Whether you’re brand new to the crochet world or just dipping your hook back in after a long hiatus, you’re bound to run into a few hiccups. And by hiccups, we mean “what on earth happened here and why is my square now a triangle?”
Spoiler alert: You’re not alone. We’ve all been there—frogging projects, miscounting stitches, and wondering how that innocent ball of yarn somehow turned into a yarn monster. So let’s have a laugh (and maybe a little cry) at some of the most common beginner crochet mistakes and how to avoid them.
1. Not Counting Your Stitches (or Counting Wrong…)
Ah yes, the classic “Why is my blanket suddenly shaped like a wonky parallelogram?” moment.
The fix: Use stitch markers to mark the beginning of your row or important increases/decreases. And yes, counting out loud totally helps (even if your partner gives you weird looks).
2. Twisting the Foundation Chain
You’re feeling proud—you’ve chained 100 stitches. You start your next row, and BAM—it’s twisted like a corkscrew.
The fix: Lay your chain flat before joining in the round, and double-check that it’s not flipping on itself. Future you will thank you.
3. Crocheting Too Tightly (or Too Loosely)
That plush yarn was supposed to be soft and fluffy, not wound tighter than your anxiety on a Monday morning.
The fix: Relax your grip! Tension takes time to master, so don’t stress. Practice with different yarns and hook sizes until your hands find their happy place.
4. Forgetting to Check Your Yarn Label
You grabbed that gorgeous yarn and just went for it—no idea what weight it is, how to care for it, or which hook to use.
The fix: Read the label! It’s your yarn’s user manual, and it tells you everything from hook size to washing instructions. Bonus tip: make a swatch every time as everyone’s tension is unique.
5. Skipping the Magic Ring (and Then Regretting It)
You started your amigurumi with a chain and joined it in the round. You finished the head… and now it has a hole big enough to smuggle snacks.
The fix: Learn the magic ring (aka magic circle). It’s fiddly at first, but it’ll give you a tight, hole-free start for all your plushie projects.
6. Not Finishing Projects (Because Something New Was Shiny)
Started a scarf. Moved on to a blanket. Got distracted by an octopus. Currently buried under at least three WIPs and a mild identity crisis.
The fix: It’s okay to have multiple projects on the go—but if your WIP basket is overflowing, try the “one new, one finish” rule: for every new project you start, finish an old one!
7. Thinking You Need to Be Perfect
Instagram makes it look easy. Meanwhile, your first granny square looks like it’s been through something.
The fix: Let go of perfection. Every wonky stitch is a lesson. Every finished project—flaws and all—is a victory. Even the pros still frog their work from time to time.
In Conclusion…
Mistakes are part of the crochet journey. They mean you’re learning, experimenting, and actually doing the thing. And honestly? That’s way better than a perfect project that never got started.
So grab your yarn, keep that sense of humour handy, and hook on, friend. You’ve got this.
Need the perfect yarn to practice with (and maybe forgive your past mistakes)? Check out our squishy-soft (and beginner friendly) yarn range here!
Happy hooking! 🧶