What you need to learn crochet
Crochet Basics: Discover what items you need to start to crocheting today.
If you’re interested in learning how to crochet for the very first time, you are in the right place. This blog post will go through the basics of what you need to start crocheting if you’re brand new, and don’t worry, you don’t need a lot!
As you may or may not know, I started crocheting before the pandemic. Sometime in mid-2018 I bought my first crochet hook set and some yarn when I discovered the idea of crochet from a random google search for ‘indoor hobbies’. You see, I’m originally from Australia and I am used to warm weather, but I’ve been living in Scotland for over eight years now and it is much colder here than what I’m used to. My search for indoor hobbies was partially to do with the climate and change of lifestyle, but also because I needed a hobby to help me focus my mind and truth be told, manage my anxiety.
There are two reasons why I wanted to tell you this. Firstly, crocheting is a fantastic hobby that not only ignites your creativity, but also has fantastic benefits for your mental health. Secondly, those first tools I bought back in mid-2018 were not quite the right tools I needed to get started with crochet. I spent more money than I should have, and honestly, I really struggled to properly use the tools I had purchased to learn how to crochet.
This is what has led me to writing this blog post. For anyone interested in learning to crochet, I want to share with you the tools you really do need to give crochet a try for the first time. This is what I wish I had known four years ago when I was first interested in learning to crochet. And don’t worry, you don’t have to spend a lot of money to get what you need to start.
Before we get started: Don’t Over-buy
Firstly, I would recommend not to over-buy.
What do I mean by that?
Well, if you’re anything like me, you might be tempted to stock up on yarn, crochet tools, and crochet books before you even learn your first stitch.
The reality is that the more you crochet, the more you will learn about what you do like and what you don’t like when it comes to yarn, crochet tools, crochet pattern terms and types of projects.
For example, there is a big difference between a bulky weight acrylic yarn to a 4 ply cotton yarn. I also came to learn later on, that crochet hook brands can also make a big difference to how smooth your crocheting experience is.
When it comes to crochet patterns, even if you’re a native English speaker, there is a difference between the way patterns are written and you may come to find you prefer one way more than another (US terms versus UK terms is what I’m referring to here, but don’t worry about this just yet).
Lastly, there are also a plethora of different types of projects you can crochet including amigurumi (stuffed dolls, teddies and animals); clothing; blankets; wearable accessories like scarfs, hats and bags; and homewares like coasters, placemats, face scrubbies and tea towels, just to name a few.
All of these variations really come down to personal preference and the only way to really truly find out what you like is to actually start crocheting. Once you have learned the crochet basics and have a few completed projects under your belt, what you like will start to become a whole lot clearer.
This is why I recommend not to over-buy when you first start crocheting. After giving crochet a shot, you may discover that this craft isn’t for you (I doubt it, but you never know!). Also, you really only do need a couple of key items to start learning how to crochet.
So let’s get down to business - the items I outline in this post will give you the tools you need to test out whether you like crocheting. Of course, the magic starts to happen and the obsession really kicks in once you complete a project, however I recommend buying the basics, learning a few stitches, and then choosing your first project. This way, you won’t end up with a whole bunch of stuff you won’t use or need.
The crochet tools you need to get started
All you really need to start learning how to crochet is yarn that is thick enough and clear enough to see your stitches with, a crochet hook that is the appropriate size for the weight of your yarn, a stitch marker (this helps you count your stitches), and some yarn scissors (they do make a difference). I’ve done my research on all of these items and have written some tips and tricks below on what to look out for if you’re shopping for these items yourself. However, if you really don’t fancy the idea of walking down aisles in a craft store or searching through a plethora of online stores, I’ve also included some affiliate links to a range of products I would recommend for any beginner crocheter. Don’t worry, these links don’t make the products more expensive for you, affiliate links just mean that I get a wee commission if you do choose to buy these particular items.
Yarn for Beginner Crocheters
I mentioned yarn size above, but what I really meant by this is ‘yarn weight’. Yarn comes in a range of different colours, sizes (weights) and materials - all of which will make a difference to your crocheting experience. When you’re starting off, what you want to do is find a yarn that will be easy to see and work with.
For this reason, I recommend selecting a yarn colour that is light or bright. Colours such as black or navy are a lot harder to work with even for the most experienced crocheters. Darker colours essentially make it more difficult to see your stitches (and your mistakes) - not ideal for beginners. If you stick to the rule, ‘light’ or ‘bright’, when selecting your yarn colour, it will be a lot easier for you to see your stitches and learn the crochet ropes. The one colour that is an exception to this rule however is white. I would also not recommend working with white for the same reason as the darker colours - it will also be harder to see your stitches.
Yarn size will also make a big difference to how easily you can see your stitches. Remember that when I mention ‘yarn weight’, I’m referring to the thickness of the yarn or the size of each yarn strand. I recommend starting with a Worsted Weight (Medium Size 4) yarn. In the UK, this is often referred to as ‘Aran’, and in Australia it may be called ‘10 ply’. Don’t get confused by the different names, they all do mean roughly the same thing. If you are shopping in-person, just speak to the person behind the counter and if you say ‘worsted weight yarn’, most people will understand what you mean and will point you in the right direction. If you’re still unsure, just read the label on the back of the yarn and check what it says. All yarn will state the size somewhere on the label.
The last thing to consider is the material that the yarn is made of up of. There are honestly so many yarn types out there that it can be a little daunting when deciding which material to go with when you’re new to crochet. My personal favourite is 100% cotton because it holds its shape, I like the feel of it, and it’s also a natural fibre making it a much more sustainable option. However, the two other textures I would also recommend for beginner crocheters are acrylic yarn or a mixed cotton blend. Really this decision about yarn material choice will come down to your personal preference and budget.
Acrylic yarn is a man-made fibre (e.g. it isn’t great for the environment), however it is an extremely popular choice for crocheters as it is often cheaper and feels lighter. While I’m not a huge fan of acrylic yarn personally (to me it feels a little scratchy compared to cotton yarn), it certainly does have its place in the crocheting world and works better for certain types of crochet projects. Also, due to its affordable price, it is a perfectly good starting option for beginner crocheters.
Lastly, a cotton blend is essentially a yarn that is made up of a variation of different fibres but includes cotton in the mix. For example, it might be a yarn made up of 50% cotton and 50% acrylic. It could also be a yarn made up of 60% Cotton and 40% Bamboo, or 60% cotton and 40% wool. Cotton mixed blend yarn can also be made up of several different fibres (more than two) such as 49% cotton, 46% acrylic and 5% polyester as an example. Don’t worry too much about the mix just now, but I just wanted to point this out as a third option suitable for beginner crocheters.
Now to the fun part, here are some yarn options I would recommend and love. I’d recommend only buying one ball of yarn as a starting point (a minimum of 50 grams).
Crochet Hooks for Beginners
Now when it comes to crochet hooks, you don’t need all the sizes under the sun to start crocheting. You just need one hook that will work with the yarn weight you have chosen. There are also different kinds of crochet hooks you can buy that range a lot in price, however I recommend starting with a cheap crochet hook that is the right size.
Firstly, we need to determine the size of hook you need. Most yarn will include a recommended crochet hook size on the label, however some yarns only state knitting needle sizes. Please be aware that knitting needle sizes and crochet hook sizes are not the same measurements. If your yarn label does include a recommended crochet hook size (example shown in the image below), choose the larger hook size out of the two. If it doesn’t include a crochet hook size but you have purchased a worsted weight yarn as suggested, I would recommend purchasing a 4mm crochet hook (otherwise known as a ‘G’ crochet hook in the USA).
The next thing to consider for your crochet hook is the type. Yes, there are lots of different types of crochet hooks and some are used for different types of crocheting, however I will only focus on the two that really matter for you right now.
The first type of crochet hook is an aluminium hook (the entire hook is metal) and they often come in a range of different colours. They are also the cheapest crochet hooks you can buy.
The second option is what we call an ergonomic crochet hook, which is also made of metal but has a larger soft handle over the top of the metal to make crocheting a little more comfortable.
While the straight aluminium hooks are often the cheapest, I personally would prioritise comfort as it will make your crocheting experience more enjoyable. However, if your budget is tight an aluminium crochet hook will honestly work just as well. Choose the type that best suits your needs and budget.
Here are a few 4mm (G) crochet hooks available. Alternatively, if you are looking to buy an ‘all-in-one’ solution, keep reading…
Stitch markers
Stitch markers are a must for all crocheters. They will help you keep track of your current place in a project, and will help you keep count of your stitches which is a must when you are learning to crochet (or for any crocheter following a pattern). You can get fancy metal stitch markers, plain metal stitch markers or plastic ones. And as a bonus tip, if you don’t want to buy stitch markers you can use things from around the house instead such as paper clips, bobby pins (hair pins), or safety pins. Seriously, if you have these I wouldn’t bother buying stitch markers at this point!
I would recommend getting a handful of stitch markers (or the household substitutes mentioned above) to start out with. I started with cheap plastic ones, then when I became obsessed with crochet I started to treat myself to the occasional fancy metal ones.
If you are keen to buy yourself some stitch markers, here are a few I’ve found that are all reasonably priced and will do the trick. Some are metal and some are plastic. Remember, if you’re looking for an all-in-one solution, keep reading - there are some extra options at the end.
Yarn scissors
While normal scissors might work for you, I found that when I first started crocheting the scissors I had in my house were not cutting yarn the way they should. Literally, I would have to cut yarn multiple times with these scissors to get the thread to break in two. I tried my kitchen scissors (maybe not the most hygienic solution, but I tried them anyway) and normal paper scissors, both had the same result. They didn’t work.
That’s when I decided to buy proper ‘yarn scissors’, and they made my life so much easier! Now, if you have sharp scissors already at home, feel free to try and use these before you buy ‘yarn scissors’. However, if you would like to buy some yarn scissors or yarn snippers, here are a few options that will work wonders.
All-in-one Crochet Starter Set
Last but not least, if you think you are going to be into crochet for the long run, I would recommend buying a starter set which includes a range of crochet hook sizes, stitch markers, pins, and yarn scissors. The only thing these sets won’t include is your yarn but they have everything else you need.
Here are a few options below, and truth be told, this is the kind of thing I started out with before I got hooked on crochet. They are great sets for starting out with crochet and are not overly expensive.
Remember how I said I started out with the wrong crochet tools when I first started crocheting? One of these all-in-one sets was not one of the wrong tools. I still have and use one of these sets to this day, along with a bunch of other crochet tools I’ve picked up along the way throughout my crochet journey. For me, the item that I bought that really did not work was the yarn. I had bought a ‘starter crochet yarn kit’ from Amazon, which in theory you could crochet with, but the yarn was so thin and tiny that it was basically impossible for me (a beginner crocheter at the time) to properly learn how to crochet. I’ve added a photo below as I still have this pack which I now use as embroidery thread, haha!
That brings us to the end of this blog post. I do hope this helps you get started with crochet, and I look forward to connecting with you and cannot wait to see your future crochet makes!
Once all of your crochet goodies arrive, please do check back on the blog as I plan to publish more beginner tutorials to help you learn your first crochet stitches. I’m super excited and I hope these posts help you fall in love with this wonderful craft.
Until next time, happy crochet shopping,
Cilla x
