29 Oct 20:07
Hey all! I'm just starting out with crochet, and I really want to make amigurumi dolls, but I don't think I'm ready to tackle those yet. I tried a couple of amigurumi tutorials on YouTube, and even though I get the theory, I think I need to start with something easier ... maybe something flat. I was wondering if anyone could suggest a really basic crochet project that will help me learn how to keep stitches nice and even and to start counting stitches. Are baby blankets easy? A friend of mine is having a baby soon, so I thought that might be a good place to start. Except I'm worried it will be full of holes! Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated -- I'm brand new to CU&K, so please be nice!

29 Oct 22:52
Hun, we're all nice, or least I like to think so. Anywho, I am a self-taught crocheter and I actually started out making flowers which I posted here, and I started an afghan/blanket that is taking forever. I think the reason being though is because of the kind of stitch I chose to use and because it's much bigger than a baby blanket. I have started another blanket that is a nice size for a baby but I plan to make it bigger. The stitch I used was the granny square, which I found to be a pretty easy stitch to learn. I was actually upset that I didn't learn it sooner because it is very easy or at least to me it is.
Here are a couple tutorials, Teresa is very good with her videos. I used the second one.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJCd_-V2D5k
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=11Wh7IOT9BI&feature=SeriesPlayList&p=E13D21C2E1F58CD7&index=15

Here's my blanket so far

30 Oct 00:51
I taught myself to crochet using youtube and the lion brand yarn website- they have very easy projects!!! here are a few amigurumi
http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/70581AD.html
http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/70594AD.html
http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/70591AD.html
http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/70580AD.html

baby blankets can be easy if you keep them simple. they do, however, require more time. i've made 4 baby blankets with this pattern
http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/cpl-bafg.html

good luck :)

30 Oct 12:42
Blankets are easy but they are big and that might scare you off. I'd start with a scarf, a quick and easy project. Finishing something just feels great :)

30 Oct 19:58
i'm self taught and just starting to get into amigurumi. i agree with Marieke. blankets can be intimidating to start off. a quick easy project like a scarf can raise your confidence to tackle something more involved. what about a nice slouch beanie?

30 Oct 21:17
I guess starting out with something big like a blanket can be intimidating for some. You have to assess what level you think you're on or how much confidence you have to attempt certain projects. I don't think it matters much of how big the project is, but how well you master a certain stitch and if you achieve the right look of it. But hey, that's me.

31 Oct 03:32
You could also just do rows to make baby blankets.....count out your stitches tho...as a beginner, it's important that you get your stitches the same in a baby blanket...and it's good practice....i'm sure there are some single crochet patterns out there

www.crochetpatterncentral.com is a site i go to all the time!

31 Oct 07:12
I prefer books to learn from. I have a few, bought them at those cheap outlet bookstores. Or, you could adopt a grandmother who can teach you (if your own mother/aunt/granny can't). I'm sure there's lots of people who'd love to teach you. If I start something more difficult, I don't always udnerstand the instructions. My mother shows me then and that makes it a lot easier.

01 Nov 00:46
Marieke! i have that same book with the two ladies on the front- but it is in english!!!! i bought it at a discount store and it helped me a lot when i started to learn!

01 Nov 06:49
I love that book and it cost me only 5 euros. I also saw it on bol.com but there it was 17.95. If I need a craft book I always check the discountshop first.

01 Nov 22:29
Thank you guys all for the advice and encouragement -- and for the links and book titles! Right now I'm looking at baby blankets that are made from granny squares that you crochet together, because I'm hoping that I can get that "Look! I finished something!" charge from each square -- and the extra big charge at the end when I put them all together! I really appreciate everybody's help...if anyone else has any suggestions for a beginning crocheter, I'm all ears!

01 Nov 22:40
CreativeMind, your blanket is beautiful; I hope I can make something that nice someday!

02 Nov 22:12
Thanx and good luck on your project. Be sure to post it here when it's done, we all want to see!!!