Learning how to crochet is one thing. Becoming a skilled crocheter is another. It takes practice, patience, and time to hone your craft as an expert crocheter. But with the right amount of dedication and practice, you can become an advanced crocheter in no time at all. If you’re just getting started with learning how to crochet and want to take your skills from beginner to advanced, check out these 6 tips to become an advanced crocheter in a matter of months!
1. Learn how to read a pattern
Reading a crochet pattern from start to finish is probably one of the most important skills you can learn if you want to transition from beginner to advanced crocheter. It’s important to understand how a crochet pattern is written in order to avoid any possible mistakes and get a perfect finish. Here are a few things to keep in mind when reading a pattern: At the top of the pattern, you’ll find the skill level and the amount of yarn you’ll need. This information will be helpful when picking your next project. A list of materials needed is usually next, followed by the abbreviation chart. The pattern itself starts with a line that says “Row 1” or “Round 1”. You’ll find the pattern written as a list of instructions, followed by the number of stitches you need for each row or round. Some crochet patterns, like the ones from Crochetree, have more detailed information, such as conversion charts, safety warnings and so on.
2. Practice makes perfect
As you learn more advanced stitches and techniques, it’s important to put them into practice as much as possible. Start with easier patterns and simple stitches before diving into more complex designs. The more you practice your new skills, the more confident you’ll feel with your crochet abilities. Before you know it, you’ll be an advanced crocheter in no time. It’s also important to practice your basics from time to time, even if you are an advanced crocheter. This way, you’ll be able to recognise and fix any common mistakes you might be making with your stitches. Advanced crocheters may forget about the basics, so it’s important to keep them in mind and keep your skills sharp!
3. Make the most of YouTube tutorials
When you’re just starting out with crocheting, it can be really difficult to find instructional videos that are both beginner friendly and helpful. If you’re looking to improve your crochet skills, find an online crochet tutorial series that speaks to you. When you find a tutorial you love, subscribe to the video series, and make it part of your crochet practice routine. You’ll soon be able to recognise your own weaknesses and strengths in your crochet skills and know what you need to work on. One great thing about YouTube videos is that when you’re learning how to crochet, you can watch the video at your own pace. So if you’re new to crochet and want to take your time with each step, you can. Or if you’re an experienced crocheter who just wants a quick reminder on how to do a certain stitch, you can easily do that too!
4. Don’t be afraid to rip and start over
The best way to really grow and progress as a crocheter is to practice, practice, practice. But mistakes do happen, and that’s totally normal. If you ever make a mistake in your pattern (or simply have a bad day and make a few errors), don’t be afraid to rip out your work and start over. You’ll be able to move past your mistakes and learn from them much faster when you don’t let them get you down. If you feel like you’re having a bad crochet day, take a break and try again another day. It may seem silly, but when picking up your crochet project again, don’t start where you left off. Try to start fresh and start with a clean slate. This way, you won’t be too hard on yourself and will be able to learn from your mistakes.
5. Use stitch markers and fadeable markers
As you become more advanced in your crochet skills, you’ll want to start paying closer attention to your tension and stitch placement. To do this, use stitch markers to mark the halfway point in your hook’s rotation. This will help you keep your stitches even and consistent. You can also use fadeable markers to mark important stitches or sections of the pattern. This way, your pattern will stay intact and easy to follow even after you remove the marker. Keeping your work organised and being able to easily find the next stitch or section you need to work on will help you become more efficient and productive when you crochet. It’s also a great way to keep track of your progress and know exactly how many rows you’ve completed so far.
6. Take classes or join a crochet group
Learning how to crochet is something that can be done on your own. But it’s always more fun to do it with a friend! When you take a beginner’s crochet class, you’ll be able to learn new skills and tricks from a fellow student or instructor. Plus, you’ll have someone to practice with and can both push each other to try new things and better your skills. If you live in a city, there may be a local yarn shop that hosts beginner’s crochet classes. If not, there are also tons of online crochet groups and forums that you can join and connect with other crocheters from around the world! Taking a class or connecting with other crocheters is a great way to learn new skills, try new techniques, and meet new people. You can also help each other out when you’re stuck with a pattern or are having trouble with a new skill. We have a lovely facebook group for Crochetree dolls you can also join and receive feedback from our crochet community.
Learning how to crochet is a fun and rewarding hobby. But becoming an advanced crocheter is a whole other challenge! When you first start out, you may feel like your skills are limited. But with practice and patience, you’ll be able to master all sorts of new techniques and learn how to crochet almost anything. Follow these 6 tips to become an advanced crocheter in a matter of months and soon you’ll be creating new crochet projects left and right!
