Crochet is a very easy and relatively cheap hobby to learn. Here are some essential supplies for anyone learning how to crochet. Packing these items together in a basket would make a great gift for the crocheter in your life, as well! Find all of these supplies at a local craft store such as Michael’s or Hobby Lobby, or find a local yarn store in your area.
Standard Crochet Hooks
The most important tool you will need is a standard crochet hook. Aluminum and plastic hooks come in different sizes, ranging from B, the smallest, to P/Q, the largest. You won’t need to purchase them all at first. Sizes H, G, and I are good places to start, and hooks are generally $1-$2.
Yarn
You will need some yarn to begin learning stitches. Yarns come in different weights, or thicknesses. Baby yarn and sport weight yarn are very fine, and worsted weight is a standard weight for afghans, items of clothing, toys, and other projects. Each yarn will have its weight type printed on the label, as well as a recommendation for hook size. Yarns come in rolls called skeins, and you can start learning to crochet stitches with just one skein. Prices for yarn are typically $2-$5 per skein in craft stores, but you can spend $70 or more on luxury skeins online or in yarn stores.
Tapestry Needles
You will need a package of tapestry needles to sew in the ends of your work. These are large, blunt needles with a large eye for threading yarn. They may come in plastic or metal, and cost about $2 for a pack of two. They are usually found near the knitting needles and crochet hooks in craft stores. If you have a tendency to lose things, you may want to buy a couple extra packs of these to avoid making last minute trips to the store when you are finishing a project.
Stitch Markers
Craft stores sell a variety of stitch markers, including plastic hoops and paperclip-style markers. It is a good idea to get a pack of these, which is also about $1-$2. However, when crocheting with fine yarn or a small item such as an amigurumi doll, I prefer to use a safety pin so that it doesn’t come loose from the project. Safety pins and paper clips can be substituted for stitch markers very easily.
Scissors
You will need a pair of scissors to cut your yarn and trimming tails from your finished projects. Make sure the scissors are sharp so that the ends of the yarn do not fray when you cut them.
Book of Helpful Hints
You can find some answers to specific questions on forum websites such as Crochetville.org, but it is also a good idea to have a reference book handy. The Crochet Answer Book by Edie Eckman is an excellent resource that will help you work through any problems you encounter. You may also wish to buy a book of pattern stitches, such as A to Z of Crochet, edited by Sue Gardner, or The Crochet Stitch Bible, by Betty Barnden. Both of these books are spiral-bound, full color editions with many photographs explaining various crochet techniques.
Crochet Hook Case
This is not a necessary supply but you may find it helpful, especially as your collection of hooks grows. Try to find a case with a zipper so that you can store your smaller items such as stitch markers and small scissors. A case also makes it easier to take your crochet projects on the go.
These are all the supplies you will need to get started learning crochet! As you build your supply of yarn and hooks, remember to keep organized so that you will always have the tools you need readily at hand.
