Im 57 year old man. I learned how to crochet and knit when I was in drug rehab. It’s a great time killer for those moments when you are so bored you think about using.

I'M 74 TAUGHT MYSELF TO CROCHET AT 72,LEARNED ON UTUBE BY SEVERAL TEACHERS .I'VE MADE 5 AFGHAN (ADULT), 5 BABY, BOOTIES, HATS, PLACEMATS, CHRISTMAS GIFTS, I HAVE TORE OUT ALOT. JUST FOUND YOU SO CAN'T WAIT I HAVE BOOKMARKED SEVERAL OF YOUR SUGGESTIONS. STILL CAN'T READ PATTERNS, BUT WATCH THE TUTORIALS. THANKS I USE SAFTEY PINS OR BOBBY PINS

I always frog my work, it doesn't matter if it's a piece that I've been working on for months, or just a couple of days. I love learning, and no matter how aggravating it absolutely is I will ALWAYS frog my work. It's a patience exercise, and patience is a life skill!

The one that looks like a coil with two rings sticking out is called a Norwegian knitting thimble. It is used when knitting with two (or more) colors. One color goes through each ring so you can grab a stitch of whichever color you need for the next stitch. (Additional colors could go over the index and/or middle finger or be carried on the right hand). I appreciate that you are running the yarn over the index finger because it makes it easier to transition from crochet to knitting and vice versa. There are many ways to hold the yarn and it’s not wrong if it works for you but I love both crochet and even using both in the same project. I’ve been crocheting for 52 years and knitting for 45. I work with thread up to bulky yarn and a wide range of natural fibers like cotton, wool, alpaca, silk, mohair and angora, as well as various regenerated fibers like rayon/tencel as well as synthetics. I’ve always been able to manage yarn tension by relaxing my hand, snugging two fingers together a bit, changing the number of fingers the goes around, or taking a break. Most knitters or crocheters with tension problems are clutching the yarn too tightly and just need to chill out a bit. Chilling out also reduces fatigue and soreness in hands. It’s a hobby. Mistakes will be made but the consequence won’t be two planes crashing or a surgery being botched. Take some deep breaths or take a break. It will be okay in the end and faster if the person can relax. Those with stitches too loose can usually fix it with passing the yarn around one more finger or between two more. Tension needed depends on how thick and how slippery the yarn is so you’ll probably need to re-adjust the yarn hand for new yarns. A tensioning device would also need to be adjusted when a yarn of different thickness or slipperiness is used.

These are such great tips, Sigoni! I have never heard of a tension regulator before! Such a great tool!

i really appreciate you video! I am a returning crocheter, after some 20 years. When I was young I self taught myself to crochet mostly from reading books and trying to decipher the diagrams. This was way before the age of internet and u-tube videos.. I made a few projects when my kids were young and I was at home, then I went to work full time and didn't' have the time, I have retired from work and returned to crochet, but needed a refresher course, This video was perfect. I also love the tension helper. I had a car accident many years ago that caused some nerve damage to the ring and pinkie finger of my left hand. I was having trouble with tension control, as I had originally learned to use my pinkie to help with the control. I found I couldn't feel to control the tension,. I tried the tension guide on my pointer finger but it felt awkward and I found my gaze being distracted by its presence, so I tried it on my ring finger! It worked great! It helped to add that little bit of control I was missing, it wasn't obtrusive and left my pointer finger free to just guide. I love it thank you and you are a wonder. I love your ability to explain and encourage in a very straight forward manner. Thank you.

Omg thanks so much for this video!! I was yarning under instead of over and I was confused why my stitches were so tight 🤦‍♀️This video was really helpful! Thank you so much!!

I know learning to crochet can be frustrating at times, but YOU CAN DO ANYTHING YOU PUT YOUR MIND TO! Which of these mistakes were you making? 👇🏼

Wonderful especially for a beginner like myself! You answered why my work is uneven. I was only going into top of V! 😥

Thank you! I am mostly self-taught and these tips are very helpful!

omg tysm for making this video! It helped SO MUCH!!! My pattern was coming out loose and I wasn't sure why this was happening. Other videos only explained what to do when your pattern is too tight but this video also explained how to deal with loose patterns. I am forever grateful for this video. keep up the good work and TYSM!

I've gotten to the point of using stitch markers. I count to 20. That way I can go back and add them really fast. I am new to crocheting. And I didn't realize how important it is to keep a good count. I've learned how to go in the back loop on my chain to make my starting row. I was having a hard time with going between the V. Thanks to you I now have confidence. And frogging does pay off in the end.

Great Video!! When I first learned to crochet, tension was my nemesis. I never gave up and now I don't give it much thought. 🧶

Very helpful video, thank you! Thank you for the encouragement to keep going, I must push pass my frustration.

Thank you! I will try your suggestions.

Crochet é uma ótima terapia mental para desligar de problemas e produzir algo que podemos criar e apreciar. Constatei que já há muitos homens a usar o crochet como hobby e inclusive fins comerciais. Adoro crochet e recomendo a todos❤

Thank you so much for your videos which have been so helpful for this beginner crocheter!!

Holy crap! That last tip helpedme so much! I'm glad I watched this! Thanks so much 😭

Thank you for taking your time to do this video🥺, it’s really educative and it’s exactly what I need now😩. May heavens bless you abundantly 🙏🏼

Thank you so much! I could not figure out why I was getting the front back stitch with the raised bumps in my work instead of one straight line! Your explanation was perfect.

Thank you for this insight. Very helpful.

I just started crocheting a week ago and I was always pulling it through only one loop. I was so confused, but this video helped me so much🫶🫶 thank youu

Thank you very much. You are so easy to understand and good tips for a years long crocheter.

Hi Sigoni, good to see you again! I put crochet aside for a while, but I have now started a shawl. It was clearly too small, and, yes I did take it apart and started over. I do have a tension problem, but I don't think I hold yarn too tight. I am trying a larger hook, and counting my stitches, and going slower. So, I'm glad I found this episode, and will look at your other tension related episodes. Happy New Year!

I use stitch markers for my first and last stitches. It's a life saver! Also, hobby stores have tons of little tally things. I adore mine.

Thank you so much for the tips, I had no problems knitting so I thought crochet would come easily for me too. Man was I wrong, Ive spent at least 8 hours just trying to get the first 2-3 lines to look okay. I found my problem was with the type of yarn I was using, it was NOT beginner friendly. I was also only stitching into the top loops. After your tips I found a better yarn and made a beautiful first 4 rows (for a beginner 😂 ) You have given me hope, I will not give up!!!

Brilliant! You answered questions I didn't know how to ask, and your answers were clear and concise. Plus I like the love you have for the craft. Really helpful!

I have to teach a class and this gave me lots of ideas of how to help the students learn and to see the solutions to the mistakes

I know its an old video, but thank you for this! I am a beginner crocheter and my work always have lines in them. Now I realise that I should be going through both loops and not just the first loop. Been wondering why my work always looked different, thanks for your help!

Great video! Love your lessons.

Thank you

I watch your video, becasue you're just telling me, that it's absolutely fine to mess up. :P I'm using some of the advices, but just hearing you saying that everybody messes up just helps me.

omg, I have been doing the front loop only all this time, and I've always wondered why my crochet looked so thin! Thank you! This was very helpful!

Thank you so much for these tips. I almost was giving up on crochet. The stitch markers at the end of the row are a game changer!

Thank you so much! If I can remember all this, I’ll be OK.

Thank you so so much for this video😘

I needed this video today. I just made a hat and half a Christmas stocking and they both look horrible. I don’t even want to take them apart and restart. I was feeling very discouraged today, but I know it’s all about learning. Thank you for this video!!

Thank you. I've crocheted for years. I'm currently working on a project and my stitches are so uneven. Some big some small. Just feeling down because the designers stitches are *perfect* they're all the same size. If a crochet machine existed it would be that. But anyway this video made me feel so much better!

very helpful information. thank you

Thank you for your help. I started crocheting at age 10, crocheted for 15 years. Now at the age of 60 I'm taking it up again. Having so many problems that i never had before!💖💖

Using stitch markers to mark your first and last stitch is very helpful as a beginner too

You must be a teacher, if you are not then you should. You are definitely a natural. Thanks for the info

my adhd would NEVER let me finish a project if i frogged even a small part. so no frogging is not allways good XD but did get quite good at covering up my mistakes :D

Thank you for the tips. I am fairly new at crocheting and I have trouble with keeping my edges straight in Afghans. I also seem to add stitches when working on hats. Will apply your tips😍

Whatt?? There is even a ring for tension?? Didn’t even know about this! I crochet only when I need to make something, but now i think i will crochet regularly, ha! Thanks for your recommendation!

Thanks for this video really appreciate it...it really helped me with my mistakes ...I am new to this

Nice video, thanks! Frogging is like erasing for graphic artists.

I agree

I’ve stumbled upon you at the exact right time! Your tips have been invaluable and I saw improvement in my first project. Looking forward to joining the monthly project. By the way, where did you get the counting ring? That looks perfect.

Thank you so much for working so hard on your videos. You cover everything! I am interested in what your masterclass offers, all of it. My problem is that I do not have a printer. Would it be possible to send the book in the mail, like snail mail? That sounds gross, I know, but it certainly describes the slowness of delivery vs videos, PDFs, etc. I am returning to crocheting after decades of not doing it. I have made purses, ponchos, hats, etc., but that was under the guidance of my great aunt, and I was just a kid. Now, I want to return, but I wasn’t’ born yesterday, by any means, and I have Rheumatoid Arthritis. I have been crocheting foundation chains to see if my hands can handle it. Good news, they can, so I can. I was a natural, and when I look at the single crochet purse I did, it looks flawless (not bragging, but I am the biggest perfectionist) lol Anyway, that is my bio in regards to crocheting (also knitting), but I am worried that I will not be able to do what I used to at 10. Now, I am 61. Being home all the time because of the Pandemic, I realize time is on my side, but confidence is not. What are your thoughts?

Thank you sooo much!!!! 🥰☺️❤️

thank u so much for this video. when i first saw crocheting i was mesmerised, however when i tried crocheting i was overwhelmed lol i stopped for a short while because of other things and i recently picked it back up again. this time however i managed to crochet myself two tension rings, granted they're wonky but i'm still quite proud lol up until now i thought i was doing it right, until i watched ur video haha i would go through the first loop of a stich and not stitch through both hoops together. knowing this now is going to help me so so much. thank you xxx might even make better tension rings now =D

I love your video thank you so much!!

I'm so glad you made this video! I get questions like this about tension a lot. Now I can refer them here!

WORKING THROUGH THE FRONT LOOP ONLY. Thank you for clarifying this. I have been going insane trying to figure out why my final product was looking different.

Wow 🤩 thank you for teaching. I learned to crochet 🧶 something as a beginner 😂

Started my first blanket for my bed and I love doing it but you can just tell I’m learning 😂 I used the wrong type of yarn . It’s chucky and soft and I have a hard time seeing the stitches & my work is bendy . I’m just ready to start over for the 4th time and get more yarn 🤣

I had never heard the term "frogging" and it would be good to explain that kind of terms if you are making videos for beginners.

Oh dear, all those years of struggling. Now I understand it is the tension.........Nobody told me that. Always got the answer that I had the wrong hook. But I’m learning crochet now as it is the first time 😂 thank you very much for explaining. Now to get rid of those big loops on top of it. Greetings from the Netherlands.

Thx your videos helped me to learn to crocheting and my 13 ur old daughter too🙂🙂

When you talked about frogging it made me smile I started to crochet when my 3rd grandchild was born 3 years ago. Then I got long COVID a year later and didnt have the energy. Got another grandbaby due next month do trying to make things again slowly. However i found whenever i have to frog something i literally say in my head each time i pull the wool, "Ribbit" like a frog! You simply CANNOT stay cross sitting saying Ribbit over and over. It may be that im too childish but if it helps why not? Also yes age 55 I still giggle at someone farting so yeah......thats mentality! Hahahahaha XoxoxoxoxoxoX 💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜

I don’t know how many times I saw my grandma frog a project growing up. lol. It would have never occurred to me it was a big deal. She had been crocheting for 60+ years before I was even born. She lived to be 90 and was crocheting up until the final days of her life.

Having had a stroke, I've had to adjust how I hold my yarn for tensioning purposes. It's still threaded through my fingers, but since I don't really use an open (knitter's) kind of grip, I use my pinky and ring fingers to balance the tension, and I'm continually making micro-adjustments with my hook...you know, before you cinch up the yarn.

I gave up twice with crocheting only because of the hooks I had. My mom had Susan Bates hooks so for years that’s what I tried to use. I had the hardest time trying to get the yarn off the hook. Inline hooks just aren’t for me. I tried again years later, but again those Susan Bates hooks just made me quit. This time I immediately invested in Clover Hooks and now I adore crocheting. I can actually do it without getting frustrated.

Hi. My serious issue is that I don't know the wrong side and right side of crochet. I am an addicted knitter, crochet I learnt from KZfaq. I've not seen on any channels and it's super important to beginners. I crochet by following video tutorials on KZfaq. If it's a scarf or in rounds, I just don't know the correct side. A video tutorial would be GREATLY APPRECIATED. Thanks for all the help and encouragement and thanks for making me smile. A big hug from my Newfoundland. 💖💖💖🌹👍👍👍

Frogging = learning. The best thing I learnt as a beginner ❤

🤯 now that I’m yarning over instead of under I can’t count anymore!!! Good thing I already don’t mind frogging or enjoying some of my projects that go wonky until I finally frog them 🤣

with frogging i think of a common bit of advice in other subjects, which is *fail faster* . making mistakes, identifying that you made a mistake and what it is, learning how to fix it and avoid it in the future, thats all part of improving, improvement comes faster when you can get immediate feedback when you make the mistake or when you notice it at least. if you know you made a mistake how to avoid it or do it right isnt going to stick in your head very well if you avoid dealing with it until you start something else. also if you have something you want to do but arent sure about the technique involved you dont necessarily need to use up the yarn you paid money for just to do something just as a test, you can just try it and frog the whole thing, then when you go to do the real thing you know what youre doing before you even start and can avoid the frustration of getting off to a bad start cause its just a test and doesnt matter. and if you got that mindset down, while youre at it play around sometimes, crochet is basically just pulling loops through other loops, the basic stitches most patterns are made of arent the only techniques you can use, anything you can wrap around or pull through is fair game... sometimes it might just not look like anything you want, you can even take the hook out flip it around and pull through the back(if you have a double ended hook its easy to make a lucet cord actually, just get 2 loops on there and alternate pulling through either loop), theres still things to explore if that strikes your fancy.

I was an intermediate crotcheter as a teen, but basically stopped when I had kids and had to work. I'm starting back up years later and, after watching a pattern tutorial, realized I had always been yarning under instead of over. As a teen, I didn't like to slow down and check the details. I just wanted to keep learning new things. I came to this video to see if it actually made a difference. Now I have to slow down and break a hard-wired habit 😅

Where are the links you said would be in the description box? Loved your video!

I shared your video.

Thank you so much!! I’m teaching myself and I had been wondering why my “scarf” has these lines/ribs to it… turns out I was only going through the front loop!

Thank you 😊 💓

Just wanted to put this out there. If you're really having difficulty learning a new skill, just keep it aside for a few days. Either watch videos of others explaining what to do that thing or just do something else. When I was just starting to learn crochet (and I'm still very much a beginner), the only thing I knew how to do was a slip stich and that too, because my mom had taught me months earlier. I was having difficulty holding the yarn, pulling the yarn through loops, yarning over, everything. Watched so many videos and just gave up after a while. Then, a few months later, I tried to do crochet again and I could! Yeah, it still required watching a lot of videos and practicing time and again, but I could do it and I got better each time. So yeah, just don't give up. It's normal to suck when you're just learning a new skill.

Can you please show me how to fix a row of half double crochet stitch, I need to pull it off the base row?

For the loosing track of the stitches part, I’ve started on a blanket (first project, I know I should have gone smaller) and I’ve missed my last stitch of the row so it’s starting to shrink. Is there a way to fix it without undoing it?

thank you for your fantastic information

Hi! Love your videos and the calm, gentle way you present them. My problem occurs when you say, " Look below the video to how to take.......". ...nothing there. What am I doing wrong????? I've clicked on everything and all I get are comments but nowhere about ordering your Master class, etc. Help!!!!!

just realised ive been yarning under

I wonder if you could also just use one of those old school spoon rings. Kids used to turn the bottom half of a spoon into a twisty ring. Haha

🤦🤦🤦🤦🤦🤦🤦🤦 Love your videos ❤️

Your talking about learning from frogging reminds me of the Thomas Edison quote; when a reporter asked Edison about failing 10,000 times, Edison replied, “I have not failed 10,000 times-I’ve successfully found 10,000 ways that will not work.” In the years that I've been crocheting, I've frogged many times, but not 10,000 times! LOL Edison has me beat so far!

Great video, very helpful! You mentioned in the video to use beginner friendly yarn, does this also include yarn weight? I'm trying to create something with a fingering weight yarn and I keep messing it up. It's either too tight or too loose.. Can you help me with this problem?

After 30+ years of crocheting, i still have to frog some thing occasionally. It happens. I had to frog 5 rows of a baby blanket just a week ago because I realized I added an additional row on accident.

Tks,i like yr patterns on granny square, my problem is i like to follow drawing,do it spare tym,cannot open phone in office,example my corners are never matching

Yesss this chick is on point

Hi! I can’t really seem to be able to get the yarn through the loop to make a chain stitch. I really need help! Hopefully you reply 😀

Oh i didn’t know how to pronounce gauge! Now i do. Thank you!

Do you have any advice for a missed last stitch of half double crochet? I would frog it but it’s so many rows back!

Omg where have been all my life . I use to love crocheting been inspired started out when I was 13 but then I got discourage because I would have tighter tension plus miscounting or adding stitches . Now at the age of 32 I feel like I’ll still a beginner intermediate crochet person .

I am new to crochet, I started after a surgery that kept me off my feet for 6 weeks, so I tackled a baby blanket with super chunky yarn……having fun, but it looks more like an a-line skirt than a blanket….obviously I did not count stitches. Is the only fix to tear out the rows that are too long? Unfortunately it would be about 1/2 of this baby blanket. Thank you!

Are there any advantages of a yarn cake over making a ball? Is it just preference?

😊can’t find the right emoji but it happens to me too - regularly! And not just crochet - try picking up a book! 🤦🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️

I can't acces the link to the ebook! can anyone help me out?

I'm wondering if the common mistakes ebook is still available. I clicked the link in the description a couple of times, but it keeps saying, "page not found".

im working on my first crochet project and have just discovered that i have "frogged" like 3 times having to undo 3-7 rows at a time for a ribbed hem cos i skipped or picked up a stitch 😂

Hi! I have noticed that when I crochet I usually tend to hold the loops on the hook with the fingers of the right hand. Meanwhile, on all of the videos I see people usualy do not do that and just move the hook itself without even touching the loops. So now I wonder if this is OK, or maybe this is a kind of a mistake :) Would appreciate if you answer me, since I haven't met any mentions of that so far anywhere. Thanks!

Can you plea Can you please help me? I keep getting my. work twisting at the end.

TRUTH HUSBANDS ALWAYS ASK QUESTIONS WHEN CROCHETING WHILE COUNTING, THAT IS WHEN I HAVE TO START RECOUNT AGAIN...BUT KNITTING..I PREFER KNITTING, I CROCHET ALSO BUT WHEN I WANT TO FINISH A PROJECT FAST..KNITTING TAKES TIME AND WHEN AM IN A HURRY, TO GET TH A PROJECT COMPLETE QUICKLY, I BELIEVE CROCHET GOES FASTER THAN MY FAVOURITE KNITTING.

I am making a blanket close to a full-size bed. My starting/fountain chain measured 69 inches in width. However, the width increased to 82 inches. I'm using jumbo yarn and calls for a 15mm hook, but I'm using 25mm hook. Is that the reason why the width increased? My finish blanket will definitely fit a full-size bed, but the blanket will hang over. Can you tell me what I did wrong or what I should have done.