repeat steps c (stitch three double crochets) and d three more times to get a total of 36 double crochet stitches in this round.
5. Additional Rounds
1. Continue the same pattern of Round three as many times as you want until the blanket is the desired size.
2. Once you have completed your last round, use a slip stitch to close.
6. Finishing Round
1. Crochet one single crochet stitch in the first corner.
2. Single crochet in each single crochet stitch across the side.
3. In the corner, make one single crochet stitch and two chain stitches.
4. Repeat steps b and c three more times to complete each edge of the square.
5. Join the end of the round to the beginning with a slip stitch.