Apr
okay so here’s what I actually learned using Outstanding Crochet
So you’re looking at Outstanding Crochet and wondering if it’s worth it right? I started using their stuff back in spring 2022 when I was basically trying to distract myself from a terrible job situation and needed something that wasn’t just scrolling through my phone at night. Their patterns are definitely different from the free stuff you find on random blogs.
The main thing with Outstanding Crochet is they do this whole premium pattern library thing where you pay once and get access to like hundreds of patterns. I think I paid around $47 or something? honestly can’t remember exactly but it was less than $50. What you’re getting is PDF patterns that are actually well-written, which sounds basic but you’d be surprised how many patterns out there are just… confusing.
How the pattern system actually works
When you log in there’s this dashboard thing with categories. Blankets, amigurumi, garments, home decor, whatever. Each pattern has skill level markers but I’m gonna be honest, their “intermediate” is sometimes easier than other sites’ “beginner” because they explain things better. Or maybe their beginner is actually beginner and everyone else is lying, I don’t know.
The PDFs download pretty fast and they’re formatted so you can print them or just use them on a tablet. I usually pull them up on my iPad while I’m working because I hate printing stuff out. They include stitch counts at the end of most rows which is clutch for not losing your place.
One pattern I made in summer 2024 was this market bag thing, like a produce bag situation. Used Red Heart Super Saver in that off-white color because I wanted something I could throw in the washing machine without caring. The pattern was straightforward but here’s what annoyed me – they had this one section where they switched from working in rounds to working in rows and back again, and the transition instruction was like one sentence. I had to undo an entire section because I missed that I was supposed to turn my work. spent like an hour just redoing the same part.
What yarn I actually used with their patterns
So the patterns usually suggest yarn weight and yardage but not specific brands which is good because then you’re not stuck hunting for one specific thing. For that market bag I mentioned, Red Heart Super Saver. For a baby blanket pattern I did (I think fall 2023?) I used Caron Simply Soft in like three different colors – grey, white, and this light yellow. It was for my friend’s baby shower and honestly turned out pretty cute even though I’m not usually a pastels person.
I tried making one of their cardigan patterns with Lion Brand Wool-Ease and that was… okay the pattern was fine but I didn’t swatch properly so it ended up too big. That’s on me though, not the pattern. The instructions said to swatch and I was like “eh I’ve made sweaters before” and then whoops, made a size extra large instead of medium.
Their amigurumi patterns work really well with Paintbox Yarns Cotton DK. I made this little mushroom thing while binge-watching The Bear season 2 and the stitch definition was really nice with that cotton. Although cotton can be hard on your hands if you’re crocheting for hours, just fyi.
The tutorial section is where it gets actually useful
Okay so beyond just patterns, they have video tutorials for techniques. This is where I think the membership pays for itself if you’re someone like me who didn’t learn from books or classes. I basically taught myself from YouTube videos over the years so my technique was kind of all over the place.
They have tutorials for:
- different stitch types with close-up camera angles that actually show what you’re doing
- how to read pattern abbreviations (sounds basic but genuinely helpful)
- colorwork techniques which I’d been avoiding forever
- finishing techniques like weaving in ends properly and blocking
- garment construction stuff like joining seams
The blocking tutorial actually changed how I finish projects. I used to just weave in ends and call it done but they show you how to pin things out and steam block or wet block depending on fiber content. My stuff looks way more professional now even though it’s the same skill level of actual crocheting.
What’s annoying about the platform
The search function is not great. Like if you’re looking for “summer top” you might get results but you might also miss patterns that are tagged differently. I usually just browse categories which takes longer but at least I know I’m seeing everything.
Also their mobile site is kinda clunky? The app would be better but they don’t have one, you just use it through a browser on your phone. Not a huge deal but sometimes when I’m trying to check a stitch count quickly and my hands are already holding yarn and hook, it’s annoying to navigate.
Sometimes patterns will say “see tutorial for this technique” and link to a video, but the video is like 15 minutes long and the part you need is at minute 11 and there’s no timestamps. That drives me crazy because I just wanna see the one thing, not watch someone explain the history of the half-double crochet or whatever.
Actual projects I completed and how they went
That market bag I mentioned – finished it in maybe 8 hours total? worked on it over like four days. It’s held up really well, I use it for groceries all the time. The handles are comfortable which is something I didn’t think about until I was actually carrying heavy stuff in it.
Baby blanket was probably 20 hours of work, lot of repetitive rows which is good for watching TV but also kinda mind-numbing. Used their “simple stripes” pattern which is literally just single crochet in rows with color changes. But the finished size guidance was accurate and the border instruction made it look actually finished instead of just like a rectangle of stitches.
I started a sweater pattern in winter 2023 and still haven’t finished it because garments are just… they take so long. Got the back panel done and one front panel and then got distracted by other projects. The pattern is good though, construction makes sense, I’m just gonna finish it eventually when I feel like it.
Made a bunch of dishcloths using their “quick gifts” patterns with Lily Sugar’n Cream cotton. These are great starter projects if you’re new to their platform because they work up fast and you can see if you like how their patterns are written without committing to a huge project.
How their sizing and measurements work for garments
Okay so for clothing patterns they give you like 5-8 size options usually. They provide a finished measurement chart which shows the actual dimensions of the finished piece, not your body measurements. This is important because you need to factor in ease – like how much bigger than your actual body you want it.
They explain positive ease versus negative ease in one of their tutorials which honestly I didn’t fully understand until I watched it. Positive ease means the garment is bigger than your measurements so it’s loose and flowy. Negative ease means it’s smaller so it stretches to fit. Most crochet garments use positive ease because crochet fabric doesn’t stretch much unless you’re using specific stitches.
For that cardigan I messed up, I should’ve made the size small based on finished measurements but I made medium because that’s my usual clothing size. Except crochet sizing doesn’t work the same as store-bought clothes and also again, I didn’t swatch, so it ended up huge. I gave it to my sister who’s taller than me and it fits her fine so whatever.
Is it actually worth paying for when free patterns exist
Look, there are tons of free patterns online. I still use free patterns sometimes. But here’s the thing – with Outstanding Crochet you’re not gonna get halfway through a pattern and realize the stitch count is wrong or the instructions skip a step. Their stuff is tested and edited.
Free patterns are great when they’re great, but I’ve also frogged entire projects because I got to row 30 and the math didn’t work out and there were no errata posted anywhere. That’s frustrating enough that paying for reliable patterns feels worth it to me.
Also the tutorial library is something I reference pretty regularly. Like I was trying to figure out how to do a invisible join for amigurumi and instead of watching 10 different YouTube videos with conflicting advice, I just watched their tutorial and it worked first try.
If you’re someone who makes a lot of stuff, the membership pays for itself pretty quick. If you make like one project a year, maybe just buy individual patterns when you need them – I think they sell those separately too but I’ve never done it that way.
Tips for actually using the platform effectively
Download the patterns you think you’ll use even if you’re not making them right away. I have a folder on my computer with like 40 patterns saved because what if the site goes down or what if I lose access for some reason? probably won’t happen but I like having the files.
Read through the entire pattern before starting. I know everyone says this but seriously, do it. I’ve started projects and gotten partway through before realizing I needed a specific hook size I didn’t have or that it requires sewing pieces together which I hate doing.
Check the materials list for yardage and actually calculate how much yarn you need. Their estimates are usually accurate but if you’re substituting a different yarn weight or adjusting size, you might need more. I’ve run out of yarn right before finishing something and it’s the worst because then you gotta order more and wait for shipping and your project just sits there mocking you.
Use the skill level as a guide but don’t be scared to try intermediate or advanced patterns if you know the basic stitches. The labels are somewhat arbitrary and honestly doing harder patterns is how you get better. Just be prepared to maybe mess up and redo sections.
Specific patterns that are actually good
Their “modern granny square blanket” pattern is really popular and for good reason – it’s a fresh take on a classic and works up relatively fast. Uses bulky weight yarn so you see progress quickly which is motivating.
The “everyday tote bag” pattern is similar to that market bag I made but sturdier construction. Good if you want something for books or heavier items.
There’s a cowl pattern called something like “winter warmth cowl” that’s just a simple repeat but the drape is really nice. Made one with Wool-Ease Thick & Quick in like 3 hours while my cat was absolutely losing it over a bug on the ceiling, very distracting but whatever.
For amigurumi their animal patterns are cute without being overly complicated. Some amigurumi patterns have you making like 47 separate pieces and sewing them all together which is tedious. Theirs usually have fewer pieces or at least the pieces make sense.
Things I haven’t tried yet but are on the list
They have lace patterns that look really pretty but I’ve been intimidated by lace because it seems fiddly. Using thin yarn with small hooks and keeping track of complex stitch patterns… I’ll get to it eventually but not yet.
Mosaic crochet patterns are on there too and those look cool – it’s a technique where you create colorwork patterns without carrying yarn or doing complicated color changes. Been meaning to try one but keep getting distracted by other projects.
There’s a whole section of holiday decorations which could be fun. I’m not usually a seasonal decor person but some of the ornament patterns are small enough that they’d be quick makes for gifts or whatever.
I kinda wanna try one of their shawl patterns because I’ve never made a shawl but also I live somewhere warm so when would I even wear it? but they look elegant and like a good way to practice increases and decreases in a less structured project than a garment.
Anyway that’s basically my experience with Outstanding Crochet over the past couple years. It’s not perfect but it’s pretty solid if you make enough stuff to justify the membership cost. The patterns are reliable and the tutorials fill in knowledge gaps without having to piece together information from multiple sources. Just remember to swatch your garments because apparently I still haven’t fully learned that lesson myself even though I definitely should have by now.
