How to Get Better at Crochet: Smart Ways to Level Up

You can crochet. You’ve made hats, maybe even a cardigan. You know your abbreviations and don’t panic when you see hdc2tog.

But lately you’ve been thinking:

Why doesn’t mine look like that?
Why does my sweater fit… weird?
Why do some projects feel amazing and others feel chaotic?

Welcome to the intermediate stage of crochet. It’s the most exciting (and humbling) phase of crochet. So, let’s talk about how to actually get better in the intermediate skill stages of crochet.

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How To Get Better At Crochet

Here are some ideas you can start with or choose from to hone your skills and get better as an intermediate level crocheter.

Tension

I know. You may have even let out a sigh of aggravation once you saw this section heading. But tension is everything.

The difference between “cute homemade” and “wait… you MADE that?” is almost always tension.

If your stitches:

Randomly tighten when you're stressed
Loosen when you're watching TV
Look slightly different row to row

That’s normal but it’s also fixable.

Try this:

Crochet one slow, intentional swatch.
Focus on how the yarn feeds through your fingers.
Notice when you grip the hook like it owes you money (no death grips!)

If you’re a confident beginner stepping into intermediate territory, this is how you upgrade your makes.

If you’re intermediate aiming for advanced? Mastering tension is your ultimate crochet hack!

RELATED: How to Improve Crochet Tension

Stop Just Following Patterns. Start Studying Them.

There’s a big difference between following a pattern and studying to understand them. You may have already found yourself wondering what something would look like if you switched the stitch or changed etc border, etc.

Instead of jumping straight into your next pattern, try this:

Read the whole pattern first
Find the repeats
Figure out how the piece is constructed
Ask yourself: Why did they increase here? Why decrease there?

You’re not just making something. You’re reverse-engineering it. That shift in thinking alone changes everything.

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Swatch. I Know. I. KNOW.

Listen. We’ve all said “It’ll probably be fine.” It is not always fine!

Here’s the real deal. There is a secret power to swatching. Swatching isn’t about being obedient in following a pattern’s instruction. It’s about being powerful as the crocheter.

When you swatch properly:

You control fit
You understand your fabric
You stop gambling with 40+ hours of work (let's not discuss frogging again, shall we?!)

Block your swatch. Yes, really. Measure it in multiple places and adjust it on purpose. Be intentional with it so you know what you are working with.

Expand Your Stitch Repertoire (But Make It Strategic)

Don’t just go learn 200 random stitches. Focus on learning stitches that teach you something.

For example, try:

Post stitches (gives both texture & structure)
Front/back loop work (shaping tricks)
Lace (tension practice)
Tunisian crochet (new and different fabric vibes/feels altogether)

Every new technique adds a useful tool to your belt. Advanced crocheters aren't magicians, they’re just well prepared.

Learn to Fix Mistakes Like a Wizard

Right now you might frog 10 rows for one missed stitch. For advanced crocheters? They perform surgery. For example, they may:

Drop down and fix one stitch
Use a smaller hook to grab a missed loop
Smooth over tiny mistakes creatively

Fixing mistakes is the confidence builder skill. Try fixing smaller projects that aren’t gifts or orders as practice. Believe it or not, being able to fix crochet can be strangely empowering as a maker.

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Finishing Is Where the Magic Happens

Want your crochet to look expensive? It’s not about complicated stitches, but more about:

Clean edges
Even borders
Invisible seaming
Neatly woven ends

Finishing is the difference between “Oh that’s cute” and “Wait… you SELL these?!”

RELATED: Blocking Crochet Projects

Start Tweaking Patterns (Just a Little)

This is where you start to grow as a crocheter! Dabble in changes to existing patterns that you like. For example;

Add sleeve length
Change a neckline
Swap yarn intentionally
Combine two ideas
Add or change a border

You don’t have to design from scratch to start designing. Tiny tweaks can build A LOT of confidence and help you better understand the materials you are working with.

Be Intentional With Your Projects

Crocheting more doesn’t automatically make you better (just like what we talked about earlier when learning more stitches). You get better by crocheting intentionally and with purpose.

Before you start something new, ask:

What skill am I stretching here?
What feels slightly intimidating?
What would make me proud to finish?

Growth lives just outside your comfort zone. Also, practice makes progress! (nobody is perfect, so just go ahead and remove that word from your vocabulary and stop setting yourself up for disappointment!)

The Truth About “Advanced” Crocheters

Lets face it. Advanced crocheters are not better because they know fancier stitches. They’re better because they have control over:

Tension
Shaping
Repairs
Finishing

And if you’re intermediate, you’re already halfway there so let’s work together and keep going!

How to Get Better at Crochet (Without Losing Your Mind)