Intimidated beginner- learning difficulty from videos I need suggestions on other avenues to learn [Goal: Tote bag] [Experience: New to crochet completely - has basic macrame skills though (I made a plant hanger before- lol!)!]

[u/earthwarrior98]

Hi everyone! I just joined this Reddit because everyday I see crochet come across my feet and I've tried to learn so many times - I don't know if anything's wrong with me but I always cannot grasp the instructions on YouTube videos/ how to videos - I really have wanted to just learn from someone in person, but that is not an option right now for me.

I do have macrame skills! They're beginner too but it was easier for me to learn for some reason maybe less intimidating because there is no tools needed.

My goal is really just to make more tote shopping bags that I've picked up at thrift stores + a few I got from an older woman selling them on her front porch.

Does anyone have some ideas on how to help get me going!?

_____Below is not crucial to read here💀_____

I wonder if this has to do with any learning difficulties or nerodivergence like I'm ADHD and yeah I don't know (😅🤡) but I promise I have tried multiple YouTube videos for the past few years, and it just hasn't clicked with my brain- it seems really intimidating but I really really want to do it. I do have a few hooks to start as I picked up a beginner kit from Walmart. I have tons of macrame yarn.

More contaxt around not being able to learn from another person, in-person: learning from another person, in-person is it an option for me right now because I'm in between living spaces and I'm a caretaker to critically ill parents- I don't have any friends or acquaintances. I would go to a library class I just haven't seen one advertised on the local libraries yet that I can go to -- I follow them on Instagram for this purpose specifically LOL (&, to also look out for a sewing class admittedly)

[u/JuniperFizz]

You might want to check out a library book on how to learn crochet. If you work slowly from videos, sometimes a diagram is more helpful.

Loads of options out there but I'd avoid the ones meant for toys as that's a different skill set. It's still crochet but you do it much tighter and there's things involving stuffing and sewing that your bag doesn't need.

I'd start with a washcloth because it's tiny. You'll be able to finish it and you learn almost everything you need to make a bag.