Thank you so much to Hannah for nominating me for a versatile blogger award – I’m thrilled to say this is the second time I have been nominated and it is fantastic to get such a great feedback and to know that what you are writing is being read. I would also like to take this opportunity to say a massive thank you to my blog followers for helping me to share my knitting and crochet stitching guides with the world! It’s my mission to get as many people as I can started on their stitching journeys and every time you find someone who wants to learn please tell them about my blog, The Stitch Sharer, as it might just help.

My top tip for learning to crochet (or knit) is to find a simple project that you want to make and just have a go – you’ll be amazed at how quickly you pick up the stitches. Once you have completed your first few projects your confidence will grow and you’ll soon be searching the web for the fabulous free patterns that are out there.

So, if you fancy a Granny Square for your first make, check out my granny square guide. You could either make any enormous one and use it for a blanket (or rug if you’re using fabric strips for yarn!) or make lots of ‘normal ones’ and sew them together for a blanket, headband, scarf of bag.

Another lovely first make is a chain stitch bracelet, necklace or belt. You could even use the technique you will find on my post to make some tie-backs for your curtains!

Or what about some crochet flowers? I found a fantastic pattern on Lucy’s Attic 24 Blog – and loved it so much that I made a whole bunch and decorated the Passionflower climber in my front garden to have all year round flowers!

You might even want to try combining some knitting and crochet to make a coaster..remember that garter stitch sample? I’ve added a crochet border of a repeating 1 x UK treble (US double) and 1 chain around the sides and a 1 UK treble, 2 chain, 1 UK treble into each corner.

Perfect for that cuppa when you want to sit back and admire your work!