Crochet Resources
Welcome to our crochet corner! Here, you'll find a variety of resources and information to help you get started on your crochet journey. Whether you're looking for basic techniques, pattern guides, or terminology, we’ve got everything you need to dive into the world of crochet. Perfect for beginners, our content is designed to make learning fun and accessible!
We Are Here to Help!
Online Resources
YouTube:
there are sooo many videos on YouTube. Everyone teaches and learns slightly differently - if you find one person’s videos hard to follow, please try a different one! Below are some of our favorites:
Elise Rose Crochet
TL Yarn Crafts
Bag-O-Day Crochet
The Crochet Crowd (Mikey)
Bella Coco
Webpages:
MyCrochetory.com - picture and video tutorials for beginners
TheCrochetCrowd.com - tutorials and beginner friendly patterns
Crochet101.com - a (free) website, video series, and ebook for beginners
Crochet.org - The official website of the Crochet Guild of America
Https://berrypatchstitcher.wixsite.com/berrypatchstitchers - Our guild chapter’s website
Free Crochet Pattern Websites
Ravelry: A massive database with over 300,000+ free, filterable patterns. Also has paid patterns.
AllFreeCrochet: Features thousands of free patterns, including many beginner-friendly options.
Yarnspirations: Offers over 10,000 free patterns from brands like Bernat, Red Heart, and Patons.
Hobbii: Known for modern, stylish, and often free patterns.
Lion Brand Yarn: Features a large library of free, high-quality patterns.
LoveCrafts: Provides a wide selection of free patterns from various independent designers.
Drops Design: Renowned for a huge, classic collection of free patterns.
Ribblr: An app/website featuring interactive patterns that save your progress.
DaisyFarmCrafts.com - this is one of my favorites - has some great stitch tutorials and beginner friendly projects, especially baby blankets.
Standard Yarn Weight Categories
0 - Lace (Thread/Light Fingering): Extremely thin. Used for delicate shawls, doilies, and fine garments.
1 - Super Fine (Fingering/Sock/Baby): Ideal for sock knitting, baby clothes, and fine lace work.
2 - Fine (Sport/Baby): Good for baby blankets, lightweight sweaters, and texture work.
3 - Light (DK/Double Knitting/Light Worsted): Highly versatile for sweaters, light blankets, and accessories.
4 - Medium (Worsted/Aran/Afghan): The most popular weight, perfect for beginners, blankets, hats, and scarves.
5 - Bulky (Chunky/Craft/Rug): Fast-working, great for cozy blankets, thick scarves, and hats.
6 - Super Bulky (Roving): Very thick, excellent for quick projects like bulky blankets or thick sweaters.
7 - Jumbo (Roving): Heaviest weight, used for massive, plush items like oversized blankets and rugs.
Crochet Hook Size Conversion Table (mm to US)
Metric (mm) US Size
2.25 mm B-1
2.75 mm C-2
3.25 mm D-3
3.50 mm. E-4
3.75 mm F-5
4.00 mm G-6
4.50 mm 7
5.00 mm H-8
5.50 mm I-9
6.00 mm J-10
6.50 mm K-10½
8.00 mm L-11
9.00 mm M-13
10.00 mm N-15
Blanket Sizes & Approximate Chain Count
Baby - 36"x40" - chain 100-120
Throw - 50"x60" - chain 150-180
Twin - 66"x90" - chain 180-200
Full - 80"x90" - chain 210-240
Queen - 90"x90" - 250-300
King - 108"x90" - chain 300-350
US Abbreviations & UK equivalents
US Terms
Chain = ch
Slip Stitch = sl st
Single Crochet = sc
Half Double Crochet = hdc
Double Crochet = dc
Treble/Triple = tr
UK Terms
Chain = ch
Slip Stitch = sl st
Double Crochet = dc (US Single)
Half Treble Crochet = htr (US Half Double)
Treble Crochet = tr (US Double)
Double Treble Crochet = dtr (US Treble)
Tips
The first row is the hardest, it curls, and it looks ugly (even for experienced crocheters). After a few rows it will have more structure and start to look like it’s “supposed” to.
Tension is one of the hardest things to learn and it just takes time to be able to create even stitches and clean edges. Keep going! Keep practicing! You will get better!
Count stitches at the end of each row. Counting stitches and rows often ensures accuracy for beginners. Use of stitch markers and/or a row counter can make this easier. Skipped stitches cause lots of confusion!
Remember that even experienced crocheters FROG often. This is when we pull out our stitches and redo them because of a skipped stitch, uneven tension, or any other mistake. We call it “frogging” because you rip it, rip it, rip it.
Basic stitches - chain, single crochet, half double crochet, and double crochet - nearly all other stitches are modifications or combinations of these basic stitches. Focus on learning these first and then you can learn to make anything!
Once you’ve tried a swatch (practice square), pick a beginner pattern for a small project (scarves or baby blankets work great for this) to continue practicing. It is easier to motivate when you have something to work towards and you’ll end up with a completed project!
How to Create the Basic Stitches
Chain (ch):
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Yarn over, pull up loop.
This stitch is the basis for many crochet patterns. If you’re working in rows, your first row will be a series of chain stitches. Use the hook to draw the yarn through the loop (1) and pull the loop until tight (2). Wrap the yarn over the hook from back to front. Pull the hook, carrying the yarn, through the loop already on your hook (3). You have now completed one chain stitch. Repeat these steps as indicated in the pattern to create a foundation chain (4).
Single Crochet (sc):
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Insert hook into stitch, yarn over, pull up loop.
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Yarn over, pull through both loops.
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To turn, chain one
Insert the hook into the next chain stitch (1) and wrap the yarn over the hook. Pull the yarn through the stitch (2). You will see that there are now two loops on the hook. Wrap the yarn over the hook again and draw it through both loops at once (3). You have now completed one single crochet (4). Insert the hook into the next chain stitch to continue the row (5). At the end of the row (6) you need to bring the yarn up to the correct height to work the first stitch. Make one chain stitch (ch) (7) and turn the work (8). Start the next single crochet in the first stitch (don’t count the turning chain as a stitch). To work into a previous row of crochet, insert your hook under both loops of the first stitch, as shown in the figure (9).
Half Double Crochet (hdc):
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Yarn over, insert hook into stitch, yarn over, pull up loop (3 loops)
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Yarn over, pull through all three loops.
To turn, chain two
Bring your yarn over the hook from back to front before placing the hook in the stitch. Now insert your hook in the third chain - without counting the loop on the hook (1). Wrap the yarn over the hook and draw the yarn through the chain stitch. You now have three loops on the hook (2). Wrap the yarn over the hook again and pull it through all three loops on the hook (3). You have completed your first half double crochet. To continue bring your yarn over the hook and insert it in the next chain stitch (4). To start a second row, bring your thread to the correct height by making two chain stitches.
Double Crochet (dc):
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Yarn over, insert hook into stitch, yarn over, pull up loop (3 loops).
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Yarn over, pull through first two loops. (2 loops remain on hook).
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Yarn over, pull through both loops.
To turn, chain 3
Bring your yarn over the hook from back to front before placing the hook in the stitch. Now insert your hook in the fourth chain - without counting the loop on the hook (1). Wrap the yarn over the hook and draw the yarn through the chain stitch. You now have three loops on the hook (2). Wrap the yarn over the hook again and pull it through the first two loops on the hook (3). You now have 2 loops on the hook. Wrap the yarn over the hook one last time and draw it through both loops on the hook (4). You have now completed one double crochet. To continue bring your yarn over the hook and insert it in the next chain stitch (5). Work the first stitch. To raise the yarn, make three chain stitches. Start the next double crochet in the second stitch. Be sure to insert your hook under both loops of this stitch (7).
How to Read a Pattern
Asterisks (*): Indicates where to start a repeat.
Parentheses ( ) or Brackets [ ]: Indicate stitches worked into the same space OR groups of stitches to be repeated.
Example #1: the Linen Stitch(also called Moss stitch) is a simple, pretty, and lightweight fabric that works up quickly.
The pattern reads as follows:
Foundation: Chain an even number to your desired width.
Row 1: SC in 4th chain from hook, *ch 1, skip 1, SC in next ch; repeat from * to end, ch 2, turn.
Row 2: Skip first SC, SC in first ch-1 space, *ch 1, skip next SC, SC in next ch-1 space; repeat from * across, end with SC in turning chain space, ch 2, turn.
Repeat Row 2 for the desired length.
All this means is that you alternate single crochet and chain stitches - Single crochet 1 in chain space (not in the chain itself), chain 1, skip 1 stitch, and then repeat: single crochet 1, chain 1, skip 1 all the way to the end of the row.
Example #2: The Suzzette stitch (also called a Grit or Thicket stitch) creates a dense fabric that makes beautiful blankets and works up quickly.
The pattern reads as follows:
Foundation: Chain an odd number to your desired width.
Row 1: SC in 2nd chain from hook and in each chain across. Ch 1, turn.
Row 2: SC and DC in the first stitch. *Skip the next stitch, SC and DC in the next stitch.* Repeat from * to * across until 2 stitches remain. Skip one stitch, SC in the final stitch. Ch 1, turn.
Repeat Row 2 for the desired length.
This means your first row will be all single crochet. The pattern starts with row 2. You will put a single crochet and a double crochet into the first stitch - two stitches into one. Skip a stitch. Then a single crochet and a double crochet into the same stitch, skip a stitch. The pattern goes all the way to the last two stitches of the row, where you will end with only a single crochet in the last stitch.