Crochet

Patterns, projects and techniques

Does Anyone Else…..

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Find it frustrating to try to navigate around Pinterest?  There are lots of great pictures – but I often find it difficult to find the original pattern source for something that intrigues me!  There is a section entitled ‘People’ – but the people there are in no order, so it’s very difficult to find he same person twice, especially if I don’t remember the exact name.

I also find it to be a huge time waster!  Initially, I thought Pinterest would be a great source of crochet inspiration.  But, I find that I spend more time there just trying to source a pattern or find a crocheter than actually getting any kind of inspiration!  That’s a problem for me.

I think Pinterest could be a great resource.  But, the way it’s organized (or should I say disorganized), I have to spend too much time wandering sort of aimlessly there rather than being able to go directly to a person or pattern or project.  I have heard some rumblings of these same feelings from some other crocheters.  What about you?

Comments

  2. I love Pinterest as a way to keep track of things that I’ve stumbled across on the internet, but I rarely spend time surfing through other people’s pins. Not only is it annoying to not be able to find the original source, but it drives me crazy when you search for something as generic as “crochet” you tend to end up with the same image 14 times.

  3. Its not necessarily a pinterest problem, it’s a problem with the pinners not sourcing the photos properly. It’s actually easy to do, but for some I guess they can’t figure it out. Google also has a way of searching for image sources that works pretty well. I’ll also try the link above as well.

  5. Once you find someone you like, or a board you like, follow it, and you’ll always be able to find it.

    I know what you mean with trying to find the source, though. That’s why I generally do not simply re-pin an item–I’ll open the link and pin it from the original site just to make sure it isn’t spam or a site that is copying from another site. I prefer the original creators! ^_^

    Also, http://thedailydigi.com/pinterest-101-a-tutorial/

  6. I look at it more as an stumble upon inspiration board type of experience. I’m sometimes disappointed when I can’t find the source, but I find that instead of following explicit instructions, I enjoy it more when I try to figure it out myself or talk with my friends about ways to do it.

    It’s become a really fun way to learn and try new things I haven’t thought of before.

  7. I have the same problem. I use pinterest a LOT, but usually just pinning things myself from the blogs I read, then the pins go directly to where I pinned them from.

  9. So happy. I thought it was only me. Pinterest gets me so confused. When I do find something I want, it turns out to be completely by accident. Do they have a page that explains all this stuff. Obviously not. Had a funny experience with ‘Pinterest’ that wasn’t.Kept asking to join. P.S. What is that about. Kept doing it for months (literally) then got an email from a blogI subscibe to saying that in Russia was a fake Pinterest (that appeared to have pirated the real Pinterest & that the only way to get to the real one was http://www.pinterest.com. Did that & received an invitation to become a member within 12 hours. Weird. Keep an eye out for this.

  10. My deal with the site is that when someone “pins” something and then you go to find it, you have to search and search for the original item pinned whether it be a craft item, recipe, or something else. It is not the easiest place to navigate and sometimes it is very frustrating BUT most of the time I eventually find what I am looking for.

  11. I don’t search it the way you do, which is maybe why I like it better :). I follow people who seem to have pins I like, and then I just periodically look at “Pinners You Folow” or search for crochet boards to find more people to follow!

  12. I never saw the advantages of Pinterest and it was a great time waster to me also. It never really piqued my interest. I was granted an account (that kind of irked me too) and just never logged in after that. I’d rather browse blogs and their blogrolls.

  13. Yes, it’s terrible. My followers get updates of a new pin I make, and it starts at the top, pushing everything else down. My pins of crochet/craft items is so long that it takes 4 min to scroll down to the first one I ever posted. I am now “creating” new boards to btrakit down a bit. “Crochet Blouses, L.S.”, (L.S.= Lang Sleves), S.S., Tank Tops, Doilies, Bags/Purses, Toys, Appliques/Frigies.
    All w/ Crochet in front. Same goes for recipes.

  14. Hum… There were some typos there. That’s Long Sleeves, and Short Sleeves. And “btrakit” was ontended to be “break it”.

  16. I have enough time consuming things now…..crochet, groups, blogs I follow, that I don’t need another so I never bothered with it. From what you’ve said, I’m glad I didn’t.

  17. I love pinterest. For me it’s a great way of using it to keep my bookmarks organised, bookmarks with pictures are easier to locate than bookmarks without. I never have a problem locating the source of the pattern or item that i want to see and if i repin, i always repin from the original page.

  18. I used to go down the bunny trails to get to the original website then my daughter told me how she does it. So simple 😛 Just tap or click on the picture and presto you are at the original post.
    Happy pinning! 🙂

  20. This is all very good for me to hear! I pin all the crochet patterns I write. Now after reading this, I think I need to go back into Pinterest and create more specific boards so it’ll be easier for people to navigate.

    In all honesty, I don’t have time to surf around on Pinterest much. The few times, I’ve had the whole “going down a rabbit trail” experience too.

  21. I get frustrated with pinterest. I don’t have the patience or time to wast trying to find what I am looking for.

  22. I don’t surf around to find stuff on Pinterest, because people (including myself) often don’t tag the pictures with good keywords.
    Instead I follow people’s boards, where they collect crochet stuff or other things I am interested in. It works great for me: When I open Pinterest, I see all the recent pins from many different crochet boards.

  23. I use it for myself as a bookmark with pictures. My frustration is when certain sites won’t let me pin a picture.

  24. Pinterest was taking up way to much of my CRAFTY TIME!! I would spend way to many hours looking and not crafting,so I deleted my account and I am so glad I did!!

  25. I don’t typically browse Pinterest for ideas. I just use it for pinning things I find on my own. So I can keep track of things I find. 🙂

  26. i find it such hard work to find or pin anything, I have 1 pin and then have been blocked everytime from pinning anything else, it’s a great idea, but a bit of a mess.

  27. I agree. I have never been able to get into pintrest because once I find an idea I like I expect to be able to quickly get to the instructions and get inspired! Instead I spend 5 min looking for the original and more often than not give up and decide to figure it out myself. While I don’t have a problem figuring things out myself, that was hardly why I was browsing pintrest.

  28. I am very disappointed in pinterest & I don’t know how to unsubscribe from them. I thought it was a place to keep my pictures of my crochet projects or whatever. Unfortunately, I find that something w/ the little icon can only be “pinned”. Otherwise, I have no time or use for this site. I’m very busy in other words. Anyway, it was later that my daughter pointed out Picasa to me. Like a personal photo album. Thanks! Sheri *c*

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.