The 11 Essential Tools and Supplies for Crochet Success

Crochet Hooks

Crochet hooks come in different sizes, shapes, and materials. You may need to experiment to find the perfect hooks for your hands and style. Crochet hooks come in a few different types too, and each type has its own pros and cons. Most crochet hooks are made from either metal or plastic; some are made from wood. The material affects how well the hook holds onto the yarn and which types of yarn it works best with; typically, plastics work better with synthetic fibers like nylon, while metals work better with natural fibers like wool.

Plastic holds onto crochet stitches more easily than metal but not as well as wood. Synthetic fibers hold up better to these hooks than natural fibers do because synthetics are less likely to stretch out.

If you’re new to crochet, it’s helpful to start off with some hook basics—one of each type of basic hook in a few different sizes. Over time, you’ll come across patterns that require specific types of hooks; if so, stock up on those as you learn more about what works best for your style!

You can also buy sets online which will give you all the types and sizes for one price. If cost is an issue, consider buying just one size at first until your skills improve enough so the other sizes won’t go unused.

Crochet hooks with a long handle are beneficial for those who have arthritis or difficulty leaning over while crocheting. These longer hooks are especially helpful when working on larger projects like blankets and afghans. As you learn more about crochet, the long hooks will be essential for some of your projects.

Crochet Thread or Crochet Yarn

Crochet thread is fine and delicate, making it the perfect material for lacework or doilies. In addition, crochet thread is typically much thinner than crochet yarn, so if you want a delicate and fine piece of finished work that uses a lot less material, then crochet thread can be a great option. Crochet thread is also widely used in making doll clothes because it’s inexpensive and easy to find.

When shopping for crochet thread, look for 100% cotton as this type will hold its shape better than other types such as polyester or acrylic; avoid buying cheap nylon threads as they tend to break easily during use.

You’ll sometimes hear people say that it’s just a preference, but the fact is that each choice has its benefits and drawbacks and the appropriate material is usually based on the type of project underway.  There’s a lot to learn about yarn and you can start here with my post on choosing yarn. 

Even within the crochet yarns, there are options. For example, acrylic yarn makes for a lighter product, which might be something you’re looking for in clothing. Cotton yarn is durable and soft against your skin. Wool yarns are beautiful to behold at close inspection and have a natural luxury appeal with a nice sheen. Synthetic wool can give acrylic needles a run for their money in terms of durability while capturing the look and feel of natural wool at an affordable price point. There are so many yarn options and of course, yarn is an essential crochet tool for everyone.

A Yarn Needle / Darning Needle

Crochet hooks are great for making fabric but sometimes you need to sew the pieces together. A large sewing needle will help with that and can also be used for attaching applique items to make your project really shine. Tapestry Needles

These needles (also known as darning needles) are not sharp at all but they’re perfect for sewing seams together because their blunt tips won’t split the twist of the yarn as easily as metal needle varieties would. They also come in various sizes that can help make stitching tasks easier.

Stitch Markers

Stitch markers come in all shapes and sizes so I recommend buying plastic ones because they come in a variety of colors and are easy to use. Upgrade from metal paper clips with some cute, colorful, stitch markers!

These stitch markers are designed to hook into the crocheted stitch so they will not slip out. They are bright in color and made with high-quality materials, perfect for counting stitches or marking where you need to increase or decrease your number of stitches. So affordable, they may be more economical than the trusted paper clips!

Ball Winder/Yarn Ball Holder

This nifty device is helpful for winding yarn into a ball and it comes in automatic or manual varieties. To use it, you will need to attach the device to your tabletop or work surface. Then carefully place your skein of yarn on the yarn swift and wind it into a ball.

Don’t be a crochet-gone-wrong. With this handy, compact yarn winder from Bhartiya Handicrafts, you’ll never have yarn skein tangles again. Create compact balls of yarn that start from the center with quickness and ease by using your hand crank to start winding. You’ll appreciate not having to stop midway through your project to deal with knots or weak points. This model features a removable spindle and a yarn guide arm that folds make for compact storage while still allowing easy assembly at any time – whether you need some extra help starting new projects or want perfect balls of yarn as you’re working.

Scissors

Small, sharp scissors are great for cutting your crochet thread and yarn. The best pair of scissors I’ve ever had are really small, sharp ones. They’re perfect for cutting my crochet thread and yarn without all that excess fluff getting in the way!

I don’t usually make recommendations for crafting scissors because there’s always another option available at home–but if you only have one set to work with, setting aside a specific pair of extra-sharp scissors can make life easier. 

When scissors are always available in your project kit, you can be confident about clean cuts with sharp blades and that there will not be any snagging or tearing while handling delicate projects.

Crochet Books, Patterns & Magazines

Now that we’ve covered some essential gadgets, let’s move on to other items that will enhance your crochet experience even further!

Items such as books, patterns & magazines are enough inspiration to get any crocheter started off right—and there are tons of options available, including free items through Amazon’s Kindle Unlimited program.

Here are a few of my favorites:

Crochet Magazines

Crochet magazine subscriptions are the best magazines for beginners! You’ll always be in the know when you subscribe to one. Each issue is packed with helpful instructions on how to crochet, different stitches and designs, new innovations in materials, ways to find tutorials – even out-of-the-ordinary articles about crocheting that can’t be found anywhere else.

• Simply Crochet
• Inside Crochet
• Crochet World
• Crochet! Magazine
• Interweave Crochet

Other blog posts you may enjoy…