In 2014, with a new baby at home, I decided I needed a new hobby. There was a gap inbetween feeds, nappies and cleaning where he was sleeping and I needed some time for me. There was only so much scrolling on social media one person can do.
I decided I was going to learn to crochet. I thought it would be the perfect hobby for a new mum, considering it was quiet and didn’t take much energy, and I had seen a beautiful pattern online I wanted to make.
Equipment I Needed
I knew I needed a crochet hook and some wool but that was about all I knew. So I went on Amazon and I ordered a basic set of crochet hooks.
I still believe that a set is a good starting point for anyone who has no idea what they are going to be making or which yarn they will be using.
I recently got these Drops Circus hooks for Christmas and I love them so much.
I’m going to tell you a secret though, and you have to promise not to tell my husband. I DID NOT NEED NEW HOOKS! The ones I started with were perfectly fine and would have seen me through for years.
The only reason I got new hooks? They look really pretty, with their bright colours and cute pink case. That makes me happy which I think, in 2020, that is a very good reason.
I have included links to some products. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Which Yarn Should I Use?
If you are anything like me when I started, I had no idea of the different yarns available. Knitting and crochet wasn’t something I had ever learnt about when I was younger, like my Mum’s generation seemed to have.
I literally went on Amazon and picked a pack that looked pretty. If I was started again now I would probably go to a wool shop and ask the advice of the people in there. Most of the time they really know what they are talking about and can give advice on the best yarn and hooks to go together.
Essentially though if you have some lying around the house that will work. If you can raid your Mum’s stash that works. Charity shops always seems to have a selection in. Anywhere you can lay your hands on some yarn to start is fine.
Its really not important right now, you just need some basic materials to start learning. Trust me in that when you find a pattern you want to make you will buy more.
The most important thing I learnt?
In crochet, and all other crafts I try, there is one really important thing to remember. Hobbies and crafts are not elitist. Anyone can have a go and anything, and you might just love it. You don’t need fancy equipment and you don’t have to know where to start. You just need to have a desire to try.
Don’t be intimidated to walk into a shop and admit you have no idea what you are looking for but you want to learn crochet. They are there to help and realistically the more people they help take up crochet the more sales for them.
A good place to start is YouTube. There are hundreds of videos there taking you right back to the basics and seeing it live usually makes more sense than seeing pictures of it.
I am going to be filming some videos and writing posts on things I wish I had known and where to start. Ill add a link to my channel below so you can check them out.
And mostly, have fun! It’s a great hobby and it wont be long before you can make anything you dreamed of.
