Crochet

Patterns, projects and techniques

BLOGTEST #1 – WEEK 4

by

Fourth week of January, 2010.  Want to win a copy of this book?

crobots book 0409If so, please post an answer to this question, following the contest rules posted below:

WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE CROCHET TEACHER?  (YES, IT CAN BE YOU, YOURSELF!) Kindly post a link to a site if the your favorite crochet teacher has one.


RULES AND DISCLAIMERS:

This is how it will work.  Each Monday, I’ll pose a question on my blog.  Everyone who answers the questions will be entered in the drawing on the last day of that month.  Some ‘answers’ may require you to post a link to a specific pattern or site.  The winner will be announced along with the next first Monday’s question.  The winner will have 48 hours to contact me with mailing information.  If the winner doesn’t contact me, the prize will be offered on another occasion.

Right now, I have prizes for at least a year!  All good stuff.  I’ll post a description of each month’s prize on that first Monday’s blog article (with the question for the week).  I hope this makes sense.  Look at it as four (and sometimes five) opportunities to enter a prize winning answer each month.

I’m the sole determiner of the winner of each month’s contest.  The drawings will be random as each entrant have her/his name written on a piece of paper and entered into an old piece of Tupperware for the drawing.  Your chance(s) to win will be based on the number of entries each month.

Comments

  1. My favorite crochet teacher isn’t a person but a group. It is Crochet Partners because I can always find someone who does teach to help me if I have a question

  2. My favorite crochet teacher was my Grandmother, Grace. During my summer vacations I would visit her in North Carolina and she would keep me busy with arts and crafts. One day she was crocheting and I begged her to teach me. She had to think about it for a while because I’m left handed. I told her my hands didn’t know the difference so just teach me right handed. She did and I still crochet right handed. Gram Grace is no longer with us but everytime I start a project I think of her.

  3. My favorite teacher is time and practice. I have been finding that going back to an impossible pattern a few weeks later, suddenly makes the pattern possible. Is it me- or is it time? I also find that teaching others to crochet-to read a pattern, to take time, to frog-rip it rip it, to laugh at the mistakes I made, to enjoy the time crocheting makes it more fun for everyone. When it stops being fun for the person, I tell them to stop that project and to start something else for awhile. That the whole purpose of creating something is to enjoy the process. So time is my favorite crochet teacher.

  4. My favorite crochet teacher is actually YouTube. Whenever I’m not quite sure how to do something that I’m trying to do – particularly if the simple drawings in a crochet book don’t make sense – then I just do a search through YouTube. I can almost always find a video from someone out there that makes it clear!

  5. My favorite crochet teacher is my husband. As the youngest to 5 sisters, he learned to crochet from them as a teen. So, he taught me to crochet and I still go to him with questions. I love the personalized instruction from the person I love!

  6. My Aunt Barbara…she’s cranky and precise, which can be daunting. But, having learned from her as a child myself, I can’t deny that my tension and attention to detail (learned directly from her, and her making me tear it out, do it again, it’s not right!) has served me well over the many years since.

    I am way more of a relaxed, hippie kind of teacher, but I’ve never successfully taught anyone how to crochet. Aunt Babs has taught hundreds of people…nobody fails under her strict tutelage!

  7. My grandma! She taught me when I was really little. Now that she’s gone, youtube is a close second. I usually search for whatever it is I need to figure out, whether it was something new, or just a quick refresher 🙂

  8. My favourite crochet teacher is my Mother-in-Law who got me started and me, me, me. 😀 Well apart from when I get to see my MIL I am teaching myself via books and Youtube.

  10. My favorite crochet teacher is my Gran. She first taught me the craft when I was 16 – the summer I spent helping take care of her after a dog knocked her over and her hip and ankle were shattered. I enjoyed it, but didn’t really invest time into developing skills until after college when I was faced with evening time without homework! Now I consult my Gran about patterns, yarn choices and final products. No website for her though! 🙂

  11. My Grandma. I remember when I was in middle school my family went to our cabin over the wintertime. It was snowing like crazy outside. She sat down and taught me, my friend, my two step-brothers (one younger and one older)all to crochet that night. Trying to teach a bunch of tweens to crochet?!? I give her mad props on that. I eventually forgot but am in the process of relearning it again thanks to her :o) No website for her crocheting abilities. She is just an all-around great crafter!

  13. My favorite crochet teachers have always been books. I now belong to a couple of Internet sites that have people willing to help and always do.

  15. My favorite teacher was my mother. I learned with thread and steel needles. I had been crocheting several years before I started crocheting with yarn.

  17. My favorite crochet teacher was my Mom. She taught me when I was 8 years old while home with a sprained ankle in a cast. I learned with crochet thread and a tiny metal hook! I always had something to do growing up. I remember as a child, then teenager, having tons of commisioned work to do.

  19. The internet in general… everything I know about crocheting I learned by googling and surfing the web. :3

  20. My favorite teacher would have to be my mother. She taught me just a few years ago – with lots of patience. Now, I’ve done things that she’s never attempted, but she’s the one that inspired me.

  21. My grandma is the best teacher ever. She spent many volunteer hours at the local elementary school teaching kids to crochet. Of course, she taught me too!

  22. My favorite crochet teacher was the one who taught me when I was only 10 or 11 years old. She stayed with our family and was mostly blind. She would hold her hands over mine and gently manuever them to do the stitches. She crocheted from memory and always made the same afghan pattern over and over. She would tell my mom which colors of yarn to buy and then when she was ready to switch colors she would ask us for help. I think of her everytime I am crocheting.

  23. I am a self taught crocheter. My grandmother started me off with the basic chain stitch. But I learn a lot today from books. Jean Leinhauser is one of my favorites.

  24. maggie righetti! I read her book, crocheting in plain english, and it’ll be the only teaching I’ll ever need!

  25. I want to have something I can look at and go back to when I am stumped, so my favorite crochet teacher are books. I love looking at on-line sites, but for actually doing it, I want that book right there beside me.

  26. I taught myself to crochet when my daughter was born in 1990. I saw some really cute crocheted toys in a magazine that I just had to make for her. Through trial and error (heavy on the error) I learned. I credit it much of it to a Reader’s Digest Needlework book that my inlaws gave me. That book and my own determination and desire to have cute, safe toys for my daughter would be my best teacher.

  27. When I was a kid, my mom taught me how to crochet and I picked up easily. Over the years, I had forgotten how to do it but have recently started teaching myself with books and the net. My mom is still my favorite teacher though.

  28. My favorite crochet teacher is my very best friend Sue. She is still teaching me how to crochet as I’m alittle slow at it, but getting there. Sue is very patient with me. If I get stuck on a pattern, I call her & she is always very keen to help me. Bless her.

Have you read?

Beginner-Friendly Crochet Scarves and Cowls

If you’re new to crochet and wondering where to start, scarves and cowls are one of the nicest entry points. They feel useful right away, they don’t come with the stress of tricky sizing, and they let you settle into the rhythm of stitching without needing to think too hard about shaping or assembly. That is a big win when you’re still getting comfortable holding the yarn, counting stitches, and figuring out where your row actually ends.

Let’s be honest, a lot of beginners want a project that looks good before they want a project that teaches them patience.

That’s exactly why scarves and cowls work so well. They’re practical, cozy, and giftable, and they often use the same few stitches over and over again. You get to build confidence while making something you can actually wear, wrap up for a friend, or stash away for cooler weather. It feels like real progress, not just practice.

I also love that this category has a nice mix of super simple wins and slightly more textured designs. If you want a one-skein cowl you can finish over a weekend, there are plenty of those. If you want a chunky scarf with a bit more visual interest, you can find that too. It’s a very forgiving place to begin, and for a lot of crocheters it’s the category that turns “I’m trying crochet” into “I think I’m properly into crochet now.”

If you’re building out your beginner pattern stash, you might also want to bookmark our roundup of Easy Butterfly Crochet Patterns for Beginners and this sweet Free Crochet Pattern – Emotional Support Chicken. For readers who want fast finishes, Free Patterns – Quick Crochet Projects is another handy one to keep open in a tab.

Beginner-Friendly Crochet Scarves and Cowls

Free Pattern – Moss Stitch Crochet Cowl

This is exactly the sort of project I love to recommend to newer crocheters. Moss stitch has that neat, slightly textured look that feels polished, but it’s still repetitive enough that you can relax into it once you get going. If you want a cowl that looks a little elevated without becoming fiddly, this is a lovely place to start.

One Skein Cowl

One-skein projects always feel approachable, especially when you’re not ready to commit to something huge. This cowl is a great fit for beginners who want something warm, quick, and satisfying. It also has that nice “I made this in a weekend” energy, which is very motivating when you’re just starting out.

Free Crochet Pattern – Lindsay Cowl

This one feels giftable from the moment you see it. It’s simple, adaptable, and easy to picture in different yarn colors, which makes it a fun pattern if you’re starting to think beyond just “can I make this?” and into “who could I make this for?” I always think those are the projects that keep beginners coming back for more.

Crochet a Colorful Braided Scarf Using Broomstick or Cardboard

This is a fun twist on the usual beginner scarf. It has a more decorative finish without feeling out of reach, and it’s a nice choice if you want something that looks a bit different from a standard straight scarf. It’s also a good reminder that beginner crochet doesn’t have to mean boring crochet.

Chunky Crochet Teal Scarf With Fringe

Chunky yarn and fringe are such a good combination when you want quick payoff. This kind of scarf works up faster, feels cozy almost immediately, and gives beginners that very important feeling of visible progress. And honestly, fringe covers a lot of sins if your edges aren’t perfect yet.

Free Cowl Patterns

This Lion Brand collection is worth bookmarking if you want to browse beyond a single pattern. It’s useful for readers who like having options in one place, especially when they’re still figuring out what shape and style they prefer. A roundup like this always benefits from one broad resource page readers can keep exploring.

Free Scarf Patterns

Same idea here, but for scarves. If someone finishes one beginner project and immediately wants another, this kind of resource page is handy. It gives you room to keep the momentum going without having to hunt around from scratch.

Fast and Easy Cowl

The title alone makes this a good fit for beginners. Fast and easy is exactly what many newer crocheters are looking for, especially when they want to build skill without burning out. A project like this helps you focus on consistency and comfort rather than complicated construction.

Simple Cowl Pattern

Bulky yarn plus a simple shape is a very beginner-friendly combination. This is the sort of project that can make a new crocheter feel successful quickly, and that matters more than people realise. A good first finish can turn someone into a lifelong yarn hoarder. Learned that one the hard way.

Cardiff Cowl

This one feels like a nice next-step option. It still sits in the easy category, but it has a slightly more refined look, which makes it perfect for crocheters who’ve finished a basic beginner piece and are ready for something just a touch more styled. A roundup needs a few of those “you’re ready now” patterns.

Free Ridgeway Cowl Pattern

Mary Maxim always gives you a nice practical read on a pattern, and this one feels like a strong wearable addition to the list. It’s the kind of cowl that looks useful, cozy, and realistic for everyday wear, which is exactly what many beginners want to make first.

Free Autumn Spice Cowl Pattern

This is a really good fit for an easy crochet roundup because chunky yarn and simple structure usually mean a faster finish. It has a cozy, seasonal feel to it too, which makes it ideal if your readers are already thinking ahead to cooler weather projects.

Why scarves and cowls are such good beginner crochet projects

Scarves and cowls let you focus on the part of crochet that matters most at the beginning: getting comfortable with the stitches. You’re not worrying about sleeve shaping, precise fit, or joining twenty awkward pieces together while muttering at your yarn. You’re mostly just crocheting, row by row or round by round, and that repetition is what helps the movements start to feel natural.

They also give you a finished item that feels useful.

That really matters.

A dishcloth is practical, yes, but a cozy scarf or cowl feels more exciting to a lot of people. It looks like a real handmade piece. It can become a gift, part of your winter wardrobe, or the thing that makes you think, “Actually, I can do this.”

If you’re choosing your first project, look for patterns that mention beginner, easy, one skein, chunky yarn, or fast finish. Those usually give you the most encouraging experience. The more success you have early on, the easier it is to keep going.

More easy crochet ideas to explore

If you enjoyed these scarf and cowl ideas, here are a few more beginner-friendly places to head next:

Free Patterns – Quick Crochet Projects
9 Quick & Easy Crochet Patterns
Easy Butterfly Crochet Patterns for Beginners
Beginner-Friendly Crochet Cardigan Idea
Buttoned Plaid Cowl Free Crochet Pattern

This is the kind of crochet category that quietly builds confidence stitch by stitch. Start with one simple cowl, then try a scarf with texture, then maybe a chunky wrap or hooded cowl once you feel brave. Before long, your yarn basket will be full and you’ll be calling it a “collection,” which is a very familiar craft-room trick.