Crochet Patterns for Beginners
To make sure you have a great place to start once you learn to crochet, here are 12 simple crochet patterns suitable for beginners that we handpicked for you to practice your crochet skills.
Introduction to the Art of Crochet
What is crochet all about? What is it good for? How is it different than knitting? Learn the answers to all this, plus what makes crochet such a fun craft today.
Portuguese Knitting, Reinforcing Socks, and More
I tried Portuguese knitting over the Thanksgiving weekend and it was quite a treat. After figuring out the setup and movements I was rewarded with relaxing, effortless stitches and a sense of calm. I can’t wait to make you a video class to show you how to do it!
Recommended Crochet Hooks
Crochet hooks can be made of plastic, resin, metal, or wood. They can be incredibly high-quality or mass-produced to deliver you the lowest price. Here are our recommendations for crochet hooks for every level and budget.
Recommended Yarns for Crochet
Cotton yarns are a great choice for crochet, as they are structural, machine-washable, and great for warm weather. The following are my top recommendations for crochet yarns in a variety of weights, with links to buy. Happy shopping!
Crochet Hook Sizes and Yarn Weights
The first thing you’ll need when starting to crochet is a hook. But how do you know what size hook to grab depending on the yarn you have at hand? Here is a clear chart with the information you need to visually choose a crochet hook for any weight of yarn.
October 2021 News
This winter I’m planning on creating a Crochet class for KnitFreedom, publishing new sizes and weights for our Faux Heel Flap socks, working on a Ladder-Back Jacquard tutorial, and studying Portuguese Knitting.
These Photographic Double-Knits Will Blow Your Mind
These incredible full-sized double-knit blankets were created by amazing knitter and KnitFreedom student Deb Dav. Inspired? You can learn to double knit like a pro in our upcoming Charts Demystified video class.
The Number One Reason to Learn to Read Knitting Charts
At its best, knitting from charts is everything you’d want knitting to be: enjoyable, easy but not boring, challenging but not hard, both stimulating and relaxing. In a word, charts are FUN. So why do they seem so hard?
How to Learn Intarsia, Fair-Isle, Cables, Duplicate Stitch, and More
Our new charts class is really like 8 classes in one. Not only will you learn how to read and knit from charts, but you’ll also learn the actual knitting techniques behind lace, cables, Fair-Isle, Intarsia, double knitting, and more.
The Problem With Charts
Even though they’re useful, charts can also seem confusing, scary, and overwhelming. In our upcoming Charts Demystified class, the challenges of charts will disappear into the pure joy of knitting.
How Learning to Read Knitting Charts Is Like A Bicycle Ride Across France
Written directions can give knitters a headache. On a chart, every stitch is marked in symbols. If you know how to read a knitting chart, you can understand the entire project, as well as the details, in just one look.
Chinese Waitress Cast-On and Cast-Off
Ordinary cast-ons are not reversible and don’t look great with every fabric. This tutorial teaches you how to correctly do the Chinese Waitress Cast-On so you can have a go-to stretchy, reversible cast-on that looks great on garter stitch, blankets, Brioche stitch, and more. UPDATED POST
How to Cure Knitting Hand Pain With One Simple Exercise
Doctors tell you to rest and wear a brace, but that won’t fix the root cause of your sore hands or provide instant relief. This one myofascial stretch gives instant relief, while our knitting tension video solves the problems causing your sore hands.
The Complete Video Guide to Seaming Your Knitting With Kitchener Stitch
Most written instructions for Kitchener Stitch are too complex to follow. No more avoiding sock projects because you don’t like Kitchener stitch! This tutorial will help you achieve a perfectly smooth bind-off on your sock toes and feel proud you’ve got the hang of a really hard technique.
Tips for Knitting: Habitation Throw by Helen Stewart
The way to start this throw, and almost any lace shawl, is with the Garter-Tab cast-on. It starts the lace completely invisibly and gets your stitches set up correctly to knit the rest of the shawl. Here’s a free video on the Garter Tab Cast-On so you can start any lace shawl perfectly and with confidence.
Tips for Knitting: STRIPES! by Andrea Mowry
This lovely STRIPES! pattern suggests you use the Twisted German Cast-On as a way to start your ribbing. Here’s a free video on the Twisted German Cast-On so you can start any stretchy ribbed project perfectly and with confidence.
The 7 key elements of knitting to master in order to knit whatever you want
Without mastery of the 7 key elements of knitting, you won’t be able to take on new projects with confidence. The 7 key areas are knit and purl (and slip stitch), increases and decreases, cast-ons and bind-offs, knitting in the round, knitting with color, fixing mistakes, and lace knitting.
We Have a Winner!
Thank you so much to everyone who entered our raffle and let us know what they are grateful for this year. I am so touched by your words. And now, it is my privilege to announce the winners of the Premium Lifetime giveaway!
The Chance of a “Lifetime”
I know how hard it is to spend money on yourself. And I was so inspired by hearing so many students say they’re asking Santa for Premium Lifetime this year that I’ve decided to put together a giveaway. I like to think of it as a KnitFreedom scholarship program. So, I am giving away three Premium Lifetime memberships!
