Not moving the hook

[sonnets_and_stitches]

A former English student of mine (and now a friend) is taking crochet lessons from me. She's had two, but was cheerfully refusing to do anything past the chain stitch. I finally talked her into trying single crochet, and the next time we meet, she's supposed to have 50 sc to show me.

I've noticed that one of the things she does is grip the hook in her fist, and hold it still. Then she picks at the loops and moves them where she wants to them to go. In fact, she does not move the hook at all. She simply grips it, and then moves the yarn with her fingers. It almost looks like she's playing the dulcimer. :)

She's had a ton of trouble understanding how to do the stitches, and she tend to do them correctly with this improvised method she's devised. I'm all for people being able to crochet any way that is comfortable for them and I don't want to discourage her from crocheting, but I'm worried that this improvised method might cause trouble for her down the line.

What do you think?

~ Joy

[sherryzzz]

That seems like a really inefficient way to crochet..... are you sure she's not a closet lefty? :lol Maybe her tension is way too tight and she is having trouble pulling through the loops??? :think

[sonnets_and_stitches]

She apparently has a teenaged (bossy) neice who crochets, and who told her she MUST learn to crochet on an M hook with worsted yarn. An M hook! I didn't even OWN an M until I bought a hook pack this week which happened to include an M. But away she's going, crocheting by gripping this M hook and picking at the loops with her left hand's fingers.

It is very ineffecient. I'm wondering, though, if I should let her go with it for a few weeks so that she can learn how the stitches work, and then get her to start manipulating the hook instead of the yarn? Or if I let her go, if it will be too difficult for her to learn a more standard method?

She's really happy just doing the chain stitch. I asked her what project she would like to start on - as a motivator, you know - and she practically laughed in my face. She just keeps doing the chain stitch for about 50 stitches, and then frogs it and starts over, happy as a lark. We actually cut off some of her yarn because it was frayed from being frogged so many times.

So I'm wondering, if she's happy, should I just let her do her own thing?

~ Joy

[hayhook]

I'm a self taught crocheter and that's what I did at first, but after awhile I got away from that.

Jean

[sonnets_and_stitches]

So you think I should let it be?

[mikki]

Funny she does it that way cause so does my 10 yr old maybe he showed her how first. lol .. It works for him tho and he wont listen to me . I have no advise as i have the same problem with my 10 yr old just never thought anyone but him does it that way. Although i've felt like doing that myself when the yarn wont cooperate. lol. Best of luck with teaching her. I'm sure she will move on to doing it the correct way. It's good she doesnt just give up so im sure theres hope.

[RoseRed]

Have you thought about showing her the video's on next stitch?

If she's going to follow her neices instructions i'd let her neice teach her - but that's just me.

[hayhook]

I think it would be better to show her a more efficient way, but let her do it her way until she understands the stitches better. Just my opinion though. I think she would enjoy it more if she could make the stitches faster (and more evenly).

Jean

[birdlady1]

I currently have the same problem as I learn to purl. I think by watching someone do it correctly and by practicing, eventually I'll be more comfortable with doing it correctly. Probably the same holds true for your student.

[karin4christ]

Do you know that when I do crochetknit or tunisian crochet I hold the hook still and then place the yarn on the hook with my other hand. When I do regular crochet I don't do it that way. For me its a nice break for my right hand. Whatever works for someone else seems good to me.

[Selune]

As a teacher, I'd instruct her in the generally accepted correct way to crochet. That way, you've done your job. After that, it's up to her to accept or reject that teaching.

[JCB]

As a teacher, I'd instruct her in the generally accepted correct way to crochet. That way, you've done your job. After that, it's up to her to accept or reject that teaching.
What she said! There's a limit to what you can make just with chains :) It seems like she's afraid to step out of her safety zone, but if she really wants to crochet, the way she does it is not going to cut it! Can you imagine making an afghan that way!

Joan

[enrapturelj]

My grandmother taught me when I was 9 and she would correct me and have me do it the right way from the beginning. Your hand just has to get used to that motion, I think. I started out doing the afghan stitch.

[lewlie108]

I kind of hold my hook like your student. I use my index finger of my right hand to do the motions that moving my hook would do. I am not lightening fast, but I have a good speed. Also, I have made many things.
I may be a closet leftie (since I play sports and such as a leftie yet write rightey) but it feels weird to hold the hook in my left hand.
The only other person who I have ever watched crochet is my mother, and she moves the hook a lot! I get confused when I watch her.
I think that if your student understands the method of the stitches (and later how to read a pattern) the way she holds her hook shouldn't matter.

[sfgwife]

what about standing behind her holding the hook with her and showing her that way? Then she would feel the hooks movements and maybe understand a little better that it is a whole hand thing.

but since she has a relative that crochets possibly she feels insufficient to this younger person?

[sonnets_and_stitches]

but since she has a relative that crochets possibly she feels insufficient to this younger person?

No, I don't think she feels insufficient. She's very fond of all her nieces and nephews (I think she has 10?) and the extended family all lives close to one another. I think she's just trying to be obliging.

I'm getting such conflicting advice. I really don't know what to do.

~ Joy

[RoseRed]

What do YOU want to do? How do you feel about it? Advice is great but it's still your decision.

[sonnets_and_stitches]

Ha! I don't know what I want to do, which is why I asked for advice.

What I want is for her to a) feel comfortable, b) be eventually proficient, and c) have fun.

I think what I'm going to do is let her do it her way this next session, but by the end of the session make her start moving the hook, and ask her to practice it that way. I give her "homework" and she's very good about practicing. I don't want to frustrate her.

[faedragon]

If your teaching her how to crochet, then she should be following your lead. Gently remind her that while her neice may like using a size M hook, that the neice is not teaching her , you are. If she wants to use the M hook when you aren't teaching her that's fine, but for the "classes" she needs to use the hook you tell her to. Suggest that she learn your method and after she has become proficient with it, then she can do it her neices way or the way you are teaching her.

[sonnets_and_stitches]

Well, would you believe it? After all this advice back and forth, I went into our most recent lesson with an air of trepiditation, only to discover she had dropped the hook-grip on her own and was holding the hook more normally!

She even managed to conquer the single crochet stitch, which had eluded her for three weeks. She's got about half-way through a dishcloth, and I think it'll be done by the time we meet next week.

Half of a dishcloth in single crochet may not sound like much, but it's a huge advance for her. I'm so proud!

~ Joy

[RoseRed]

Joy - that's awesome!!! I'm so glad to hear it turned out well! It sounds like things are starting to click for her. Half a sc dishcloth is a very big deal!!! It's her 1st project YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[eurolyons]

I had a cousin that was stuck on the chain stitch for quite a while, and her mom kept trying to show her how to do other stitches and she just could not get it...just had a mental block about it. Until I worked with her...and what I did was work the chain stitch and then add a row or two of sc and then showed her the sc, dc, etc...and she ran with it...

I think I would ask this person what it is that she wants to get out of crocheting, 'cause quite frankly, if she's happy just doing the chain stitch as she's doing it and doesn't have any motivation to do anything else, I think she's wasting your time...

I personally don't get why she's wanting to hold the hook like she is and pulling the stitches onto the hook like she is and with an "M" hook no less, but for right now, I'd either talk to her about her crocheting goals or just let her be until she gets bored with what she's doing and wants to do more...

[eurolyons]

Okay...I see I'm late with my post...I'm glad she moved on to the sc...and half a dish cloth is a big deal...that's great...

FWIW, I've had people in the past flippantly say to me, "You have to teach me how to sew or how to crochet..." and I've tried and failed, mainly because they weren't serious, or they lacked confidence from the get go...I have far more success with those who are truly motivated to learn. And sometimes, people just take a good long while to grasp the concept of whatever they are wanting to learn...which is kind of what I think was happening with your student...good news was that she was happy crocheting even if for a good long while she was doing it with a weird grip, a hugh hook and only doing chain stitches...at least she kept doing that and didn't give up...

I have tried to teach someone to crochet and no matter what I did, the person just couldn't "get" it...however, she learned to knit in a heart beat and within a very short time was teaching her students at school how to knit...

It takes all kinds...I'm glad things worked out.

[pianoducky]

Yay! I'm so glad that she's moved up and away from the chain!!'

I'm so glad you have her on her way! But I just wanted to chime in and say that, in the day and age of total reliance on typing and computers, that sometimes a gentle reminder that putting so much tension and stress on the smaller muscles and ligaments in the forearm, wrist, and hands can lead to major issues down the road can be a great motivator. Issues like carpal tunnel, tendonitis, etc. I teach piano lessons (my specialty is rehabbing injuries and starting kids off on a good path), and when my students protest that their way works better for them, if it is compromising their ability to relax, putting way too much tension on their smaller muscles, or looks like it will cause issues further down the road with overuse injuries...that's when I put my foot down.

But it really sounds like your friend is on the right path! Good job sticking it out--it can be really frustrating when it doesn't seem like they're listening to you!

[hayhook]

Glad to hear things are going well with your student!:)

Jean

[~Rhonda~]

That is awesome and I know she will be very proud of what she is making!:)

[yarn_monkey]

Okay, I'm teaching my stepdaughter (11 almost 12) and she does the same thing, from holding the hook in her fist and not moving it, to refusing to move beyond a chain for about 9 months. After making about 100 bracelets and necklaces for all of her friends, I FINALLY convinced her to learn to make a scarf (she already knew sc and dc, just wouldn't do them lol).

Anyway, I got her to hold the hook right, but she still isn't moving the hook. Since she isn't moving it, she keeps losing the first yo (working dc on the scarf), the free yarn (from the skein) keeps getting in front of the work/chain, and the chain is WAY too tight. I made her pull it out and helped her to make sure that the loops are staying on the fat part of the hook and not right at the hook part, like she was doing. That's helping her chain. Plus, after I made her pull out the chain and half of her first row, she's been a LOT better about not skipping chains and not letting it get twisted.

Okay, I'm rambling... basically, I've got to help her move the hook. I think I'll try the standing behind her tip. Otherwise, she keeps winding up with sc's and not dc's and twisting everything up all crazy. I came specifically to this post to get suggestions, and ya'll have been very helpful! Thanks! :)

[sonnets_and_stitches]

How's it working, yarn monkey?

~ Joy

[yarn_monkey]

How's it working, yarn monkey?

~ Joy

I'll find out in probably a week. The kids live primarily with their mom, but they're here every other weekend. As soon as she sits down and acts like she's bored (usually when her dad is trying to make her watch something educational/historical... if it's not America's Next Top Model or Bad Girls, good luck! :blush ), I'll be pulling out the row and a half of her scarf and giving it a whirl. I'll post as soon as we see if it's been effective or not. :)

[Minerva76]

You know, my little cousin (8 yrs old) has begged me to teach her to crochet. And I've tried, really. But she does the same thing...holds the hook still and moves the yarn. I thought it might be because she's a rare lefty in the family, and I crochet right-handed (apparently, I had issues with handedness when I was a kid, but I don't remember it. I use both for lots of things).

Anyway, I have tried to show her the "right" way to do it, and have even sat across from her so she could mirror, but she gets frustrated and gives up so easily. At this point, I'm tempted to teach myself how to crochet left handed so I can give her a better example of how to do it.

I also had another thought....I recently bought one of those double ended crochet hooks. The hook doesn't move that much, and I wonder if she could pick that up easier????

[MimiFL]

I sometimes have this problem with my students. If they're just starting out (most of them are), then I show them the right way to do it and try to get them to do it right. Sometimes it takes a while - how to hold the hook and yarn right is one of the most difficult things for students to grasp (no pun intended). However, if a student already knows the basics and they feel comfortable doing it that way, then I might suggest it would go faster the other way, but if they refuse or get too frustrated, I leave them alone.

[grammi24]

Is this not knitting? I am also trying to teach someone to crochet, but she refuses to move her right hand the correct way to crochet. I tell her she is knitting not crocheting. There is one problem though, she is left handed so maybe her dominant hand is taking over for her.

[Julie B in WA]

I recently taught a friend of mine to crochet, and we both found it helpful to talk through the steps, even with a simple chain. It was the only way she could get that the yarn stays still and the hook does the action. "Reach up, grab the yarn, twist the hook so it 'noses down'"... whatever makes sense to both of you. Once I showed her how the shape of the loop is actually a teardrop and the point of the hook fits through perfectly when you turn it down... she was off and running. The only other huge problem we had at the beginning was with the dreaded tension. There waas NO stretch left to that yarn.. it just corkscrewed. We joked about crocheting the life out of the yarn- it was good for some laughs. Once she got a good tention and even stitches with chains, we went to singles ("always pull through two loopies"- more laughs) all the way across her now glorious chain, then a few rows of doubles (climb upstairs to the second story to enter= skipped chains) and whalla! She is working on a flannelghan! Granted, she is an adult, but not a very patient one. I heard "I can't do that!" For months before she finally asked me to show her how. Within two weeks she was yarn shopping. :)

Just stick with it, use humor, and try and "tak through it"- some peple (like me) have to turn everything visual into words to learn it.

[sunnysnowflake]

I didn't read all the replies but sounds like she is on the right track.
I just wanted to say that I taught myself with books and thought I was doing okay. I only used sc and dc but you can make a lot with those 2 stitches. In the meantime, My great aunt who has knitted since she was small decided to take it up and make some placemats. Whenever we visited I would watch her as I was working on my own projects. It wasn't until I was in the hospital and a little loopy that I realized the difference between me and her was that she moved her hook and I was moving my hand. A huge lightbulb went off and I could not believe how much faster I went with the new method.
If she would have made the suggestion then I would have switched over right away but I think she wasn't sure exactly what I was doing different. So I think it helps to see someone else crochet so that the newbie has something to copy. That's my story, just had to share.:manyheart

[Cotton Candee]

What I would do is if she likes to chain, then let her chain. Show her how to chain something where every 5th or 10th chain is then joined to a previous round's chain and thus making a round something out of chains. Or make a blanket of chains that are joined to a chain from previous row so that she is still doing mostly chains but actually making something. By just having her so a single crochet every 5 or 10 chains then she won't feel so pressured to do the scs but have fun doing the chs. After making something, she may find that the scs weren't so bad and that using them with the chs gives her more options in her patterns instead of frogging all her efforts.

As far as moving the hook, I am teaching my neice and we do a chant... fwd hook turn pull... she has that down but is still having trouble holding the yarn in her left hand. If nothing else, crocheting teaches patients... :yes

[theworm]

I can't imagine that crocheting would be enjoyable that way. And an M hook???
I didn't use anything but a G for the longest time. I think that if I were going to teach someone, I would want to start with a G or H hook.

[CrochetDonna]

Sit her down at nexstitch.com and let her watch various stitches being done, just tell her two watch them a couple of times over and over. Some people who have been "bullied" but someone who is a strong personality , kind of Shutdown when talking to someone or trying to learn because they get a mild "people phobia". Take her to your computer and let her just spend time watching ( with a cup of tea or coffee, or pop , so she can relax) make sure she knows how to click from one video to the next.
The website has crochet section from basics up and a Tunisian crochet section. Tell her to just enjoy watching and leave the room, because she may be "up tight" around you too.

After she's had her video session, have a tea quietly with her no crochet hooks, have a "fun" gab about weather , the tea whatever, when she loosens up a bit ask about her health does she have any minor aches and pains, dry hands ....it all affect "how you crochet" , some people don't like the "bound feel of wrapping the yarn around the pinkie finger, you might suggest she just let it glide between the third and fourth fingers.

You'll likely find that she is having a problem with how tightly she is holding and doing her crochet, (that is likely why the relative suggested the big needle) But what she needs is to relax and be told "she is smart",
"very capable of learning" "everyone is slow at first" (tell her a stories of how you "goofed up" when you first started. She needs to learn to be comfortable around her "teacher" and confident in herself before she can learn. If she does something wrong talk to her softly and encourage her gently. (make sure when you encourage her that you don't make her feel like a half wit.) Tell her stuff like you don't learn over night it take a while but if she keeps "patiently trying" she will be making beautiful and gorgeous things in no time. (Except there wasn't any computers when I learn, that is how the elderly lady taught me.) When she first tried she quickly learned if she sounded impatient or out of humour that my listening just "shut down". I had had alot of bullying, criticizing and ill humour then.
She was patient, quiet and encouraging. We became best of friends and I learn crochet with great relish and joy and new found confidence. Your lady sounds alot like me at first. My teacher was kind and wise. Hope this helps you both. You have a good heart to keep trying. Crochet is likely exactly what she needs.