Crochet Your Way: A Beginner’s Guide to Get Hooked
- Words by Peppermint
Crochet has started cropping up everywhere it seems, from the resurgence of crocheted bikinis to those cool vests made from granny squares – a combination of 70s revival, 90s-reviving-the-70s nostalgia, the enduring popularity of handicrafts and the simple appreciation of crochet’s sweet style. It’s a very handy, versatile fibre craft, capable of creating garments, homewares, accessories and those little amigurumi guys.
A useful skill for any human and, for the moment, only humans. There are no machines that can industrialise the process of crochet the way the sewing machine and knitting machines can. Robots cannot crochet. This may lead you to think of crochet goods you see in stores in a new light – who made these and under what circumstances? Or maybe you think, “Finally a hobby the AIs can’t steal!” (Though there is undoubtedly a software engineer in Silicon Valley working on it now as part of their plan to automate all human creativity and enjoyment so we can spend more time… creating capital?)
Either way, if your curiosity is tickled at the idea of picking up crochet for yourself, you’re in luck. We’ve put together some of the best resources for getting you hooked on this mighty art form. Granny squares aren’t just for squares and grannies! Crochet is cool. Check it out!
Let’s Start At the Very Beginning
Crochet is the snowboarding to knitting’s skiing – it’s easier to pick up on account of there being only one stick! All you need to start crocheting is a hook and some yarn – the word itself actually comes from the French croche meaning hook. There are a few initial stitches you need to learn after which things start to build on themselves rather nicely, and there are many places willing to teach you this secret knowledge. A couple of our faves are:
Cardigang (who have incidentally just launched workshops in Sydney, too!)
above BELLA COCO
Take The Tube
The mechanisms of crochet can often more easily be understood when seen in action rather than described in words and YouTube is a great repository of learning resources – from walkthroughs of individual stitches and the magic trick of magic circles, to tutorials for full-scale projects. Some great channels for beginners to check out are:
left CROCHET CRUSH SHOPPER BAG PROJECT right KATIE JONES
Take a Look, it’s in a Book
That’s not to say books are without their advantages, however. They’re portable, pausable, static and sexy. A book is a vault of its author’s crochet wisdom, specifically designed to build your knowledge more comprehensively than foraging for knowledge in the wild west of the world wide web. Plus they often have many, many cool projects in them! A few great books to try are:
Hip to be Square by Katie Jones
Contemporary crochet creator Katie Jones puts the hook in your hands with this terrific tribute to the granny square – the humble building block of many a crochet masterpiece. This maker’s manual has helpful how-tos for constructing five simple squares and then teaches you to transform them into heavenly homewares, attractive accessories and a gorgeous range of snazzy, size-inclusive garments.
Crochet Crush by Molla Mills
Finnish crochet superstar Molla Mills focuses on home decor and accessories in her book Crochet Crush, combining her colourful pop aesthetic with sturdy practicality to create an array of fun patterns and useful projects to mix and match. Molla encourages a slow, mindful process making you one with the yarn from the first chain loop.
above CARDIGANG CROCHET KITS
Get Hooked!
You can study the theory forever but eventually, you’ve gotta get on the field! The best way to get better is to pick up your hook and start making. One great thing about crochet is that if you mess it up you can simply unravel it with a pull of the string and start again – no mess, no waste!
Our pals at Cardigang have a comprehensive range of only the cutest crochet kits for everyone from total beginners upwards, guaranteed to contain everything you need to crochet a cuddly masterpiece.
Or you can start with something even simpler – a daisy chain perhaps, or a classic granny square. They say if you can make a granny square you can crochet anyone. They make a great exercise for refining your skills and as you collect them you can combine them into practically anything – a blanket, a cardigan, a cute cosy for your robot fighting laser blades – the sky’s the limit!
left PRIMA DAISY CHAIN right SARAH MAKER’S CLASSIC GRANNY SQUARE
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The fabulous Fern! We heart this make from the wonderful Trixie Johnston of @WithLoveTrixie:
"I’m chuffed to have collaborated with @PeppermintMagazine to bring you my version of the #PeppermintFernPleatedPants ✨
Featuring a wide leg fit with pleated front, slash pockets and a nifty centre back invisible zip. I really enjoyed the way this pattern is drafted to fit, which means a lot coming from a mum navigating postpartum curves. It’s tailored yet comfortable and hugs me in all the right places without any additional fit adjustments.
I also want to give a massive shout to the Fern’s sewing partners @Sohmo_Au for sending me a cookie tin of quality sewing goodies that I used throughout the project and @IndyBindyFabrics fabrics who provided the most incredible black cotton Sashiko-ori fabric. This fabric was made on a custom loom that weaves in a traditional sashiko (decorative running stitch pattern) and it’s a texture unlike anything I’ve sewn before.�
Details: �
• Size G – No mods. (I selected the size based off my waist measurements) Note: Size ranges from A-P (!!!)
• Fern Pleated Pants Pattern, SOHMO tools and Fabric were gifted however, Peppermint magazine’s ‘Pay what you can’ model provides such amazing patterns at a sustainable, affordable cost.
• Matching top is a modified version of The Carol Top from @SummerHaus_ (size 10)"
#PeppermintPatterns #IndyBindyFabrics #Sohmo #MeMade
“When people get old, they die. This art form is like a plant. You may think it has died, but nurture it, and it will come back to life. It lives on through generations.”
These words by Gami, an artisan who helped revive the lost tradition of Lambadi embroidery, speaks to the wisdom that Meanjin/Brisbane photographer Melanie Hinds (@WithThePeaches) experienced during her visit to Sittilingi village in the Dharmapuri district of Tamil Nadu, India, in 2023. Melanie went there to document how the once-nomadic Lambadi tribe are reviving their traditional embroidery craftsmanship and transforming their community through the @PorgaiArtisans Association’s artists’ residency.
Her photos became part of the ‘Stitching Stories’ exhibition at the India Ocean Craft Triennial (IOTA24) Program hosted in Fremantle: an intimate portrait of the women empowered both economically and socially by the initiative, and their captivating work. Gaelle Beech of @TheAnjelmsProject also helped make this exhibition a reality.
Nothing goes to waste in their craft, says Melanie, with even the smallest fabric scraps transformed into toys for children or woven into ropes for beds. “Through their intricate hand-stitched work, these women are preserving a centuries-old craft.”
Discover the beauty in our ‘Pride of place’ feature in Issue 64, at stockists now.
#PeppermintMagazine #PorgaiArtisans #LambadiEmbroidery #Craft #TraditionalEmbroidery
West End inside and out!
How fabulous is this make from Lisa of @SunnySewsEveryday using the West End Jacket pattern (created in collab with Camille @CamiMadePatterns) for both a shirt AND jacket! 👏🏼
“Now have a Westend shirt to wear with my Westend jacket. I just can’t get enough of this pattern. I went down two sizes and used a brushed cotton from Pound Fabrics.”
Grab this gorgeous gender-neutral pattern from our website now!
#PeppermintPatterns #PeppermintWestEndJacket #JacketPattern #MeMade
Frame your face with the Peppermint Bucket Hat!
Stay safe and stylish in the sun with your very own self-sewn and self-drafted wide-brimmed bucket hat. This beginner-friendly sew is perfect for a sunny day. Get out your pencils – this pattern is created using equations and maths!
This DIY project was featured in Issue 53 and now you can access it for the lovely low price of only $5.
Sun-safe chic is always in style. ☀️
Find it via the link in our bio!
Photos: @KelleySheenan
#PeppermintPatterns #PeppermintBucketHat #BucketHat #BucketHatPattern #DIY
At @Life_Instyle, the focus is firmly on curating things that support real life: objects made to be lived with, loved, and returned to day after day. From tactile materials and emotional utility to Australian-made craftsmanship and slower, more considered production, the trends emerging may not be loud, but you can bet they’re lasting.
Ahead of their Sydney showcase this February, we asked Life Instyle’s Exhibition Director Nina Vidale to share her take on the values, ideas and rituals shaping the year to come, and the brands leading the way with care for people, planet and the creative process.
Read more about the top ethical design trends, and why values-led design (be it sustainability, craftsmanship, longevity, Australian-made) are resonating so strongly right now at the link in bio!
✨️ Life Instyle Sydney/Eora Country
📅 14-17 February 2026
📍 ICC, Darling Harbour
#LifeInstyle #SustainableShopping #EthicalShopping #DesignTrends
Has the Peppermint Acacia A-line Skirt made it to your sewing list yet? It`s perfect for summer, and is great layered over tights for the cooler days. Lengthen it, or wear it short – you do you!🪡
Did you know if you buy the digital version of Issue 63, you`ll nab the digital pattern for free? And the printed version comes with the print issue of 63... winning all round.
Made in collaboration with our friends at @WeftAndWarpFabrics, our version of the Acacia A-line Skirt pattern was sewn using the Tollerton 100% cotton 9oz denim. We added contrast top stitching using Gutermann Professional Jeans Thread in Dark Gold 1970 for that classic look.
Head to the link in bio to nab this pattern now – or grab it free with Issue 63!🪡
Images: @KelleySheenan
Model: @LoveStepha
Artwork: @MelanieShmelanie at North Lakes Library
Fabric: Denim from @WeftAndWarpFabrics
#PeppermintAcaciaAlineSkirt #PeppermintMagazine #PeppermintPatterns #MeMade #WeftAndWarpFabrics
