Balls of yarn have a couple of advantages over skeins:
Avoid tangles. Center-pull skeins of yarn can tangle easily toward the end. Balls of yarn are less likely to tangle.Improve tension. If you have a hard time achieving even tension, try working from a ball of yarn rather than a skein.
Ball winders are available to help you with this task, but you can also do it by hand.
If you are crocheting at home in a comfortable chair, you can keep the ball of yarn in your lap or on the floor at your feet, whichever you prefer.If you are crocheting on an airplane or in a moving vehicle, tuck the ball of yarn inside a tote bag to keep it from rolling around and unwinding.
If your work is too tight, choose a larger crochet hook. If your work is too loose, choose a smaller crochet hook. Keep in mind that the hook size indicated on your yarn label is no more than a suggested starting point. Do your experimenting with hooks prior to starting a project. The ideal time to do this is when you are making your gauge swatches.
Hook size is not always consistent between manufacturers.Slight differences in hook shaping might change the way you hold the hook or form your stitches.
Substitute colors in a patternChoose different yarnsAdd or subtract details: If a pattern calls for fringe you don’t like, substitute an edging, add a flower to a plain hat
As you learn more, don’t be afraid to try more complex experiments:
Add stripes to a plain patternVary the stitches you useImprovise customizations: Make long sleeves instead of short sleeves on a sweater, modify the neckline
Some of these experiments might not work out, but each one will teach you something new. Join a local crochet group or find a forum where you can continue to learn from these seasoned experts. Even if you’ve been crocheting for years, you might learn something new.
