before you begin a project

read your pattern

Always read through the entire pattern before you begin. This does not mean reading every individual crochet step. Rather, read through all the introductory information as well as any notes about starting/finishing each piece or panel.

For example, a step may say that you should leave a long tail for sewing; that's useful to know if you're someone who cuts the yarn right away after fastening off. A step may call for you to make multiples of a piece, do a color change, or mark certain stitches for later use. Some garment or amigurumi pattern call for complicated construction schematics.

You want to know these details head of time, so that you're not surprised by them halfway through your work. If it helps, highlight these notes so you quickly refer to them later.

See quick tips for my advice on leaving a tail for sewing.

prepare your yarn

Find knots in your skeins early to cut them out

Making a center pull will make it easier on your hands while you work

More consistent tension

make a gauge swatch

Very important if making something that needs to be particular size

Test drape and tension

For wool or cotton, wash the swatch to test shrinkage

Make sure you have enough yarn for the project