Hello Win’s Books readers and welcome to another addition to the series Built By Us. My name is Hannah and I’m a maker/writer/creator from the blog The Making Life.
One of my passions is crocheting. I started crocheting in 2012 when I was pregnant with my second son. I was having preterm labor issues and my Mom suggested I take up a hobby I could do while sitting on the couch. That’s when I learned how to crochet.
You’ve probably heard of crochet before. Maybe your grandma crochets. Maybe you have a friend who shares his crochet creations on Instagram. It has you wondering: What is crochet?
This guide will answer the question “what is crochet” and serve as a basic introduction into the art of crochet.
What is Crochet?
Crochet is the process of creating fabric or textiles using a crochet hook to interlock loops of yarn. In other words, a crocheter uses a crochet hook to stitch yarn together to make something. Crochet may also include other types of strand material like thread, fabric, wire, or twine. The word crochet was derived from the French term meaning “small hook.”
The Difference Between Crochet and Knit
A lot of people confuse the terms “crochet” and “knit” and thinking they’re interchangeable. While similar, there are some key differences. For one thing, if you show your crochet friend something that was knit and ask them to make it, they may not be able to. Crochet and knit patterns are very and you can’t easily turn a knit pattern into a crochet one. Knitting requires two knitting needles and interlocks yarn differently than crochet. When knitting, you transfer the entire project back and forth from one knitting needle to the other.
Crochet requires one hook and instead of transferring the project from one needle to another one, the finished part of the project remains on the piece itself. Another key difference is the way crochet and knit feel. A finished swatch of knitting will look and feel different than a swatch of crochet. Knit is often softer and more flexible than crochet. Crochet is essentially knots stacked next to and on top of other knots. The finished result is usually less soft, but more sturdy than crochet.
While there is an ongoing debate about which is better, I would recommend crocheting over knitting for beginners. There’s one major reason for this: when you make a mistake in crochet it’s far easier to unravel to the project and fix the problem. With knitting, it’s a lot harder to fix mistakes. Still, most people agree that they find knitting or crochet easier based on what they learned first. So if you started out knitting it comes more naturally than crochet and vice versa.
What is Crochet Yarn Made of?
Yarn comes in a variety of materials from man-made to natural fibers. Here’s an incomplete list of different types of yarn you can purchase:
Natural yarn:
- Bamboo
- Cotton
- Wool
- Mohair
- Tencel
- Silk
Synthetic yarn:
- Acrylic
- Nylon
- Polyester
Sometimes yarn is made from a mix of synthetic and natural fibers. What may look like wool yarn at the local craft store may only be 10% wool and 90% synthetic. One of the benefits of synthetic yarns is they’re less expensive and easy to work with. The benefits of natural fibers are many, but probably one of the biggest reasons is they’re more environmentally-friendly.
Types of Crochet Hooks
Some of the materials crochet hooks are made of are:
- Steel
- Aluminum
- Plastic
- Bamboo
- Clay
- Glass
- Wood
Hooks also come in a wide range of sizes from very tiny for crocheting with thread to very large for crocheting things like rag rugs. The sizing system can be a bit confusing for beginners because crochet hook sizes can be identified by numbers, letters, or millimeters.
For example, a 5mm crochet hook is also known as an H-8 sized hook. The good news is, the pattern you’re working with should tell you which hook to use. Unless you’re trying to make up your own designs, the original designer will tell you exactly what you need to use.
Different Weights of Yarn
Something else that may confuse beginner crocheters is the weight of the yarn. Not all yarn is the same thickness or can be used for the same project. Usually, on the side of a skein of yarn that you pick up at the craft store, there’s a number on the side that identifies how thick the yarn is. This number ranges from 0-6.
The 0 number indicates lace or a material that’s extremely fine. The 6 number indicates a very thick or “super bulky” yarn. The average size for most patterns is 4, or “medium” weight yarn that you would use for ordinary projects.
Common Crochet Terms
Single crochet – there are many types of stitches you can use in crochet, but single crochet is often the first one that you’ll learn. 
Half double crochet – half double crochet is another type of stitch used in crochet. It’s “taller” than single crochet and works up a little faster. 
Double crochet – double crochet is “taller” than half double crochet and works up faster than either half double or single crochet. 
Skein of yarn – A skein of yarn is the typical yarn configuration that you find at the box craft store. A skein can be pulled from the center or from the side. 
Hank of yarn – A hank of yarn is wound into a loose large circle and then tightly twisted together. 
Ball of yarn – A ball of yarn is yarn rolled into a ball. Usually, you don’t purchase yarn in a ball, but many knitters and crocheters wind of hank of yarn into a ball.
More Terms:
Fasten off – fastening off your project means tying a knot at the end of your project so it doesn’t come unraveled.
Gauge – Gauge refers to how tight or loose you crochet. It’s the measure of how big or small you make each individual stitch. Some crocheters keep their gauge very tight while others are more relaxed. It’s a somewhat personal preference, but when you need a crochet project to be a certain size, it’s important that your gauge is similar to the person who created the pattern. That’s why the pattern may include their gauge size for you to match.
Turning chain – A turning chain is the chain you make at the end of a row. A pattern may say “chain 2” before you turn the project over and begin the next row.
Yarn over – Yarn over means that you wrap the yarn over your hook. It’s often abbreviated as yo.
What Can You Make With Crochet?
So what can you make with crochet? There are SO many options. Many people start with things like a dishcloth or a scarf, but there are endless possibilities.
Here are some other ideas for things you can make with crochet:
- Afghans
- Baby blankets
- Hats
- Dishcloths or washcloths
- Purses
- Shawls
- Jewelry
- Socks
- Mittens
- Rag rugs
- Stuffed animals
And a lot more!
What Are You Going To Crochet?
Now that you have a little introduction to crochet — what project are you most interested in trying? Is there something you have been wanting to try but weren’t sure you would succeed? One of the best things about crochet is it’s very inexpensive to start. All you need is a crochet hook, yarn, and maybe a pattern. It’s a very low investment hobby if you want to try it out!
Ned and Hannah are the creators of The Making Life, a blog for makers, artists, crafters, creators, homesteaders, DIYers, and the rest of the creative lot. They love to make things, tinker, craft, and attempt to grow a small homestead on the outskirts of a small rural town.
I hope you guys enjoyed this very special Built By Us blog! This is the first BBU guest post blog and I can’t wait to join other DIY/craft artists and bloggers to do more. Don’t forget to enter in the BBU Giveaway. And if you’re interested in doing a guest post on my blog, you can learn more here. Thank you everyone, have a safe Friday and remember:
