Learning to crochet can sound like a daunting task. You walk into the craft store to purchase beginner supplies and have no idea where to start. What type of hook do you need? Which yarn should you buy? What about all these books and other items on the crochet aisle? I had these thoughts when I started to. Here is a crochet supplies starting guide.
Hooks
The starting point for crochet is the hook. Hooks come in a variety of sizes and are made from different materials. Sizes are varied due to the different yarns. Each yarn has a different “weight” and those weights call for a recommended hook size (we will talk more about this under yarn). When determining the hook size there will be a letter and number. For example, you may see K-6.50MM. Without getting too complicated, basically if someone says you need a size K hook, you are using a 6.50MM hook. American patterns typically use letters, but it’s helpful to be familiar with both (I prefer the MM measurement but other crocheters stick to the letters).
The material of the hook is a personal preference. Some will be cheaper while others will be more expensive. They can be bought one at a time or in a pack. Some materials you may see are aluminum, plastic, and bamboo. There are also hooks that are designed with ergonomic handles. Aluminum and plastic hooks are typically within a similar price range and are on the lowest end of the budget. These are great for beginners and are easy to purchase. Between aluminum and plastic, I prefer plastic. Aluminum hooks tend to get warm in your hands and get uncomfortable after a while. Plastic hooks have a little more give and stay cooler a little longer. However, my all time favorite hooks are Boye Ergonomic crochet hooks. These are aluminum hooks with a soft plastic handle that is designed to be safer for your hands and wrist. For an individual who crochets more often, these are wonderful. These hooks are more expensive but once you are sure you are going to crochet, I highly recommend them!
Beginner Hook Recommendation– I would purchase a plastic hook that corresponds with the yarn that you are purchasing. Once you begin to understand the basics and feel ready to move on, I would then go to an ergonomically designed handle. They are better for your hands and wrist.
Yarn
Yarn shopping is one of the most exciting and daunting task for a first time crocheter. When you walk into the craft store, you can easily be overwhelmed by the colors, textures, and prices. You start to question what brand you should buy or why some of the yarn is skinny and other ones are big. The best thing to do is to start with what you like the best and then look at the label. Learning to read a yarn label will make picking yarn a breeze for any project.
Look at the label above. There is an abundance of information included that will help decide if the yarn is right for you. The first square has a number and some words that talk about the weight of the yarn. The numbers range from 0-6 with 0 being a lace weight and 6 being super bulky. The most common yarns a beginner will work with are number 4 which is a medium weight yarn. It is big enough that you can easily see the stitches and forgiving when mistakes are made.
The second and third squares show information about gauge and hook sizes for crocheting and knitting. Gauge isn’t something I will cover in this post, but it refers to the size that a square should be using the recommended hook size. The most important thing to look for is the recommended hook size. You will see the MM size and the letter sizing in the crochet square. Picking you yarn then allows you to pick the appropriate crochet hook for your first project!
The rest of the label continues to give you other information about your yarn. You will find things like what it is made of (this yarn is acrylic) and washing instructions for your projects. You may also find patterns inside the labels, so I recommend being carful when you open your yarn.
Beginner Yarn Recommendation– For a learning project, I would suggest a cheap worsted weight yarn (size 4). A lighter color will make it easier to see your stitches and there will be many different things you can end up making in the long run with a worsted weight. A good brand to look for is Red Heart Supersaver. It is an easily accessible yarn (Walmart carries it as well as craft stores) and comes in a huge variety of colors.
Other Things to Consider
When first starting to crochet, there are a couple of things I recommend buying or having on hand.
Scissors- You never know when you might need them (I have made a knotted mess out of a project more than once). You don’t need anything fancy and probably have an extra pair around the house that you can just keep handy.
Tape Measure- A sewing tape measure is helpful when checking the length of your project or the crown size of a hat. I use mine constantly while working on a project to see my progress.
Yarn Needle- Yarn needles can be found with the crochet hooks and are made of plastic or aluminum. A plastic needle will do all that you need for a starter project. They usually come in packs of two and are inexpensive.
Finding what you need to get started crocheting shouldn’t make you want to cry. Don’t go crazy and buy the whole store. Just pick up some yarn and a hook and you will be ready to get started!
Comment below to let me know what type of yarn you used for your first project!
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