Building Your Crochet Toolkit: Essential Tools Every Crocheter Needs

One of the great things about crochet is how little you actually need to get started. Unlike many crafts, the basics are inexpensive and easy to find. But as you progress, a few well-chosen tools can make a real difference to your enjoyment and the quality of your work. Here's your complete crochet toolkit guide.

The Absolute Essentials

Crochet Hooks: You only need one hook to start. A 5mm aluminium hook is a brilliant all-rounder — compatible with DK and worsted weight yarns and comfortable to hold. Once you're more experienced you'll want a set covering the most common sizes (2mm–10mm).

Yarn: A smooth, light-coloured DK or worsted weight acrylic is perfect for beginners. Light colours make it much easier to see your stitches. Dark yarns are beautiful but notoriously hard to work with when you're starting out.

Scissors: Any small, sharp scissors will do. You'll use them constantly to cut yarn ends.

Tapestry/Yarn Needle: A blunt-tipped needle with a large eye for weaving in your yarn ends. These are cheap, often come in multipacks, and are absolutely essential for finishing your work neatly.

Very Useful Additions

Stitch Markers: Lockable stitch markers (the small, lobster-clasp style) are invaluable for marking the beginning of rounds, tracking increases and decreases, and holding stitches in place. A small pack costs very little and will save you a great deal of frustration.

Tape Measure: Essential for checking gauge and taking measurements for garments. A flexible dressmaker's tape measure is perfect.

Row Counter: A small click counter (worn on a finger or attached to your hook) helps track your row count without relying on memory.

Project Bag: A drawstring bag keeps your current project clean and portable. Being able to crochet on the go — on a commute, waiting in a queue, watching TV — is one of crochet's great pleasures.

Lovely Extras as You Grow

As your passion develops, ergonomic hook sets, foam blocking mats with pins, a yarn swift and ball winder, and a good reference book all become worthwhile investments. Our book collection includes comprehensive stitch dictionaries and technique guides that will serve you for years.

Tools sorted, patterns next — browse our full crochet pattern collection and find your perfect first (or next) project.