You plan to have a new little adventure to fulfill your creative needs. You might have surveyed a few hobbies that TikTokers and Youtubers did; sewing, pottery, painting, candle making, tie-dying, knitting, crocheting, embroidery and etc.
But some of them require big capital to start. For example, sewing require a sewing machine, fabrics and threads to start. In contrast, crochet is a cheap, mobile and fun hobby to begin and easy to move on to other hobby if in case it didn’t suit your taste.
Crochet require relatively minimum investment to start, as low as 20$. All you need is a crochet hook and skein of yarn to start. There are a lot of free tutorials and crochet patterns across the internet to refer. Comparing to other craft hobby such as sewing and pottery, it require certain expensive machine to start.
What Tools I Need to Start Crochet?
For new crocheters looking for the first crochet kit that is budget friendly, I suggest to start with light or medium weight acrylic yarns and 5.0 mm to 6.0 mm aluminium crochet hook. Those two are the most budget friendly and suitable for beginner, as acrylic yarns at medium weight are easy to learn with, and there are a lot of crochet projects for beginner using medium acrylic yarns.
In my experience, I started with super fine acrylic yarns with 1.5 mm crochet hook. I admit it was difficult for beginner as I need to learn how to count stitches, how to hold yarn and hooks and how to yarn over and grab yarn. Thinner yarn with smaller size of crochet hook leads to smaller stitches, which made it difficult for beginners to learn about stitch counting.
Other than yarn and crochet hook, a new crocheter must have a scissor cut yarn and tapestry needle to combine motif and finishing. Optionally, a beginner may have a stitch marker, measuring tape and other accessories depending on what project you are working on. For example, accessories that may involve are safety eyes, stuff filling fibre and buttons.
What are Types of Yarns Available?
The yarn size and recommended crochet hook size has been standardized by Craft Yarn Council.
Next time when you shop yarn, take time to look at the yarn label and identify the yarn weight symbol. For beginners, aim for yarn weight number 3 and 4!
Yarn Size and Recommended Crochet Hook Size
| Yarn Weight Symbol& Category Names | 0 – Lace | 1- Super fine | 2- Fine | 3- Light | 4 – medium | 5- bulky | 6 – Super bulky | 7- jumbo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Also known as | Fingering 10-count crochetthread, 1-3 ply | Sock, Fingering, Baby, 4 ply | Sport, Baby, 5 ply | DK, LightWorsted, 8 ply | Worsted, Afghan, Aran, 10 -12 ply | Chunky,Craft, Rug, 12-14 ply | Super Bulky,Roving, 14-16 ply | Jumbo, Roving, 16 ply+ |
| RecommendedHook in MetricSize Range | Steel*** 1.6–1.4 mmRegular hook2.25 mm | 2.25— 3.5 mm | 3.5— 4.5 mm | 4.5— 5.5 mm | 5.5— 6.5 mm | 6.5— 9 mm | 9—15 mm | 15 mm andlarger |
| RecommendedHook U.S.Size Range | Steel*** 6, 7, 8 Regular hook B–1 | B–1 to E–4 | E–4 to 7 | 7 to I–9 | I–9 to K–10 1⁄2 | K–10 1⁄2 toM–13 | M–13 to Q | Q and larger |
Yarn Type Available in Market
Other than acrylic, you can find cotton, silk, wool, bamboo, nylon, polyester and chenille yarn in the store. Some yarns have mixture of different yarn type, which usually stated at the yarn label.
Yarn and its Prices
To give you some pictures on how much you gonna spend, here are some of famous yarn that I know that you should try and its price:
Red Heart Super Saver Yarn: USD 14 per skein in Amazon.
This is yarn size 4, made from 100% acryclics material. It has approximately 236 yards length (215 meter).
Alize Cotton yarn: USD 14 per skein in Amazon
This yarn is weight 2 (sport), made from 55% Cotton 45% Acrylic.
This yarn has 360 yards per skein. I love using this yarn for crocheting cardigan and sweater.
Caron One Pound Soft Pink Yarn: USD 24 /skein
This is yarn size 4, made from acrylics material. It has approximately 812 yards length
Bernat Baby Blanket Yarn: USD 28 / skein
This is super bulky yarn made with 100% polyester. Perfect for warm blanket!
Bernat yarns are also famous with large toy making (amigurumi) as it is quick to done and nice to hug!
Crochet Hooks & its Prices
And these are the most basic crochet hook that you can buy! Don’t forget to check your yarn type first, then buy crochet hook according to your yarn type. Or if you are unsure, you can always check crochet hook recommendation at the yarn label.
If you are super eager to learn crochet and wanted to kickstart your motivation to start, you can consider full basic set of crochet hooks, stitch markers and tapestry needle! Perfect complete set for starter.
Or if you wanted to start with one crochet hook, you can consider this ergonomic crochet hook. It’s USD 5!
Or you can try a full set of ergonomic crochet hook with tapestry needle and stitch markers for USD 16!
What Should a Beginner Crochet First?
A beginner is recommended to start with crochet granny squares as it suitable for medium weight yarn. It is a as small, quick project to keep up the momentum of interest. Granny squares are versatile in terms of crochet product application. It can form tote bags, cases, blankets, coasters, scarf, wall hanging decoration and even cardigan.
Alternatively, you can try crochet project that involves circle motif or circular in nature such as coasters, flower appliques, hats and beanie.