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Beginner’s crochet

Learn the basics of crochet with Cardiff-based craft artist Gemma Forde.

A still image of a person with balls of yarn behind them taken from the ‘beginners crochet’ video
Posted in: Get creativeHobbies and interests

This tool was developed as part of Cultural Cwtsh, which was an online creative wellbeing hub for the health and care workforce in Wales, created by the Arts Council of Wales in collaboration with artists across the country.

In partnership with the Arts Council of Wales, we’re excited to share this mental wellbeing tool, alongside with many other creative resources, with everyone in Wales!

Hello, I’m Gemma, a craft artist based in Cardiff.

I learnt to crochet in my late 30s, and now I don’t know how I filled my spare time before; it has become an essential part of my wellbeing, along with my lovely lurcher, Gwen.

The following three crocheting videos will help you learn the basics and start your crocheting journey.

Equipment needed

  • Yarn
  • Crochet hooks
  • Scissors
  • Darning needle
  • Tape measure

Download the how-to guide (PDF).

This video will guide you through starting the very addictive yet mindful process of crocheting. You will be shown how to hold your hook and yarn, how to create a slip knot, how to build a chain and then a detailed demonstration of the most common crochet stitch, the ‘Double Crochet’.

The video includes advice for left-handed crocheters and provides lots of top tips for carrying on crocheting with confidence.

Learn the basics and start your crocheting journey

This video develops your crochet skills so you can make a tea cosy; it introduces you to my favourite crochet stitch, the ‘Half Treble Crochet’.

You will be guided through each stage of the process in this project, which makes for great gifts but also provides lots of opportunities to turn corners, which is often seen as quite difficult when learning to crochet.

But once you have mastered a couple of headbands, you will be ready to take on any crochet project you like and I’ll provide advice on projects I’d recommend you try next.

Create a tea cosy

Granny Squares are making a huge come back and are being used to create beautiful and colourful home decor and clothing.

The process is quite simple once you get started. I’ll teach you using a pictogram pattern, which really makes the process much easier to follow, and will give you lots of scope for other pictograms you can follow.

In this video, you will learn how to change colours, how to block and assemble your squares and, finally, I will share possible ways you may wish to assemble your squares.

Create granny squares

About Gemma Forde

I studied product design before training to be a design and technology teacher. I spent most of my career teaching in Asia and that gave me the inspiration to return to my hometown of Cardiff to set up a craft workshop business.

I love lots of crafts but particularly enjoy using my teaching experience to get others started with new hobbies.

My craft business in Cardiff is called Lark Design Make.

Resources supplied by Gemma Forde and Red90.

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