5 Must-Have Crochet Materials for Beginners
Ready to try your hand at crochet?
We know youβre excited to run to the craft store ASAP. But before you start filling your home with all the yarn you can possibly fit, letβs take a moment to talk about the beginner crochet materials worth having.
In this blog, we go over the basic supplies you need, plus some other materials you might find useful.
Letβs get started:
Basic Crochet Supplies for Beginners
If youβre absolutely new to crochet, youβll want to have these supplies on hand:
Yarn
Yarn is first on our list of crocheting materials for beginners for a reasonβyou canβt crochet anything without it.
Choosing yarn is also the funnest part of starting a new project. Personally, we can spend hours just picking out ado-wooble color combinations.
But when youβre working on your first crochet creation and see shelves lined with every type of yarn imaginable, your excitement may transform into terror.
So how do you avoid being driven knots by all the variety? Consider the following:
- The project youβre making
- Fiber content (translation: what the yarn is made of)
- Weight (how thick the yarn is)
- Length
- Texture
- Care instructions
- Availability, just in case you run out and need to buy more
If you want beginner-friendly yarn, you canβt go wrong with our special Easy Peasy yarn. It doesnβt fray or split, so itβs forgiving when you make mistakes. Plus, itβs available in 13 different colors like Happy Ever Lavender, Leaf It to Us, and Whatβs Up Buttercup. You can grab it as part of our Easy Peasy Beginner Bundle or buy it solo.
Crochet hooks
Another thing every crochet supplies for beginners list needs is a trusty crochet hook. Like yarn, youβll find all kinds of hooks online or at your local craft store. There are plastic hooks, bamboo hooks, steel hooks, aluminum hooksβyou name it.
Each material feels different in your hand. Aluminum hooks glide like a dream through most yarns and feel lightweight. Bamboo and other wood hooks have a warm feel and are great for natural fibers, while steel is perfect for more intricate work.
Besides material, other characteristics you want to look at include:
Hook size
Thicker yarn needs a larger hook, while a thinner hook is recommended for finer yarn. Hook sizes are classified according to letter (for example, B or H) or number (e.g., 3.5 mm or 6.0mm).
Grip
You might prefer a longer or shorter handle, a thicker grip over a thinner one, or a specific material. And if youβre looking for something ergonomic, you might want a hook with a rubber grip. Itβs all a matter of preference, so try holding hooks at a physical store to find out which one feels the comfiest in your hand.
Head
Crochet hooks can have tapered or inline heads. A tapered hook is more rounded and puts less strain on your hand and wrist. This can make you crochet faster. On the other hand, an inline head has a sharper tip, which helps you create uniform stitches.
Pro Tip: If youβre still not sure which hook size to get, check out the yarn label or the crochet pattern youβre following for guidance. These usually suggest a hook size.
Scissors
You can go with the all-purpose scissors already in your drawer, or if you want to be a little extra, you can get a pair designed specifically for embroidery. Itβs up to you. What matters is that your scissors are comfortable and can make accurate cuts. Youβll be using them a lot, after all, to cut yarn for your projects.
Stitch markers
Next on the list are stitch markers.
As you can guess by the name, stitch markers mark sections of your pattern. These babies make it easier for you to remember where you left off and how far along you are. Theyβre available as split rings, clip-ons, and even charms.
To use a stitch marker, all you need to do is slide it under a specific stitch, or βhorizontal Vβ as we like to call them over at The Woobles, move it as you make progress, and then slide it out once youβre done using it. Easy peasy.
Read more: How to Use a Stitch Marker in Crochet
Tapestry needle
Youβll need a tapestry needle to connect separate pieces, secure loose yarn ends, or touch up some stitches. The needle has a blunt tip so it doesnβt hurt your yarn (or you!). It plays a big role in helping your crochet project look more polished.
Bonus: Optional Supplies
Once you start feeling more experienced with crochet, you may want to look into adding these supplies to your collection:
Row counter
Want to keep track of how many rows youβve done? Use a row counter. It saves you the hassle of counting from scratch and helps your creation stay uniform throughout.
You donβt even have to spend a dime on one since there are digital row counter apps you can download on your phone or tablet. But if you like to keep things old school, go ahead and buy one!
Blocking mats
You may not need blocking mats if your focus is on amigurumi. But if youβre crocheting a blanket or onesie for your friendβs baby and want your work to look flat and professional, youβll be glad to have them on hand.
Think of blocking mats as foam puzzle pieces you can arrange and reshuffle based on your projectβs shape. After assembling the mats, you can lay your work on them and start manipulating it. You can secure the project using pins once youβre satisfied with how things look.
Needle threaders
This actually depends on the yarn you use.
Our Easy Peasy yarn doesnβt fray, so itβs super easy to work with and you wonβt need a needle threader at all. But if youβre working with thick yarns or yarns prone to fraying, youβll want one in your life. You can save so much time using it to get the yarn through the needle instead of using your bare fingers.
Conclusion
With these beginner crochet materials in tow, youβll have everything you need to get started on your crochet journey.
But if you want to make things easier, why not go for a crochet kit? Itβs the perfect way to learn. Every Woobles kit comes with a needle, stuffing, stitch markers, safety eyes, a hook, and the right amount of yarn. Best of all, we include detailed instructions so youβll be guided every step of the way. Grab yours now.
FAQ
What are the 5 basic crochet materials?
The 5 most essential crochet materials for beginners are:
- Yarn: What youβll be crocheting with
- Crochet hooks: What youβll use to loop the yarn
- Scissors: To cut the yarn
- Tapestry needle: Helps you weave loose ends
- Stitch markers: To help you keep track of your progress
What type of yarn is best for beginner crocheters?
The best crochet yarn for beginners is our Easy Peasy yarn. Itβs versatile, comes in all sorts of fun colors, and gives you the perfect amount of thickness, but the main reason we recommend it is because itβs specially made for crochet newbies.
What is the best beginner crochet hook?
The best hook for a newbie Woobler like you is one thatβs simple to use and feels comfortable in your hand.
Crochet hooks with soft handles are popular since theyβre easier to grip and reduce hand pain. As for the hook size, a good rule of thumb is to pick one that complements your yarnβs weight. An H-8 5mm hook, for example, usually works well with worsted weight yarn while jumbo yarn will need a S-35 19mm hook.
If youβre working on an amigurumi project though, youβll want to go down a size to make your stitches tighter. Start off by trying a hook thatβs about 0.5mm-1.mm smaller than whatβs written on a yarn label.
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