How I Learned to Crochet With My Left Hand
My mother tried to teach me crochet but she was right-handed and short tempered. All I could do was chain. Then I found Learn to Crochet in 8 Easy Steps - For Left & Right Hand Crocheters. I never looked back. This book was copyrighted in 1979 by C.J. Bates & Son, Chester, Connecticut 06412 and was the best thing that ever happened to me. I could finally understand HOW to crochet! There are three or four others I could mention, Crochet Unraveled by Claire Bojczuk, Donna Kooler's Encyclopedia of Crochet and Crochet Your Way by Gloria Tracy & Susan Levin. All excellent for lefties!
How I Hold My Crochet Hook and Yarn / Thread
I hold my hook in my left hand with either the knife grip or the pencil grip depending on the yarn and the project. I hold the yarn with my index finger on my right hand. I do not wrap the yarn around my hand and through my fingers. I have never got on with that and so I don't do it. I grip the work in progress with my right hand.
Advice
- Get a hold of books that show you the left-handed stitches. There are a couple of web sites that have left hand tutorials that I have found very helpful. I have never been able to put a mirror in front of a book and learn that way. I've always been too cack handed for that.
Have You Needed Any Special Tools or Equipment?
No.
Amy Solovay, Crochet Guide, says:
These sound like fantastic books, so I took a look to see which of them are still available. Here are some links in case anyone would like to check them out:
- Compare prices for Donna Kooler's Encyclopedia of Crochet
- Compare prices for Crochet Your Way
I also looked around to see if I could find the Learn to Crochet book by Bates. It appears that perhaps this book, or at least a very similar one, has recently been reprinted and packaged as part of a kit for beginning crocheters. The product overview does mention instructions for left-handed crocheters. If you'd like to check out the kit, you can compare prices on it as well.
More Book Recommendations
Several of our other left-handed readers have also shared their opinions about which books would be helpful for lefties who want to learn how to crochet.
- Read about Pat's favorite left-handed crochet reference book plus tips and advice for lefties
- Kathy has also shared a book recommendation, plus tips and advice
- Maggie recommends that book as well-- it seems like a good one.
If we've missed any good books that left-handed crocheters should know about, please be sure to mention them when you share your story about crocheting left-handed.
To Shazzade: Thank you so much for this valuable contribution to our list of resources for left-handed crocheters. This information is very much appreciated. Thanks for sharing your story!
