The 5 Must-Have Crochet Tools for Beginners
Once you become interested in crocheting and want to start following patterns, the first problem encountered will be the preparation...
Once you become interested in crocheting and want to start following patterns, the first problem encountered will be the preparation and selection of crochet tools.
In this article, we will give you a detailed overview of the basic tools for crocheting. It includes crochet hooks, yarn, yarn needle, stitch marker, scissors, which are a must have. In addition, small items that may help you with crocheting after having a little experience of crocheting, include tape measure, yarn holder ring, yarn bowl, row counter.
Basic tools for crocheting
Browsing through online stores, it is not difficult to realize that both the so-called deluxe crochet kits as well as the simple ones will have these five tools. Then let's go through them one by one.
Crochet is inseparable from the crochet hook and yarn. They are the main force of crochet, it is the most basic tool. So first let's introduce crochet hooks in terms of material, size and how to choose.
- Material：There are many crochet hooks on the market, including aluminum, steel, wood and plastic, etc. The feeling of using different materials will be different, and these feelings will be more intuitive when you have more experience. For example, metal hooks are very smooth and fast but not as wrist-friendly as plastic hooks over time, and plastic hooks are lightweight but have more friction with the yarn. Generally speaking, aluminum crochet hooks are inexpensive and available in a variety of sizes and colors, making them the preferred choice for most beginners.
- Size：Although crochet hook size labels vary by country and region, most crochet hook manufacturers mark their hooks with a number or letter and a metric size, so you can always rely on the package millimeter (mm) size, which is an accurate measurement. Crochet hook sizes range from 0.35 mm to 25 mm, with the most common crochet hook sizes ranging from 2.5 mm to 19 mm (sizes B to S in the US system).
How to choose a crochet hook?
This is not a question that can be answered simply. It depends largely on your project, but there are other factors that come into play, such as the finished look and feel. If you want a tight surface on the fabric, use a smaller sized hook with a thicker yarn so that there is less space between the stitches. For loose, stretchy items such as scarves and rugs, there must be more space between the stitches, and this can be accomplished by combining a larger crochet hook with a finer yarn. One easy way to visually check is to place the yarn side by side with the crochet hook, the hook should be slightly thicker than the yarn, but not by too much.
Combining the above points, the two sets of crochet hooks I would recommend are the Clover Amour Crochet Hook, and Athena's Elements Crochet Hooks, both of which are made of aluminum and include all the common sizes used by newbies.
Another important basic tool is yarn. Many people start their first crochet precisely because they are attracted to the variety of beautiful threads available at the craft mall. Next we will explain the yarn in terms of color, material, and weight.
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Color: There are many colors of yarn available on the market, so you can choose your own favorite style. However, for beginners, it is recommended to start with a lighter colored yarn so that it is easier to see the stitches.
- Material: the most commonly used yarn fibers are cotton and wool, but there are also a variety of blends including acrylic, silk, cashmere, etc.
- Weight: Yarn weight refers to the thickness of the yarn, and there are seven yarn weight categories: lace (0), superfine (1), fine (2), DK/light (3), medium (4), bulky (5), super bulky (6), and jumbo (7)
There are different yarns to choose from depending on the crochet project, novice crocheters are generally recommended to use medium(4) or bulky (5) ,and we will focus on these two yarns.
Medium (4), also known as bulky weight yarn and Aran/bulky yarn, is one of the most commonly used yarn weights, it is a medium thickness yarn that is versatile and easy to work with. They can be used for many different types of projects such as granny squares, clothing, accessories, blankets, and toys. And all fiber types are offered in worst weight roving, from acrylic to wool and cotton to alpaca wool and silk.
Bulky (5) are heavier than worsted weight yarns and work well because they are very fast to work with, and are also a yarn that is very much used on a daily basis. Often used for home decorating projects such as rugs and baskets, they are also great for warm sweaters, accessories or cozy blankets. Bulky yarns are made from a variety of fibers such as acrylic, wool, alpaca or cotton.
For newbies, these two brands of yarn are good choices:Lion Brand Vanna's Choice or Brava Worsted.
Yarn Needle
Also known as a darning needle or tapestry needle, a blunt tool with a large eye through which yarn can be easily passed. It is used for weaving yarn ends or stitches, such as when crocheting a granny square bag, where the yarn needs to be threaded through the yarn needle to join each piece of the granny square as well as the stash. Yarn needles can be made of metal or plastic, and are available in straight or curved shapes. Straight yarn needles are more common, while bent-tip yarn needles are easier to thread under a finished pattern, depending on your usage habits.
Stitch Marker
It's a small tool for marking stitches when crocheting, and it can be important when you're done for a while or when you're ready to move your project on to something else. It's also good for getting into the habit of avoiding stitch counting errors. For crocheting, the most commonly used are the lock and split types, which are easy to mark as well as remove when you're done with them. You can also make your own stitch markers with paper clips or bobby pins if you need them in a hurry.
Scissor
You will need scissors to cut the excess yarn and trim the ends during the crocheting process, but you can use nail clippers instead if you have small children in the house to be safe!
Additional tools
Next, there are four more small items you may use in the future.
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Measuring Tape: As you get better at crocheting and want to design your own patterns or creations, you may want to have a tape measure to measure the length and width of your crochet projects and sample crochet hook sizes.The Retractable Tape Measure from We Crochet is a great option!
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Yarn Holder Ring: This is a small accessory you can wear on your index finger to solve the problem of yarn slipping off and damaging your fingers from long hours of crocheting.It can be obtained by searching for keywords on Amazon.
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Yarn Bowl: It is made of various materials, such as wood, ceramic, stainless steel, etc., and its design is also very rich. It holds the yarn in the bowl and usually has an opening through which the yarn passes, avoiding tangles and keeping your project more organized.You can choose your favorite style online or refer to the Pine Wood Yarn Bowl.
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Row Counter: useful for keeping track of the number of rows crocheted when working on long term projects such as Afghans and blankets, it can be a small device ,such as KTRIO Metal Tally Counter, or you can download software on your phone that has this type of functionality, such as Row Counter, crochet and knit counter, Easy Knitty etc.
Lastly, I'd like to say that the tools you need to use may vary slightly from project to project, and if you've already chosen your tools and are still debating what pattern to follow, take a stroll around our site and let's immerse ourselves in crochet !
