The time that has passed causes me to look back to the beginning of my crochet journey and conclude that I'm still just a beginner. What I mean is that I have been following the instructions mechanically, like an encoded machine.  My eyes are opening to the light about the structure of the stitch,

A book for beginners

for example the single crochet and chains.  I find that you need to really to see the crochet parts to really know what you are doing.
I don't think that I know what I've been doing up 'til now! lol
(written 5/25/11)

What should you know to crochet?

You should know math. But, if you don't then you must be good at this free-handedly (if that's a word). Think of a  musician. There are those musicians that must read notes to play and there are those musicians who learn by ear. My mom played piano by ear by the way. I think that math is essential to follow patterns especially. Crochet is good for boosting students' confidence in arithmetic and geometry. Freehanded is more creative or intuitive. (my thoughts - written 3/21/11)

Scarf A with 4mm hook (left) & Scarf A with 6mm hook (right)

My helpful lesson of the moment about choosing hook sizes:  choose the one that gives the best quality work. Scarf A is what I am crocheting at the moment using Simply Soft yarn. Scarf B, a work in very slow progress, was crocheted with RH Super Saver...  How was scarf B so much softer than scarf A?  To find out the answer go to my page Lessons Learned: Hooks, gauge, and yarns

Scarf B with 8mm hook