Written by Elle Douglas

Photos of Elle Douglas taken by Nia Harrison

Knitwear is in. Whether it’s a bucket hat, a full on fit or the new scarf trend on TikTok, I’m going to show you how to ball on a serious budget by learning to crochet! This article will explain the basics and the benefits of crocheting, how to find your knitting style, and how to create your own dream knitwear.

Benefits of Crocheting 

Many people don’t know this, but crocheting is actually great for your mental health. Studies show crocheting reduces stress, benefits sleep, and helps with depression. It has been proven to boost serotonin levels! It is a creative outlet that allows you to feel productive while literally relaxing! Another benefit of crocheting is the mindfulness it brings. I find it therapeutic. It is my time to zone out and just collect my thoughts. I also crochet while doing school work or listening to my textbook. 

Summary: You’re literally gonna look baller while improving your mental health and your grades.  

Knowing your style 

Now, getting to know your personal style is the key to starting this craft. I’m not talking about your fashion style. I’m talking about your personal crocheting style. Getting to know your favorite yarn, whether it’s baby, acrylic, or super-duper thick yarn, this is the key to actually liking the art of crochet. The next step to getting to know your style is your favorite hook size. There’s a plethora of sizes of crochet hooks, but you get the picture... get to know your yarn and your favorite hook and you should be golden. 

Disclaimer: Nearly every YouTube video you watch will say that you need a certain hook and yarn for this project  but that is just a huge load of &$@#. Crochet with the materials you actually like. I promise it will be much more enjoyable. 

Learning the Basics 

The easiest way to become a pro at crocheting is to learn the basic stitches — the rest will come naturally. Knowing the basics leaves so much room for creativity! Recognizing whether you are a visual or auditory learner will really help your learning of the basic stitches. YouTube videos helped me memorize when I first started because I could see them performing the stitch as the stitch was being described out loud, but if you do well with reading the stitches in a book, I suggest you do that. 

Summary: Learn and memorize the basic stitches using your preferred learning style to boost personal creativity in your project. 

Go Crazy 

Now that you know the steps to becoming a successful crocheter you're ready for your first project. I have loved crocheting since I was 7 years old. I would make matching hats for my American Girl Dolls and Barbies. It is such a relaxing and affordable hobby. It can be a heartfelt gift. It will keep you looking fresh and crafty, all while helping your mental health. So, what are you waiting for? Go to Michaels and get a $0.99 ball of yarn and a set of cute crochet hooks.