Teaching My Family to Crochet on Zoom Did Not Go Well

I've been crocheting for 21 years, and I've tried teaching some people how to crochet. I tried teaching my sister-in-law (who is left-handed), my 12-year-old daughter and her best friend, my audience on TikTok, and recently, about 8 people in my extended family on a Zoom call.

I'm sure you can imagine how that went.

Eight Family Students and a Moss Stitch Dishcloth

I had a hair-brained idea that I wanted to teach an online LIVE crochet class. I asked my family and extended family to help me out and practice with them on a Zoom call. Two were left-handers, a couple of teenagers who were trying to be supportive of their Grandma Becky (bless their hearts), and the rest were some of my kids.

There were about 8 "students".

I decided that we would make a moss stitch dishcloth. I figured that was fairly easy with just single crochet and chains. We didn't get that far.

The two left-handers bowed out before long because it was confusing to them. The rest stayed and plugged along. I taught them how to chain.

I had everyone doing chains, and then we moved on to single crochet. That's where it went south.

Holding Stitches Up to a Blurry Zoom Camera

The problem I had with teaching in real time online was that they could see my stitches really well, but when they had problems, I would ask them to hold their stitches up to the camera. As Zoom calls go, sometimes it's hard to focus on the stitches, and I couldn't see what they were doing wrong.

That didn't last long at all.

We have not had a second lesson since. I just don't know if teaching live online is what works for me.

Why the Crochet Hooks Went Down After the Call

The people I tried to teach online (my family) didn't stick with it. I'm pretty sure that as soon as the Zoom call was over, the crochet hooks went down and were never used again. I have to give them credit for trying for me, though.

They were very kind to help me and support me in what I wanted to do.

I just don't know if teaching online real-time classes is a good idea for me. I decided to not try teaching at this time, mostly because my schedule is just too full, and I don't have time. But one day I would like to revisit this.

I think my family was trying to be supportive, but their hearts really weren't in it. I think when someone really wants to learn how to do something, they are more likely to try a little harder.

Starting With Yarn Weight and Hook Sizes Next Time

If I had to do it all over again, I would do it as I did in my TikTok videos. I would start with the basics. I would explain what the working yarn is, the hook sizes, and the yarn weight.

I would explain that there's no right or wrong way to hold a hook, and I would encourage people to hold their hook any way they feel is best. I would be a little more patient. I would have a clear plan written out.

Relearning Crochet at 40 With Marley Bird

I haven't really taught a young child to crochet, so I can't really say if kids are easier to teach than adults. I think kids are more likely to want to learn, but may not have the coordination if they're under a certain age. It does take a while to get the hang of it.

I think if anyone wants to crochet, there are so many good tutorials on YouTube. That's how I re-learned to crochet again. I learned when I was 12, then put it down until I was 40.

Then I got on YouTube and learned from Marley Bird. She's an excellent teacher, and I learned so much from her. I also learned how to knit from her.

We're lucky to live in the day and age we do, where we have so many helpful resources.

Happy crocheting!