Everyone starts somewhere. When I picked up my first hook I made every mistake in the book — twisted chains, uneven tension, the wrong yarn for the wrong project. Here are the five things I genuinely wish someone had told me on day one.
1. Your Tension Will Be Terrible at First — And That's Fine
New crocheters almost always crochet too tight. Your hands are tense, you're concentrating hard, and the yarn ends up strangled. The fix is simple — practice. After a few hours your hands relax and your tension evens out naturally. Don't rip everything out in frustration, just keep going.
2. Yarn Weight Matters More Than You Think
A pattern written for chunky yarn will not work with lace weight, no matter how much you want it to. Always check the yarn weight before buying. The label will say: lace, fingering, DK, worsted, bulky, or super bulky. Match it to your pattern.
3. Count Your Stitches — Every Single Row
The most common beginner mistake is accidentally adding or losing stitches without noticing. Get into the habit of counting at the end of every row. It takes 10 seconds and saves hours of frustrated frogging later.
4. Cheap Hooks Are Fine to Start
You do not need expensive ergonomic hooks to learn. A basic aluminium set costs very little and will teach you everything you need to know. Upgrade later once you know which hook sizes you use most.
5. The Crochet Community Is Incredibly Welcoming
YouTube, Reddit, Instagram — the crochet community is one of the kindest corners of the internet. If you're stuck on a stitch, someone has made a video about it. If you finish your first project, people will genuinely celebrate with you.