Literally just yesterday i was crocheting a wallet and was like "why is this taking so long" looks like you can read minds, toni!

@TLYarnCrafts

6 ай бұрын

lol I'm in your head!! 🙂

@imindian3838

5 ай бұрын

Me too😅

@akko8784

5 ай бұрын

Yea literally I wanted to make a small business for croshet but my problem is my slow progress and I just got this video in time!

@Ocean_vibes

4 ай бұрын

I’m making a wallet too and also me it was taking a long time making 26 rows of single crochet

@5877user

4 ай бұрын

If you want longevity in your hands, don’t be concerned about how fast you crochet. It’s supposed to be relaxing, not a marathon race. Your hands can only do so much just like the rest of your body.

I’ve been crocheting for a month now and because of these tips i finished a top in 2 hours instead of 8 and i’m really proud of my progress!

@nuagejuice3848

5 ай бұрын

Wow this is amazing!

@dusk_assassin28

4 ай бұрын

Our profile pictures are almost the same lol! The only difference is mine is Alligator loki

@notyayanguyen1735

3 ай бұрын

TWO HOURS?

@CrochetCrimeAndCommentary

2 ай бұрын

That's so amazing, good luck on your crochet journey

@ggupta6279

2 ай бұрын

o​@@CrochetCrimeAndCommentary

My one tips for crocheting fast is : Don't have a cat. 😂

@jaz_likes_bees

2 ай бұрын

Or a puppy 😂

@bluecrystals6864

Ай бұрын

😂 I had two cats fighting over my lap while I was crocheting yesterday!

@rashaunakovacich1979

Ай бұрын

Soooo true! Lol

@simonacastaldelli9169

Ай бұрын

You're right, and if you have them you'll have a precious wool fur mixed yarn 😂

@user-wb5jm5rz9b

Ай бұрын

True I can relate

I started crocheting when I was 7. I just turned 60. I have been doing these for a long time. I am also a self taught knitter. Well it’s really in the genes. My Nonna (Italian grandma) made EXQUISITE dresses for my younger sister and I. She made Beautiful sweaters for all the men in the family. We still have sweaters she made for my twin 53 yr old brothers when they were 3. They still look brand new. She used top quality yarn living in Argentina. In all the years of knitting/crocheting I have yet to find the quality yarns she used. I hope you all find joy in your very special talent. ❤️❤️❤️

@gyounce1

6 ай бұрын

Thank you! And, love your story!

@ranaamir-cl8kl

6 ай бұрын

girl u look 20 years younger , damn

@GhosstRyder

6 ай бұрын

@@ranaamir-cl8kl Thank you. No one ever believes me when I tell them my age. My mom will be 82 this year and she looks like she is 60. My parents blessed me with good genes. GOD Bless you for being so sweet!❤️❤️❤️😘😘

@tsunamis82

6 ай бұрын

It’s not just the yarn, but the careful washing of the garment too. I am using some super wash merino wool and am so annoyed at the knots in the yard.

@gypsyl8042

5 ай бұрын

Most awesome story. Would love to see some of her work.

For me personally, I find that I am able to speed up my stitching when I read through the entire pattern before I begin. That way, I know what to expect as I move from one section to another and can simply refresh myself and get right back to the stitches.

@nyaphillips9144

4 ай бұрын

I do this too at times... If I remember😅😅😅

"Don't fear the yarn barf." 😂 I saw a tip once that the commercial skeins have a hack for finding the easier way for center pull. Looking at the paper wrapping, it will either be on top (if upright) or pull from the right (if normal left-right). It's worked for me so far! Happy crocheting! 🥰

@TLYarnCrafts

6 ай бұрын

I've had no luck using the hacks to get the center pull - I always end up with a little yar barf lol

@teresab126

6 ай бұрын

I am using Big Twist and the center is coming from the left. Just saying 🤷🏼‍♀️🤷🏼‍♀️🤷🏼‍♀️🤷🏼‍♀️ It was already out and easy to pull.

@nacipelis1921

6 ай бұрын

@@teresab126 good to know! So it definitely doesn't work on every skein. And here I was so hopeful 😅

@emmyperret2055

6 ай бұрын

sometimes i even think i find the pull and it’s the outside yarn pulled through the center to keep it from unraveling

@7kaisheba

6 ай бұрын

Coton will always be slower to be crocheted than wool. Wool is always easier to make it fastly

I am crocheting as I’m watching this, and as soon as you said hold your project and hands closer to your lap I did it and HOLY MOLY that takes so much tension off my shoulders and immediately made a difference. I love how you don’t only talk about speed in this video, but about staying healthy too!! Thank you!!

@TLYarnCrafts

4 ай бұрын

Yayyy! Instantly better :-) I always have to remind myself as well. Happy stitching!

@angieelliott8741

3 ай бұрын

I was doing the same!! 😅

@venusalexa7367

Ай бұрын

It's so important to stop muscle shortening in your arms tio

I have an additional tip: get prism glasses (the ones advertised for lazy reading or tv watching while laying flat on ones back). It helps with stress on the neck because you can keep your head straight and not look down and put strain on the cervical spine. I am so glad I found those glasses my cervical spine has become too stressed and unstable recently, so I'm not allowed to look down and strain my neck like that any more and the glasses are a life saver!

@TLYarnCrafts

6 ай бұрын

Ahhhh great tip! I saw these some time ago, advertised to crocheters. I haven't tried them yet, though.

@sophiewiest1493

6 ай бұрын

Yes agreed! I got those when I was in 7th grade and reading away on books and I've been using them for the last 10 years constantly for everything, such a saver especially since my timetable got much more crowded, leaving no time for sports and having to pay attention to my posture. But, to be honest, I still don't dare myself to put them on in university when working on essays n stuff... One looks just so silly with them xD

@sojabursche

6 ай бұрын

@@sophiewiest1493 Monday I will be fitted for a neck brace and maybe get the cervical spine fused to the head a little further down the road then I will not have a choice anymore.. so I decided best get used to it and maybe help avoid the surgery for a little while at least.. I have managed to escape it for almost 15 years, first time I had to seek treatment for it was when I was 14 and my neck got so stiff to try and keep it from moving too much that I couldn’t move it anymore for months. So I kind of knew it would be coming and have been mentally prepared for this for years, and doing my physio therapy exercises everywhere even in public if I noticed my neck doing the straining and having obvious medical related tinted lenses for my glasses definitely helped to just put them on even in public. Like I have found that dealing with the mental stuff while you already have to use it is more difficult than to be prepared for it before hand, and when you can start slow with using it sometimes. Also for me less pain and/or health crashes are a great motivator. 😅

@cecilialindroth3735

6 ай бұрын

Yea, I was thinking about the reading glassen too. I have a pair that cover the lower part of the eyes and sight downward. That's practical while watching fx tv. Tanks for a Great chanel! I'm watching from Sweden 🇸🇪

@judipierry549

6 ай бұрын

Such an excellent tip! I bet they will help prevent the migraines I can get from too much crocheting caused by the neck strain! Thanks so awfully much.

Don’t let your “hook hand” do all the work! Small movements with your yarn hand can really speed up your work. Also, the shape of your hook’s head can make a big difference in how quickly you can insert and pull up a loop. Look for one with a pointy edge along the top of the hook for inserting, but a softer or even an in-line hook for pulling up loops.

I’m the youngest crocheter in my family(at 11 years old) and I crochet so slow(I’ve also been crushing for 3 1/2 years.) so this video is very needed for a slow crocheters in every slow crocheter or someone who’s beginning crochet and wants to be fast at it Tony you’re just on time with things we love you.❤🎉

@nicoles4076

6 ай бұрын

Awesome! I’m teaching my 8 year old daughter and we are working on tension tips and where to put the hook when starting.

@TLYarnCrafts

6 ай бұрын

I'm so glad it's helpful. I was a terribly slow crocheter for a long time. Improving my posture and getting better tools made all the difference. I hope the video is helpful :-)

@jinaking3376

6 ай бұрын

I'm a beginner crochet. I am a little slow because I can't wrap the yarn around my fingers or hand to control the tension. Is there a secret or technique

@anonymoid388

6 ай бұрын

​@@jinaking3376I can't do the usual tensioning by wrapping through the fingers because my joints are wobbly there, so I just run the yarn between my palm and the tip of my little finger where it curls onto the palm just in front of the crease at the edge if my palm. Then I push down or loosen according to what I need. At firstbI was slow but practice, practice, practice helped a lot! A little bit each day is better than a lot once a week!

@AuntNutmeg

6 ай бұрын

Hang in there and keep crocheting! I learned when I was 9 and used to be slow. It took me about 10 years, honestly, to get pretty fast. Now I'm 58 and on the right project I can crochet like the wind. Don't focus on your speed, just keep crocheting. You'll get faster the more you do it.

Great tips! Noticing that my hands are at my lap which is helping me breeze through my current project. Also memorized the simple lace repeat. My tip - train your household members not to interrupt you when counting stitches. Lol.

@nuvoclassic

6 ай бұрын

Ha! Good luck with THAT! 😐

@SodapopTheOtter

6 ай бұрын

I trained them using a half and half spray bottle. Half vinegar, half water. They interrupt me, they get sprayed, smell like vinegar until they change their clothes, and they owe me a dollar fifty. They know not to interrupt me now :) (except for small children. They don’t owe me anything, and I don’t spray them. They don’t know any better yet. If you’re 10+ tho ima spray you cause come on, you’re older than ten years old. You know better than to interrupt me when I’m counting.)

@michellestevens8343

6 ай бұрын

I give a growl with THE LOOK. Always works for me. 😉@@nuvoclassic

@valeriehowden471

6 ай бұрын

​@@SodapopTheOtter😂😂😂 you just made my week!!!! Many thanks.

@SodapopTheOtter

6 ай бұрын

@@valeriehowden471 no problem. Friends thought it was funny too. And then they got sprayed too. I warned them 🤷‍♀️😂

I've been crocheting since I was 15. I'm now 53 and only this year have discovered how much a good light can speed up my work. I got a little LED light for the arm of the corner of the sofa I sit at nightly and it's made all the difference. The lighting I was using from my overhead room light was fine but the added brightness of the LED has helped immensely, especially when working with darker colours. And it was only $5 at my local cheap-O home store!

What helps a lot for me is making sure I like the feel of the yarn I am using. I have a lot of sensory limitations and sometimes I just cannot work on a project for very long if the yarn material is uncomfortable in my hands. Through experience I have gotten better at figuring out how much twist i like, what types of fiber content I lean towards, etc. Feeling the yarn in the store isn't always the best indication of how it will feel as you work it up, so getting to know your preferences can always help.

@elizabethhostetter1946

6 ай бұрын

Second that, especially with the sensory issues. i won't buy yarn online unless i'm already familiar with it because even if it's a fibre i prefer (strong preference for cotton), i may not be able to tolerate *that* specific yarn. 8(

@angeliamoore6973

6 ай бұрын

Do you have yarns that are easier to feel that you could recommend? I am using larger diameter yarns because I can't feel thin yarn at all

@quinnifredt

6 ай бұрын

@@angeliamoore6973 for thinner yarns you should try ones with a tighter twist so that the stitch definition is easier to see. I haven't gone smaller than weight 3 DK/'light' yarn, but with that size I used 100% cotton. It was a little hard to get a grasp on sometimes because I am not super used to cotton but with some time I got into the swing of the project. I have also used acrylic dk and that was much easier to keep a hold of. If the texture of yarns bother you though I recommend trying some blends. I cannot work with 100% wool without wanting to explode because it can be quite scratchy, but a 50/50 wool and acrylic mix is what I'm currently using and it works up like a dream. I also don't like 100% acrylic because it can feel squeaky, so when I use it I use a metal hook instead of my usual plastic and it helps the squeaky feeling. Over all it just boils down to figuring out which textures you don't like. If you want to try out a thinner yarn that is still easy to keep track of, I recommend lion brand 24/7 cotton. It is technically a weight 4 worsted/'medium' yarn but it is a thinner worsted than the many others I've used. It has a high twist and very good stitch definition, so it hopefully wont be a struggle to adjust, it is also slightly grippy/textured but gentle enough to not be a bother. Also! If you're really struggling you should take small steps in going down sizes. Adjusting can be a little tricky sometimes so giving yourself plenty of time to get used to the new feel should help a ton.

@elizabethhostetter1946

6 ай бұрын

@@angeliamoore6973 if it's me you're asking - i'm sorry, i don't. i don't have trouble feeling crochet cotton. i just don't like the feel of acrylics or animal fibres (i'm allergic to lanolin, as well!).

So true about posture. I sat on my bed with legs extended while making a whole blanket. I wound up with a severe case of sciatica. Don’t do this.

@TLYarnCrafts

6 ай бұрын

Oh boy! I can imagine that was pretty rough on your back. Thankfully, we only need to learn a lesson like that one time 🙂

@judipierry549

6 ай бұрын

Oh my!

Toni you are the best. I’m an OGG crocheter (learned in 1964). This kind of video is another reason I’ve been a longtime subscriber. I love all of your reviews and any other content. 😊❤❤

I never thought it would have that much an impact, BUT: the material of your hook's grip actually can make all the difference. I have RSI in both hands and I can work more comfortably with metal hooks with wooden grips than any other grips. Also, regular breaks, especially in cooler months, and holding a warm cup of tea in both hands has been doing wonders for my crocheting speed. I usually take my fav mug, fill it with tea and slowly sip it, then get back to my current project.

@TLYarnCrafts

6 ай бұрын

That hook material changes so much! The metal helps me get in the groove, too.

I'm a fellow knife-gripper, and I definitely agree with everything you've said! Last year I made a beautiful dragon wing shawl for a friend using a combination of dc in blo and dc mesh stitch. Getting into a rhythm is super helpful. I will say, more complex stitches can be fast too if you can memorize the pattern, like I did with the blanket I crocheted for my baby earlier this year. Also, don't be afraid to limit the number of Big Projects you make for people for Christmas! I pick one friend every year for a larger project and just make smaller ones for others, or buy things. This year a bunch of my DnD peeps are getting dice bags of various configurations (which fact also led to my first pattern creation lol), since dice bags typically take 1-3 hours. The one friend I picked is getting many many many dice bags because he has many many many sets of dice.

@TLYarnCrafts

6 ай бұрын

Love the advice of limiting those larger projects - for your hand health and your sanity lol

@tragicangel2005

6 ай бұрын

Please drop the pattern link (if you have)? Love this dice bag idea and would love to support you.

@58fcorley

6 ай бұрын

I am also a fellow "knifer".

@MidniteSpectre

6 ай бұрын

I do both for some reason. Some hooks are just easier to hold pen style, others knife style. But since I made some hooks more ergonomic I hold them like a kinfe now.

@kristinegangman7756

6 ай бұрын

​@@MidniteSpectreI instinctively have the knife hold on my hook when I started learning. I didn't know there were other ways to hold it. It's been 5 months now since I started learning, I mainly do knife hold but I change to pencil hold when my fingers and wrist starts to feel weird. I tried to learn it cause my mom and aunts says I hold my hook weird. Seems like they didn't know that knife hold also exist XD they weren't exactly judging me seeing that I can work with it anyways. Also just found out that they crochet too when they were younger then quits, shared their stories after they saw me crocheting. After that I found my aunt's work in my closet, it's a very detailed skirt. She told me she made it even before my mom was born, she was in high school. The skirts is still wearable and have a nice color, it's hard to believe that it's more than 50 years XD Sorry for the rambles, just got a little excited lol

I have been crushing for about 50 years since I was 20 in 1970. OMG telling my age LOL. Anyway, I consider myself an expert crocheter in both yarn and thread. I can fix mistakes on anything that are found somewhere below several rows but refused to unravel. So, I learned how to repair and fix it by cutting the yarn, unravel several stitches only on the end that unravels, the other end won't, take enough that yarn tie in a weaver's knot, and it looks natural. Crochet your few repair stitches on the correct side, then tie off at the other end with the weaver's knot. The weaver's knot is almost invisible. I like watching tips because there's always something to learn no matter how much you may know. I knew all your tips except for the crochet pillow. I sit in a very stuffed, easy rocking chairs and sit the way you sit and crochet on my lap. I am going to buy one of those pillows. Here is an added tip or tips for you. I used the Quaker Old Fashion Whole Oats box, the small one, and the super large one. What I do is cut a hole in the top of the lid. Cover the hole around the edges with soft tape. Put your skein in there pull from the middle through the hole, and it works perfectly and usually never balls up and gets twisted in the end it stays put. I use the super box for the jumbo yarn. I also use the large plastic prezel container container that you can put your super jumbo yarn in there and do the same with the hole in the lid is to cut a hole in the lid and tape it as usual and it works great. There is also a super large pretzel container that you can get on walmart and probably other places and use that for your really oversized super jumbo yarn and do the same with the lid. These have worked great for me, and I make them up for other people friends to use, and they love those. Thank you for sharing. ❤❤❤❤

I’m not the slowest crocheter, but I’m also not the fastest and that is completely fine. I love to enjoy my projects and taking the time really make them perfect to me. For me it’s all about the journey and not necessarily the destination. I love your video though ❤

You’re the Queen of Crochet. I really enjoy your videos.

I have the Hobbii pillow. It was a lifesaver when I was recovering from shoulder surgery. My surgeon cleared me to crochet if I used the pillow on day one.😊

@TLYarnCrafts

6 ай бұрын

So smart! Glad you didn't have to take too much down time from crocheting :-)

@karynthompson6616

6 ай бұрын

I made one from a pattern for a neck pillow with large yarn and stuffed it with polyfill from a pillow.

I’m a seasoned crocheter, but tips are always welcome! For me, crocheting with an in-line hook has made a HUGE difference in crochet speed and consistent tension. 😊

@karenmaciolek9602

6 ай бұрын

I just posted my hook preference!! Love inline and will not switch back

@kristinegangman7756

6 ай бұрын

How long have you been crocheting? I'm kinda curious how many crocheters are beginners and experienced. I've been crocheting for 5 months now. Still a lot of things to learn!

@audreysmith2557

6 ай бұрын

@@kristinegangman7756 I am an old woman. I started crocheting when I was 10 or 12, so 50+ years.

Your tips make sense. I have been crocheting for about 43 years and I love it.

Just started crocheting this year, and your channel helped so much. Even though english isn't my first language, your tutorials are always easy to follow. You taught me everything from foundation (single) crochets to trusting the process and trying different yarns. Currently making a second montego shawl, bc my grandma liked the bamboo yarn so much I had to make her one for cristmas. I'm also attempting tunesian crochet and I wouldn't have found it without your channel. The only downside is, I've now watched through all your yarn snob reviews and have to wait for more.

@TLYarnCrafts

6 ай бұрын

Looks like I need to make a new Yarn Snob Review :-) Thanks so much for supporting the channel - it means the world to me. When I learned, there weren't a lot of resources, so I'm happy to be one of those resources for you.

Thank you for the handy tips. I love watching your videos. I am from South Africa, I am KZN Durban.

I am new to crochet, and I just tried holding the hook further down and I find it so much easier to get smooth stitches now! Thank you!!

Hi, I was watching Juan the Yarn Addict, and he shouted out your channel, so here I am 😉

@TLYarnCrafts

6 ай бұрын

oh woooow! So cool. I'll have to go check him out,

If not on a time crunch, I find it helpful to have a couple projects going at once, to save on the wrist action. Different size hooks and different stitches offer me the ability to keep moving forward on both without the constant repitition. Sometimes I even break out the needles. Thank you for your tips, and good to see I all ready use some of them. Happy Crocheting

@kerravonsen2810

5 ай бұрын

That's a good idea -- though I still have a tendency to concentrate on one project at a time, and worst of all, I get so lost in the flow that I don't take breaks when I should.

Great tips! The only thing I would add is: Make sure you have good lighting. I'm older.....it's crucial for me. Thank you for all your wonderful videos and positive encouragement!

@elliebellie7816

19 күн бұрын

I also commented on this. Good lighting has made all the difference for me as I have aged.

I actually just got my pillow and even with some minimal use, I’m enjoying the difference. Having it to rest my hands and project feels good. It’s been great for reading and video gaming too.

As I post this it was 6 hours ago that you posted this fantastic tip video and 1,200 people have already watched it! Girl you got us all pumped to crochet! I love your enthusiasm and willingness to share your growth as well by trying knitting and crocheting wearables! I’m devoted to all your videos! Keep it up! And Thanks!!!!

Number 6 made me chuckle, I'm 61 and have been crocheting since I was 7 my grandma taught me. I loved sitting with her learning. Thank you for your informative videos and sharing your talents with us. Please keep sharing thank you!😊

Did she say "yarn barf."🫢 I love it!

Love this.... as I sit and try to make several of the same piece to stock my upcoming craft booth. I have another tip -- for those doing something like I am right now... If the project has several stages and you are doing multiples (even if I'm doing socks, and there are two), I sometimes work multiple pieces in stages. For example, make the toe of both socks, then do the foot (both socks) then turn the heel, etc. I find that it speeds things up overall, because I don't have to 'change gears' to think about each separate step, I remember it much better and can stay 'in the groove' by doing the same step a few times instead of moving through the whole piece individually. I hope that makes sense! Love your work TL!

@nuvoclassic

6 ай бұрын

I just did that for beanies I'm making for migrant asylum seekers being bussed into my neighborhood. I made the rectangles and left them with a LONG tail. Later I seamed the side and cinched the top. Then I labeled gallon baggies using Sharpies with gender [in Spanish] and wash/dry care info, and stuffed the baggies with a hat.

My speed-up tip: I've noticed (as with exercize), listening to uptempo music can speed up my crochet because my motions tend to sync with the rhythm. Think Pointer Sisters "I'm So Excited" and The Weather Girls "It's Raining Men" 🙂

Number 6 made me chuckle, I'm 61 and have been crocheting since I was 7 my grandma taught me. I loved sitting with her learning. Thank you for your informative videos and sharing your talents talents

Hands down, fully agree on the yarn bowl!!! I had been a center-pull only person for forever, but the discovery of the yarn bowl is THE thing that both made me faster and upped my enjoyment - maybe it's just how I work, but with center-pull, no matter the yarn, it gets so twisted up on itself that I literally would need to stop every 5 minutes to spin the skein by hand to un-twist it. Now I always pull from the outside in a yarn bowl and I've never regretted it.

Thanks lady friend! I noticed I was bringing the yarn up to close to my face and not my lap. My bicep was feeling the strain. This helped!!

Thank you for showing & explaining the tail pulling through the loop part. This is the 3rd video I watched & getting frustrated because it seemed so simple and I JUST couldn't figure it out.

I like how you are so vibrant and positive. You make my crochet day.

Made one of those per that pattern for the crochet pillow for a friend who had to give up crafts of all kinds due to pain. I was going to make one for me and have not had relief from pain to even start it yet. She loves it! And I found out that IT IS AMAZING!!!!! I still have the yarn, panty hose, and stuffing to make one for me and I can't wait! I tested hers out to check for firmness of the stuffing to suit. It helps with support and stays in place nicely so you can use it when reading or crafting, anytime you need support!

Thanks so much for your great ideas. I love the boppy idea - who would;ve thought!

Just found your channel and already love your content so much! If you can't afford a store bought yarn bowl, as I could not, a washed out coffee can works just as well. That's what I use. I also put a hole in the lid of the can so I can feed the yarn through while keeping it closed and free from pet hair and the like.

@cfrandre8319

6 ай бұрын

I am using big plastic coffee canisters, that were well-washed, and I made different sized holes in around the body, and another hole in the top. I also use big oatmeal containers thoroughly cleaned out-(but don’t wash, they’re cardboard, a good clean damp sponge or paper-towel wipe-down is best) with a hole in the plastic cap. If I’m not using the cannisters and containers for a project, I store left-over yarns stacked inside them, and run a length of yarn from each through the top hole just a little so I can see what yarns are inside. The coffee canisters stack nicely (the oatmeal containers don’t but I painted them and they look better lined up on a shelf), and I painted those as well.

@jasminpelkey4370

6 ай бұрын

@@cfrandre8319 I never even thought to use the oatmeal containers, that's a great idea. I'm gonna have to try that! What did you use to put the holes in the body of the coffee containers?

When doing a pattern such as a poncho - with several rows of consistent design - I found it helps if a place a safety pin at the end of a row, And start counting again there with how many rows I need to finish that project. That way i dont have to go back and count from the 1st row.

Having crocheted for over forty years I dont notice many of the issues with necks and shoulders. The irony is I've been told many many many times that I dont hold the hook correctly nor do I handle tension correctly. - as if there's one method???? Despite that my tension is spot on. My favorite stitch is SC DC in same chain, then skip one.repeat. It goes fast and without the gaps like a granny square. I've used this for blankets and sweaters and it looks amazing. Appreciate the tips. Love the channel.

This is so true. For me, metal erganomic hooks make it smoother

Thank you for this video! I agree about the Clover hooks, but in the larger sizes, they are plastic and create some drag on the yarn, so for that, I have to go back to the regular Susan Bates hooks, I just found some in sizes 9, 10 and 11. I completely agree with you about choosing simpler stitches - fancy, complicated patterns an d stitches take a lot longer! Thanks for all you do!

@TLYarnCrafts

6 ай бұрын

That's true - I really wish the larger Clovers were metal as well, but I also switch to the Susan Bates for the larger sizes. Just need a metal Q hook now,

EXCELLENT tips!!! I especially liked the fact that you addressed ergonomics. I am a health care professional who loves to crochet when time permits and I worry about carpal tunnel, arthritis and tendinitis. You gave us great tips to improve our posture while we craft. Kudos to you!!! Very forward thinking. Happy crafting 😊

I've been crocheting since i can remember. Tension has always been an isue for me. Its also one of my coping mechanism. I have peripheral neuropathy. While I enjoy both crochet and tunisian crochet, tunisian crochet is easier on my body. For beginners, please stay clear from very dark colors. The stitch definitions are hard to see. Use lighter color at the beginning of your crocheting journey. Once your mojo is going strong then slowly bring in the darket colors. The main take away is to have fun. Thank you, Toni, for introducing me this wonderful craft.

It was good to hear you tips. I have been doing all of them for decades. Why would you want to work your yarn from the outside in? With regards to Tip #4 - the knife-edge hold, I've learned to use my fingers to move the hook while stitching, so that I don't have to move my wrist so much. Tip #7 is an interesting one, using a pillow to hold your work. I totally agree that you need to sit straight, and lean back into the chair, relax your shoulders, and not have your work up close to your face. I have found using an empty tissue box (the square ones), with the lid cut and turned down inside the box and then taped into place with packaging tape works great. Using these empty tissue boxes, allows me to have several projects going and I don't have to move my yarn holder to each project when I wish to switch it up because I want a change in the color and/or stitch pattern I am working on by doing something different. My projects are kept in those inexpensive totes, containing the yarn holder (modified tissue box), any instructions, and yarn that is needed for my project and with the handles on them I can hang them on hooks that go over the top of the door, so they are out of the way and easy to get to.

I just started watching your videos after coming back from Rheinbeck. The friend that went there with me has been knitting for decades, and crocheting, spinning, weaving, tatting, etc. I'm an artist, but I've always wanted to explore the craft side. I was a disaster at knitting. So I took two crocheting classes there and seem to have caught on. At the class I learned how to make granny squares, and I'm still working on them. My biggest issue in going forward is that I bought a granny square kit and it doesn't have a diagram, just a written pattern. I'm very visual and there isn't a close up of the granny square that the woman on the picture is modeling.. I'm still struggling with how to read patterns. Your videos are wonderful and have been very helpful. I'm not giving up!!! The friend that I went up to Rheinbeck with doesn't live nearby, She's in NJ, I'm in NY. I don't drive, lol.

@MrLeFluffy1

6 ай бұрын

I'm the same way - super visual learner! Took me YEARS to be able to parse written patterns! Here's my advice - look up some granny square tutorials on youtube! There's crochet tutorials for pretty much everything you can think of on here, and you get a visual demonstration along with an explanation! That's how I learned primarily. Hope this helps!

@TLYarnCrafts

6 ай бұрын

Keep at it! I've been planning a pattern reading video. Hopefully that would be helpful. Welcome to the channel - so happy to have you :-)

0 seconds ago I could not find a yarn bowl that was to my liking and large enough. So I improvised. I to a basket in a size that I liked and made a liner for it. But at the top of the liner I sewed in loops several inches apart all around the basket. The liner helps the yarn ball unwind smoothly and the loops guide the yarn. This is great when I am working with several different colors.

I’m crocheting as I watch this and when you got to the part about posture I almost laughed out loud because normally I’d be hunched over, but my Velcro 5 month old is asleep on my chest so I’m sitting mostly upright with a little backwards lean so he can lay against me so this is the best my crochet posture has ever been!

Toni, I discovered you the other day. As I'm watching your video, I was AMAZED at how FAST you crocheted. And I'm thinking, I will NEVER be able to crochet like that! And then today, I see this video! And there might be hope for me yet! LOL Really good points! Thank you for all the work you put in your videos. They mean so much to people (especially me) who are self taught. I complain a lot about technology (being OLD SCHOOL), but I could never have learned to crochet without it and people like you. THANK YOU!

I'm 36, and I'm learning how to crochet

I love my Clover Amour hooks! And they make crocheting faster in an additional way. I first tried them when I was part of a CAL and the recommended yarn was constantly splitting over the hook. I found a post in the CAL's chat about other people having the same problem and someone recommended some brands of hook that would help. I was skeptical that a different hook would help (because it's the yarn's problem, right?) but I found a Clover Amour hook locally and decided to try it. I was AMAZED. I went from having to fuss with the splitting yarn every few stitches with the old hook to never having the yarn split at all with the Amour. I still do not understand how this magic happens, but now I have a whole set of Amour hooks and I couldn't be happier.

Knife holder here. I use aluminum hooks too. I put my yarn in a zippered tote I bought from Amazon. It’s a cylinder with a hole in the top to feed the yarn through. My yarn stays clean and also my kitty doesn’t attack my yarn!

Hi, Toni, I've never left a comment, even though I've been a subscriber for years, but when you were talking about posture, I had to laugh. I'm going to try to describe to you my crochet sitting position of my past younger self. Please note, that this is a classic example of how NOT to do it. Try not to cringe too much When I was in my early twenties, I used to sit yoga style on the floor. I had an elderly cat that insisted on sitting in my lap, so I would lean over her, and resting my elbows on my knees, I would hold my work out in front of me to crochet. Yes, you can feel free to laugh. At 55, I look back on those days, and think there's no way I would do that now. Lol

@meezerhairforever

6 ай бұрын

I too have needy cats... I feel your pain!

@TLYarnCrafts

6 ай бұрын

I can visualize this so clearly, lol. We all had some bad habits early on. At this point, my body can feel if I've been sitting poorly while crocheting lol

@hasanaspfld

6 ай бұрын

I did my homework that way in high school. Cross-legged on my bed, cat in lap, leaning over him to read the textbook and do the work in pencil and dim lighting LOL

Thank you for the tips Toni! I have a general tip I'd like to share. I'm new to knitting. I was working on a Celtic Cable scarf for my husband when I started getting a strained muscle around my elbow. I had to stop all crocheting and knitting for about a week. When I started back up, I was still sore. I reached for one of those cushy stress balls - the kinds that are made of a really soft, but firm foam - and I started doing reps with it. I would squeeze the stress ball with my fingers, and then focus on my thumbs. A lot of the soreness went away. I started doing those exercises after knitting/crocheting for the night, and it really helps to stretch out and relax my crafting muscles. I can still overdo it, but at least using the stress ball for exercises helps me heal up faster.

Thanks! You're such a joyful person. I love listening to you!

i just did a bunch of your sunrise coasters, and i found myself getting faster and faster! definitely a fantastic easy pattern, especially since i have no coasters! lol

Thank you. This was really well presented. I've been crocheting for 50+ years and one tip I never hear is ... crochet to music. I went through my music collection and found several tracks that "fit" my crochet style. Everything from techno and industrial metal to country and classical. Find your beat and crochet along. 😊

I love using a Yarn Genie for when I need to work from the outside of the ball, like needing to follow a colour change in a certain direction

I’ve been crocheting for only 3 years and always look forward to your fun videos and great tips. I’ve learned some great shortcuts from you…things I never would’ve thought of. Thanks Toni 👏🏾👏🏾

I saw a hack on tiktok where they cut holes into a tennis ball and put the hook through. Apparently it’s ergonomic. I notice I last longer crocheting and it’s less painful due to cramps. There’s a learning curve but I figured it out pretty quick and now I can’t do without. Today I even put it on the end of my hook to do Tunisian crochet and it still works for me.

I love, love, LOVE that you just reminded to use body mechanics IN MY CROCHETING!!! Like, whaaaat?!? I can't believe I didn't THINK about this! In school for massage therapy they DRILLED us about our posture, but I never would've thunk about how it affects me in my crocheting. God Bless you, girl, you just blew my. whole lid! Much love and respect!!!

I have back problems and have found it so much better to sit at my desk or table where i can have my arms on the hard surface it helps to relieve the pain a lot and easier to get up when I need to stretch out my muscles . I do this about every 45 minutes to give everything a break .

You are an absolutely phenomenal teacher/speaker. Your descriptions are so clear and your voice is definitely an asset to learning with you. Do you offer any live classes anywhere? I'm in Florida and maybe we can make a trade for a week in the sunshine state in my guest room for a class with you! Seriously, I don't believe I could ever get tired of listening to you! Maybe you should run for president - you have my vote!

Thank you for all your tips. Even though I’m 74 I am a relatively new crocheter. I just cannot get over how fast you can crochet. The only one I have ever seen crochet faster is a little boy that I saw on TV. He talks while we crochets and goes 100 miles an hour. Thank you for your show, and thank you for the advice. Nevertoo old to learn I guess.

Mt daughter bought me a peacock tensioner ring for Christmas last year. I hadn't knitted or crocheted in years but I was curious to try it. Love it (for crochet; it doesn't work for me for knitting because the ring goes on the left hand only and I yarn over with my right hand while knitting.) I've made two baby blankets, a sweater, and half another blanket since then.

I am a "seasoned" crocheter. I frequently do marathon sessions and discovered years ago that a regular sized pillow in my lap does wonders for fatigue in my arms and shoulders. I also switch out with a lap desk. It gives me a slightly different posture. I do have 2 damaged hands that also have arthritis and I find that crocheting results in less pain; I've been told that joints are naturally lubricated with movement. Ive recently bought a neck light. I'm surprised how much a good light lessens stress! Love your channel.

I changed mine to the knife hold while watching your video! I have thumb tendon issues from a prior surgery and so far it is more comfortable. Paying attention to my seating and posture and sitting in a gaming chair has been helpful. I take frequent breaks while crocheting. I think its due to me getting bored but it helps prevent burn out.

Great info. Love the crochet pillow one. I have back problems after surgeries & I believe the pillow will be a big benefit for me. Thanks for all the info.!

Great tips! Thank you for sharing. I am still learning, so thank you for the encouragement!

😊 Hi Toni. When was the last time you made a king-sized single crocheted blanket? 😊 I did. The whole thing was single crochet in purple, lavender, and white. At first, crochet on a table or on your lap. Once the king-sized monster is too much to deal with, fan-fold it, loosely sew the right side to the left, over lapping by 4 inches. Buy a "standing" laundry basket, put a folded blanket or two in the bottom. Then, put in the folded and sewn blanket on top. As you crochet, you will pull the blanket up to your chest, then get comfy, and crochet. When you get to the end of a row, turn the basket and keep going. I ONLY started new yarn or new color at the same side. If you don't the stitches look funny. Take it out. I leave the tails till last to remind me to end and start at the beginning of the first chain. I had a plastic grocery bag on the side clipped with a huge black double hinged paper holder (name unknown). When you are done for the day or a session,pull the basket to the side of the room until you get back to it. 😊❤😊 Watch out though it gets REALLY heavy fast! Thank you for being a great teacher!😊❤😊🎉

I’m such a slow crocheter 😅 I needed these tips 😊

I was crocheting up close now I'm more relaxed and can feel how tense my shoulders were. Thank you! Started in Feb this year. 10 months on loving it more than anything. 😊

Hello, just found you, in UK, thank you for all your tips, definitely buying a yarn ball winder. Hubby made me a stand (like your mug tree) on which I push an empty kitchen paper towel roll, as they are tough, through the center of my yarn ball, insert on the stand and is so easy to use as it turns freely while doing crochet. Also he has turned a few bowls so I fastened one of those spring paper clips to the edge, turned down one side to thread my yarn through the othe wire wing, which is great for cotton yarn balls. Best wishes from England and will be watching often. Hugs 💖

This is a great video to get tips im a new crocheter my grandma used to be advanced crocheter so I am crocheting so I can become advanced crocheter.

Your videos are visually beautiful! Your glowing smiling face for starters...and just look how your sweater ties in with the colors of the "curtain" behind you. 💮💮

Oh my goodness, I bet my little dog would fit in the pocket of that scarf. I need to made the cardigan! I love it. Thank you!

Girl the hunched over squinty couch crochet has meeee hahaha

My tip is to have good overhead lighting. I have two floor lamps specifially made for crafters and they have made all the difference. No more squinting from regular lamp lighting or overhead lighting, no more leaning towards the light causing backaches and neckaches, etc.. Mine were not very expensive at the local WM. I would also add, learn how to read written instructions. Back in the days before the internet, yes I was around then, we had to learn how to read written patterns.

The posture - I don't say it was new for me, but the RIGHT posture and how important it is, is something that we should keep in mind for the longrun. 😊 Thank you for all these tips!

I started crocheting in 2014 when I quit smoking. I thought it would be great to help break the hand to mouth habit. I learned on you tube. I now crochet prayer shawls for a church, they must be at least 64x24 rectangular. I make at least 1 a week but have made up to 4 in a week. I have ppl tell me I crochet fast. I was on a night flight last week and the flight attendant stopped to tell me how fast I am. I have had ppl make jokes and say I crochet violently😂😂😂. I think I am fast because I am passionate about crocheting and 2 rows into a project I am already dreaming and planning the next one. Find what is comfortable for you. Love what you do. Happy hooking everyone 😎

Thank you so much, it helps alot to see some of the different way to do stuff , might try the pillow, im always putting the project to close. To my face.

Tysm for these tips it really helped me a lot I've been crocheting when i was 9 and luv it its so relaxing ✨💖 and after ur tips i gotten a lot faster tyy

for me personally I could never imagine finishing a scarf but I recently tried tunisian crocheting and I have never crocheted faster than before and I think switching up what style I am using also helped motivate me more since I find tunisian crocheting way more fun

Thank you for your great tips. I am a beginner with a loss of movement in 5 of my fingers. So crocheting was my way of trying to gain some range of motion again. Thank you again for your help.

Thank you for all the great tips. I have been crocheting for 50 years now and I do all the tips you gave except for the sitting position. I am going to practice on that for sure. I found a real easy stitch and I made a long scarf in 1 day. The stitch is called the Crochet Sieve Stitch. Love your channel.

Self taught crocheter here & so glad for these tips! I’m so glad to see someone with a knife grip. It seems a majority of KZreadrs I watch are pencil grip. And im also a lefty! 😬

Thanks to your advice ☺️☺️. Keep following you ma'am 😊❤✅🙏

We can all use tips! I finally got myself a yarn bowl & it helps me so much. My next buy will be a Valeri pillow. I have neck problems (have had 2 neck fusions) & I think this will help out a lot! Ty Toni! ❤

I bought a boppy pillow, and it's amazing! Not only is knitting and crocheting more comfortable, but it's also a great pillow for a very chonky kitty to sit on my lap. ❤

Just watched your HOW TO CROCHET FASTER video. My ‘secret’ to faster crochet is how good the American football game I am watching. Although a Brit, I love NFL and I crochet during the early Sunday games 😁. Really exciting game? Fast crochet. My Dolphins playing bad? Slow crochet to allow for loud cursing and throwing the yarn ball at the television.

I came here to try to get faster with my crocheting and I’ve already been organically doing all these things 😭

one of the fastest ways for me to crochet is to stitch in the spaces. inserting the hook between stitches is quicker and easier than pulling up both loops in a stitch. works great for blankets.

Thanks for the help! I find also thay just msking sure you have all the material and supplies for your project helps speed up!

You are using the impressive mindsets of both an engineer and a physical therapist. Great video! ❤

these videos seem to make me feel warmth and relaxed and a lot of it has to do with how you seem to be a very pleasant and comforting soul to be around and somehow i feel inspired to start crocheting after this video