• Home
  • Suggest A Craft
  • DIY Newsletter

Craft Gossip

The largest independent craft review site since 2007

  • About CraftGossip
  • Our Network
    • Bath & Body Crafts
    • Candle Making Ideas
    • Crochet Ideas
    • Cross Stitch
    • Edible Crafts
    • Felting Patterns
    • Glass Art
    • Home & Garden Ideas
    • Indie Crafts
    • Jewelry Making
    • Kids Crafts
    • Knitting Patterns
    • Lesson Plans
    • Needlework
    • Party Ideas
    • Polymer Clay
    • Quilting Ideas
    • Recycled Crafts
    • Scrapbooking
    • Sewing Patterns
    • Card Making
    • DIY Weddings
    • Not Craft Ideas
  • Giveaways
  • Roundups
  • Store
  • Search

CROCHET TIPS and TRICKS

September 28, 2009 by jd wolfe

We all make mistakes in our crochet from time to time.

No, NOT THIS KIND OF MISTAKE:

crochet mistake  092509

Rather, we fail to count correctly, get our gauge wrong, lose our way in a pattern – that sort of thing.  Here are a few ideas to help you stay on the crochet straight and narrow (or wide and fluffy if that suits you).

Need to know how to calculate how much yarn you’ll need to complete a project?  This site will help you:

http://www.thecrochetside.com/content/tips/project_yardage_calc.html

This site has a nice compendium of information about yarn weights and recommended hook sizes – and more:

http://www.craftdesigns4you.com/crochettips.htm

Here’s a LOT of information on crocheting with beads:

cro bead necklace 092509

http://www.beadwrangler.com/tips-crochet.htm

Crochet Tip #54 on this site is INVALUABLE for those of us who are ‘counting challenged’.  I’ve read that I’m not the only one with this problem.  There are a couple other good tips at this site too:

http://crochet-mania-tips.blogspot.com/

Finally, here are a few tips from my own experience:

1. Hook sizes given in patterns are mere suggestions.  Use the hook size that works with the yarn and gives you the size you want.

2. Gauge is often important, especially when crocheting garments, so swatching is irreplaceable.  However, for flat items like afghans and doilies, gauge is necessary only if you might run out of yarn if you change to a much larger hook size or crochet out of gauge limits for any reason – like you tension.

3. Patterns are great starting points, especially for beginners, but are often mere suggestions.  Don’t be afraid to experiment if you love the item pictured but don’t like one element, like the stitch selection.  Change the stitch selection if you want.  Pay attention to gauge in this case – absolutely necessary for a garment – so that you wind up with something that at least resembles the pattern.

4. Be daring.  If your project fails, consider turning it into a motif rather than frogging it (unless the yarn is very expensive and you MUST use it for its originally intended purpose).  Freeform crochet is another way to use ‘failed’ pieces.  Google ‘freeform crochet’ to see how far you can go with a hook, some yarn, and your own mind.

5. If your wrist or hand is getting tired from hours of crochet, change the way you hold your hook – say from knife to pencil – for a few minutes.  Gauge doesn’t change (in my experience) and, while it may feel awkward, it uses different muscles and allows your ‘regular’ crochet muscles to get a rest.

6. Don’t change hook sizes in the middle of a project.  Ask my friend DJ about her narrowing plaid afghan.  Nuf Said.

Now, go crochet something – and have fun!

Read These Next

  • More Tips on Getting the Perfect Knitting Gauge
  • 60+ Crochet Belt Patterns
«
»

Have you read?

Sunday Spotlight – Gardening Quilt Block Pattern

Welcome to our Sunday Spotlight series, where we showcase exceptional quilting patterns from independent Etsy sellers. Each Sunday, we’ll unveil a new pattern, delving into its features, design, and potential for your next quilting project. Whether you’re a seasoned quilter or just starting out, we hope these spotlight articles ignite your creativity and inspire your quilting endeavors.

In this inaugural edition of our Sunday Spotlight series, we’re thrilled to introduce you to the “Fork and Trowel” Foundation Paper Piecing (FPP) pattern by RosieTaylorCrafts. This delightful pattern brings the charm of gardening to your quilting projects, offering a whimsical design that’s perfect for a gardening-themed quilt.

Customer Reviews:

  • “Haven’t made it yet but looks great!” – Rosie Rodriguez
  • “Great pattern easy to follow” – Caroline Ashworth

We hope you’ve enjoyed learning about the “Fork and Trowel” quilt block pattern. Get ready to infuse your quilting projects with the beauty of the garden! Join us next Sunday for another exciting installment of our Sunday Spotlight series, where we’ll unveil yet another inspiring quilting pattern from the Etsy community.

Thank you for joining us on this quilting journey, and happy quilting!

RSS More Articles

  • Quilt Block Binder Cover Tutorial
  • Upcycled Glass Solar Garden Mushrooms – A Whimsical DIY Delight
  • Magnolia Granny Square Tote – Crochet Pattern
  • Sunday Spotlight – Gardening Quilt Block Pattern
  • Free Crochet Pattern – Easy Sleeveless Top
  • Hot Sitz Bath for Hemorrhoids: A Natural DIY Remedy for Soothing Relief
  • How to Make a Birthday Card with Owl from Winnie the Pooh
  • The Perfect Dress for Your Little One! Try This Adorable Tulip Dress Pattern
  • The Art of Needlework: A Quilters Handbook Book
  • How to Created a Summer Booklets Mini Album

Pick Your Blog

  • Sewing
  • Knitting
  • Quilting
  • Crochet
  • Home & Garden
  • Recycled Crafts
  • Scrapbooking
  • Card Making
  • Polymer Clay
  • Cross-Stitch
  • Edible Crafts
  • Felting
  • Glass Art
  • Indie Crafts
  • Kids Crafts
  • Jewelry Making
  • Lesson Plans
  • Needlework
  • Bath & Body
  • Party Ideas
  • Candle Making
  • DIY Weddings
  • Not Craft
  • Free Craft Projects

Copyright © 2025 · CraftGossip | Start Here | Contact Us | Link to Us | Your Editors | Privacy and affiliate policy