How to Crochet Faster
By Rachel Choi – 7 CommentsIf you crochet faster you can crochet even more in less time! Plus, it’s always fun to impress your audience (friends, spouse, co-workers, or stranger staring at you in the waiting room) with how fast you can crochet. So below are some tips on how to crochet faster. If you have a tip you would like to share, feel free to leave it as a comment on this post!
Practice. I have to state the most obvious tip first. The more you practice the faster you tend to crochet. You become more used to crocheting and are able to get a feel of what works for you and what doesn’t.
Make sure you can pull your yarn smoothly. This means that you should be able to crochet without having to stop and pull the yarn out or untangle it. I recommend using the center of a pull skein when you crochet. If your yarn isn’t in a center pull skin fashion, then you can wind it into one. Using the outer strand of yarn to crochet requires you to keep unraveling the yarn as you go. Also, balls of yarn tend to roll around as you pull them.
Place your yarn in a convenient location while you crochet. The position where you place your yarn can impact how smooth your yarn flows. Depending on where you are sitting and how you hold your work, you may decide that you can pull your yarn better when it is next to your lap or on a table. Try it out for yourself to find out which one works best for you!
Hold yarn and hook comfortably. There are tons of ways you can hold your hook and yarn. But remember, there isn’t one “right” or “correct” way to do it. The best way is the one that is most comfortable for you. Make sure that the yarn flows smoothly and the tension is good when you hold it. Also, be sure that your hand doesn’t cramp up and you have a free, not awkward, motion when holding your hook. You can learn more about ways on How to Hold a Crochet Hook and How to Hold Yarn in Crochet.
Choose the right hook. Pick a hook that works good with the yarn you are using. If it’s too small it’ll most likely split your yarn and if it’s too big it’ll be pretty uncomfortable to work with. Different types of hooks take time to get use to, so pick the ones that work good for you. You can use the table in this post to find the recommended hook size for your yarns: Types of Yarn and Recommended Crochet Hooks and Gauges. Also keep in mind that different hook brands can impact how fast you crochet.
Work on patterns that are repetitive. Repetitive motion is great because you can remember it subconsciously without thinking about it. The less you have to think, the faster you can crochet. Plus, the more times you do something the better and better you will become. Patterns that are repetitive are easier to work and faster to commit to memory, so that you can crochet faster.
Relax. Crocheting is suppose to be fun. So relax your body and your mind. Don’t think too hard and don’t tense up. Just relax and have fun with it and you may notice yourself crocheting faster in no time.
Do you have a tip to share on how to crochet faster? Leave it as a comment!
I find that I can crochet patterns that work in holes a lot faster than those that work in stitches.
I find that my old recliner chair is a perfect place to just sit there and crochet, compared to trying to crochet in bed or something.. I seem to crochet faster when my back and arms are comfortable
I find crocheting granny squares to go a lot quicker than anything else, especialy amigurumi. I think it’s because it’s a lot looser, there’s a lot of little chains, and amigurumi is so tight and you have to pay attention to counting when you’re increasing and decreasing. I have to look at my work more often w/amigurumi than w/granny squares. I was working on some granny squares at my fiancee’s house when they blew a fuse. I was able to continue crocheting just fine in the pitch dark just by feel while his brother went down to the basement to fix the fuse. I don’t think I could’ve done that w/an amigurumi or any other tight-stitching type patterns, anything w/single crochets.
Also triple crochet stitches slow me down too. For some reason I can never smoothly get the hook and yarn through the first 2 loops. I have to use my other hand to pull the loops over. But the rest of the loops go smoothly. And I’ve tried other size hooks and yarns and tried making the loops a little bigger when I’m crocheting. It’s the only stitch that gives me hangups.
I have been crocheting for a little over a year now and I find myself getting bored with repetative stitches over and over. (such as a project with single crochet all the way through) I am doing a lot of “Cuddles” for pets in animal shelters and I find it a real problem because most of the patterns for the cuddles are so repetative! However, anything with holes or spaces isn’t good for the pets. They get their claws caught. Rachel, how do you keep your interest in something like this??
I get what you’re saying Diane! It happens to me too. I like to watch TV or listen to music while crocheting. That helps me from getting bored if you’re doing the same thing over and over.
Diane – I have done a number of projects like the one you’re talking about. My suggestion is to double up your yarns and just use a larger hook. Your stitches will be bigger and it will create a thicker surface for the animal. Also, try working with double crochet, the spaces are not big and I would be surprised if any animal would be stuck on that. A ribbed pattern that I love for pet beds is single crochet in the back loop only – it creates a very springy stretchy fabric that is easy to do.
Gaz – great idea about the squares! I think a lot of bigger projects are easily blocked out and look classy when they are all done in one color or pattern.
Good article Rachel keep up the great work!
Bonnie,
Thanks for the tip! I usually do use double yarn but will try the double crochet. I have used the rib stitch before and that’s a good idea that I hadn’t thought of. Thanks again!!