How to Crochet for Beginners Step by Step With Pictures and Video

If you’re well-seasoned or new to the world of crafts and DIYs, the GH Stitch Club is the perfect place to learn how to crochet, knit, macramé and more. There are helpful how-to videos as well as the latest tips and tricks to keep your family engaged and creative. As the months get colder, you may be looking to pick up a new hobby or project, making our simple guide on how to crochet for beginners great to keep on hand whenever you have free time to spare.

In this tutorial, we’re showing you the basics and everything you need to crochet your very own bobble cowl — a crochet cowl pattern typically made with lightweight yarn for any novice. This crochet project is ideal for a novice, as it can be made in a couple of hours. It’s perfect for winter and even holiday presents (check out our holiday gift ideas for cheap, thoughtful and personalized options).

So follow our simple steps for instructions on how to make a bobble cowl. You can also watch our video above for step-by-step visuals.

How to Crochet a Bobble Cowl

What You’ll Need

Tips to Remember Before Starting:

• When you’re grabbing your yarn and looking for the end to start, it’s always going to be on the left side of the logo.
• Check the back of the label for the knitting needle or crochet hook you choose to use.

Step 1: Begin with a slip knot.

For every crochet project, you want to start with a slip knot. Cross the yarn over itself and then pull the tail through to make the loop. Slip your crochet hook through the slip knot.

Step 2: Crochet your foundation chain.

Next is your foundation chain. Wrap your yarn from behind and over the hook. Pull that yarn through. Repeat the process until you have 32 loops in your foundation chain (you don’t count the first loop in your hook).

Tip: Make sure your tension isn’t too tight, as your finished scarf will turn out small.

Step 3: Slip stitch.

Use a slip stitch to join the ends together, creating a ring. Do this by inserting your hook into the first chain. Yarn over and pull your yarn through the first chain on the scarf before pulling it through the first chain on your hook.

Step 4: Create your bobbles.

Begin by chaining two loops, then yarn over. Insert your hook into the first space (chain) before pulling through. Yarn over, insert hook, yarn over and pull through three times in the same space to create your bobble. You should have seven loops on your hoop. Yarn over your hook and pull through all seven loops on your hook to finish the loop. Then chain one stitch to secure.

Create a second bobble by skipping the next chain and working into the third chain on the loop. Repeat the bobble process until you have 16 bobbles in the first row.

Join in the round by slip stitching in the first two chains before making the first bobble. Insert the hook, yarn over, pull through, then pull through the first loop that is on your hook. Chain in two and create your bobble in the space next to your chain.

Tip: Slip stitch to join the second row together.

Step 5: Incorporate new yarn.

When you’re at the end of your yarn, take the yarn from your new ball and yarn over with the original yarn and the new one. Pull those both through to secure the bobble. Continue the pattern to create another bobble into the next space until the new ball is used up.

Step 6: End your scarf.

At seven rounds, you should be back to your starting point (where you made your slip knot at the tail). End your scarf by making another slip stitch. Insert the hook into the top of the last bobble in the previous round. Yarn over, pull through and pull through the loop on your hook. Yarn over, pull through and cut the tail.

Tip: Weave in loose ends with your crochet hook.