Would you like to give crocheting a chance? If so, you will need the right tools to start with. The basic crochet toolkit is fundamental to have. You won’t be able to work on any crochet project without it.
Check out this article to learn the most essential tools and supplies you will need to crochet as a beginner.
What Do I Need To Start Crocheting
If you are just getting started with crocheting, you may not know which tools you should go for. It is quite obvious that you won’t need all the crochet gadgets that are out there right from the start.
You will only need the most necessary supplies so you can start learning crochet stitches and patterns. Once you decide to take up crocheting for good, you may upgrade your crochet toolkit with the new ones.
Therefore, we’ve prepared a list of the most essential crochet tools that every beginner crocheter should have.
1. Crochet Hooks
A crochet hook is among the absolute essentials when it comes to crocheting. It allows you to create loops in yarn and then interlock them into stitches.
You can choose between crochet hooks in different sizes, shapes, and materials. The choice is really big, so it’s worth considering which one will work best for you. You can buy it in any craft supplies store. The person behind the counter should help you with choosing the right crochet hook size.Â
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Size
Crochet hooks are available in many sizes. The size of the crochet hook will depend on the project you are working on. The yarn that you use will determine it too.
Follow the general rule of thumb – the thinner the yarn, the thinner the crochet hook you will need.
If you are a beginner to crocheting, a medium size crochet hook should work well with you. You can pick, for example, a size H (5.0 mm). It will allow you to work with yarn that is neither particularly thin nor overly thick. It makes working stitches much easier too.
Shape
You can choose between tapered and inline crochet hooks. The tapered one has a narrowed throat and a longer shaft. An inline hook in turn has its neck and shaft of the same diameter. This one may require more wrist movement while crocheting, so keep this in mind, if your hand gets tired very quickly.
Most crocheters go for ergonomic crochet hooks with an enlarged handle. They are much more comfortable to hold and can help alleviate hand fatigue that occurs while crocheting. However, it is a good idea to experiment with different shapes of crochet hooks to find your favorite one.
Material
Crochet hooks are made of different materials that can influence ease of use and work with the yarn. The most common materials are metal hooks, plastic, wood, bamboo, and aluminum. Plastic hooks are much lighter and warmer but can get more friction on the yarn. The metal ones, by contrast, are heavier and cold to the touch but fast to work with the yarn.
Ergonomic crochet hooks with a plastic handle and a metal tip can be an ideal compromise between these two. But as always, it’s worth trying it for yourself to find out which crochet hook material works best for you.
2. Yarn
Yarn is an essential crochet supply without which you just can’t go crocheting. Just like with the crochet hooks, there are different types of yarn to choose from. It varies in weight, texture, and color.
The type of yarn you should pick will depend on your crochet projects. However, individual preferences will play their part here too.
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Weight
The weight of yarn is not really about how much it weighs but how thick it is. We can distinguish seven yarn weights with the following names, starting from the finest one:
- Lace / Fingering (0)
- Superfine / Sock / Fingering (1)
- Fine / Baby / Sport (2)
- DK / Light (3)
- Medium / Worsted (4)
- Bulky (5)
- Super bulky (6)
- Jumbo / Roving (7)
Each yarn weight comes with a number. It always appears on the yarn label – remember, the bigger the number, the thicker the yarn.
Texture
Yarn texture is nothing but the physical properties of the crochet yarn. Crocheters use yarns of different kinds, however as a beginner, you should pick a yarn that is easy to crochet.
Therefore, don’t go for a yarn that is overly fluffy, silky, or bumpy. This way you won’t get discouraged right from the start. Yarn with a smooth texture should be thus the best choice for a beginner.Â
Fibre content
Fibre content refers to the material of the yarn. Commonly, you can find crochet yarn made of cotton, acrylic, silk, and wool. Each material varies in texture and usability.
Wool works best for practicing stitches, as it is very forgiving of mistakes. If you work a stitch wrong, you can quickly unravel it and start over again. Acrylic yarns will also do for the starters being more bouncy and stretchy than cotton yarns. Check out the Lion Brand Yarn offering natural fiber blends with acrylic.
Color
Picking the yarn color will probably be the most enjoyable part for you. It is even more fun since you can find it in literally any shade, including solids, self-striping, and multicolor yarn. You can follow the colors suggested in the crochet patterns or choose the ones to your liking. However, we recommend lighter colors for beginners, as they allow you to see much better how you work your stitches.
3. Yarn needles
A yarn needle for crochet has a large eyelet and a blunted tip, which makes it different from a regular needle. Crocheters use it to weave the ends of the yarn and sew the crochet pieces together. Therefore, it comes as an essential tool in every crochet toolkit. We sometimes call it a tapestry needle or a darning needle.
photo source: thesprucecrafts.com
Size
Just like crochet hooks, you will find yarn needles in different sizes. The needle size should match the type of yarn. For bulky yarn, you will need a needle with a larger eye so that you won’t struggle with threading it. Similarly, when using very fine yarn, it will be much easier to work with a smaller sized needle.Â
If you choose a medium yarn (weight 4), pair it up with a needle in sizes 7 to 9 (4.5 to 5.5 mm). However, if you would like to use a different yarn, you can easily find some charts online. They will help you grasp which needle size works best for a given yarn weight.
Shape
Yarn needles come in straight or bent-tip shapes. A straight needle works well for most crochet types and techniques. Thus, it is a good idea to pick that one for a start.
An exception can be Amigurumi, for which bent-tip needles do much better. These are great for hooking under the loops of stitches and sewing Amigurumi pieces together. So, if you are not going to take up this technique, it’s better to choose a straight needle.
Material
You can choose between the two most common yarn needle materials – metal and plastic. Which type to choose depends on individual preferences. However, it is important to know that the main advantage of metal needles is their uniform and ultra-smooth surface. Needles made of plastic can have imperfections on which the yarn can snag, and that can be really annoying.
4. Scissors
Scissors are an obvious must-have in crocheting. With these, you can easily cut or trim the yarn without having to rip it off with your hand or teeth.
When it comes to crocheting, any pair of scissors (and I am sure you already have one at home) will work. It should be sharp so as not to fray the yarn when finishing its ends. Keep also in mind that smaller scissors are far more functional and will easily fit into your crochet bag.
photo source: hanjancrochet.com
5. Stitch markers
Crocheters use stitch markers to mark stitches while crocheting. You can mark the beginning of a round or the end of a row. Stitch markers are also useful to keep track of any stitch increases and decreases in a given round.Â
They come in different colors, materials, and shapes. Locking stitch markers or split ring stitch markers work best with crocheting. They open and close so that you can easily remove them whenever you want.
photo source: thesprucecrafts.com
6. Measuring tape or ruler
Measurements are very important in crocheting because they help you make sure your projects are the right size. Proper measuring tools will certainly come in handy when it comes to measuring the length and width of your crochet piece.
You can use a ruler for that purpose, but it works fine only with something really small and flat. Therefore, a flexible measuring tape is a much better solution for crocheters. It will allow you to gauge projects and measure your body before making garments.
photo source: homestratosphere.com
7. Stitch dictionary
Here we go with the last must-have tool for crochet beginners. It can be particularly essential for those who would like to get into design. They include easy-to-read instructions (usually accompanied by colorful photographs) on how to do different crochet stitches, patterns, and techniques. It’s a true treasure trove of knowledge!
photo source: oombawkadesigncrochet.com
More Crochet Tools
Now you know the most essential crochet tools to start crocheting. However, we will not end here. You can learn about some crochet gadgets you may find useful to have.
Gauge Swatch Ruler
With this tool, you will be able to measure your gauge. Use it to count the number of rows and stitches in the area. The right gauge is essential if you want to get the correct sizing of your project.
photo source: etsy.com
Hook Gauge
Hook gauge is important to know the size of the crochet hook since it determines the gauge of your crochet. A hook gauge will help you find out what size your crochet hook really is. It will make your project end up with the right size.
photo source: etsy.com
Row Counter
This tool can really come in handy, especially when you work on long projects like blankets and afghans. A row counter is a small device that helps you keep track of the number of rows you have crocheted.
photo source: thecreativecrafterboutique.com.au
Hook Case
A crochet hook case will help you keep all your crochet hooks in one place. It is a perfect way to organize your tools and store them safely when you are not using them.
photo source: etsy.com
Project Bag or Tote
A project bag is a perfect way to store your crochet tools, including yarn, hook case, tape measure, and so on. It is also a safe place to keep all your crochet works in progress.
photo source: thesweatercollective.com
Yarn Bowl
A yarn bowl will keep your yarn contained while you crochet. It is a bowl usually made of ceramic or wood that can conveniently store the yarn, as it can easily get tangled when kept in bulk.
photo source: crochetsociety.co.uk
Ball Winder
Ball winder, as the name suggests, winds your yarn into a neat skein. You don’t have to roll the yarn by hand, you can do it simply by turning the handle. It saves time and keeps your yarns organized.
photo source: lifesavvy.com
So, that’s it – we’ve gathered here tools that are absolute must-haves for beginner crocheters. Hope this post gave you a good grasp of the tools available for crocheters to help you start your crochet adventure.
