I’m completely new to crochet, and I’ve been practicing chains and single crochet with purple #4 medium-weight acrylic yarn.
I’ve tried using a 6.5 mm hook for my starting chain and switching to a 5 mm hook for single crochet, but I’m still struggling.
My biggest issue is that I can’t see the individual chain loops clearly enough to know where to insert my hook. When I do find them, they’re usually too tight to get my hook through. My stitches also end up bunching together instead of forming a straight row.
I’m right-handed, and I crochet a little differently from what I see in tutorials. Instead of moving my hook around the working yarn to catch it, I keep my hook relatively still and use my left hand to physically wrap the yarn around it. Then I pull the hook through the loops.
I actually prefer doing it this way and don’t want to change how I handle my yarn. I’m just wondering if anyone else crochets this way and has tips for making it work more smoothly.
I’d especially appreciate advice on making my starting chains easier to see and insert my hook into without having to completely change my technique!

My best friend is getting married next year, so of course, she and her partner are getting a blanket from me. The catch? They're both vegan, so obviously, my go-to natural fiber of wool is off limits.

Looking for some recs for worsted/aran-weight yarns made from vegan natural fibers (cotton, linen, hemp, etc.) that would make for a good blanket. What are your favorites?

This is the first time for me, but I don't know if I like it or not😅. I love the colors, but I don't like how white it is.

I'd like to make the Pop Rock It Tee by Tanis Lavallée, hot weather friendly, with Purl Soho Oleander linen/cotton blend. For the stripes, the pattern uses a mohair/silk strand, but I feel like it might be too sticky for humid days, and maybe too translucent. How would KFO Pure Silk work as stripes with cotton/linen? Am I better off doubling up the mohair and staying in the AC if it's too translucent? Tanis used a linen/silk blend yarn in another version of the shirt, but with the same mohair stripes.

I’ve been getting more interested in multishaft weaving lately and an ashford table loom seems like a good fit for the space I have at home. I’m still figuring out where to order one, though, since not every shop seems to have them ready to ship.

A couple of stores I checked said they could order one in but I couldn’t find much information about how long delivery would take. I’d rather have a better idea of the wait before placing an order.

For anyone who owns an ashford table loom, where did you buy yours? Did you order directly from a weaving supplier or go through another retailer? Any recommendations from people who have actually purchased one would be a big help. Thanks!