Everything You Need to Start Crocheting: The Ultimate Beginner’s Supply Guide

Everything You Need to Start Crocheting: The Ultimate Beginner’s Supply Guide 

If you’ve ever wanted to learn crochet but felt completely overwhelmed by all the supplies—hooks, yarn, tools, accessories—you’re not alone. Crochet is one of the most beginner-friendly fiber arts, yet stepping into a craft store (or scrolling Amazon at 2 a.m.) can feel like entering another dimension. Hooks in every size, yarn in a rainbow of colors and textures, and a million different tools: it’s enough to make anyone’s head spin.

The good news? You don’t need everything at once, and learning what is essential versus optional will make your journey fun, relaxing, and successful.


This guide is your complete beginner’s roadmap. You’ll learn:

  • The essential tools you need to get started

  • Recommended yarn and hooks for beginners

  • How to organize your supplies

  • Optional tools and extras that make crochet easier

  • Tips for avoiding common beginner mistakes

  • How to grow your crochet toolkit as you progress

By the end of this guide, you’ll have a clear plan for getting started and a confidence boost to dive right into your first project.

Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. These small commissions help support this blog and allow me to continue sharing free crochet tutorials, patterns, and beginner-friendly resources. Thank you for your support! 🖤

Crochet Hooks: Your Most Important Tool

If crochet is a craft, your hook is the sword in your hand—it’s what shapes every stitch and allows you to create your projects. Choosing the right hook can make the difference between smooth, enjoyable crocheting and frustrating struggles.

Recommended Crochet Hooks for Beginners

Some beginner-friendly hooks available on Amazon include:

A crochet hook is used to pull loops of yarn through other loops, creating your stitches. Hooks come in different materials, sizes, and styles, and the right one makes learning faster and less frustrating.

Common Crochet Hook Materials

  • Aluminum Hooks: Lightweight, smooth, and affordable. Yarn glides easily, making them a favorite for beginners.

  • Plastic or Resin Hooks: Light and budget-friendly, often included in starter kits.

  • Bamboo or Wooden Hooks: Offer more grip, which is useful with slippery yarn, but can slow down the stitch movement for some crocheters.

  • Ergonomic Hooks: Cushioned handles reduce strain on hands and wrists. Especially useful if you have arthritis, carpal tunnel, or plan long crochet sessions.

Crochet Hook Sizes for Beginners

For most beginners, start with:

  • 5.0 mm (H/8)

  • 5.5 mm (I/9)

These hook sizes pair perfectly with medium-weight (worsted) yarn, which is widely recognized as the easiest yarn to learn with.

Tip: Always check your pattern or yarn label for the recommended hook size. Using the right hook will make stitches uniform, easier to see, and reduce hand strain.

Yarn: Choosing the Right One Without the Stress

Yarn is where crochet gets colorful—and also confusing. There are countless types, fibers, weights, and textures. As a beginner, simplicity is your friend.

Recommended Beginner Yarns on Amazon

Best Yarn for Beginners

  1. Medium Weight (Worsted / Category 4)

    • Thick enough to see stitches clearly

    • Not bulky or hard to handle

    • Perfect for blankets, scarves, hats, and practice squares

  2. Acrylic Yarn

    • Affordable and widely available

    • Easy to care for

    • Ideal for practice projects

  3. Cotton Yarn

    • Provides excellent stitch definition

    • Less forgiving for tension mistakes

    • Best after gaining confidence with acrylic yarn

Yarn to Avoid at First

  • Eyelash or novelty yarns (hard to see stitches)

  • Super thin lace yarn (difficult for beginners)

  • Extremely bulky yarn (limits stitch practice)

  • Slippery silk or bamboo blends (challenging for tension control)

Tip: Choose a light or medium solid color. Dark colors make it hard to see stitches, and variegated yarns can hide mistakes.

Tapestry Needles (Yarn Needles)

Tapestry needles are essential for finishing projects.

Amazon Recommendations:

Uses:

  • Weave in yarn ends

  • Sew pieces together

  • Finish amigurumi projects

Tapestry needles have large eyes and blunt tips, preventing yarn from splitting and reducing the chance of injury.

Stitch Markers: Tiny Tools, Huge Help

Stitch markers are small, but they make a big difference in keeping your projects organized.

Amazon Recommendations:

Uses:

  • Mark the beginning of a round

  • Track stitch counts

  • Highlight pattern repeats

If you’re following a pattern, use markers whenever instructed—future-you will thank you.

Blocking Boards and Tools

Blocking is shaping your finished crochet project to look polished and professional.

Amazon Recommendations:

Uses:

  • Shape granny squares, shawls, garments, blankets

  • Create professional-looking edges and clean stitches

Tip: Beginners don’t need a blocking board immediately, but as your projects grow, it’s a game changer.

Crochet Books: Learning Beyond the Basics

While free tutorials are great, books provide step-by-step visual guidance.

Amazon Recommendations:

Benefits of Crochet Books:

  • Step-by-step stitch photos

  • Pattern collections in one place

  • Troubleshooting tips

  • Reference guides for beginners

Yarn Bowls: Tangle-Free Crocheting

Yarn bowls keep your yarn tidy while crocheting.

Amazon Recommendations:

Benefits:

  • Prevents yarn from rolling across the floor

  • Avoids tangles

  • Keeps your work organized and smooth

Optional, but worth it once you’re working on larger projects like granny square blankets.

Crochet Yarn Storage: Staying Organized

As your stash grows, organization becomes essential.

Amazon Recommendations:

Tip: Clear containers help you see your supplies and avoid buying duplicates.

Safety Eyes & Stuffing for Amigurumi

Once you graduate from granny squares to toys, these tools are essential:

  • Safety Eyes: Locking plastic eyes for plushies (not safe for babies—use embroidery for baby toys).

  • Fiberfill Stuffing: Soft, washable, polyester fiberfill for plush toys and pillows.

Tip: Add stuffing gradually to avoid stretching your stitches.

Dowels for Tapestry Crochet & Wall Hangings

  • Uses: Hang tapestries, banners, or add structure to decorative crochet projects.

  • Recommendation: Smooth, unfinished wooden dowels for a natural look.

Optional but Helpful Tools

Once you’re comfortable, consider adding:

These are not required but can make crochet easier and more enjoyable.

What You Actually Need to Start Crocheting

Bare Minimum Starter Kit:

  • One crochet hook (5.0–5.5 mm)

  • Medium-weight yarn

  • Tapestry needle

  • Scissors

  • Stitch marker

Everything else can come later as you grow in confidence.

Final Thoughts: Start Simple, Grow Naturally

Crochet doesn’t require a huge investment. You can start with just a hook and a skein of yarn—and that’s part of what makes it so special.

As you progress:

  • Your toolkit will naturally grow

  • You’ll learn which hooks, yarns, and tools you prefer

  • You’ll discover the styles and projects you love most

Resources to Help You Learn and Grow:

Crochet is meant to be fun, relaxing, and creative—not overwhelming. Start simple, and enjoy every stitch! 🖤





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