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Simple Beginner Crochet

January 23, 2014 by jd wolfe

 

For the beginning crocheter who knows only how to hold a crochet hook and chain a few, this is a cute, simple project that will please anyone from a child to adult. cro 3 strand 0114 Pick your three favorite colors of yarn, grab your hook, and use the free instructions here to craft a striking headband for yourself.

cro simple mitts 0114

Even a rank beginner who knows only one stitch, in this case my personal favorite half double crochet, can work up a pair of these fingerless mitts in an evening.  They super simple, cuddly warm, and very trendy.  Embellish them with a pretty button or two to add an extra touch.  People will think you’re a pro.  You can find this free pattern on the LionBrand site along with hundreds (maybe thousands) of other free patterns.

There are some other ideas for beginners that assure success.  One is to pick a stitch you like or have just learned and work a face cloth using only that stitch.  Edge it in a different color for an extra touch.  Scarves are always popular and work up quickly.  Using only one or two stitches can create a lovely scarf.  Pick a yarn that isn’t fussy (no mohair or boucle for your first few projects), a yarn of suitable size (check the wrapper on the yarn for the suggested hook size), chain the length you want the scarf to be, and get busy.  Save the fancy stuff for later when you’ve gained confidence in your own skills and your ability, perhaps, to read a pattern.

Nothing succeeds like success in crochet.  Success = a finished project.  Crochet is very forgiving, so you can rip out (or frog it as we say) some or all of an unsuccessful project and have lost nothing but a little time.  Us that yarn over and over until you get it right.  If a project seems too stiff or tight for you, change to a larger hook.  If the stitch pattern seems too loopy or open, change to a smaller hook.  Practice to gain the right tension and before you realize it, you’ll be a bonafide crocheter!

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Have you read?

Shock Wave Free Crochet Lap Blanket Pattern

This Free Shock Wave Crochet Lap Blanket Pattern from Mary Maxim looks like one of those wonderfully satisfying projects that gives big cozy payoff without fiddly detail. Mary Maxim lists it as a free download, designed as a crochet afghan/lap blanket, with a finished size of 45 x 50 inches.

What immediately stands out is the yarn choice. The pattern is made with Bernat Blanket Extra Thick, using 5 skeins, and calls for a U.S. U/50 (25 mm) crochet hook. That is gloriously chunky territory, which usually means fast progress and lots of squishy texture. If you are in the mood for a project that feels substantial in your hands and grows quickly row by row, this one definitely has that appeal.

Mary Maxim describes the blanket as having a beautifully textured, plush, soft finish and suggests it as a project for home décor or gifting. Based on the materials and oversized hook alone, that sounds about right. This feels like the sort of blanket you make for curling up on the couch, draping over a chair, or giving as a practical handmade gift that will actually get used instead of folded away “for best.”

The pattern is marked Easy, and the listed stitch requirements are straightforward: chain, repeat, double crochet, single crochet, and slip stitch. That makes it sound approachable for confident beginners and very appealing for anyone who wants a relaxing crochet project without too much counting drama.

I also think the lap blanket size is a smart one. Not every crochet blanket needs to become a giant commitment that takes over the lounge room and your will to live. A 45 x 50 inch blanket is a useful, manageable size for gifting, for wheelchairs or reading nooks, or just for keeping on hand for chilly evenings. That practicality gives this pattern extra appeal. The usability point is my own take based on the finished dimensions Mary Maxim provides.

At the moment, the pattern page shows no reviews, so there is not much customer feedback to go on yet. Still, if you enjoy easy crochet blanket patterns, super chunky crochet throws, or quick lap blanket projects, this one looks like a solid freebie to save.

My overall take? This looks like a fast, cozy, beginner-friendly crochet blanket pattern with plenty of texture and instant-gratification energy. Very much the sort of project you start because it looks easy, then keep going because the yarn feels ridiculously soft.

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