4 Tips for Crocheting with Thin Yarns and Threads for the First Time #Crochet #TipsTuesday

4 Tips for Crocheting with Thin Yarns and Threads with free crochet pattern roundup on Underground Crafter

Are you one of many crocheters who is hesitant to work with thinner yarns, like lace and sock yarns, or crochet cotton thread? These yarns can make crocheting in the warmer months much more pleasurable, and they can be used to create intricate and beautiful projects. With these four tips, you’ll be ready to play with thinner yarns in no time.

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4 Tips for Crocheting with Thin Yarns and Threads with free crochet pattern roundup on Underground Crafter

Choose a comfort hook

Many crocheters worry about hand strain when switching from their preferred hook size for medium weight yarns to use smaller circumference hooks for thinner yarns. Today, there are so many comfort hooks to choose from that you don’t need to worry about the transition to thinner yarns. Comfort hooks have a wider circumference at the center of the hook, allowing you to maintain a similar grip regardless of the hook size. Choose a comfort hook with a similar point and throat to your favorite standard crochet hook to make the transition to smaller circumference crochet hooks even easier.

Some of my favorite comfort hooks to use are Tulip Etimo and Clover Amour. Crocheters who prefer inline hooks may like the Susan Bates Bamboo handle hooks.

Tulip Etimo comfort hook | 4 Tips for Crocheting with Thin Yarns and Threads with free crochet pattern roundup on Underground Crafter
Tulip Etimo comfort hook.
Susan Bates Bamboo hande comfort hook | 4 Tips for Crocheting with Thin Yarns and Threads with free crochet pattern roundup on Underground Crafter
Susan Bates Bamboo handle comfort hook.

Choose the right hook size

Keep in mind that many sock and lace weight yarns include recommended needle sizes for knitting, but not all include recommended hook sizes for crochet.

To keep your crochet stitches from getting too tight, select a hook two sizes larger than the recommended knitting needle size. For example, if a yarn recommends a US Size 1/2.25 mm knitting needle, choose a US Size D/3.25 mm crochet hook.

Interweave Store

Start with an easy pattern

Since it may take you a little while to get comfortable working with the thinner yarns, start with a simple pattern. Choose a stitch you are comfortable with from another project, or try out my Beginner’s Triangle Shawl, available with a subscription to I Like Crochet digital magazine, or for sale as a PDF pattern on Craftsy, Etsy, and Ravelry.

Beginner's Triangle Shawl | 4 Tips for Crocheting with Thin Yarns and Threads with free crochet pattern roundup on Underground Crafter
Beginner’s Triangle Shawl.

If you feel more confident in your skills, you may one to try one of these four beautiful free crochet patterns for lacy shawls in sock or lace yarn.

4 Tips for Crocheting with Thin Yarns and Threads with free crochet pattern roundup on Underground CrafterFrom left to right, these patterns are:

  1. Lila Berry 2.0 by Kristin Omdahl,
  2. Larkspur Shawlette by Fiber Flux,
  3. Sands by the Sea Shore by ELK Studio, and
  4. Justine Shawl by Underground Crafter (that’s me!).

All photos were used with permission of the respective designer.

Craftsy

Learn how to block

Blocking helps “open up” lacy designs and allows your project to be adjusted after you finish crocheting. Many times, crocheters avoid blocking when working with thicker yarns. With lacy patterns and thinner yarns, the true beauty of your work may not be apparent if you don’t block.

Wet block your completed project by washing it according to the yarn care instructions. Gently stretch the project, pinning it into position so that your lacework is more visible, or until the project reaches your desired measurements. Allow it to dry flat. Once the project has dried, it will hold this shape. If you need more information about blocking, check out this guide to blocking basics!

With these four simple tips, you’re now ready to get started with lightweight yarns. Take a deep breath, and give lacy yarns a try!

What are your favorite yarns to work with for crochet?

18 thoughts on “4 Tips for Crocheting with Thin Yarns and Threads for the First Time #Crochet #TipsTuesday”

  1. I love to make doll dresses out of thin thread, I also make shawls and other things. I’m making my great-grand-daughters (2) for christmas.

    Reply
  2. I make dresses, blouses, skirts, shawls, and doll clothes with thread. I have always made the traditional curtains, tablecloths, and stuff like that and one day just got tired of the bulky crochet patterns for clothes so decided to switch it up and am so glad I did.

    Reply
  3. I enjoy crocheting shawls and always have one in progress. I often combine thread, thin yarns, ribbon or textured yarns to create interest and a unique fabric. The combination of thread and thin yarn generates endless creative possibilities. My current project combines 3 thin yarns, 2 threads, and 1 cone of ribbon yarn. A total of 6 yarns. I agree choosing the correct hook and crocheting with patience is key.

    Reply
  4. There are many projects such as table runners , doilys ,& everyday items you can make from crochet cotton & fine yarns,even table center peices,there is just no end gradually work down to lighter & lighter yarn until you get to baby yarn or crochet cotton that is what I did & I didn’t look back I went on a real run of making doily’s,Best of luck

    Reply
  5. Alohanfrom beautiful Hawai’i!! I have literally grown up with yarn! My mother owns one of the very few shops dedicated to yarn (Yarn & Needlecraft by name in the small town of Kailua on Oahu)…I won’t say how old I am (ok I will say in almost 4 months exactly I will be…cough, cough clearing throat, a half a century old…feeling a tad dizzy hehehe). When my mom started the shopnshe didn’t knit or crochet but knew there was a desperate need for a specialty yarn shop. At the time there was NONE in the entire state (sadly there are less than 5 in the state currently which means most yarn comes from Wal-Mart). I am very good at crochet and passing at knitting. But I’m extremely afraid of what I call tiny yarn!! I’m really hoping that your tips will help me overcome this fear!! Thank you for sharing them!!

    Reply
  6. I learned to crochet on baby blankets but wanted to learn how to work in the round. I decided to do something challenging because then I could do anything and went with doilies.

    Although I don’t like them, it was a great gift for a few specific people. Then I found snowflakes. They are fast and would be a wonderful way to practice using thin yarn without committing to a huge shawl. Plus people tend to enjoy them for winter decorations.

    Reply
  7. I taught myself to crochet using thread making coasters and then doilies. After 10 yrs. I decided to also use yarn. That was a big switch! My favorite is still thread.

    Reply

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