New to crocheting? Then here are the 5 things you need to start crocheting! It can be confusing to figure out what you actually need to have when you’re starting out and what’s something you can get later.

Everyone’s different and will have different indispensable tools for their projects, but this article will cover the basics. So that you can just get what you need, until the addiction sets in. Just kidding, kinda… Anyway let’s get into the article.

1. Crochet Hook(s)

I’m not going to lie, like most crocheters I have a bunch of hooks from different companies. However, you only need 1 or 2 to start with.

If you want to do garments, headbands, blankets, etc I suggest an I/5.5mm hook or a J/6.mm hook.

If you’re leaning towards amigurumi or smaller work, get a F/3.75mm hook or a G/4mm hook.

Tip: using a larger hook like a J can be more beneficial to beginners since you’ll be able to see your stitches more clearly.

There are 2 types of hooks: inline and tapered (see photo)

You can start with either one, I used my grandmothers hooks to start with and she had both. I do suggest the tapered one to start with because the inline has a pointy tip that can separate the plys of yarn, which is annoying and can be frustrating for a beginner.

There are lots of hooks out there, typically they’re made of metal, wood, or plastic. I would recommend starting with metal, usually the cheaper ones are made of cast aluminum.

Ergonomic?

It’s not really necessary to start with ergonomic hooks, some of them are quite expensive…However, this is a review I did on my favorite ergonomic plastic hooks. They are around $4 a hook at Hobby Lobby. If you’re sure you want to get into crocheting, then you might want to check out my review on the Clover Amour Ergonomic Hooks which are a bit more expensive, but very nice to work with. If you’re in to luxury items, then check out I Bought Missized Furls Crochet Hooks…On Purpose?.

Bear in mind that in the beginning your hands will hurt because you’re using muscles you’ve not used before. It will feel like a sore muscle. It will pass and it’s completely normal.

2. Yarn

Now for the precious..I mean yarn. It’s a good idea to start with cheaper acrylic yarn, because in the beginning you might make some interesting mistakes.

*flashback to my grandmother coming back into the room to see me covered in knotted up yarn* She had only given me a baseball sized yarn ball…but I managed to make a mess with it.

I love using cheaper yarns because they are usually acrylic and have easy care instructions. These are some of the brands, I use and have reviewed*Red Heart Super Savers, Big Twist Value Yarn Review, and I Love This Yarn. They are all very affordable yarns to start off with. Check out the reviews for the pros and cons to see which one is right for you.

*The reviews were not sponsored and I paid for the yarn myself. Regardless, my opinions on these yarns are my own.

3. Snips

Embroidery scissors or snips are the most popular for crocheters to use since they’re very sharp and made to cut through fabric.

Snips, kitchen scissors, whatever you want to use is fine. Just make sure they’re sharp and cut through the yarn on the first snip, it’s easier to work with that way.

If you’re curious about that pendent, it is a yarn cutter that you can wear on a keychain or necklace. It’s from Clover and I love this thing. It has a blade inside those indentations that cuts through yarn like butter.

4. Yarn or Tapestry Needle

Weaving in ends is bittersweet, it means you’re almost done with you’re project, but it’s also tedious. Right Gollum?

Yup, that about sums it up… Yarn needles just make it easy to secure your ends in your work so the unsightly little threads don’t wiggle out.

5. Crochet Lingo

Once you have your basics, you can start swatching to get a good grasp on your gauge and stitches…and to do that you need to know what the different terms mean. I made a glossary of crochet terms to help you out. I also suggest you become familiar with the Learn How To Crochet A Starting Knot and the single crochet since it is such a versatile stitch. You can go to my Tutorials page to see if there are any stitches that strike your fancy.

If you’re looking into crocheting for crochet therapy or health benefits then you might find these articles helpful:

• The 13 Health Benefits of Crocheting
• Crochet For Anxiety
• The Bedtime Blanket Crochet Therapy for Insomniacs

If you need more than pictures, one of the YouTubers I follow is called Fiber Spider, he’s a wonderful teacher and he really takes the time to show you each step.

6. (Optional) Stitch Markers

Stitch markers are really good to have for your projects, especially for anyone who does amigurumi or does a lot of in the round work. I have a cat and a dog that both love to go after my yarn, so having a stitch marker in my working loop when I’m not using it prevents loss of work. You can also use them to “pin” piece of your project together to see how it will look or to make it easier to sew. Why did I label it optional? Because it’s something that isn’t an absolute must, but can be nice to have.

Did I miss your favorite crochet supply? Tell me what your must have crochet supply is in the comments!

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