Where do I start? Learning to crochet

[Reenypip]

What items do I need to buy to start learning to crochet? What size tools?

[craftynclothy]

I would recommend some DK (double knitting) yarn and a 4mm hook .

[NotADragonOfSoup]

I started with those plus a copy of Crochet Unravelled. :)

[Doyouthinktheysaurus]

You tube will be your friend!

I started with Dk yarn but a bigger needle, 6mm I think just so I could see the stitches easier. I tried with a 4mm but I got tied up in knots!

Coffee, cake and lots of patience, you'll be crocheting granny squares in no time,

[Seabright]

Also, I wish I'd known that the first row after the chain is the hardest and that after that it's easy.

I was ready to give up after fighting, frogging, re-doing, fighting, frogging etc that first row. But, it's just that one that's more difficult, becaus you haven't got much to look at and work with.

[drinkyourmilk]

I've just joined my local stitch and bitch club, they showed me how to knit. There were others crocheting, so they would probably do the same for you.

[belindarose]

Craftyminx crochet school - free online tutorials.

[SantasHairyBollock]

I am still crap at crochet but to get the hang of it in principle, totally agree that crochet unravelled, 4mm hook, dk wool/yarn plus youtube is great. Just beware that USA call the same stitches by diffrent names than in the UK as that can be confusing.

[SantasHairyBollock]

And join Ravelry if you haven't already. You think Mumsnet wastes all your time? Don't know you're born

[Reenypip]

Is knitting or crochet easier?
My aim would be to be able to make a blanket, hats and baby items.

[WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes]

I find crochet easier, there are only a few basic stitches and slight variations on them, you can pick it up and put it down easily too, whereas knitting you really need to finish a row before stopping. Crochet is better for some items (anything round) but knitting is probably more varied / versatile. I only crochet.

I couldn't get on with Youtube at all, I'm one of those people that can't learn easily from video clips but prefer diagrams and words. I taught myself from Learn2Knit

[NotADragonOfSoup]

With crochet you only have one tool and the yarn to contend with. I find this makes it nice and portable. I also like the way you can just stop anytime, put in a single stitch marker and put the work down.

[PurpleCrazyHorse]

I started crocheting last year but stopped for ages as busy so am back to being a beginner again. I'm hoping to find a good video for getting to the end of the row and turning. I seem to be either missing the last stitch or possibly going too far.

[alemci]

I learnt last year. I am a knitter but now I love crochet. Bought a quick and easy crochet book which wasn't really that, then got a book from the library with step to step instructions.

also asked a colleague for help.

I found the patterns very difficult to follow at first but managed to make a cushion, a bag etc. especially when the 3 chains meant the first treble and counting the chains.

Just practise making granny squares first on odd bits of wool.

[PurpleCrazyHorse]

oh gosh... I've just lost a whole evening on Ravelry so many patterns, so little ability!

[Lonecatwithkitten]

I would say they are different. I started as a knitter and am a recent convert to crochet, however, my job involves a lot of handling 'thread' with instruments so I find these very easy to pick up.
I have my big knitting projects which often tend to have very long rows so I do these on my nights I am not working. Crochet I find much easier to pick up and put down so I do this when I am on call.