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Hints & Tips

Recent Hints & Tips Articles

Foundation Chain Stitch Count not Right?

Have you ever finished your foundation chains then completed the first row or round only to find that you don’t have enough chains or have too many left over? Try these methods to fix it…

Yarn Substitution

Can’t find the yarn you need for the your next project and need to substitute it? Read our tip to guide you through the things you need to consider

Yarn Over vs Yarn Under – Which one are you?

Yarn over versus yarn under – do you know the difference and the impact it has on your crochet? Read our tip to discover what the difference is and why it is important to know your style.

Crocheting with Doubled Yarn

Using multiple strands of yarn together in your crochet and knitting can help achieve that bulky look – read our tip for other advantages of using multiple strands and some tips to make it work for you.

Granny Square (Motif) Success

Read how to improve the look of your next granny square without having to alter the pattern – just the way you approach the steps.

Removing the Gap From Treble Crochet Stitches

Do you love using the treble stitch in your projects but worry about the gaps that appear at the beginning of a row?  We take a look at techniques to remove this gap.

Gauge Swatches – What and Why?

I’m sure you have all heard the term gauge swatch or tension swatch and read this in a pattern – but how many of you actually do it and use your gauge swatch to its maximum benefit? Read our tip to help you get your gauge correct and find out how else you can use the swatch.

Creating Flat Circles

Find the secrets to getting a flat circle

Reading Crochet Symbol Charts

When you first see crochet symbol charts they can be very daunting and look like gobbledy gook. But they aren’t as hard to read as you may think. In this tip we look at how you can use the charts to open a world of new patterns, and how to read them to make your crochet life easier

Caring for your Crafting Tools

The tools of our trade (or craft in this case) are just as important to produce a good quality end product as is the choice of yarn and pattern. Therefore storing and caring for them is important to ensure they work well and last a long time.

Foundation Rows – Different ways to begin your projects

Did you know there are three ways you can work into a foundation chain? Or you can even begin your work with a chainless foundation row.

Benefits of Online Learning with Crochet Australia

Learning to crochet or learn more crochet skills has never been easier with online classes by Crochet Australia.

Selecting your Colours

Choosing the colours for your crafty projects can sometimes be the hardest part! Fear not – this guide can help you develop a fresh approach and get the look you are after.

Entering Your Work in Competitions

Have you ever thought of entering your crocheted or knitted projects into one of the many competitions that are run throughout the country?  See our tips for getting your projects competition worthy.

Make Hats that fit Everytime

Getting crochet hats to fit perfectly, even when following a pattern, can be touch as every one’s head is different. Read our tip where we set out some guiding principles to help you make the perfect fitting hat or beanie every time.

Crochet – It’s more than hooks and yarn

Are you looking for a blues-busting, brain-building, calorie-burning, good mood hobby – Learn to crochet – it is one of the easiest activities for beginners to get started in. See why…

How much yarn do I have?

You’ve just found a pattern you like, have gone through your stash and found the perfect left over yarn – but do you
have enough? How do you know how much you have? Find out how to calculate this and more in our tip.

Storing your hand crafted projects

When you put all that hard work into making beautiful garments, take the time to store them properly to prolong their life

Blocking – to block or not to block?

Taking that extra time to block your item when it is finished or during the assembly process can really make your finished project pop. Find out how to do it here.

Yarn weight/ply August 2021

You’ve probably heard all the terms – worsted weight, double knit, DK, 8 ply – but what does it all mean? In this tip we take a look at what these terms mean when it comes to yarns and threads when you trying to choose the right yarn for your project.

Blanket/Afghan Sizes June 2021

You are going to make a blanket but how big should it be and how much yarn do you need to buy?

Changing Colours May 2021

Colourful crocheted items are a great way to use up your scrap yarn, but what about all those colour changes? We look at different techniques to change colours with and without knotting the yarn.

Invisible Increases and Decreases March 2021

Do you get frustrated with the holes that appear in your projects where you have increased or decreased stitches? I came across this technique of making invisible increases and decreases.

Understanding Cotton February 2021

Cotton as a natural fibre is very versitile for crocheting and knitting. However there are different types of cotton on the market, reflecting the treatments they have gone through (or lack of treatment). Read our tip to understand these processes cotton can go through so you can select the right cotton for your project.

Teaching Children Yarn Crafts November 2020

Teaching Children yarn crafts is different to teaching adults.  They have shorter attention spans, they need to be kept interested and they learn at different speeds. 

Foundation Chains too Tight? October 2020

Have you found that when you begin a crochet project the first row is narrower than the rest and a little rounded? This may be because your beginning chain was too tight. Find out various techniques to eliminate this.

Using T-shirt Yarn – September 2020

Crocheting or knitting with t-shirt is different to using normal yarns. Read our helpful hints for using t-shirt yarn – whether purchased or made from recycled t-shirts – and get reward from this fabulous product

Yarn Care Symbols on Yarn Labels – August 2020

Do you know what all the care symbols on the yarn labels represent?

Adding Buttons to Garments – July 2020

How many times have you completed your garment/object and you just need to add the buttons, and you’ve stalled, or it then doesn’t look right?

Sock Yarn – June 2020

When I first put up socks as our workshop for June, the most frequent question I got was – what yarn do I use?  Following are just some of the things to consider when selecting yarn for socks:

Adding Borders to Afghans – May 2020

Afghans are great to snuggle into this time of year – and are fun to make. Often the most tricky bit though is adding a neat border. Follow our tip for some hints and tricks to add that finishing touch to your next afghan.

Crochet Fitness – Exercises – April 2020

When you increase the amount of time you spend crocheting , just like with anything else, you should take precautions and prepare yourself. 

Crocheting Around Rings – February 2020

Many hoop earrings, mandalas and even large dream catchers have crochet work which is attached to a ring. This can be a bit daunting…

Garments That Fit – Dec 2019

Have you crocheted a garment, following the pattern precisely for your size only to find it doesn’t fit – it’s too tight or loose…

Crocheting with Beads – Nov 2019

Using beads in your crocheting can really add a sparkle and a different look to your projects—whether they are added throughout…

Adding Edges (Video) – July 2019

Make store-bought items unique by adding edges – blankets, towels, hankies, skirts, shirts and more. Or crochet tops to towels…


Hints & Tips – PDF Documents

All the following links lead to PDF documents, that can be viewed or downloaded.

Crochet

Amigurumi 101. Useful hints and tips for beginners to amigurumi

Doubling Up your Yarn Considered using two strands of yarn together? Find out how it can be useful and some tips for creating great fabric with this technique

Filet Crochet Never tried filet or wish to improve it?

Sturdy Baskets. Making baskets with sturdy sides

Socks Tips for making successful socks

Taking the curl out of Tunisian crochet Does your tunisian crochet curl up? See our hints for how to stop this happening.

Thread Tips for working with thread and finer yarns for the first time

Which crochet hook should I use? Tips on choosing a crochet hook for your project. or watch our video for help

Tatting

Tatting. Val D shares some tips she’s picked up from her own experiencesand advice she has received from others

All Crafts

A Collection of Knitting & Crochet Tips. Tips shared by customers of Crochet Australia relating to crochet and knitting

Bulky Yarn. How to create your own bulky yarn from 4ply or 8 ply yarn.

Centre Pulls. Should you start your ball/skein of yarn from the outside or the centre?

Joining pieces Methods to join crochet and knitted pieces together – pieces of clothing or motifs

Organising your projects. A review of some apps out there to help organise your WIP and keep track of your progress

Travelling with craft. Hints & tips for what to pack when going on holidays

Using Plarn. Helpful hints for using plarn – made from recycled plastic bags

Yarn Twist Does your yarn tangle or split when you are using it? It could be because of the way it is twisted. Find out how to tell if this is it and how to avoid it.

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