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The best way to start is with the very basics: making a slip knot, learning how to hold your hook and yarn, and practicing chain stitches. The KelliDream Beginner Crochet Kit includes everything you need including beginner yarn, a hook, pattern, step-by-step video tutorials, the Magic Circle Tool, embroidery needle, stuffing and accessories—so you can focus on learning without worrying about what supplies to buy.

Basic crocheting starts with a slip knot on your hook, followed by making a foundation chain. From there, you use basic stitches such as single crochet, double crochet, or half double crochet to build fabric row by row or round by round. Beginners usually start with chain stitches and single crochet before moving on to more complex patterns.

Amigurumi is the Japanese art of crocheting small stuffed animals and dolls. To start, you’ll typically use single crochet stitches worked in the round with a magic circle (also called magic ring or magic loop). Beginners usually begin with simple shapes like balls or cylinders that can be sewn together into animals or characters. A tool like the KelliDream Magic Circle Tool can make forming that first magic circle much easier, helping beginners start their amigurumi projects with confidence.

A simple scarf, dishcloth, or granny square is often recommended as a first project. These let you practice basic stitches while creating something useful. However, many beginners find that making cute amigurumi animals is more motivating for a first project, since you can see a fun character take shape quickly. Our beginner kits are designed with that in mind.

At minimum, you need yarn, a crochet hook, scissors, and a yarn needle. Optional tools include stitch markers, a tape measure, and a row counter. Many beginners prefer starting with a complete crochet kit that includes everything, like our KelliDream kits, so there’s no confusion about what to buy first.

Most beginners do well with a medium-sized hook - usually 5 mm to 5.5 mm (US H/8 or I/9) -paired with medium-weight (worsted) yarn. Our KelliDream Beginner Crochet Kits include the right hook matched to the yarn, so you can start without worrying about choosing supplies.

Medium-weight (worsted weight) yarn in cotton or acrylic is easiest for learning. It’s not too thin or thick, and it doesn’t split easily. There is also a yarn type often referred to as "beginner yarn". It's a worsted weight tube yarn that doesn't split and is easy to see. This is the yarn we include in our KelliDream Beginner Kits, so your stitches are clear and frustration-free.

There are two common grips: the pencil grip (hold it like a pencil) and the knife grip (hold it like a table knife). Neither is “right” or “wrong”, it’s about what feels comfortable for you. Our kit instructional "Beginner Basic" videos show both so you can try them and decide which works best.

Yes, absolutely! Left-handed crocheters just mirror the instructions. Many video tutorials are available specifically for left-handed learners. The tools and yarn in our kits work equally well for both right and left-handed crocheters. We offer step-by-step left-handed instructional videos for each of our kits.

Most people can learn the basics in a few hours. With practice, you’ll grow comfortable following patterns within a few weeks. Kits that include step-by-step instructions can help shorten the learning curve.

Many beginners find crochet easier because you only use one hook, and fixing mistakes is simple. Knitting uses two needles and can make stretchier fabric, but crochet is often preferred for small projects and amigurumi.

A magic ring (abbreviated “MR”) or magic circle (abbreviated "MC") is a way to start crocheting in the round without leaving a hole in the center. You loop yarn into a circle, crochet stitches around it, and then pull it tight. Our patent-pending KelliDream Magic Circle Tool was designed to make this step easier for beginners by holding the ring/circle in place for them.

The granny square is one of the most popular motifs, while the single crochet stitch is the most widely used and versatile.

The easiest projects are small, flat pieces like coasters, dishcloths, or scarves. These use basic stitches and give you quick wins. Our beginner kits build on these basics with fun projects that stay motivating.

Lace, detailed amigurumi, and fitted garments are considered the most challenging because they require precision and advanced techniques. Beginners often work up to these after mastering simpler projects.

To change colors, stop before completing the last stitch of your old color. Yarn over with the new color to finish the stitch, then continue working.

The cleanest method is to change colors at the final yarn-over of the last stitch of the previous color, then crochet over the yarn tails to hide them.

Crochet hearts are usually made by working stitches of different heights into a magic ring, creating a rounded heart shape. They’re a great beginner project similar to the small amigurumi included in our kits.

The Suzette stitch is made by alternating a single crochet and double crochet into the same stitch, then skipping the next. This creates a textured, woven look.

This refers to how you wrap the yarn around your hook — either yarn over (YO) or yarn under (YU).

• Yarn Over (YO): Bring the yarn from back to front over the top of the hook. (Picture the yarn laying across the hook like a blanket on top.)
  
• Yarn Under (YU): Bring the yarn from front to back under the hook. (Picture the hook scooping the yarn up from underneath.)
  

Most patterns and tutorials use yarn over, which produces the standard stitch shape you’ll see in instructions and diagrams. Yarn under can make stitches tighter and slightly slanted, but it isn’t the default in US patterns. For consistency as a beginner, it’s best to use yarn over unless a pattern specifically says otherwise.

Yes — most crochet has a right side (RS) and a wrong side (WS).

• Right Side (RS): This is the side meant to face outward. It usually looks smoother, flatter, and shows the stitch pattern clearly. Think of it as the “front” of your project.
  
• Wrong Side (WS): This is the back of the fabric. It often looks bumpier or shows horizontal bars where the stitches were worked.
  

Some projects (like scarves or blankets) are reversible, but for amigurumi and textured designs, patterns usually specify which side should face out. A good rule of thumb: the RS is the side that looks cleaner and more even.

In US vs UK patterns, stitch names differ. For example, US single crochet = UK double crochet. And a US double crochet = the UK treble crochet. Our kits and patterns use US crochet terms.

SC means the single crochet stitch. It's the simplest and most common stitch in US patterns. Insert your hook into the stitch, yarn over, and pull up a loop (2 loops on hook). Yarn over again and pull through both loops. Single crochet creates a dense, sturdy fabric and is the foundation for many beginner projects, including amigurumi.

In US terms, HDC stands for half double crochet stitch. To make one, yarn over, insert your hook into the stitch, yarn over again, and pull up a loop (3 loops on hook). Yarn over once more and pull through all 3 loops. The stitch is taller than a single crochet but shorter than a double crochet, making it versatile for garments, blankets, and amigurumi.

DC means the double crochet stitch. To make one, yarn over, insert your hook into the stitch, yarn over again and pull up a loop (3 loops on hook). Yarn over, pull through 2 loops (2 remain), yarn over again, and pull through the last 2 loops. Double crochet is taller than HDC and creates looser, drapier fabric. It’s widely used in blankets, garments, and open patterns.

MR or MC means magic ring (or magic circle). It’s a technique for starting projects in the round, like amigurumi. You loop yarn around your fingers, crochet stitches into the loop, then pull the tail to tighten the center. Our KelliDream Magic Circle Tool was designed to help beginners master this tricky but essential technique by holding the circle in place while they add the stitches around it.

DEC means decrease. In single crochet, you start a stitch in one space (pull up a loop), then start another in the next (pull up a second loop). Yarn over and pull through all loops to close them together. Decreases shape narrow areas, taper projects, and close off amigurumi.

TR means the treble (or triple) crochet stitch. Yarn over twice, insert your hook into the stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop (4 loops on hook). Yarn over, pull through 2 loops (3 remain), yarn over, pull through 2 loops (2 remain), yarn over, and pull through the last 2 loops. Treble stitches are very tall and create open, airy fabric often used in lace patterns.

INC means increases stitch. This is done by crocheting two stitches into the same stitch space to widen your project. Increases are used to expand circles, shape flat projects, or add dimension to amigurumi.

STS means stitches. It usually appears at the end of a pattern row or round to show the total number of stitches you should have. Checking your stitch count regularly helps prevent mistakes.

SL means slip stitch. It's also abbreviated as "sl st". Insert your hook into the stitch, yarn over, and pull the yarn through both the stitch and the loop on your hook in one motion. Slip stitches don’t add height and are used to join rounds, close gaps, move across your work, or add decorative edges.

FPDC means front post double crochet. The “post” of a stitch is the vertical body of the stitch, right under the top loops that look like a little “V” on top of your work.

Imagine each stitch has two parts:
Top loops → the little “V” at the very top (where you normally insert your hook).
Post → the tall vertical bar running down from those loops into the fabric.

To make FPDC, yarn over, insert your hook around the post of the stitch from front to back to front, yarn over, pull up a loop, then finish the stitch like a normal double crochet. This makes the stitch stand forward, creating raised texture often used in cables, ribbing, and decorative designs.

BPDC means back post double crochet. Like FPDC, you work around the post of the stitch (the tall vertical bar right under the top loops), but instead of going around it from the front, you go around it from the back.

Each stitch has two parts:
Top loops → the little “V” on top (where most stitches go).
Post → the vertical bar running down from those loops.

To make BPDC, yarn over, insert your hook from the back of the fabric to the front, then to the back again so the post is behind your hook. Yarn over, pull up a loop, and finish like a regular double crochet. BPDC makes the stitch recede into the fabric, the opposite effect of FPDC. Together, FPDC and BPDC are used to create ribbing, textured stripes, and cables.

SK means skip. This tells you to skip over a stitch and work into the next one. Skipping is often used in lace patterns, shaping, and decorative openwork.

Count stitches regularly, use stitch markers, and read patterns carefully. Beginners often find kits with step-by-step instructions helpful because everything is explained clearly with no guesswork.

Frogging means undoing stitches to fix a mistake. The name comes from the phrase “rip it, rip it,” which sounds like a frog’s croak.

Uneven edges happen when stitches are accidentally added or skipped. Counting stitches and using markers helps.

Patterns use abbreviations, stitch counts, and repeats. At first it looks like a code, but with practice it becomes natural. Good beginner crochet kits include easy-to-read patterns, with video tutorials to follow along, so you can learn while making your first project.

Yes. The repetitive motions of crochet can reduce stress and increase mindfulness. Many people find it soothing and meditative.

Crochet provides focus, structure, and tactile feedback. It helps regulate restlessness while offering a sense of accomplishment. Having a kit with all supplies ready removes barriers and distractions to getting started.

Crochet can be a grounding activity that engages the senses and helps reduce intrusive thoughts. Many find it helpful for managing symptoms of PTSD.

Gen Z has embraced crochet because it’s creative, sustainable, and a break from fast fashion. Social media trends on TikTok and Instagram have fueled crochet’s popularity.

Crocheting for long periods can cause hand, wrist, or shoulder strain. Take breaks, stretch, and use ergonomic hooks and lap pillows to stay comfortable.

Yes, though not high-intensity, crocheting can burn about 100–150 calories per hour depending on your activity level. :)