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When I first started learning how to crochet, all I bought was a 4mm hook and a skein of double knitting crochet yarn. Ok, so of course I didn't want to go and spend loads on hooks and yarn incase I didn't take well to crochet. However, the more I learnt and practiced, the more accessories I needed. There are literally hundreds of crochet related items that every crocheter will have in their special crochet tool kit, and what some people have, others won't, and vice versa. So I've come up with a list of 7 crochet essentials that you absolutely, definitely need if you crochet!

7 CROCHET ESSENTIALS THAT EVERY CROCHETER NEEDS

I’d be lying to you if I said one hook fits all. If you’re going to crochet, then hooks are essential. But with so many on the market, which ones are best? From metal to ergonomic handles, finding the right crochet hook may take some time and you may have to try many before you find ‘the one’. Personally, I love Knit Pro Waves hooks which have soft grip handles. For me, they don’t hurt my joints so much (shout out to all my arthritis crocheters) and I love the range of colours they come in. Another favourite of mine are Clover soft touch hooks which again are just a lot easier on my joints! Ergonomic hooks have a handle shaped slightly differently to your average hook which makes them easier to hold and they actually look pretty stylish! I find these aren’t that great for travelling though, as they’re pretty bulky.

If you’re just starting out, have a look around for metal/bamboo hooks. They’re inexpensive, great for practicing and do the job perfectly! Try and steer clear of fully plastic ones however, unless you like the sound of squeaky yarn! Try to get sizes that will match your yarn. So if you’re going to be using DK (double knitting / light worsted) a 3.5-4mm hook will be just fine. However, you’ll need a bigger hook if you want to use chunky/bulky yarn and so on.

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Ok so you’ve got your hook, now you need your yarn! It’s definitely one of the crochet essentials that you don’t want to miss! But where on earth do you start right? There’s so many different fibres, colours and sizes and it’s a huge minefield out there so let’s keep this simple! Start with a simple, plain coloured 100% acrylic yarn in DK weight (double knitting). The belly band around the ball will tell you what size hook is recommended. If you’re following a pattern, try and stick to the recommended hook and yarn weights, especially if you’re going to crochet something where size is important!

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Darning/embroidery needles are great for weaving in your loose ends. They come in all different sizes but have pretty much one thing in common.... the tips are not sharp and pointy! In my kit, I like to keep a selection of different size needles made in both plastic and metal and just kinda guess which one to use! Personally, if I’m making a blanket with lots of colour changes, I’ll use a metal needle to weave in ends, as they’re usually smaller. For projects that have thick, heavy, yarn, I’ll use a plastic needle as the stitches are a lot bigger and looser. This really is one of the crochet essentials that you really cannot live without!

It’s very important to have scissors to hand when you’re crocheting, because let’s face it, when we’re all snuggled up crocheting, the last thing you want to do is to have to get up and go get some scissors to cut your yarn right?

I prefer to use little embroidery scissors (which you can find here) as they are sharp and small enough to make a teeny snip without cutting all your work in half! Plus I love love love the cute little stork on them!

I’m a sucker for a cute stitch marker. There are so many different types and styles but they are just perfect for techniques like amigurumi! Some are complete rings, some have lobster clasps, there’s spiral rings and then the good ole snap markers. It’s good to have a few different types and sizes to hand, so that you can choose the best one for the job. What may work for one project, may not work for another.

Of course, if you don’t want to use stitch markers, you don’t have to! A short piece of yarn in a different colour can be used instead. Just loosely tie it to your first stitch and away you go!

As you get into more advanced techniques, a tape measure will likely be one of your best friends! Some patterns require you to crochet a certain length so this can be extremely useful for that. But that’s not all. If you’ve ever been gifted some yarn or lost the belly band, tape measures can be incredibly useful for helping to determine what weight your yarn is. You can read more about it here.

Have you ever had a pattern that says, ‘repeat row 8, 50 times’ and you’re kinda like, right, how do I count that many? A stitch counter is absolutely perfect for a job like that! Not only does it allow you to keep track of how many rounds/rows you’ve done, I can also help you remember where in a pattern you are. Just please please please don’t mix the two together, or it will be VERY confusing!

So that right there, is your list of crochet essentials that will help you get on your way and give you more time crocheting, less time shopping! Until next time,

HAPPY MAKING!