Are you eager to dive into the world of crochet but wondering which supplies are essential to get started? Whether you’re a complete beginner or someone looking to enhance your crochet skills, this guide to crochet supplies for beginners and beyond is designed to help you gather the tools you need.
In this post, we’ll walk through the must-have supplies to build or upgrade your crochet kit, ensuring your crochet journey is both fun and efficient.
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You’ll find in this post…
To make things easier, we’ll break down these items into three categories:
Essentials: These are the absolute must-haves that you simply can’t crochet without, including the basic tools and materials needed to get started.
Recommended Extras: While not strictly necessary, these items can greatly enhance your crochet experience by making your projects more enjoyable and efficient.
Optional (but helpful) Tools: These tools can make specific steps or tasks easier and more streamlined, although you can still complete your crochet projects without them.
1. Essential Crochet Supplies to Get Started
In a nutshell, crochet is a technique where you manipulate yarn using a crochet hook to create fabric or other items. So, it’s safe to say that crochet can’t exist without yarn and a crochet hook. To these two essentials, I’d also add cutting tools like scissors, tapestry needles, and a measuring tape.
Yarn
Yarn is the foundation of any crochet project. It not only determines the texture and appearance of your finished piece but also affects how easy or difficult the project will be to work on. The right yarn choice can make crocheting more enjoyable and ensure your item turns out as intended, whether it’s a cozy blanket, a delicate shawl, or a sturdy pot holder.
Understanding the different aspects of yarn will help you make confident choices in your crochet journey. It comes in a wide variety of colors, weights, and fibers, making it important to choose the right one for your project. Here’s a quick guide to help you get started:
Colors
Yarn is available in solid colors, variegated (blended), and gradient (ombre) styles, each adding unique effects to your projects. Solid colors are great for simple designs, while variegated and gradient yarns create patterns or color transitions as you crochet.
Weight
Yarn weight refers to the thickness of the yarn and affects the size, look, and texture of your project. Heavier-weight yarns are perfect for fast, chunky items like blankets, while lighter-weight yarns work for more delicate pieces.
Fibers
Yarn is made from natural fibers (like wool or cotton), artificial fibers (like bamboo), or synthetic fibers (like acrylic). Each has its pros and cons, like warmth, ease of care, or affordability. Choose based on the project’s needs, like avoiding synthetic yarn for heat-exposed items like pot holders.
Watch out! Yarn prices vary widely based on fiber type, quality, and brand. It’s important to pick a yarn that fits both your project and budget.
Helpful Yarn Tips for Beginners
1. Pick lighter colors to easily see your stitches.
2. Check dye lots to avoid color inconsistencies.
3. Start with thicker yarn for easier handling.
4. Avoid fuzzy or loosely twisted yarns, as they can be tricky to work with.
5. Opt for affordable yarn to practice more without worrying about cost.
Crochet Hook
The crochet hook is the second essential tool for crocheting. It’s the tool we use to manipulate the yarn and create the stitches that form our pieces. There are many types of crochet hooks on the market, but they all consist of a handle with a hook at one end.
They can be made from aluminum, steel, wood, bamboo, resin, plastic, or acrylic. They also vary in shape, with some having traditional handles and others being ergonomic. Some are longer, some shorter. But despite their differences, they all serve the same function.
If you’re curious to learn more about the various types of crochet hooks, check out my detailed blog post about crochet hooks.
Cutting Tool
Cutting tools like scissors are used for cutting yarn, making them also an essential tool for crochet. As an alternative to scissors, you can use snips as well. While it’s possible to break the yarn with your hands sometimes, it’s not ideal or always feasible.
Tapestry Needle
A tapestry needle is another important tool for crochet. You’ll need it to weave in ends, sew pieces together, and add embellishments to your projects. Needles with a large eye make it easier to thread yarn, but be careful when choosing the size. If the eye is too large, it might stretch smaller stitches. Blunt tips are also important, as they help prevent splitting the yarn while working.
Measuring Tape
While not required for every project, a measuring tape is indispensable for items like garments, blankets, or any other pieces where precise measurements are essential. This simple tool ensures your work aligns with the correct dimensions, helping you avoid surprises when it comes to fit or size.
Desirable Crochet Supplies to Level Up Your Crochet
Once you’ve got the basics down, there are a few more supplies that can take your crochet game to the next level. While these aren’t strictly necessary, they can make your projects smoother and more enjoyable. Let’s take a look at some of the most desirable crochet tools:
Stitch Markers
These little wonders are lifesavers, especially for beginners. Use them to mark the beginning of rounds, identify pattern repeats, or keep track of stitch counts. They come in various styles, from simple plastic rings to locking stitch markers (a personal favorite) that won’t fall off.
Project Bags
A good project bag keeps your work-in-progress, yarn, and tools organized and easy to take anywhere. These bags come in a variety of sizes and styles, from simple drawstring pouches to elaborate totes with compartments for all your supplies. Take a look at my Project Bag Pinterest Board for inspiration, including some unique tote bags I’ve designed myself!
Notions Case
It’s easy to lose track of your smaller tools like scissors, tapestry needles, and stitch markers. A notions case keeps everything in one place so you can focus on crocheting instead of searching for that tiny needle.
Optional (But Helpful) Crochet Supplies
If you’re really looking to optimize your crochet experience, there are a few more tools that, while optional, can make a big difference in your workflow and final product. Here are some useful tools that might become your new favorites:
Yarn Bowl
Keep your yarn from rolling away with a yarn bowl. This helpful tool keeps your skein in place and prevents tangles. Yarn bowls allow you to pull the yarn smoothly without chasing after it. While wooden yarn bowls are popular for their natural look and sturdy design, you can also find them in ceramic, metal, or even handcrafted resin, each offering its own unique style.
Blocking Tools
Blocking can elevate your finished project from good to great, giving it a polished, professional look. This process involves shaping and setting your crochet pieces to the correct size and form by applying a combination of moisture, heat, and tension. Blocking helps open up stitch patterns, even out edges, and improve drape, especially for items like shawls or garments.
There are different blocking techniques for you to explore, and each technique calls for different tools.
Wet Blocking
Wet blocking involves soaking your finished piece in water, gently squeezing out the excess moisture, and pinning it into shape on a blocking mat or board. This technique is great for natural fibers like wool, as it allows the yarn to fully relax and take on its final shape. For wet blocking, you’ll need a clean container or sink for soaking, a towel for removing excess water, blocking mats (foam mats work well) and rustproof pins to hold the piece in place.
Spray Blocking
Spray blocking is a gentler method, ideal for delicate fibers or pieces that don’t need a lot of reshaping. To spray block, you lightly mist your project with water until it’s damp, then pin it to a mat or board to dry. Supplies for spray blocking include a spray bottle filled with water, blocking mats and rustproof pins.
Steam Blocking
Steam blocking uses heat and moisture to set your stitches and shape your piece. This method works well for sturdy fibers like acrylic but should be avoided on delicate or heat-sensitive materials. To steam block, you hover a steamer or an iron (on the steam setting) above your project without touching it, then pin it in place to cool and set. For this technique, you’ll need a handheld steamer or an iron with a steam setting, blocking mats or a sturdy surface and pins (depending on the piece).
For blocking granny squares and other small motifs, you can also use specialized boards with adjustable pegs. These boards allow you to precisely measure and shape each square, ensuring uniformity across your project.
Note: This overview introduces the basics of blocking, but there’s much more to explore! If you’re interested in diving deeper, plenty of detailed guides and tutorials are available online to help you perfect each technique.
Stitch Dictionaries and Pattern Books
A stitch dictionary is an invaluable resource for any crocheter, offering a wealth of new stitches to learn and experiment with. Whether you’re looking to add texture to your work or try something entirely new, these books can help expand your crochet repertoire. Pattern books, on the other hand, are perfect for sparking inspiration and providing step-by-step guidance for projects ranging from simple to intricate. Having a mix of both can keep your crochet journey exciting and full of possibilities.
Crochet Journal or Planner
A crochet journal or planner can be your personal creative companion. Use it to track your projects, jot down patterns, or note modifications you’ve made along the way. It’s also the perfect space for planning future creations, organizing your ideas, and documenting your progress over time. Looking back on your notes can be a source of pride and inspiration, as well as a helpful reference for troubleshooting or revisiting past projects.
Gauge Swatch Ruler
Achieving the correct gauge is critical for ensuring that your finished piece matches the pattern’s intended size and fit, especially for garments or projects with specific dimensions. A gauge swatch ruler simplifies this process by helping you measure the number of stitches and rows per inch in your swatch. By comparing your measurements to the pattern’s requirements, you can adjust your hook size or tension to ensure your project turns out just right.
Yarn Winder and Swift
A yarn winder and swift are essential tools for turning skeins or hanks of yarn into neat, center-pull balls, making your crochet projects smoother and more enjoyable. A swift holds the yarn securely in place, allowing it to unwind evenly while the yarn winder quickly transforms it into a tidy ball. This setup saves time, prevents tangles, and makes your yarn easier to work with.
Pom-Pom Maker
A pom-pom maker is a handy tool for anyone who loves adding a playful or decorative touch to their projects. Whether you’re embellishing hats, scarves, blankets, or other creations, this tool simplifies the process, making it quick and mess-free. It helps you achieve consistently sized and perfectly fluffy pom-poms every time, saving you the frustration of uneven results. Available in various sizes, a pom-pom maker opens up endless possibilities for creative embellishments.
Is That all?
Not at all! The world of crochet is full of supplies and tools you’ll discover as you go. There’s always something new to explore. But don’t feel pressured to buy everything all at once. Let your crochet journey unfold naturally—start with the essentials, and as your skills grow, so will your understanding of what tools truly enhance your experience.
Experiment, enjoy the process, and choose your supplies with intention. Each new tool or accessory you add to your collection will feel even more rewarding when it serves a meaningful purpose in your craft.
Everything You Need to Know About Crochet Hooks
Discover everything you need to know about crochet hooks, from types and sizes to tips for choosing the perfect hook for your projects.
Common Questions About Crochet Supplies (FAQ)
At a minimum, you’ll need yarn, a crochet hook, scissors, and a tapestry needle. These are the essential tools that will help you get started with any crochet project.
For beginners, it’s best to start with medium-weight yarn (like worsted weight) and a corresponding hook size (typically around 5mm or H-8). Avoid fuzzy or very fine yarns.
A yarn winder helps you create neat, center-pull balls of yarn, while a swift holds your yarn skein in place, making it easier to wind without tangles. Both tools work together to save time and effort, making your crochet process smoother.
Blocking isn’t strictly necessary, but it’s highly recommended for giving your project a polished look. It helps shape your crochet pieces, even out the edges, and improve their drape. It’s especially helpful for garments and shawls.
Yes, you can crochet without a journal, but it’s a great way to keep track of your projects, modifications, and ideas. It helps you stay organized and also serves as a personal record of your crochet journey.
