For the longest time, reading was my only real hobby. And while I love it deeply, I started noticing that all the extra time in my day was slowly turning into endless doom-scrolling on social media, which never leaves me feeling very inspired or calm.
One day, I kept seeing videos of girls crocheting the cutest little animals, and something about it just stuck with me. It looked slow, creative, and cozy. So, about a month ago, I decided to give crocheting a try, with absolutely no experience and very low expectations.
If you’re a total beginner wondering how to start crocheting, this guide is for you. I’m not an expert. I didn’t grow up crocheting. I’m still learning. And that’s exactly why I want to share my experience, to help you feel less intimidated and more excited to begin.
At the end of this post, I’m sharing a photo of the very first crochet chicken I ever made and the second one I made using the exact same instructions, if that doesn’t encourage you to try even after failing the first time, I don’t know what will 😅🧶
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Why I Started Crocheting (And Why You Might Want To)
I started crocheting because I realized I didn’t really have many hands-on hobbies. Too much free time + social media usually equals distraction, comparison, and mental noise.
Crocheting felt like the opposite of that.
It’s creative, slow, and requires just enough focus that your mind can’t jump around too much. If you’re an overthinker or someone who struggles to stay present, crocheting gently forces you into the moment, stitch by stitch.
And honestly? That alone makes it worth trying.
What I Was Afraid Of Before Starting
My biggest fear before starting was simple:
What if I’m bad at it and give up?
That fear stops so many people from trying new hobbies. We expect ourselves to be good immediately, and when we’re not, we assume it’s “not for us.”
But here’s something important I learned very quickly:
There’s a huge difference between treating a craft as a professional goal and treating it as a hobby.
When you approach crocheting as a hobby, you give yourself permission to be bad, to experiment, and to learn slowly. That mindset alone makes the process so much more enjoyable.
How I Actually Learned to Crochet
I’m a very visual learner, so for me, YouTube tutorials were the easiest and most enjoyable way to learn. I also bought a crochet book, but I personally found videos much more helpful, especially at the beginning.
What really helped me start was buying a beginner crochet kit.
The one I chose included all the materials needed to make six small animals, which took away the stress of figuring out yarn types, hook sizes, and supplies right away.
My very first project was a little crochet chicken.
And let me tell you, it was not perfect.
I was confused at first. The hand movements didn’t make sense. I had to restart multiple times. But after a few tries, something clicked. And the difference between the first chicken and the second one I made was huge. The improvement was visible, and that was incredibly motivating.
Beginner Crochet Supplies You Actually Need
If you’re wondering how to start crocheting as a beginner, here’s what I’d recommend keeping it simple.
Crochet essentials:
- Beginner crochet kit (animals or simple shapes)
- Crochet hook (usually included in kits)
- Yarn (your kit will guide you)
- Stitch markers (very important!)
You don’t need fancy tools right away. I started entirely with my kit, and it was more than enough.
A quick beginner tip:
You will forget to count stitches. Everyone does.
That’s where stitch markers save you. They help you know where a row starts and ends, and they make the whole process much less frustrating.
Things That Confused Me (And That’s Totally Normal)
Two things stood out as especially confusing at first:
1. Hand movements
At the beginning, the way you hold the yarn and hook just feels awkward. This is normal. After a few tries (and a few restarts), your hands start to remember what to do.
2. The magic ring
The magic ring can feel intimidating, but it’s worth learning properly. It makes shaping amigurumi (crochet animals) much easier later on. Be patient with it, it does get easier.
How Often I Crochet Now
I try to crochet every few days. I don’t force it, I just pick it up when I feel like it. Lately, I’ve also been watching more crochet videos to learn new techniques, which has been surprisingly fun.
One of my goals is to crochet more chickens and use them as Easter decorations around my home. Having small, joyful goals like this makes the hobby even more rewarding.
Why Crocheting Is Great If You Overthink
If you struggle with overthinking or focusing, crocheting is an amazing hobby.
You can’t really scroll your phone while crocheting. You have to pay attention to what your hands are doing. This keeps your mind anchored in the present moment, something many of us struggle with daily.
It’s calming without being boring.
Engaging without being overwhelming.
My Biggest Advice for Beginners
If you’re thinking about starting crocheting, this is what I want you to remember:
- You don’t need to be good at it.
- You don’t need to be fast.
- You don’t need to make perfect things.
Practice makes progress.
Treat crocheting lightly. Let yourself be bad at it. You might be surprised; it might become your thing.
Final Encouragement
If you’re a total beginner, a cozy hobby lover, a homebody, or someone who struggles with focus, crocheting might be exactly what you need.
Start small. Start imperfectly. Start for fun.
A month ago, I didn’t know how to crochet at all. Today, I have little handmade chickens and a hobby that brings me calm, focus, and joy.
And if I can start, so can you 🧶🤍
P.S. My first and second chicken crochet attempts. Trust me, you got it! 😅
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