Avoid These 5 Mistakes As A Beginner Crocheter | Hooks and Heelers 

A tip I'd give as another advanced crocheter: Save the label of your yarn if you like it and want to use that yarn again. What I do is fold the label in half, punch a hole in it, and slipknot a small swatch of the yarn through the hole, so I have the brand, color name, and swatch all in one place. Hope this helps

My tip is: Don't feel bad about ripping your work out and starting over. It's actually one of the things I love about crochet - you can try again with no waste, and IMO it's worth the time. I've been crocheting for about 2 years, and I STILL start a lot of my projects over a couple of times. I like to try new techniques, so I often am not satisfied with my first attempt. I consider the re-doing part of the process!

Also DONT FORGET TO STRETCH YOUR FORE ARMS (especially if you are crocheting for more than 30 minutes). You will save yourself from the amount of hand spasms and wrist cramps there will be, not including possible carpal tunnel.

As a 30 plus year crochet veteran myself I can say these are great tips. I have taught many people to crochet over the years and these topics always come up. I can also recommend starting a log/journal or any way of documenting all the projects you start. Include the hook size, pattern location and the details, such as pattern changes you make…etc. That way if life interrupts your process you will have the details you need to resume the project if you choose to. I’ve waisted so much money on unfinished projects because I was not communicating well with my future self. 😂 Thanks for sharing this video. It’s a joy to see my favorite hobby growing. 😊

This video is so good! My first ever crochet project was with a fluffy black yarn, I wasn't able to see any stitch. I needed to find holes picking around with my nails. Now everytime a friend tells me they want to learn, black is forbidden. Lol

mistake #6: bad posture. I started crocheting in March this year. Ive gotten better with this issue lately but i would crochet in a really bad posture or position for hours at a time with no breaks lol so good posture (sitting with back straight, feet on the floor and arms by your side) and giving yourself breaks would be my additional advice to people :) because even with good sitting posture youre still tilting your head down and putting strain on your neck (at least for me, neck and upper back pain due to looking down is my biggest problem now) so breaks for me are essential i try not to overdo it.

I learned to crochet at 50. Took me a month to make one 15cm x 15cm block in single stitch. I still have a long way to go But I was super proud as I tore loose and started over until it was perfect for me. Now that block is used in a prayer comfort blanket for people that lost a child. So the reward was awesome. ❤

I have been crocheting for three years and I still watch beginner tips because even as a advanced crocheted I still make mistakes and that's okay!

Thanks so much Annie! Great advice. As an older woman, it is so inspiring to see young people sharing their experience with crocheting.

I've only been crocheting for like 3.5 months but these are things i've found that helps me: If you find the tension of your project to be very tight all of a sudden or just in general try to loosen your wrist and relax your shoulders, If your hand is getting sore/tight try to change the way you hold your hook, if you hold it like you hold a fork try and hold it the way you'd hold a pencil and vice versa (it's like when you change the font of an essay and suddenly you can see all the typos but for your hands xD) wiggle your fingers and/or wrists for a few seconds and it'll loosen them up and give them a break.

I just started crocheting and am now completely addicted! I'm starting a project this week making the Ron Weasley sweater from Harry Potter and these tips were so so helpful! awesome video ☺

my biggest mistake was not using the correct style of hook. I only had tapered hooks bc that’s what was most cheap and common until one day I noticed the difference between an inline and tapered. The tapered hook wasn’t holding on to the yarn no matter the size, I couldn’t crochet fast, I kept splitting the yarn on the pull through. I switched to inline and I was blown away. It was 100% what I needed. I can’t crochet with tapered anymore. If you’re struggling with crocheting, try a different style hook. Some people do better with one style over the other

Such great advice. I learned how to crochet with plastic bag yarn and the lady that taught me said she was surprised I picked it up with that "yarn"

I agree with everything except skipping stitch markers! As a beginner, I didn’t get any but then finally bought a big cheap pack on Amazon and it was perfect for learning and I really enjoyed having the actual markers. Saved me many times losing my place :)

I would love a video on hooks. I cannot overstate how important they are. One of the main reasons I gave up on crochet the first time I tried to learn was the cheap plastic set of hooks I bought. The yarn would not glide and they had slim handles (like the traditional Susan Bates or Boye hooks) that were uncomfortable to hold. This, coupled with the scratchy leftover yarn from a garage sale) was a big turn-off and I didn't come back to it for years If I had invested just a little money in a nicer hook and yarn I would not have given up so easily.

As far as hooks I'd also like to add that when I started out crocheting, I *hated* it - I picked up one of the Susan Bates hooks and while I get on fine with it and use it near daily NOW, the pointy end and sharp angles of the hook made it SO easy to accidentally fray the yarn I was working with. The amours look so nice (I haven't gotten them yet) but they're way too pricy to shell out for if you're just testing the hobby and not sure you'll like it - but the Loops & Threads have a similar shaped head and switching to one of those made a HUGE difference to my enjoyment of the craft. Imo a great beginner hook before you're invested and can justify spending big

Yes on the hook video! I have been trying some different ones out, but trying some I love

I can also add that if you are planning any kind of project with multiple colors of a yarn that you like, to wind some of your leftover yarn from your projects onto popsicle sticks or wooden clothes pins and glue it on as you wind it. That way, when you are ready to plan you next projects you can hold up the colors against each other without having to haul out all the yarn from your stash to see if the colors and width of the yarns go together. I also like to make a "color card" for each project I do; I cut a short piece of each color of yarn, punch holes in an index card to tie the yarn pieces into, and then I write down the pattern, the yarn brand and the colors on the card.

Phew! I've got all the beginning stitches down and haven't really 'done' anything yet, so I like to keep an eye on videos like this to not form the bad habits. It's reassuring that I don't have any of the big ones! (yet?) And there's always so many nice tips in the comments! I wanna say thanks to everyone here, I guess. And I'll check out some other videos!

I learned how to crochet when I was 10 and never did it again, I am now 22 and am slowly reteaching myself, loving your channel so far as a new again crocheter

Such a helpful video Annie. The guage swatch hit home - I'm working on my first shawl (just to try out different patterns) and either the yarn is too thick or the hook is too small (aran with a 6mm hook). But...I've learnt my lesson! A video on hooks would be great.

Homespun was literally one of the first yarns I ever bought when I started crocheting - absolute nightmare when I didn't know what I was doing 😅

In addition to the right hooks- I tried to learn with boye hooks and thought it WAS NOT for me. I went back to knitting for years until I found susan bates and later furls. I just learned my hands like inline hooks and that was the difference and now I love crochet!

Thanks for passing these on.

The Clover Armor are rhe BEST!

Thank you for this! I just started my second project. Of course i got a burgundy yarn and regretted it instantly. It'll be pretty in the end, I'll just swear the whole time I'm making it. But the last part is a good one to keep in mind.

I stitch marker the heck out of a project. But yeah, paper clip, Bobby pin, safety pin, yarn. Need to mark, no need to buy. Admire your work as you go, it's a big part of the experience. Remember that your goal is handmade beauty, not perfection. No blabbing to your clients about your mistakes. Your black cardigan looked great - if you have to best guess your stitches, the haters won't be able to pick out mistakes either.

I appreciated learning about the gauge swatch! I'm happy to have stumbled on your channel

I'm not a brand new crocheter, but still mostly a beginner (edging perhaps into some intermediate projects). As someone of the gothier persuasion, I will say that I don't think I'd learn to crochet at all if I wasn't making projects that were mostly or all blackedy-black-black lol. I'm just not sure what the point would be for me to make things that I would never want/use/wear. But you're 100% right that it's harder to see your stitches! My neck light (even in a fully lit room) helps a bit, at least!

4:41 I just used safety pins for stitch markers if I need it. I use them more to keep my project from unraveling than as markers but I also haven’t had too many projects where I really needed to mark anything

Awesome tips, thanks for sharing! My first crochet project was....wait for it...a cardigan sweater, using a dark color of Lion Brand Homespun lol! It wasn't easy, and I wouldn't have gotten through it without the help of a crochet teacher, but it actually turned out pretty nice. It's not perfect, by any means....it's too long, the sleeves are too long and tight, and the cuffs aren't stretchy enough, but meh. It's really a gorgeous sweater, and I was so proud of it! I still love Homespun, and I'm planning on making a few more projects with it, but you're right....as a beginner, it was definitely a difficult yarn to work with, and making a sweater for my first-ever project was quite a daunting task! That said, I'd add a caveat to your tip about choosing an easy yarn to start with, and that is this: If you're determined to make a project using a difficult yarn because you're hopelessly in love with the yarn, and you're still a beginner, go for it. Just know up front what you're getting into, and don't let the difficulties you encounter turn you off to crochet. If it gets too frustrating, take a break and go crochet a simple project using easier yarn, but even as a beginner, if you truly love a yarn and/or a challenging pattern and you're determined to make it succeed, there's nothing wrong with jumping in feet first so long as you're aware that's what you're doing. Some of us are gluttons for punishment and love a challenge, so if you're one of those types of people, then dive right in. Awareness of the difficulties that you may encounter up front and the willingness to face and overcome them is the key to your success. And Clover Amour hooks really ARE a worthy investment...couldn't agree with you more. Thanks for talking openly about your experiences with us!

I just happened upon this video. I'm just beginning to learn the basics of crocheting, but your channel name got me because of the heelers part. I have a Queensland red heeler. As a newbie crocheter (I am a knitter as well) I have also learned that sometimes one on one help is easier for me to understand how to crochet than some videos. Luckily for me one of my besties has been crocheting since 2020 and she used to be a grade school teacher, and she has a lot of patience and has helped me see what I'm doing wrong when I am practicing. I would like to see an "unpopular opinion" video about crocheting. Mine is that I have ZERO interest in doing granny squares. They look cute on bags and stuff but I just don't see myself doing that. It's just not my jam. I see pictures and videos of things made out of granny squares like bags, blankets, vests, etc, but I don't give them a second glance. In knitting I haven't made a garment yet, but I do know that's when a gauge swatch is vital. A dishtowel, cowl, etc? Not essential for a gauge swatch. What I have found out on this early exploration of crocheting is that sometimes you might have to bump down or bump up to the next hook size if you have a tight tension or loose tension. It also might be advisable to, if you're a tight crocheter, that you make the chain with a bigger hook size than what's called for then when you start your row go back to the recommended hook size so you won't have a hard time getting your hook into the chains.

All these are good advice. Like your tips and knowledge.

I started with crochet like a month and a half ago but where I live isn’t easy for me to buy yarn or hooks, so I use two types or yarn and I have two plastic hooks, I know it’s not the best but somehow it’s working 😂😂

Another tip is to have a notebook of your works in progress. Listing pattern, hook size, type of yarn, brand and color. Maybe a picture of finished product!

Another tip: If you find your tension too tight: After you yarn over, insert the hook into the stitch and pull the loop up a little taller than you normally do by tilting the tip of your hook so it's parallel to the top of your work, then finish the stitch slowly and mindfully. The slightly taller stitches keep the fabric nice and loose.

Wow this video is so helpful

This was so helpful!

Thank you, now I understood what is gauche needed for. I never thought that i can change hook or needle size and I was sure it’s just a sample with no purpose

I would absolutely appreciate a video on how to check your gage on a project

I have a homespun throw I use every day. It's soft and comfy. Wash in front load machine to keep it from pilling as much...and dont try to do fancy designs with Homespun, then yes you will be frustrated with it.

I have a crochet hook collecting PROBLEM! I have sooo many. And honestly use different types for different yarn. I would love to hear what you like and don’t like:)

I used to use Fun Fur yarn. I called it Crazy Yarn because you will think you were crazy when you bought it and it will drive you crazy. I still love how it looked on baby Santa hats as the white part.

I think I used homespun for the first afghan back in the day!!

For the stitch marker thing, a bobby pin or safely pin can also be used! Bobby pins work excellently for amigurumi projects! Another thing is that if you can't buy a darning needle, just use a smaller sized hook for sewing everything on instead. That method worked fine for me when I couldn't buy any darning needles and all my projects still look lovely. If safety eyes aren't an option, just take a crochet hook of a smaller size and embroider them on.

I have just started making crochet gifts and plushies. I've only been crocheting for 3 months, I literally have 4 boxes in my room of wool,yarn and I'm so excited to make everything I see on Pinterest.

Bobby pins also make good stitch markers if u alr have them

Something I wish I learned sooner was to loosen my gauge! I was so concerned with it looking tight so my gauge was waaaaaay too tight. I broke a couple hooks trying to get them through. A looser gauge can absolutely still look tight and neat

Best yarn for everything is hobby lobby I love this yarn.

I prefer the all metal hooks. The ones with plastic hands don’t leave enough of the metal to work with for the longer stitches

Re: mistake 2, when I think gadget, I think motorized yarn bowl, not 5 dollar stitch markers. Stitch markers are cheap and useful. Even if you're new, it's worth buying a pack of locking stitch markers.

You were hard on yourself because your beginner projects are beautiful

My go to yarn is Red heart super saver yarns they come in alot of different colors and prints I don't use patterns I just crochet and make it up as I go with crocheting and then loom knitting I just e wrap and use 2 yarns as one to make the hat and scarf

Yeahh i really need a video about hooks , i’m lost i don’t know what to use for each project” blanket, sweater, scarf….”, and what the necessary ones &needless ones

Question why do we have to use stitch markers. Because every time I see one being used they just take it off and go on. And then when it comes to yarn aren't you supposed to use the size hook it says to use on the package of the yarn.

OHH GOD you are really underrated dear. You deserve millions of more views and people. Just don't stop your journey because of less subscribers. Keep it up. Best wishes.❣❤❤😍

I use bobby pins for stitch markers since they are always around me

ugh I used that super textured noodly yarn when I first started and I REGRET IT

Oh, yes! I am a beginner and i alredy did some of those mistakes. I tried to follow a tutorial where the girl used a wooden hook,i bought the same and i stucked until i bought a metal one. With a new metal hook i was quite quick but the gauge, i didn't know what it is))) She told yarn n.4 so i bought one. It also didn't help that i live in Spain and we have different names for yarn.

My 9 yr old and I started today. It’s was not easy haha. I wondered whether it would be easier to have a larger hook and yarn for the beginner. We have 3.5 hooks (uk) .

Acotar books in the background 🤌🤌🤌🤌🤌🤌🤌🤌🥰🥰🥰🥰

Thanks for your video! I’m new to crocheting. Can you let me know some of the patterns you might suggest for a cardigan? I’m looking for something stylish and for beginners. I’m following you now and appreciate your help!

thanks so much for these! If you don't mind kind of going more into the gauge swatching part? (sorry I googled wo much result) but what does checking your gauge mean and how does the swatch help?

I’d love a hook video❤

i see acotar behind ❤

ill never forget my mom buying those homespun yarns for me as a kid beginner chroceter ☠️ only good for making a scarf FOR HER 😂

Did you make a crochet hook video??

🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 {def need a video on your unpopular opinions!✨}

I've got another one, the biggest mistake that's purely accidental. Not making a beginner stitch as a beginner. Now I'm just starting crochet, I've been a knitter for over ten years now and oh, BOY!

Don’t use stiff cotton yarn either. Hard on hands and no give!

Don’t be afraid to try to make a sweater, I’m so afraid I can’t. I can’t read a picture pattern can understand the worded pattern but still don’t think I can do it. Yet I’m not afraid to jump in and make a blanket or shawl with any combination of stitches.

I have vision issues so I can't use black,brown yarn cause I can't see what I'm crocheting

All of these tips are great, but in my experience the JoAnn’s Big Twist splits the MOST out of any acrylic value yarn I have used 😭😭😭

Great tip but you must COUNT stitches / use stitch markers

what is the yarn in 4:28 ?

I enjoyed your content, but I did find the music to be distracting.

As a beginner with barely a month crocheting, do not use yarn thats too soft. I nearly went mad with a super soft yarn that im not use to. Another is that make sure you have enough yarn for your projects. Dont be like me thats about to cry because i dont have enough yarn, nor the right color available and cant get the color or yarn to finish the project.

pls DONT use your kitchen scissors, it'll ruin the sharpness! always use fabric scissors for fabric, cardboard scissors for paper and cardboards, and kitchen scissors for the KITCHEN!! pls do not mix them @~@

As an intermediate myself, please *do not learn on chenille yarn*, you won't be able to see anything, you can't frog it as easily and it's just a nightmare, save chenille yarn for when you've learned the basic stitches and for when you have your tension right

So far I disagree on the gauge swatches. I've never done one and everything. I've made's come out the way I wanted so I'm not sure why people do them