5 Beginner Crochet Mistakes (And How to Fix Them)

Most how to crochet for beginners guides skip the part where they tell you what actually goes wrong. So you sit down, you're excited, you've got your hook and your yarn, and then something goes sideways, and you have no idea what happened.

Good news: whatever you're dealing with, it's not just you. If you're trying to learn to crochet, these beginner crochet mistakes are the same ones almost everyone runs into. Here's what they are, why they happen, and how to fix crochet mistakes before they make you want to throw your hook across the room.

1. Your tension is uneven, and your project is curling because of it.

One row looks tight. The next one looks loose. The whole thing is warping, and you don't know why.

If you've ever wondered why your crochet tension is uneven, the honest answer is: because you're new and your hands haven't found their rhythm yet. Tension just means how tightly or loosely you're holding your yarn as you work. When it's inconsistent, your stitches end up uneven and your project loses its shape.

The fix: Try holding the yarn in a way that will allow you to have consistent tension as you crochet. Using your dominant hand, place the piece over and around your pinky, then under the next two fingers, then over and around your pointer finger. Then hold the piece with your middle finger and thumb. Then proceed to crocheting. As you crochet, lift up your pointer finger to establish tension. Take your time, and this should allow for more consistent tension. It won't be perfect right away, but it really does click eventually. 

2. You keep losing or gaining stitches without realizing it.

You started with 20 stitches. Somehow, you now have 23. Or 17. Nobody knows.

If you find yourself asking, “Why do I keep losing stitches in crochet?”, it's usually one of two things: accidentally crocheting into the same stitch twice, or skipping stitches, which are usually the very first or last stitch in a row. Those edge stitches are sneaky.

The fix: count your stitches at the end of every row while you're still learning. It feels tedious, but it saves you from having to rip everything out later. Another tip is to try using a stitch marker in your first and last stitch to make sure you are crocheting into them. Go slow and watch where your hook is actually going before you pull through.

3. You started with the wrong yarn.

This is one of the most overlooked crochet tips for absolute beginners, and one of the easiest to fix before you even start.

Dark colors make it hard to see your individual stitches. Thin yarn is unforgiving when you don't have control yet. Furry and novelty yarn make it too difficult to maneuver. None of these are your friends right now.

The fix: the best yarn for beginner crochet is a light-colored worsted weight yarn or chunky yarn: size 4-6. Cream, tan, light grey. Something where you can see every single loop clearly. Once your hands know what they're doing, use whatever you want.

4. Your hook size doesn't match your yarn.

A lot of people just grab whatever hook is nearby without checking if it's the right size. Too small, and your stitches are stiff and tight. Too big, and everything looks stretched out.

Knowing what size crochet hook for beginners works best makes a bigger difference than most people realize. Check the yarn label. It'll tell you exactly what to use. For most beginner crochet projects with worsted weight yarn, a 5mm–6mm hook is your sweet spot.

5. You're being way too hard on yourself.

These are crochet tips for beginners that nobody thinks to say out loud: your first project will be uneven, you will lose stitches, and you will probably start over. That's not failure. That's learning.

The fix: make something small so you can actually finish it and feel the win. And if you want a structured starting point with the hook, yarn, and project already figured out for you, that's exactly what the crochet starter kit is for.

👉Check out the Toppies crochet kits: everything you need in one place

Find out exactly how I would learn to crochet if I had to start all over again with this video:

 If I Had to Learn Crochet Again, I’d Do This | Learn To Crochet Series Pt. 1

Want to follow along visually while you practice? The YouTube channel has beginner tutorials waiting for you.

👉Watch on YouTube: @Tyra_the_Stitcher

You're going to get it. Keep going. 🖤

— Tyra