When starting a new hobby, one common question is, “How fast will I actually be able to use the skill to make something?” For crochet, it is no different. In this post, I will dive into how long it will take you to learn enough to actually make something!
So, how long does it take to learn to crochet? You can learn the most basic crochet stitch (the chain) in under 10 minutes. With only knowing this stitch, you could make a crochet chain necklace and complete a project within 30 minutes. To learn the additional basic crochet stitches, it will take about an hour.
Crocheting is a quick hobby to pick up, and you can start making things on your first day! But how does that work, and how long will it take if I want to make something different? In this post, I will help guide you through the more in-depth answer to the question of how long it takes to learn to crochet!
How Long It Takes to Learn the Basic Crochet Stitches
Here are the basics on video, but keep reading for all the details!
- Chain (ch)
- It will take about 3 minutes to learn how to make the ch, and then an additional 5-7 minutes to be able to ch with some consistency (10 minutes total)
- Single Crochet (sc)-includes learning to turn to work in rows
- It will take about 15 minutes to learn the single crochet stitch (sc) after you have learned the ch.
- These 15 minutes include your initial turn to work into the row of chains (foundation chain) and turning again to learn to work into the previous row of sc.
- Half-Double Crochet (hdc)
- After learning the two above stitches, the hdc will take about 10 minutes to learn. It just adds one tiny step onto the sc.
- Double Crochet (dc)
- The dc, like the hdc, is very quick to learn and will take about 10 minutes after learning the above. Again, it just adds one more step.
- Many experienced crocheters say this is the easiest stitch to use.
- Treble Crochet (tc)
- The tc, again, adds just one step to the dc above, but it is a little bit trickier to make. This one will take 15 to 20 minutes to learn.
So, in all, it will take you about an hour to learn the basic crochet stitches. Then, give yourself another hour of practice to get more consistent with each stitch.
These are estimates, but I did persuade my husband to pick up some yarn and timed how long it took him to learn the basic stitches from me. He is a complete novice, only having touched a hook or yarn maybe to hand it to me. (I have a fantastic husband who would do this for me!)
Look at his consistency after just 21 minutes of work (7.5 minutes for learning to chain and 13.5 minutes for learning the turning and single crochet! Side note-He was not motivated to learn and did not enjoy it! Imagine what YOU can do as a motivated learner!
How long it takes to learn to make different projects
- Chain necklace
- You could feasibly start with one of my chain projects from this Beginner Crochet Patterns post within 10 minutes of picking up your yarn and hook for the first time.
- The headbands or bracelets would likely take you around 15 minutes to complete!
- Hey, 25 to 30 minutes into a new hobby, and already have something you can wear/display/use? Not too shabby!!
- Washcloth
- For a basic washcloth, you will need to learn the chain and the single crochet stitches. You will also need to learn how to turn your work to work in rows and how to finish off the piece. This will take you around 30 minutes.
- Crocheting the washcloth will take around an hour for a beginner. It will get faster. Most experienced crocheters could finish one in under 30 minutes)
- Scarf
- Scarves can be made with various stitches, but I like the half double crochet because it adds a different texture and makes for a warm scarf. So, you will learn the same skills as the washcloth, but add the half double crochet. This will take about 40 minutes.
- The time to crochet a basic half double crochet scarf would depend on your length, but on average about 5-6 hours for a beginner.
- Blanket
- Let’s assume you want to make a double crochet blanket. You will need to learn the same skills as the scarf but add in the double crochet stitch. (The double crochet builds on the single, so it makes sense to learn them in order). This will take you about 50 minutes.
- To crochet a blanket would depend on the size. Assuming a throw blanket size, plan for the project to take about 50 hours (so you are looking at a few weeks to months, depending on how much free time you have to dedicate to it.)
- Note that I would definitely not make my first project a blanket. As a beginner, you will likely have wavy edges, which will be more noticeable on a large project. You may not be pleased with the project when it is done, but it is an option if you are a “go big or go home” type of person.
- Hat
- A hat is a bit more complicated because you need to learn the stitches, but also how to work “in the round” which is not hard but does take time to figure it out. You should learn the basic stitches first, then learn to work in the round. This will take about 3 hours (provided you give yourself the time to practice and become more consistent with the stitches).
- The time to crochet a hat for a beginner is around 4-5 hours.
*Note that you will most likely not have consistent stitch tension or a perfectly symmetrical project for any of these the first time. If you keep practicing, you could be quite consistent on the basics in just a few days or weeks.
*To become proficient at crocheting the basics it will take 1-3 months, depending on how much time you spend practicing. To become proficient with some more advanced projects, give yourself 6 months of consistent practice.
Tips to make learning quicker
Consistency is key. Pick up your hook every day and practice something. This includes just repeatedly chaining long rows to improve your tension. One nice thing about crochet is unless you cut your yarn, you can keep pulling your work out and reusing the same yarn! Perfect to save money while learning!
Choose a yarn and hook that are easy to work with. A basic aluminum medium-sized (H-5.0 mm or I-5.5 mm) hook is a great place to start. Acrylic yarn is a good option as well because it will glide over the hook well and not have “extra stuff” in the way (think-frilly yarn with strings sticking out). Also, a light-colored yarn makes it easier to see the spaces in your stitches.
Make crochet swatches. Just choose a number of stitches across and a number of rows; it can be small. Crochet one stitch for that size of swatch. Take a picture. Frog it (rip it out). Do it again. This way, you don’t waste yarn, and you can compare your work as you go and see your swatches become more consistent.
**This tip is not just for beginners! I also recommend this whenever you learn a new stitch! I just did this for a Celtic Weave Stitch based on this YouTube tutorial.
Relax! This is true for learning any new skill, but in crochet, it is even more important! If you are tense, your stitch tension will be off (most likely too tight), and it will actually make it WAY harder to crochet. If your stitches are too tight, you can’t find where to put your hook as easily!
**You may also want to try a larger hook if you consistently have the problem of your stitches being too tight.
So, there you have it! You can learn to crochet and actually make something within a few hours! If you think of any other questions, drop me a comment, and I will answer the best I can!
Now it is time for YOU to get Crafty with Ashy! Show me your first project in the comments!
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