10 Cheap and Easy Hacks Every Crocheter Needs

Whether you are brand new to crochet or well on your journey, you’ve probably know that most hobbies aren’t cheap, crochet included. Being a poor college student for the past couple years has forced me to learn where to cut down on costs for my crochet obsession, *ahem* I mean, hobby, and also find unconventional tricks for making crocheting easier and more efficient. So, if you are looking for some fast and easy tricks for cutting costs and make crocheting a breeze, keep scrolling!

Keeping Cost Down

Tip 1: Marking Rows

• When marking rows on a project, you don’t have to go out and buy fancy crochet markers to keep yourself organized! Try using some of these common household items if you are in a tight spot!
  • Bobby pins
  • Safety pins
  • Paper clips
  • Twist ties

Tip 2: Hook Storage

• Got a lot of hooks and no wear to store them? No need to splurge on a upscale hook bag or case! A cute and colorful little pencil case will work just as well without breaking the bank!

Tip 3: Run Away Yarn

• Ever get comfy on the couch with your crochet and boom, yarn rolls away on you, getting dirt, hair, and all kinds of nastiness on your skein of yarn! Not fun.
• Grab a tall box, or bag if you have something to hang it to such as a chair, and tug away on that yarn worry-free!

Other Tips and Tricks

Here are some more great ideas to give your hobby an extra creative boost!

Tip 4: Needle Organization

• Losing your needles to the bottom of your hook bag? Not to fear!
  • Grab a hook and some yarn (scrap yarn works great) and fix yourself up a little swatch.
  • Slip your needles, markers, and other little tools into your little square (or star for me because I like to be special).
• I guarantee you won’t be losing your needles after this!

Tip 5: Airport Security

• Worried your scissors are too big for airport security? Nail clippers work in a pinch as a little stand-in when you’re away from home!

Tip 6: Digital Pattern Organization

• Having trouble finding that crochet pattern your bought the other day? Put all your digital patterns in one folder on your computer to keep everything in one place! Super easy to find!
• “What about my physical, printed patterns?” Not to worry! Keep scrolling!

Tip 7: Printed Pattern Organization

• For printed patterns, sheet protectors in a cheap 3-ring notebook/binder work great!
  • Customize the cover with pictures and stickers to make it uniquely YOU!
  • If you want to keep track of your rows, you can also use a dry erase marker to check off each row, keeping your physical copy clean and neat!

Tip 8: Tracking Hook and Yarn Specifications

• Assumed you’d remember what hook was for what project, came back to it the next day and completely blanked? You’re not alone!
• Make sure to write down on your pattern or another piece of paper your hook size and yarn color/name to keep yourself risk-free!

Tip 9: Getting Interrupted

• When you get interrupted from your crochet, make sure to give yourself a big loop on your current stitch to avoid any stitches unraveling later!
  • I apologize if you thought this tip would help you NOT get interrupted during your crochet “groove,” but if you have any tips for that be sure to comment below!

Tip 10: Enjoying Your Crochet Journey

• When working on a difficult crochet project, it’s hard to let yourself just enjoy crocheting.
• Take a break!
• I love having at least two projects going: the hard project and the “fun” one.
  • When you are getting tired of the hard one, take some time to enjoy the “fun” project before going back to the harder one.
  • This helps you step back from the hard project and remember why you love crochet so much!

Conclusion

• You can enjoy crochet as a hobby on a budget! There are so many easy and fun solutions that don’t involve emptying your wallet or hours of stress.
• There are so many crochet tips out there! Lots of other bloggers have their own great tricks for mastering the art of crochet. If you haven’t seen my previous post about my top 5 bloggers to follow this year, check out this link!
• I hope you enjoyed these tips and tricks! Did you know all of these already? What were some you already knew? Do you know an awesome tip that we missed? Comment below!