Dabblers are those that are usually just starting out in crochet or just coming back to it after a long break. If you resonate most with being a Dabbler then you are best placed to seek out smaller projects that are washcloth or beanie sized that contain only the basic stitches. You’ll need to aim to give yourself 2 hours of crochet time each week. This will allow you time to learn and keep up the practice so that you don’t feel like you’re starting from scratch every time you pick up your hook. You can download my free beginners guide to help you out or you could sign up for my Square a Day Challenge that gives you everything that you need to learn and practice, including access to my Stitches Beginner Course.

If you resonate more with being a Stitch Master then you’re comfortable with the basics and are ready to start trying the special stitches. You’ll also be able to start tackling larger shawl sized projects that are a little bit more complicated. Special stitches are stitches like shells, popcorn, puff stitch, bobbles front and back post stitches. It can also include more complicated combinations of the basic stitches or basic and special stitches. You’ll want to be aiming for at least 4 hours of crochet each week. My washcloth patterns are perfect for practising different stitches and stitch combinations. My Ultimate Guide for Reading Crochet Patterns is free and will help you too. I also have a Pocket Guide for Crochet Stitches that is a digital download with tutorials for all the most common special stitches.

Getting Hooked is one of the best stages to be in! Once you get to this stage you’re really wanting to explore new things. You’re no longer feeling as held back and can follow a pattern without a video. This is the stage where you can start to tackle the larger size blankets or smaller more intricate projects. You’re also ready to start adapting patterns to suit you. My washcloth patterns are perfect for that as they include instructions for how to make them bigger. This means you can use the designs you like the most to create cushion covers or blankets or even clothing.

Hooked is where most of my members aim to be. Once you’re here all you really need is inspiration for new ideas and help for changing up patterns. You can test out your knowledge by trying to help out others. You might find yourself overwhelmed with projects though and you could be losing confidence because you’re feeling like you’re not ever able to finish anything. If that is the case then my Crochet Project Planner is a must! If you’re a bit tentative about trying out adapting patterns then my washcloths are perfect, as are most patterns in my store as they are all include instructions for how to adapt them.

If you’re at this stage then chances are it is not your first time coming to this blog post, or you’re a very established member of my Hooked on Crochet Club. Now is the time to start trying to design something from scratch. You can use stitch patterns from books or ones that you’ve used before. Try writing the designs down and then trying to follow them again or asking someone else to follow them for you.