Amigurumi By CrochetInsider · Updated April 2026 Reading time: ~15 min Includes beginner whale pattern The first time I saw an amigurumi animal, I assumed it was knit. It looked so smooth and tight, with tiny little ears and a perfect round head. Then I learned it was crochet – just single crochet, worked in continuous rounds, with a smaller hook than usual. Amigurumi (pronounced ah‑mee‑goo‑roo‑mee) is the Japanese art of crocheting stuffed toys. It sounds fancy, but it’s actually the perfect project for beginners. You only need to know one stitch (single crochet), one technique (crocheting in the round),…

Technique By CrochetInsider · Updated April 2026 Reading time: ~12 min 3 tension methods + exercises When I first started crocheting, I held the yarn like it was a live snake – too tight, then too loose, then wrapped around every finger until I had no circulation. My stitches were all over the place. Tension is the hardest thing to learn because everyone’s hands are different. There’s no one “right” way to hold the yarn, but there are methods that work for most people. In this guide, I’ll teach you three common ways to hold and tension your yarn –…

Stitch library By CrochetInsider · Updated April 2026 Reading time: ~20 min 50+ stitches When I first started crocheting, I thought there were maybe five stitches. Then I discovered hundreds. HUNDREDS. I panicked. But here’s the truth: you only need a handful to make almost everything. The rest are variations or combinations. Think of this list as a reference library – bookmark it, print it, keep it in your project bag. I’ve organized stitches from basic (what you need to learn first) to advanced (for when you want to show off). Each entry includes the abbreviation, a brief description, and…

Yarn guide By CrochetInsider · Updated April 2026 Reading time: ~15 min 10 yarn types explained When I first started crocheting, I thought all yarn was the same. I grabbed a skein of cheap scratchy acrylic and wondered why my dishcloth felt like sandpaper. Then I discovered cotton. Then wool. Then bamboo. Suddenly, the world opened up. Choosing the right yarn is just as important as choosing the right pattern – the fibre affects drape, warmth, durability, and how your finished project feels. In this guide, I’ll explain every major yarn type: acrylic, cotton, wool, bamboo, linen, hemp, alpaca, silk,…

Counting stitches By CrochetInsider · Updated April 2026 Reading time: ~12 min Free printable tracker I’ll never forget the first blanket I tried to make. I was so proud of my beautiful rows – until I laid it flat and realised one end was twice as wide as the other. I had no idea how to count my stitches. I had been adding stitches at the beginning of each row and dropping them at the ends. Counting stitches seems so simple, but it’s one of the hardest skills for beginners – especially when you’re working with dark yarn or fuzzy…

Technique By CrochetInsider · Updated April 2026 Reading time: ~13 min 3 methods + troubleshooting I remember the first time I tried to make a magic ring. I watched three YouTube videos, replayed each one five times, and still ended up with a tangled knot. I threw my hook across the room and went back to chaining 4 and joining – which left a hole in the centre of my amigurumi. Then I found a method that clicked. The magic ring (also called magic circle or adjustable loop) is the best way to start crocheting in the round without a…

Basic stitch By CrochetInsider · Updated April 2026 Reading time: ~12 min Includes 5 sl st projects The slip stitch is the wallflower of crochet. It never gets the spotlight – single crochet, double crochet, even half double gets more love. But slip stitch is the quiet hero that holds everything together. It’s what you use to join rounds, to move across your work without adding height, to create invisible seams, and to add decorative ridges. I used to skip over slip stitch instructions, but once I learned how powerful it really is, I started using it all the time.…

Basic stitch By CrochetInsider · Updated April 2026 Reading time: ~12 min Includes 5 treble projects When I first learned treble crochet, I thought, “Who needs a stitch this tall?” Then I made a lacy shawl in treble crochet, and it worked up in a single weekend. Treble crochet (abbreviated “tr”) is the tallest of the basic stitches. It’s about twice as tall as double crochet, which means your projects grow incredibly fast. It’s perfect for open, drapey fabrics like shawls, lightweight blankets, and lacy tops. In this guide, I’ll teach you exactly how to make a treble crochet stitch,…

Baby blanket By CrochetInsider · Updated April 2026 Reading time: ~15 min Step‑by‑step pattern I remember standing in the yarn aisle, holding a skein of pale yellow cotton, absolutely terrified. I was about to attempt my first baby blanket for a friend’s baby shower. I had only made dishcloths before. But I bought the yarn, went home, and followed a pattern. Two weeks later, I had a blanket. It wasn’t perfect – the edges were a little wavy, and the stripes didn’t line up – but when I gave it to her, she cried. That blanket is now 10 years…

Yarn guide By CrochetInsider · Updated April 2026 Reading time: ~14 min 10 beginner yarns reviewed I still remember standing in the yarn aisle at Michael’s, completely overwhelmed. There were hundreds of options: acrylic, cotton, wool, blends, super bulky, fingering, ombre, self-striping – I had no idea what to buy. I grabbed a skein of cheap scratchy yarn and a hook, and my first dishcloth felt like sandpaper. I almost gave up. But then I found the right yarn – soft, easy to see, forgiving – and everything clicked. The right yarn makes all the difference. In this guide, I’ll…