Wednesday, January 17, 2018

Tips for Elementary Crocheters







When I say Elementary Crocheters, I'm not talking about small children with crochet hooks... I'm talking about those of us who know the basics and can whip up a hat or scarf but can't quite call themselves "intermediate" yet.

This stage of learning in ANYTHING, not just crochet, and certainly not just hobbies, is one not really targeted much by teachers or talked about much at all. It's a stage we all must simply get ourselves through. Most people, when they quit learning something, quit at this stage because they are not sure where to go next and get frustrated! I didn't want that to happen to me, and I don't want that to happen to any Crocheters (because I want to see this craft thrive more) so I've compiled a list of resources (free!) and tips to help push you through! Once you've learned all or most of these and can do them, I would say that would put you at an intermediate level!


Increasing and Decreasing


Single crochet increase
Single crochet decrease
Single crochet 2 together
Half double crochet increase
Half double crochet decrease
Half double crochet 2 together
Double crochet increase
Double crochet decrease
Double crochet 2 together
Double crochet 3 together
Treble crochet increase
Treble crochet decrease


More basic stitches


Treble crochet
Reverse single crochet
Half treble
Double treble crochet
Front post single crochet
Front post double crochet
Front post half double crochet
Back post half double crochet
Front post treble crochet
Back post double crochet
Spiral
Chainless start double crochet


Easy Stitches


V-Stitch
Arcade Stitch
Puff Stitch
Bobble Stitch
Popcorn Stitch
Shell Stitch
Linen Stitch
Basket Weave Stitch
Knit Stitch
Strawberry Stitch
Tulip Stitch
Star Stitch
Window Flower Stitch
Zig Zag puff stitch
Crocodile stitch
Waffle Stitch
Mesh Stitch
Mini puff stitch
The Bavarian Stitch
The Link Stitch
The Box Stitch
Shell border
Corner to corner
Primrose stitch
Chevron stitch
Granny stripes


Basic Projects


Granny Square
African Flower (part two)
Circle in a square
Half solid hexagon
Heart
Puff Stitch Flower
Basic Flower
Granny triangle
Solid hexagon
Solid granny square
Flat circle
Face scrubby
Granny heart square
Corner to corner heart square
Granny rectangle
Bow
Basic star
Butterfly
Infinity scarf
Spiral Beanie
Triangle scarf
Virus shawl
Basic beanie - one // two
Fingerless gloves
Mason jar cozy
Granny stripe poncho
Quick cowls
Crocodile stitch tote
Messy bun beanie
Christmas tree
Snowflake
Stocking
Mittens
Scrubbies
Soap saver
Simple bikini top
Cell phone case
Granny square beanie
Kitchen towel
Boot cuffs
Skirt
Bottle carrier
Coffee cozy
Mug cozy
Roses
Headband
Starburst granny square
Socks
Basket
Baby bib
Washcloth
Pan handle cover
Granny owl
Flower headband
Diaper cover
Shell blanket
Baby blanket
Cup cozy
Spring flower granny square
Crochet head warmer


Pattern and chart reading


How to read a chart
How to read patterns


Sizing & Gauge


How to size a crochet pattern
How to determine gauge
Tips for tension


Pattern writing


Writing your own fingerless gloves pattern
Designing your own hat
How to design a crochet pattern
Making your PDF
How to design your own Graphgan
Writing your pattern


Other helpful things to know


How to join granny squares
Invisible seam
Straight seam in the round
Line hats with fleece
How to put elastic cord in crocheted skirt
Avoid traveling/diagonal seam
How to make yarn cakes
Magic Circle
Stringing beads 
The difference between a cluster and a decrease
Working in back ridge of chain
Working in space before a stitch
Design your own fingerless gloves/write your own fingerless gloves pattern
Blocking your acrylic crochet projects
Crochet in back loops only
Crochet in front loops only
Join with single crochet
Joining with a half-double crochet
Graphgan
Corner to Corner graphgan
Changing colors at the end of the row
Make a Pom Pom
How to join yarn
Line your hats
Two Methods of Joining Yarn
How to keep foundation chain from twisting
The invisible finish
Chainless foundation


I am not affiliated with any of the links here, but these are all things that truly helped me or that I'm learning right now! YouTube has been an invaluable learning source for me and I'm okay with admitting that without it, I would have given up very early on in my learning.

Please don't ever feel down on yourself for not knowing how to do certain things or where to go. No one ever does at the beginning! I bet that once you get through this list, and practice practice practice, crochet will become second nature!

I would love to hear what you all think of this and I would also appreciate anymore tutorial links that may be helpful for people in this stage.

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