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Generally speaking you only need 2 crochet tools when you start learning to crochet: a crochet hook and some yarn. But, what size hook do you need? What type of yarn do you need? When first learning to crochet it is very easy to get distracted by all the pretty yarn. Before we do that, though, let’s learn about the different types and weights of yarn as well as the crochet tools you will need.
Crochet tool 1: Yarn
There are a lot of different types or materials of yarn. You have wool, acrylic, cotton, alpaca, and polyester just to name a few. The most widely used types are wool, acrylic, and cotton. Most of the yarn you see in stores such as Walmart are going to be acrylic and cotton. You can make almost anything from acrylic, but I recommend cotton for anything you crochet for kitchen use. Acrylic can melt if it gets hot, whereas cotton wont.
Yarn Weights
Yarn is classified into “weights”. The weight categories go from “super fine” to “Jumbo”. The most popular yarn weight is medium #4, also called worsted weight.
When we say the weight of the yarn typically you’re talking about the thickness of the strand. Yarn can range from very fine, like the size of sewing thread, to very thick or chunky that can be as big around as your thumb!
Another thing to understand is that each weight of yarn has a designated purpose. Now that’s not to say you can’t deviate some, but generally speaking you would follow the guide. You can use the chart below from Lion Brand Yarn website to see the differences between the strands as well as what size is best for what type of item.
For example you would not crochet a baby booty with chunky yarn.
Yarn Weight Classes – Lion Brand Yarn
Each yarn weight also has a recommended hook size. You can deviate from the guides a little with this as well, but like the same example from above you would not use a three crochet hook with chunky yarn.
All of that being said, most yarn comes packaged with a wrap around it and this wrap typically tells you the weight of the yarn, the hook size recommended, as well as the instructions for caring for or washing this particular yarn. Also a lot of the Yarns that come in this wrapped packaging include a free pattern of some sort on the inside of the wrap.
Crochet tool 2: Hooks
The other main crochet tool you will need is a crochet hook. Don’t miss the end of this post where I talk about crocheting without the main crochet tool!
Sizes
Crochet hook sizes range from very tiny to nearly as big as your arm. Typically the smaller hooks are for the smaller thread and the larger hooks are for the chunky yarn. Below is a photo of the size range of hooks that I personally have.
Brands
There are probably hundreds of brands of crochet hooks. Some of the more popular brand names are “Boye,” “Susan Bates,” “Prym,” “Clover,” and “Tulip.” I have personally used Boye, Susan Bates, and some other lesser brands. For me, personally, I have no problem using the non-name brand hooks. I cannot justify the price of the high dollar crochet hooks until there is a reason I cannot use cheaper ones. So far I have had no issues with any hooks.
Metal and Ergonomic
There are 2 main styles of hooks, metal hooks and ergonomic hooks. I spent most of my years crocheting with Bates or Boyle metal hooks and really didn’t have any issues. I did recently purchase a set of ergonomic hooks, still not a name brand, and I do like them. (You can see one in the photo of the crochet hooks above. The 2nd from the right, the J/6 blue hook.)
Crochet Without a Hook?
Did you know that you don’t actually have to have a crochet hook to crochet? With the chunkier yarns you can actually do what is called “finger crochet“.
Bonus crochet tools: Stitch markers
Stitch markers are not a must have crochet tool, but they do make it easier to learn as well as easier to keep track of your stitches. Not keeping track of your stitches properly is probably one of the biggest mistakes beginners make when learning to crochet.
Imagine you are starting a blanket and you have to chain 150. On about number 94 you get distracted. Without stitch markers the only way to find where you are is to start at the beginning and count how many you have. If you had placed stitch markers every 10 or 20 chains though you would have less to count.
You could simply guess how many chains you have, but then when you have finished your project it will become glaringly obvious to you that it is too narrow. We are our own worst critics when it comes to what we crochet. You will always have mistakes that you find later, that you just can’t un-see, so don’t let counting the stitches cause you an issue!
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Uses
Stitch markers sole purpose is to help you count stitches. To use them you simply slide them in the stitch you want to keep track of and keep crocheting. They are designed to go in and out of your stitches without a lot of fuss. While they are super helpful, that doesn’t mean you have to go out and buy some. You can use all sorts of items as stitch markers such as bobby pins and paper clips. I have even heard of people using scrap pieces of yarn as stitch markers.
Conclusion
In closing you can see how simple and inexpensive it can be to get started crocheting today. It is a great hobby to have and there is really no limit to what you can create. You will have a great sense of accomplishment every time you complete a new project and your friends will be lining up for you to crochet for them!!
Standard Sizing Chart
