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I recently shared a post with a few of my favorite websites to get free crochet patterns. I realized as I was writing it that there are a few things about using patterns that newbies may not know. One of my goals with this blog is to help beginners so here’s some information that you may not know if you’re just starting out.

Check Out Brand Websites

Many new crocheters don’t realize that most yarn brands will have their own selection of patterns on their websites. In my experience, their selection is a bit more limited since they are focused on providing patterns for their specific products.

With that said, you can still find some great patterns on there. Brand websites can be particularly helpful if you impulse bought some nice pretty yarn without thinking of what you might make with it (I’m looking at you, fellow ADHDers) since you can typically look for patterns made for the exact type of yarn you purchased. These websites are usually on the label of the yarn so keep an eye out.

Many big craft stores like Michael’s will have patterns available online, too.

Steer Clear of AI

When looking for patterns, watch out for AI content! This may or may not be an issue on the websites you use to find patterns. Regardless, it’s a good idea to keep an eye out.

Not even considering the ethical issues that many people have with using AI in creative fields, AI crochet patterns should be avoided because they simply don’t work. If you’re a more seasoned crocheter, you will likely notice that the instructions don’t make sense for what you’re supposedly making. For beginners, this can be especially frustrating. A bad pattern can lead to you thinking you’re doing something incorrectly when really, it’s the pattern.

If you’re considering paying for patterns, this is even more important to be able to identify. There are unfortunately a lot of scammers showing AI pictures to advertise patterns that don’t work or don’t even exist. The two places I’ve seen AI patterns the most are on Etsy and on social media ads. The social media ads are often for bundles of a huge amount of patterns for a really low price. Remember, kids: if it’s too good to be true, it probably is.

It can be hard to spot AI if you don’t know what to look for, but here is a post from someone on Ribblr with some tips. I also highly recommend checking out reviews of the pattern or the shop/designer whenever possible (when on Etsy, for example). If the pattern is bad, the reviews will tell you.

How to Find Yarn Substitutions

Most patterns will tell you a specific type of yarn to use. This is more important for some patterns than for others. With wearables I try to use yarn close to what is recommended so the design and sizing come out correctly. There will be situations when you can’t (or don’t want to) get the exact yarn used by the pattern designer. It’s possible that the yarn has been discontinued, is out of stock, or may not be available where you live. Maybe you want to use up yarn you have rather than spend money on new yarn (though I know personally I look for any excuse to buy some nice shiny new yarn!).

A website that can be really helpful in these situations is YarnSub. On YarnSub, you can enter a specific type of yarn and it will generate a list of other similar yarns. It will tell you how closely the yarns match and gives you information on things like texture, gauge, and fiber content. It also allows you to filter out specific types of fibers which can be helpful for those who have allergies or are vegan. I really highly recommend bookmarking the page so it’s easily accessible. It will definitely come in handy at one point or another.

Videos are Your Friends

Lastly, video tutorials are incredibly helpful for people who are new to crochet and/or written patterns. If you search YouTube, you can find TONS of pattern tutorials on there. If you’re new to crocheting and aren’t familiar with all the crochet lingo yet or if you’re not sure how to read written patterns, that does not mean that you can’t make fun projects! There are a ton of awesome crocheters who post video tutorials that can be a lot easier to follow.

Many times those videos will also have links to a written pattern. If you’re wanting to get into reading those, I recommend opening the pattern and following along with both. If you’re planning on sticking with crochet, you will want to know how to read patterns and this can be a helpful technique to learn how to do so. You can get a beginner’s guide to reading crochet patterns by signing up for the Emko Misc. newsletter. It goes over the different parts of a written pattern and some of the most common abbreviations are. If you’re brand new to patterns, it’ll be a great resource!

Key Takeaways

• Check yarn brand websites (and big stores like Michael’s) for patterns, they’re often designed for the exact yarn you bought on impulse (been there).
• Avoid AI crochet patterns – they generally don’t work, and they can waste hours. Be extra careful with Etsy listings and social media bundle ads. When in doubt, reviews usually tell the truth.
• Need a different yarn? Use YarnSub to find close matches, compare gauge and fiber, and filter for allergies or vegan options.
• Video tutorials help a lot, especially if written patterns feel like another language. Watching a video while following the written pattern is a solid way to learn both.

I hope you’ve found this post helpful. If you’re just getting started using written patterns, be sure to grab my Ultimate Guide to Reading Crochet Patterns so you can stop pulling your hair out in frustration and start making awesome projects.