How I Learned to Crochet With My Left Hand
The Leisure Arts book "I Can't Believe I'm Crocheting" has left handed instructions. Before that, I tried crocheting without any luck past the chain stitch. Sitting across from someone helps to "mirror" the stitches; I've taught "righties" to crochet this way.
How I Hold My Crochet Hook and Yarn / Thread
I hold the hook in my left hand, as you would a dinner knife. I hold the working yarn in my right hand along with the work as it progresses. Doesn't really matter, as long as it works for you! The book I mention above has excellent pictures; I learned to crochet mostly from that book. Just have patience, take it a step at a time, learning the stitches as you go. You can do it!
Advice
- It's a fine motor skill. Like riding a bike, you must give yourself permission to learn and to make mistakes to learn the skill. No one was born with a hook in their hand. You can do it!
- Take the time to learn to read a pattern. Those who never progress beyond whatever was taught to them don't seem to enjoy crochet as much, or do it as often.
- It's an art; if you really don't enjoy it, find something else to do.
- Don't make the mistake I did of thinking that just because you can crochet, learning to knit would be a snap. Nope, they are definitely two different skill sets.
Have You Needed Any Special Tools or Equipment?
No, but there are some patterns I simply can't make. When you crochet left handed, most patterns (especially clothing) are written for right handers. This means you'll be making your project exactly opposite of the instructions.
