If you’ve ever tried to teach yourself to crochet through YouTube videos or blog tutorials, I’ve been right there with you. Online resources are amazing—I wouldn’t be where I am crocheting without them. But there’s also a big difference between learning with someone beside you and piecing things together on your own.
This is a story I know a little too well.
My Own Start: Half-Taught and Half-Confused
I briefly learned to crochet from my grandma when I was around ten. She was patient, warm, and talented. But unless she was sitting right next to me, I couldn’t remember what to do and didn’t keep practicing. I did save that original swatch we would work on together all those years ago though. 👇
A couple of decades later, determined to figure it out after being inspired by the book Growth Mindset, I went the self-taught route. I used YouTube videos, online written tutorials when I needed clarification, and very basic patterns to get my footing. The books I found confused me, so I stuck with formats that worked for me: demonstrations I could replay a hundred times and written steps with photos for specific trouble-shooting.
Those tools carried me far. But I wanted to refine my skills and learn how I could help others pick up the craft quicker. Specifically, I wanted:
To know proper technique.
To understand what order steps should be learned in.
To hear the best method people should learn so that the process is not daunting or overwhelming, as it seemed to me for so many years before I finally committed and dove in.
Sound familiar?
Why I Became a Certified Crochet Instructor
I turned to the Craft Yarn Council—the people who literally set the industry standards—and completed their Certified Crochet Instructor Program.
The process required me to follow their proven process and create samples of many foundational stitches. Each sample had to be reviewed by a professional (mine was a published crochet author!).
I saw how simple it could be to teach others in a way that felt clear, supportive, and actually enjoyable. So, I taught at local yarn shops, led workshops for Girl Scouts, worked with returning crocheters, and guided countless brand-new beginners. Along the way, I’ve collected teaching tips and techniques that only come from real experience—both teaching myself and teaching others.
A Story That Shows the Difference
A student walked in to my class at a local yarn shop with a swatch she had made while teaching herself on YouTube. She had clearly worked hard and I applauded her efforts, but it was a little chaotic—crooked edges, uneven tension, and rows with a different number of stitches each time. All extremely common for self-taught beginners.
During our class, she used her swatch to implement my steps and methods. She built on her swatch and the difference between what she came in with and what she made during class is remarkable. Here it is below:
The top portion of the swatch was clean, even, and much more consistent. She understood the basic mechanics already—she just needed guidance on:
- how to hold the yarn for ideal tension
- how to count stitches so her rows are even
- how to turn properly so her edges are clean
Once those pieces clicked, the improvement was pretty instant.
Seeing the difference between the two halves summed up why in-person learning can be such a game changer.
So… Online or In-Person? Which Is Better?
Both. They don’t have to be mutually exclusive.
Online learning is great when you:
- want to replay steps
- need a visual refresher
- prefer learning at your own pace
- enjoy experimenting on your own
I still watch videos. I still reference tutorials. They’re incredibly valuable.
In-person learning is irreplaceable when you:
- want someone to teach you proper technique or correct yours in real time
- need help understanding foundational elements like how to count stitches, where to turn, how to read a pattern, etc.
- want your tension to be smooth and consistent
- get stuck and don’t know what question to even ask
- feel more confident learning beside another human
Think of videos as a tool. Think of in-person instruction as the foundation.
When you combine them, your progress will skyrocket.
Why Crochet Has Me Forever Hooked
Crochet has been one of the most meaningful creative outlets in my life. Whether it’s designing a sweater for a magazine, writing a pattern for Etsy that helps someone recreate my design, making a heartfelt gift, or just treating myself to a cozy new winter scarf, it’s a craft that brings me joy.
It sustained me through tough seasons, like during the pandemic when my hands and mind needed something to keep me busy. And it connects us to generations of makers who came before us. I feel honored to carry it on and to help others discover the same purpose.
Ready to Learn the Right Way?
If you’re thinking about learning to crochet—whether in person or online—I can’t recommend taking a class enough. I highly recommend students go home and watch videos like mine for extra reinforcement, but having someone guide you through your very first stitches makes all the difference.
You can learn more about my crochet lessons and explore my beginner-friendly tutorials here: https://nickibyrnescrochet.com/crochet-lessons/.
I’d love to help you build a strong, confident start. And who knows—your “before and after” swatch might be the next one that stops me in my tracks.
If you’re ready to get started, check out my article for the tools you’ll need: Essential Crochet Tools for Beginners: What You Really Need to Start Crocheting.
nickibyrnescrochet.com 