The 7 Essential Crochet Supplies that Beginners Actually Need (2024)

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Wondering what supplies you need to get started with crochet? If so, you’re in the right place. In this article, you’ll find a complete list of the essential crochet supplies and tools that all beginners should have.

Keep reading for a list of the 7 must-have crochet supplies that you actually need to get started.

When you’re just learning how to crochet, it’s important to have the right supplies. Your learning experience will be much smoother – and more fun – if you have the quality tools and craft supplies you need.

But when you’re brand new to crochet, it can be hard to know which supplies you actually need, and which supplies can wait until later.

In this blog post, I’ll give you a list of the most essential crochet supplies and tools you need as a new crocheter.

• First, we’ll talk about the essential supplies that you need to get started. We’ll call those the “need to haves.”
• Then, I’ll talk about some other crochet supplies you might want to buy to make your crochet experience easier and more fun. We’ll call those the “nice to haves.”
• I’ll also give you some tips on choosing the right yarn and hooks for your projects, to help you start off on the right track.

So, whether you’re a complete beginner or an experienced crocheter looking to add to your collection, read on for a list of my favorite crochet tools for beginners!

Best Crochet Supplies for Beginners

As you would guess, the two most important crochet tools are the crochet hook and the yarn. Without these two supplies, you won’t be crocheting anything!

In addition to the hook and yarn, you’ll need a few more basic supplies in your crochet toolkit, like a yarn needle, a pair of scissors, some stitch markers, and a measuring tape.

The good news? All of these supplies are readily available online or at your local craft stores.

Let’s look at each of these crochet tools and supplies in more detail.

Crochet Hooks

First things first, let’s talk about the most essential tool – the crochet hook itself.

Crocheting is done with a single hook (unlike knitting, which requires two needles).

When it comes to shopping for the best crochet hooks, you have a lot of options. Crochet hooks come in a variety of materials, shapes, and sizes – each with its own pros and cons.

Material: You’ll see crochet hooks made out of a variety of materials, including aluminum, steel, plastic, bamboo, and wood. Each of these materials will give you a slightly different feel. For example, metal hooks are very smooth and fast, but can feel cold to the touch. Plastic hooks, other the other hand, are light and warm, but can have more “grip” or friction on the yarn.

Crocheting hooks come in other varieties too, such as bamboo, resin, and hand-carved wood. If you have the opportunity, try out a few different materials to see which type of hook you enjoy working with the most.

Shape: Crochet hooks also come in a few different shapes, or styles. Boye brand hooks, for example, have a tapered hook head and throat, with a longer shaft. Susan Bates brand hooks have an inline-style hook head and throat, with a shorter shaft. Ergonomic style hooks, like the Clover Amour brand hooks, have a hybrid-style shape that’s in between the inline and tapered styles. It’s a good idea to experiment with a few different hooks so that you can find your favorite style.

Size: And of course, hooks come in a range of sizes. The size you need for your next project will depend on the pattern, and the yarn you’re using. Thin hooks are used with thin yarns, thicker hooks are used with thicker yarns. If you’re not sure which hook size to use, check the yarn label for a good starting point.

My favorite type of hook? I learned through experimentation that I prefer metal-tipped hooks with thicker, ergonomic handles. The yarn glides over the metal hook easily, which helps me crochet a little faster. The thicker handles are easier to grip, and help me avoid the wrist pain that I sometimes get with the thinner metal handles.

What is the best type of crochet hook for beginners?

For most beginners, I recommend starting with aluminum or ergonomic hooks, like these Clover crochet hooks. Here is some more information about our top recommended crochet hooks.

What’s the best size crochet hook for beginners?

Go with a mid-sized hook to start, like a size H (5.0 mm) paired with worsted-weight yarn. Or, buy a variety pack that includes the most common sizes.

How many hooks do you need?

To get started, you need one recommended for your yarn and the pattern you have chosen. As your confidence grows and your crocheting skill increases, you need more hooks of differing sizes.

Tip: Crochet hooks are labeled according to size. But different countries and regions use different labeling systems. Consult this helpful crochet hook size and comparison chart to help you convert one measurement system to another.

Yarn

Shopping for yarn can be one of the most enjoyable parts of starting a new crochet project. But when you’re standing in the yarn store, looking at shelves and shelves of yarn, it can feel overwhelming to pick the best yarn for your next crochet project.

When it comes to crochet, there are many different types of yarn to choose from. You can find it in a huge variety of textures, colors, weights, and fiber content.

Texture: If you’re a beginner, it’s smart to choose with yarns that are easy to work with: nothing too fluffy, fine, silky, slippery, or bumpy! You can practice with more textured or delicate fibers as your crochet skills advance.

Color: Yarn is available in a rainbow of colors, including solids, self-striping, and multicolor yarn. Beginners should start with yarns in a lighter color, so it’s easier to see your stitches!

Weight: There are seven yarn weight categories: Lace (0), superfine (1), fine (2), DK/light (3), medium (4 – also known as worsted weight), bulky (5), super bulky (6), and jumbo (7). When you’re first getting started, I recommend using medium-weight or bulky yarn. (Remember to match your hook size to your yarn choice. Read the back of the yarn label for the hook size recommendation, or check this crochet hook size reference chart.)

Fiber content: You can find yarn in a variety of synthetic and natural fibers, like cotton, acrylic, silk, and wool. I recommended learning with wool or acrylic-blend yarns, because they have a bit more bounce and stretch than cotton yarns.

What’s the best type of yarn for crochet?

For your first few projects, I recommend choosing a smooth, medium-weight yarn in a lighter color.

A few of my favorite medium-weight yarns are Lion Brand Wool-Ease and Brava Worsted from WeCrochet. If you want something a bit more luxurious, try Muse Hand-Painted yarn. If you want something very inexpensive, look for Red Heart Super Saver yarn.

Yarn Needle

A yarn needle is a large, blunt-tipped needle that you’ll use to weave in the ends of your yarn and sew pieces of crochet together. A yarn needle may also be called a darning needle or a tapestry needle.

Size: Yarn needles come in different sizes, materials, and shapes. Choose the size of the needle based on the thickness of your yarn. When you’re working with bulky yarn, for example, you’ll need a yarn needle with a larger eye, so that you’ll be able to thread it.

Shape: Yarn needles are available in straight or bent-tip shapes. I prefer straight yarn needles for most of my crochet projects. But, the bent-tip yarn needles are great to hook under the loops of stitches. I think bent-tip needles are especially useful for sewing together amigurumi pieces.

Material: Yarn needles come in metal and plastic. I prefer metal yarn needles for almost all crochet projects.

Your best bet? Grab this value pack of 4 steel yarn needles that includes 2 straight needles and 2 bent-tip needles.

Scissors

A good pair of scissors is a must-have for any crochet toolkit. You’ll use your scissors to cut yarn and trim ends.

When it comes to crochet, any pair of sharp scissors will do the job. If you can, I recommend getting a small pair of scissors that can easily fit into your crochet bag or project bag. These yarn snips or these stork scissors are particularly cute.

Stitch Markers

Stitch markers are small tools that you’ll use to mark your stitches as you crochet. You can use stitch markers to mark the beginning of a round, the end of a row, or to keep track of increases and decreases.

Stitch markers come in a variety of colors, materials, and shapes. For crochet, choose locking stitch markers or split ring stitch markers. Don’t buy closed stitch markers (Those are great for knitting, but won’t work for crochet.)

If you’re on a budget, you can even make your own stitch markers out of paper clips or bobby pins.

Measuring Tape

A tape measure is another essential crochet tool. You’ll use it to measure the length and width of your crochet projects, as well as your crochet gauge swatches.

I recommend using a flexible measuring tape like this retractable version. It’s durable, easy to wrap around 3-dimensional projects, and easy to store in your crochet bag.

More Crochet Supplies and Tools

Once you fall in love with crochet, you might be interested in purchasing a few more crochet tools and accessories that will make your crochet experience even more fun.

Here are a few “nice-to-have” crochet tools to consider.

Crochet Hook Case

A crochet hook case is a great way to organize and store your crochet hooks. It’s also a good way to keep them safe when you’re not using them.

Crochet Project Bag or Tote

A crochet bag or tote is a great way to carry all of your crochet supplies with you. It’s also a great place to store your WIPs, or your “work-in-progress” crochet projects.

Yarn Bowl

A yarn bowl is a ceramic or wooden bowl that you can use to store your crochet yarn. It’s a great way to keep your yarn balls from getting tangled and messy.

Row Counter

A row counter is a small device that you can use to keep track of the number of rows you’ve crocheted. It’s especially helpful when working on long projects, like Afghans and blankets.

Swatch Ruler and Hook Gauge

I love this combination swatch ruler and hook gauge for measuring my crochet gauge swatches. Use the 4-inch square ruler to measure your gauge, and the notches to determine the size of your crochet hook.

Stitch Dictionary or Reference Book

A stitch dictionary or reference book is a great tool to have when you’re working on crochet patterns. It can help you learn more about different crochet stitches and how to crochet them.

Blocking Mats and Pins

Blocking mats and pins are used to block crochet projects. Blocking is the process of shaping and drying a crochet project so that it looks its best. Blocking mats and pins can be helpful for completing professional-looking crochet projects.

Ball Winder and Yarn Swift

A ball winder and yarn swift are two devices that can be used to wind crochet yarn into balls. A yarn swift is helpful for winding yarn into balls without tangling it. (The best thing about winding yarn into balls is that it can make organizing your craft room a whole lot easier.)

Explore more Crochet Tutorials

Now that you know what crochet supplies you need to get started, as well as some “nice-to-have” crochet tools, you’re ready to start your crochet journey!

Here are a few related articles that you might be interested in:

• How to Crochet: A Complete Guide for Beginners
• How to Crochet: 6 Basic Crochet Stitches for Beginners
• How to Crochet a Scarf for Beginners – Free Pattern

Have fun and happy crocheting!

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