crochet

The Ultimate Guide to Crochet Basics (with VIDEO)

14 min read

Warning: this post is a massive rabbit hole into the world of crochet. It’s 2400+ words. You can cheat and watch the 5 minute tutorial video to get the good stuff fast. I can’t take responsibility for any addictions that may arise. This tutorial assumes you know NOTHING about crochet, and goes through all the tiny details that confused me when I started out.

Already know how to crochet? Advanced tutorials are coming next! Subscribe to the Crafting Fingers YouTube channel to get the latest free tutorials. For now, share this post with a friend and you’ll have the perfect excuse to dig through your yarn stash. I’d love to hear what your first crochet ever was! @craftingfingers

6 min read

Find-the-pin-with-your-toe isn’t a very fun game.

Trust me, I speak from experience. When I started crafting in earnest, I knew I needed a good way to store my pins. A little tomato with a flimsy thread loop wasn’t going to cut it. This pincushion was my first crochet design—not that I invented granny circles or anything. Instead of anything as ambitious as a blanket, my first crochet project became this pincushion. Circle, circle, insert, and done.

Ultimately less effort, and just as practical. Have no need for a pincushion? Fill it up with lavender for scent or rice to make a weight.

If you’ve been reading my blog for a while you’ll recognise this project. Two-and-a-half years after writing the original pincushion tutorial, I thought it deserved an update. I would hope I’ve gotten a bit better at explaining crochet through experience.

There’s a free PDF version to keep on the go, too. Let’s get making!

3 min read

A crafter can never have too many patterns.

And Kerry Lord’s second book Edward’s Menagerie: Birds is enough to satisfy any pattern junkie. We’re treated to a selection of over 40 new patterns in her most colourful designs yet. I jumped at the chance to get a copy to review.

The book is beautifully laid out and easy to understand, even for a beginner. There are stitch lessons and step-by-step assembly instructions, which even experience crocheters will find useful. Each bird adapts shapes from a clever library of patterns to create the different species. For example Celine the Dove—the simplest “level 1” pattern—uses the “standard” body pattern and then adapts the “perching” leg to get the right look.

4 min read

Patterns are more abundant and international than ever.

I love how generous the crochet community is in sharing their ideas. Ravelry alone has over 60,000 free crochet patterns. And without Youtube tutorials, I don’t think I would have ever been able to learn to crochet.

There is a catch though. Crochet patterns don’t all use the same regional terms. If you’re a crocheter you’re probably well aware that there are two sets of terms. To make things worse, both sets use the same words to mean different things.

[table]

Converting regional crochet terms
UK terms	US terms
chain / ch	chain / ch
double crochet / dc	single crochet / sc
half treble / htr	half double / hdc
treble / tr	double / dc
double treble / dtr	treble / tr
triple treble / ttr	double treble / dtr

[/table] Don’t we just love making things tricky for ourselves?

These are methods I use to tell if a crochet pattern uses US or UK terms.

4 min read

When I had dinner plans the other week I realised—the day before—that I didn’t have a suitable bag.

When you’re spending the night somewhere, an overnight bag isn’t exactly practical or stylish at a restaurant table.

Instead of rushing to the shop I decided to make my own clutch. Ultimately, it was a much more satisfying choice—this way my bag was one of a kind. My latest craft obsession is combining sewing and crochet. I love how fabric and yarn complement each other.

If you need a last minute clutch too, here’s how to make your own:

3 min read

Got a bunch of yarn and no hook?

Finger crochet is as literal as it sounds. Instead of a hook, all you use to manipulate the yarn is your fingers. That means XXL projects can be extra quick and extra chunky. These three free patterns will help even beginner crocheters get started.

Happy stash-busting!

crochet

The Ultimate Guide to Crochet Basics (with VIDEO)

DIY crochet pincushion

Find-the-pin-with-your-toe isn’t a very fun game.

Reading | Edward’s Menagerie: Birds by Kerry Lord

A crafter can never have too many patterns.

How to tell if a crochet pattern uses UK or US terms

Patterns are more abundant and international than ever.

DIY Clutch with Crochet Band

When I had dinner plans the other week I realised—the day before—that I didn’t have a suitable bag.

3 Finger Crochet Projects

Got a bunch of yarn and no hook?