Here's something I learned from one of my teams - building followers and getting favorites isn't a matter of what you like, it's a business decision.
When I started following these guidelines a few months ago, I had 70 followers. I now have close to 400.
1. I follow anyone I know personally. They can find out if I don't, and there's no point in hurting someone's feelings.
2. I follow people when I love their work.
3. I follow people I don't know if they have at least 800 followers and 2,400 favorites. The ratio I'm looking for is three faves for every follower. You can raise or lower the number of followers you look for, as long as they have more favorites than followers.
4. I don't follow anyone who keeps their favorites private. They aren't going to help me if they don't recommend me via faves. The exception, as always, is anyone I know personally or if I love someone's work.
I've found that if I spend a few hours a month following new people that meet the 3:1 ratio, many follow me back.
To find people worth following, start with your own followers and favorites. Click on their names, see who follows them. Then follow anyone who meets the followers/favorites ratio of 1:3, or whatever numbers you decide on. Even if one of your followers doesn't have many followers, they may follow someone who does. It takes a little digging, but it's worth it.
Finally, listen to whatever crochetgal says! She really knows her stuff.
