Absolute Crotchet Beginner- Halp?

[Lithquesse]

I'm sure there is a thousand threads like this, but I have literally just began to crotchet. I bought a set of crotchet hooks, a couple plastic needles, some place markers, and a plethora of yarny goodness, and I thought I was set. I even bought three amigurumi (my ultimate goal) books.

I went home, I scavenged The Youtube, and I made a chain. A chain that was almost too yards long. xD Then I said, now what? It was tight, little, and pretty and I was pretty sure I was well on my way to crochet god-dom.

I took a class on crotchet at Jo-anns yesterday and I learned almost nothing /except/ that I was doing it wrong, wrong, wrong. As I watched all the little old ladies around me build half a scarf in an hour while I made something resembling a swirly pickle, I knew something was very wrong.

So, since watching others hasn't done it, being in a class hasn't done it, I came here for help.
I was wondering if one of you lovely people would be willing to mentor me. I could take pictures, maybe videotape myself crocheting, and you can tell me what I'm doing wrong. Maybe we can Skype, even!

I'd be willing to pay, if needed. I really want to learn how to crochet, and I don't want to get so frustrated that I bury all my yarn in the backyard and never speak of it again. So... halp?

[Albino Sea Monkey]

I don't know anything about crocheting (well, I can make a chain and awkward tubes), but if you can't get ahold of crocheting, don't toss your yarn! Learn to knit! You can still make adorable stuffed animals with knitting needles.

Good luck with your crochet goal though!

[Ahhthecrazyness]

I'm not an expert but maybe this post will help a little!

Great, making a chain is the first step. :] It isn't going to come over night, you have to work on it. Seeing as your ultimate goal is amigurumi then you should be well on your way. Next, I would work on single crochet after getting satisfied with a chain.

I learned from these tutorials on youtube: (She actually has some great patterns as well.)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptOiDj1iIv0&feature=sh_e_se&list=SL

[faolan]

Aside from what Ahhthecrazyness linked you to, try sifting through YouTube in general -- it's actually a great place to find all kinds of video tutorials. And if one tutorial isn't really helping you, well, there are bound to be others you can try instead. 3nodding

There are also plenty of other kinds of tutorials out there, too (if, say, you're more like me and prefer to see a printed explanation with still photos) -- CrochetSpot.com has several good ones that are aimed at beginners, if I remember right, and the main tutorial/pattern/chart/etc nexus seems to be Ravelry (many of the tutorials you'll find on other sites are listed in their database, too). You have to sign up to use the site, but accounts are free. wink

[scared-and-dangerous]

i no nothing about crochet but if u find anything that helps u, u should let me no im intrested in learning.

[Rockers Girl]

If you need some help, I know how to make blankets so maybe we could skype/video at some point.. I'd be willing to help smile

[Bacon Wars]

Tjw1963 on Youtube taught me!!! I just learned like 2 weeks ago and I've already made an amigarumi pig and 2 hats, and am currently working on two blankets. She has the basics and then dumbs down cool stuff you can make. 4laugh


Oh, and heres a tip: Don't make your work too tight, it makes working it really difficult. And when you're doing stuff like joining chains, hold your finger where it makes the loop so you don't get confused.

[Grimwyse]

I'm gunna agree with the CrochetGeek youtube and TW(something another) they're the same lady, that's where I had learnt from. However!
If you're still having trouble, and this is to anyone who wants to learn to crochet, I could totally try some skype lessons. :3 That's probably the best sub possible for face to face.

[Crimson KyoKyo]

Mikey Small's Crochet lessons.

I like Mikey Small on youtube. He has tons of corchet tutorials on youtube. and he has tons of tutorials for flowers, blankets, hats, etc. he has over 1400 vids! I learned a lot from him!


Or as some others have said.

Crochet Geek

You could Learn through the crochet geek tutorials.If your left handed this would be a good place to start as she has a lot of left handed versions of her tutorials. I learned through a combination of Mikey Small, Crochet Geek, and Bethintx on youtube. In fact this is the first video I used to learn crochet. How to crochet: Granny Square

there is no best way to learn something. Some learn to crochet better by reading books or by being in a class. I find it easy for me to learn by seeing people doing things. So don't worry if you don't get it at first these things take time. wink


EDIT: Also a good thing to say would be, since your just learning you should use a decent sized hook so you can see your stitches better. I would say...a size K /6.50mm hook would be good. Also the type of yarn could be important too. I would use a worsted weight 4 ply yarn. Red Heart would be a good one to use. If you need any help at all just message me and I'll do my best to help you! 3nodding

[JacksCompass_Goddess]

Don't be afraid to check out "Crochet for Dummies" at the library! Trust me!! It helped me loads, even though I'm lefthanded (So I crochet lefthanded).

Don't get discouraged right away, give it time. I've been awfully discouraged by knitting but it's still in my to-learn list 3nodding

At first it'll feel a bit awkward but I don't doubt you'll get the hang of it, specially with the dummies book, it's really how I learned crochet