🧶 Left-Handed Crochet: Tips, Video Tutorials, and Adjustments for Lefties
Learning to crochet as a lefty? Welcome — you’re not alone! I’m a left-handed crocheter myself, and I totally understand how frustrating it can be trying to learn a craft where most tutorials, patterns, and diagrams seem to be made for right-handed folks.
When I first started crocheting, I can’t tell you how many times I flipped my phone around or tried to mentally reverse every stitch. My secret weapon? I used the mirror trick — literally watching right-handed tutorials in a mirror so I could see them “lefty-style.” It worked surprisingly well, but wow, I wish I had found a blog post like this back then.
So today, I’m sharing everything I’ve learned about crocheting left-handed — including adjustments, video tutorials, and tips that actually help. Whether you’re brand new to the craft or looking to build confidence with more complex patterns, this one’s for you.
🖐 What Is Left-Handed Crochet?
Left-handed crochet is essentially the mirror opposite of right-handed crochet. The stitches themselves don’t change — you’ll still be using chains, single crochets, doubles, and so on — but you’ll be working from left to right instead of right to left.
This reversed direction affects:
How tutorials look to you
The way diagrams/charts are read
The orientation of some finished projects (like plushies or garments)
But here’s the good news: you don’t need to change the actual pattern in most cases — just how you interpret and execute it.
🎥 Getting Started with Left-Handed Crochet
Here’s what helped me (and what I wish I knew sooner):
🧶 1. Choose the Right Grip
You’ll be holding the hook in your left hand and feeding the yarn with your right. Just like right-handed folks, there are two main ways to grip:
Pencil grip – hold it like a pencil
Knife grip – hold it like a butter knife
Try both and see which one feels more natural.
🧶 2. Practice the Basics Left-to-Right
When you're chaining or stitching rows, work from left to right. It might feel odd at first, but your brain will adjust — I promise!
🧶 3. Use the Mirror Trick
This one saved me. If you’re watching a right-handed tutorial (which most are), set up a small mirror and watch the reflection instead. It reverses the hand movements and makes it easier to mimic.
📝 Adjusting Patterns for Left-Handed Crocheters
Here’s where it gets a little tricky — but manageable!
✅ Most written patterns don’t need to be changed.
Stitches are stitches. Just follow the pattern as written, and work in your natural left-handed direction.
⚠️ Watch out for:
Diagrams and stitch charts – These are usually designed for right-handed flow. You may need to mentally flip them or mirror them using a photo editor or printer.
Shaping or asymmetrical patterns – For amigurumi, garments, or textured stitches, your project may be a mirror image. That’s okay in most cases but important to keep in mind.
Colorwork or tapestry crochet – Direction matters here, especially for images or letters. Try swatching first or flipping charts horizontally before you start.
🎬 Helpful Left-Handed Crochet Tutorials
Here are a few resources made just for lefties:
Crochet Magic Circle - (Left Hand) Stitch Guide by Crochet Guru
LEFT-HANDED TUTORIAL: Easiest Crochet Hat - Free Crochet Pattern for Beginners by Yay for Yarn
If you’re a visual learner (like I am), these are a lifesaver.
P.S. I plan to share some of my own lefty-friendly tutorials soon — so be sure to join my newsletter to get notified when they’re live!
🧵 Does Being Left-Handed Change Your Crochet Projects?
A little, but not in a bad way!
Here are a few differences:
Stitch slant: Your stitches may lean in the opposite direction.
Motifs or patterns: Items like chevrons, graphs, or letters may appear mirrored.
Amigurumi features: Eyes, tails, and limbs might end up on the other side than shown in the pattern.
In most cases, this doesn’t matter. But if you're following a video or want an exact match, it helps to mirror the layout or read the chart in reverse.
✨ Quick Tips for Left-Handed Crocheters
🪞 Use a mirror to watch right-handed tutorials
🖨 Flip diagrams horizontally using Canva, Preview, or a printer setting
📚 Stick to symmetrical patterns when you’re starting out
🧠 Follow left-handed creators when possible for relatable content
💬 Don’t be afraid to ask pattern designers questions — many are happy to help!
📩 Grab the Free Left-Handed Crochet Cheat Sheet!
Still feeling a little overwhelmed? I’ve got you covered! I created a Left-Handed Crochet Cheat Sheet — just for us lefties — with:
✔️ Stitch direction reminders
✔️ Common stitch tips (with lefty notes!)
✔️ How to read patterns and charts as a lefty
✔️ My favorite beginner tips (including the mirror trick!)
✔️ Useful links and tools — all in one printable page
Download your free copy and keep it in your project binder, tape it to your wall, or toss it in your crochet bag so you’re never second-guessing a stitch again.
💛 Final Thoughts
Being a left-handed crocheter has its challenges — but it also gives you a unique perspective in a right-handed world. Don’t let it hold you back. You can absolutely crochet anything your heart desires, whether it’s a beginner coaster or an intricate garment. You just do it a little differently — and that’s awesome.
