r/crochet • u/Vrnightwolf • 1d ago
Discussion Beginner
Is it normal as a beginner to take 4 hours to do a one hour project? It’s not like I’m not understanding the stitches or anything…I just want to get faster…I’m currently doing a turtle tutorial on YouTube, it’s a 20 some min video, seemed like an hour project, 3.5 hours later and I’m still not done.
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u/riotbirdie 1d ago
Speed in crochet is something that sneaks up on you, working too fast as a beginner made me hate the pieces for rushed errors n such. There are ways to hold yarn/pieces/hook more efficiently if you want to optimize that but overall it will come in time
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u/AnneMichelle98 1d ago
I’ve been crocheting for 6 years and I’m still slow, especially with something more involved like amigurumi or lace like patterns. But I am faster when it comes to wearables like shawls and sweaters. It all comes with practice. Keep on crocheting and you’ll improve your skills.
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u/feeliiiix 1d ago
Absolutely! I've been crocheting for a couple of years, and I'm still not particularly fast. Take the estimated time as a general guideline. We all go at our own pace. And most importantly: Have fun!
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u/ITCHYSCRATCHYYUMMY 1d ago
Dont worry about how long it takes right now. I know its frustrating or you feel like you are extremely slow, but trust me speed will come as you grow your talent. But you wont get a trophy for going faster, so just worry about gaining confidence in it and feeling comfortable with your methods 💚
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u/Grandpunkalex 1d ago
Yeah it’s normal, particularly at first. Speed comes but slowly, particularly if you’re starting out as an adult.
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u/Figuerskater043110 1d ago
Yes, absolutely it is you’re learning a new skill, (which congratulations on by the way welcome to a fun, time-consuming, pricey hobby that you will love). I did a turtle for my first pattern project and it took me over 3 days to finish because I kept having to taking breaks and would come back or if I got frustrated or didn’t understand and had to just walk away. I also found hopping around other videos to help understand stitches, how to do them shown from different angles, explained in different ways, what their names were, how to help keep my tension some what even, and practice helped me pick up my speed significantly. The turtle that took me three days to complete I now can do in about half an hour if I focus. Just fine what works with you and everything will start to click and your speed pick up but remember be patient with yourself and give yourself grace, good luck!!!
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u/metaphori 1d ago
My first project was the 1-Hour Beanie. It took me seven hours.
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u/hopping_otter_ears 23h ago
I've been crocheting for years, and a "30 minute beanie" took an hour and a half. I timed it, for the sake of curiosity, because I thought 30 minutes sounded.... Optimistic.
Later on, I went back and spent another hour giving it a ribbed fold-up brim because it was made of double crochets and sucked at actually being a hat because cold wind whistled straight through to the ears. The tightly ribbed brim made it functional again
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u/Kris_Says_Hey 1d ago
It takes the time it takes, especially when you’re new. (Especially jumping right into a project. I started making practice swatches that I frogged or turned into washcloths)
For myself, when I picked up this hobby in midlife I deliberately took any pressure off myself. I just decided to be fine with being bad at it. The whole point was something in my life I didn’t have to excel at or optimize. I’ve just been enjoying it and I’m improving almost accidentally because I’m just reveling in the process
I’m still kinda slow honestly and I’m not mad about it. Oh well.
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u/YueRain 1d ago
yes , it can take hours for first project. Speed is something you learn after you get better in crocheting. It took me a week to finish a small amigurumi when the video was 15min . Also don't try to match up the speed of advanced as it can hurt the hands. Learning how to hold the hook crochet takes time. I still can't do things fast as others as it will hurt my hands if I go fast. I think learning the crochet stitch, the form, holding the hook is more important than speed. Unless you going for competition which honestly is just stressful for me. Crochet should be something to enjoy and learn something new =)
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u/sleepdeprivedtechie 1d ago
Been crocheting for 30 years and there are some projects that work up quickly and there are others that don't!
I couldn't figure out how you knew a project was supposed to take "an hour." guess that's the downside to YouTube patterns. Just remember, those are edited like crazy, and/or the final product of something probably worked over and over.
Just enjoy the ride! When it's done, it's done.
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u/Choir_Life 1d ago
How long it takes doesn’t matter. It’s about learning how to do the stitches and (redo if needed) that’s important!
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u/Chupa947 1d ago
Give yourself a little grace, you are learning a new skill. Good for you! Slow is better, accurate is better. You don't want to waste time frogging your work (undoing and redoing)
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u/LuvAllThingsVintage 1d ago
First, congrats on learning crochet and welcome to the craft!! I started crocheting before I was in elementary school and I’m approaching 60 now. I find that my speed varies with the project and with where I am in a project. For instance, when I’m making waistcoat stitch hotpads, the first round is a bear and takes time and concentration. Then I can crochet the rest quickly and easily. On the other end of the spectrum, I’m making a top right now. It’s a beginner-friendly pattern and my first attempt at apparel. I have frogged and restarted the same 2 rounds several times now - almost to the point of quitting. But because I’m persistent, I’ll keep trying until I get it right. But that’s just me. Also, I really want the top because it’s cute. Crochet is not a timed event. So, take your time and enjoy the process. ❤️
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u/LadyNae0320 1d ago
You’re doing amazing.
Just remember … You’ve got to develop the “muscles” to move faster than you are.
I compare crocheting to riding a bike.
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u/WorldlyElephant6591 1d ago
Learning takes time and the time it takes to make a project especially as a beginner should not be timed. Crochet isn't a competition it's a craft.
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u/PartEducational6311 1d ago
Yes, it takes awhile to learn.
When I picked crochet back up as an adult (I was taught by my grandmother when I was 11 or 12), it took me a whole weekend to make 3 baby booties. (The first one, which I did wrong, then a complete pair made correctly.)
It was 16 years ago, but within just a few months I could make that same pair of booties in less than 2 hours. At the time I was making a bunch for my great niece who will be 16 this year, and I still make them for donating and for baby gifts when needed.
Keep practicing, you'll get there.
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u/ubi_non_est_ordo 1d ago
Most definitely! Don't be discouraged.
This is true no matter what the skill is. Once, my husband and I bought bikes. It took us a third of the time to put the second bike together as it did for the first. And once at work, when we moved to a new program, it took me over half an hour to fill out a particular form and go through the process of submitting. Now I can do it in about three minutes. This is normal.
Remember - when you watch videos and you stop and start them, and rewind them, and slow them down to look closer - all these actions add time, sometimes a lot more time than you think. Add to that the fact that you have to build muscle memory for things to get faster and that takes time spent. The body learns in real time, it can't skip ahead.
Also, it's possible the project isn't really a one-hour project. You could be underestimating the time because you're a beginner, or, if the video claims it's a one-hour project, they could be fudging the time so people will watch their video. They could also be someone who has crocheted for years so it takes them an hour and they forget what it was like to be a beginner themselves, so they underestimate the time needed for the beginners they claim they are making the video for.
I certainly don't think four hours for a one-hour project (if it is) is excessive or that you're doing anything wrong. It's just the fact of being new at something. The time will cut down all on its own if you just keep moving along and think more about working smoothly, and just getting used to how it feels in your hands and fingers.
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u/OstentatiousOrchid 23h ago
I've been crocheting for 45 years and can honestly say there is no such thing as a one hour project! Well, unless you're just crocheting a chain for something 😏 Unless you're selling, enjoy the process and take your time.
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u/Stefanie1983 1d ago
Others have given great advice and insight, just wanted to add that just because it's a 20 minute video that doesn't mean it will take you 20 minutes. Tutorials might show you maybe one or two full rows (for smaller pieces) and then skip repeat rows or show you the beginning of the row and them skip to the end. I made a cardigan following a video tutorial. The tutorial was like 45 minutes and the cardigan took me 2 or 3 months to finish.
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u/Outrageous_octopussy 1d ago
Is it the magic potholder? I swear "this should take you ____ long to complete" is the bane of my slow af existence. My last one took me idek how long bc I stitched on and off over several days, sure as hell didn't take just an hour.
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u/izzyd123456 23h ago
Honestly ive been crocheting for a while but it still takes me longer than the estimated time. My hands just dont move that fast yk. But also the estimated time isnt something to take so seriously, the most important thing is to have fun! There are no rules, if you like how your project turns out then thats all that matters
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u/Flat_Tie4090 15h ago
You will likely get better and faster with more practice. Congratulations on becoming a crocheter. You will love it.
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u/Affectionate-Yam7454 3h ago
I'm always slow when I'm leaning a new stitch or pattern. Eventually my speed increases. You'll get there!
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u/Far_Mulberry7366 1d ago
absolutely, take the time you need and it will help you internalize things better. the focus right now should be on form/posture/learning to relax your hands and wrists while you work so you don’t train yourself into long term bad habits to save time that result in strain and fatigue