Is it Easy to Crochet?

Is it easy to crochet? A common question that many crocheters are asked and to be honest the answer is most likely to be yes and no. As with knitting, crochet involves a couple of basic stitches arranged in a variety of different patterns to make fabric. 

You will no doubt learn how to do chain stitch, single crochet double crochet and trebles. All of these stitches involve having a loop on your hook, wrapping the yarn around the hook and pulling it through the existing loop to form a stitch. 

So, is it easy to crochet or not?

Most crochet stitches you will ever do will involve wrapping the yarn - sometimes more than once - and pulling that yarn through another loop already on the hook. And once you get the hang of it and develop a little muscle memory, it is easier than it sounds. Personally, I think it is easy to crochet, but like everything worth doing, it takes practice to master crochet.

With single crochet, you insert the hook into a stitch in the previous row before you wrap the yarn around the hook, pull it through to the front, wrap yarn around the hook again and pull it through both loops on the hook. The movement is basically the same for each step - wrap the yarn around the hook and pull it through.

A double crochet is the same except you wrap yarn around the hook first, then insert the hook through the next stitch, wrap again and pull through to the front of the work, wrap for the third time, pull the loop through 2 loops on the hook twice.

The most difficult part of learning how to crochet is learning how to hold your hook and tension the yarn as you work.  Beginners may also experience cramping in their hands, fingers or wrists, and the movements are quite repetitive and you will probably be tense as you work, at least until you are more confident with the hand and finger movements involved in forming stitches.

How to make it Easier...

If you are new to crochet, the number one tip to make it easier would be to take regular breaks.  You will be using your hands in new ways and the movements are rather repetitive. Learning any skill that requires manual dexterity can be difficult and as mentioned above, you may experience cramping.  To avoid or minimise discomfort it is advisable to pace yourself.  

Practice is important, but do not overdo it or do everything right now.  Crocheting takes time even for those of us who are quick learners.  Take your time, practice your new skills regularly for short periods of time and you will become a master crocheter before you know it.  Rush the process and you are unlikely to find it pleasurable and your wrists and fingers will make you pay.

Do not expect perfection immediately. 

All new skills take effort and you are going to make mistakes.  Your tension may be a bit variable (it gets better), you might inadvertently add or lose stitches in a row (or round) and the shape of your item may not be exactly what you want or expected.  But you will learn from each mistake.  Frogging or ripping your work can be frustrating but we have all been there.  I have been crocheting for decades and still need to frog every now and then, especially when I have lost count mid round!

So, is it easy to crochet?

Yes - crochet involves learning a handful of stitches and these few stitches are used in a variety of combinations to make just about anything you like. But then;

No - using a hook to form those stitches is a skill that relies on manual dexterity and that takes time to develop.  

You are not going to be an expert immediately and you will not be able to whip up a garment in minutes - it takes time and practice to perfect your skills and at that point, yes it is easy to crochet.