If you’ve been searching for how to crochet for absolute beginners, but the tutorials you’ve found feel too rushed, this simple step-by-step guide will show you how to start at a calm, beginner-friendly pace, without the overwhelm.
In this guide I’ll walk you through the first steps slowly so you can follow along with confidence.
New to crochet? Save this beginner guide on Pinterest so you can come back to it later.
The First Steps to Learning Crochet
To help you get started, I’ve broken the beginner crochet process into four simple steps, so by the end of this beginner crochet guide you'll know how to:
- Step 1: Make a slip knot (how to hold a hook and get yarn on to it)
- Step 2: Crochet a foundation chain (how to start a project)
- Step 3: Work your first row (how stitches are actually made)
- Step 4: Turn your work (how crochet grows row by row)
At the end, you will be ready to tackle your first simple crochet project.
What Do You Need to Start Crocheting? (Beginner Tools)
One of the lovely things about crochet is that you don’t need much to get started. With just a few basic tools you can begin learning the first stitches.
To start crocheting you only need four simple tools:
Crochet hook
A crochet hook is the tool used to pull the yarn through loops to create stitches. Hooks come in different sizes, but for beginners a medium size hook (around 4–5mm) is usually a comfortable place to start.
Yarn
Any smooth yarn will work when you are learning, but many beginners find it easier to practise with a light-coloured yarn so it’s easier to see the stitches clearly.
Scissors
You’ll need a small pair of scissors to cut your yarn when finishing a piece or changing colours.
Yarn Needle
A yarn needle is useful for weaving in loose ends when you finish a project. It isn’t essential for practising your first stitches, but it’s a helpful tool to have.
Crochet might look complicated at first, but every project starts with the same simple foundation. Once you understand the basic steps, everything else builds from there.
In this guide, how to crochet for absolute beginners, I’ll walk through the four essential steps every beginner learns first. Each step links to a full tutorial where you can practise slowly and build confidence with your stitches.
Step 1: Make a Slip Knot
Every crochet project begins with a slip knot. This simple loop attaches the yarn to your crochet hook and creates the starting point for your stitches.
In the video below, I’ll show you a few easy ways to make a slip knot so you can choose the method that feels most comfortable.
Prefer to watch on YouTube? Watch it here.
Read the full tutorial: Make a Slip Knot
Step 2: Crochet a Foundation Chain
Every crochet project needs a foundation to build on. The foundation chain creates the starting row of loops that your stitches will be worked into.
In the video below, I’ll show you how to make a foundation chain slowly so you can clearly see where the hook goes and how each stitch is formed.
Prefer to watch on YouTube? Watch it here.
Read the full tutorial: Crochet a Foundation Chain
Step 3: Work Your First Row
Every crochet project grows by working stitches into the loops of the row below. Your first row is where you begin turning that simple foundation chain into real crochet stitches.
In the video below, I’ll show you slowly where to insert your hook into the chain and how each stitch is formed, so you can clearly see what’s happening at every step.
Prefer to watch on YouTube? Watch it here.
Read the full tutorial: Work Your First Row
Step 4: Turn Your Work
As you crochet, your project grows row by row. Turning your work simply means flipping your piece around so you can start the next row and continue building your stitches.
In the video below, I’ll show you when to turn your work and how the turning chain helps you begin the next row so everything stays neat and even.
Prefer to watch on YouTube? Watch it here.
Read the full tutorial: Turn Your Work
Ready to try your first simple crochet project?
Now that you’ve learned how to make a slip knot, a foundation chain, crochet your first row, and turn your work, you’re ready to practise those skills by making a simple gift card/bank card holder.
This is a perfect beginner crochet project because it helps you repeat the same stitches and movements whilst creating something useful at the same time. As you continue practising, your stitches will gradually start to feel smoother, steadier, and more natural in your hands.
Inside the Crochet Clare Learning Library you’ll find the simple gift card/bank card holder printable pattern, (also available with US terms) along with beginner practise guides and printable tutorials that support my YouTube lessons.
Download the printable Gift Card Holder pattern by joining my free Learning Library below.
