Beginner Crochet Guide Part 1 – Building Your Crochet Kit

Welcome to my Beginner Crochet Guide! This is the first part of a series I’ll be publishing to help you learn everything you need to know about the wonderful world of crochet!

I’ll be posting additional resources often so be sure to subscribe to my newsletter or follow me on Instagram for updates. If you’re a beginner (or a crocheter of any skill level) looking for help with a specific topic, feel free to contact me to make a request!

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Building Your Beginner Crochet Kit

Firstly, let’s start by learning how to pick the right materials. You can’t crochet without some yarn and a hook, so let’s go shopping!

Yarn

It’s best to start simple. I know all those super soft, fuzzy yarns are so tempting to buy, but they’re not great to use when you’re learning how to crochet and I’ll tell you why – it’s very difficult to see your stitches with fuzzy yarn (like chenille, velvet, faux fur, blanket yarn, etc).

You’ll want to practice some basic stitches (which I’ll go over in the next part of my Beginner Crochet Guide) with yarn that allows you to clearly see your stitches. And if you really love the soft fluffy yarn, go ahead and grab some, you’ll be able to use it once you’ve mastered your basic stitches!

Yarn Weight

I recommend using a medium weight yarn, which is also commonly referred to as worsted or Aran. What the heck do all these terms even mean? Yarn weight? Worsted? Aran? All of these terms can be confusing at first, (and are still confusing to me sometimes), but let me try to break it down for you!

Yarn is categorized by weight, which is the overall thickness of the yarn. The Craft Yarn Council has a standard yarn weight chart that you may want to bookmark for future reference! Some companies may label their medium weight yarn as “worsted” while others use the term “Aran.” There might be slight differences between Aran and worsted weight yarns, but they’re both within the medium weight category.

Medium weight yarn is great because it’s versatile and easy to work with. I’ll show you how to read a yarn label below so you can find all the info you need to pick the right type of yarn!

You also could try chunky/bulky weight yarn which is a little thicker than medium weight yarn. Chunky yarn is especially good if you are learning to crochet as a form of physical therapy, or if you have difficulty using your hands. It’s also great for making large projects (like blankets) quickly, and for making cozy winter items!

Yarn Fiber Content

The next factor to consider is the fiber content of your yarn. This is really up to you and your personal preferences. You can find a variety of different fibers at any craft store, but some of the most common ones are wool, acrylic, and cotton.

You can decide which fiber is right for your first project depending on what you want to make, your preferences (natural vs synthetic), and by testing out what yarn feels the best or stands out to you the most. If you can’t decide – try them all and see what you like best! It’s good to get a feel for a variety of different fibers and it will help you learn more about the wonderful world of yarn. If you’re following a crochet pattern, designers will typically provide a recommended yarn for you to use.

I’ll be publishing a guide to help you choose the right fibers for your crochet projects soon! Be sure to subscribe to my newsletter to get notified when new guides are available!

How to read a yarn label

Next, I’ll show you how to read a yarn label to find all the pertinent information that you need before buying, such as, yarn weight, recommended crochet hook size, fiber content, and yarn length (yards/meters).

Yarn labels will always contain all of this information, however, it may be located on different parts of the label. If you’re shopping for yarn online, you’ll also be able to find this information listed along with a description of the yarn.

Yarn Recommendations

Here are a few of my favorite beginner-friendly medium and chunky yarns, but don’t forget to grab some crochet hooks too! Keep reading to build your full crochet starter kit!

Lily sugar’n cream

Lily Sugar’n Cream is a 100% cotton worsted (medium) weight yarn. It comes in a wide variety of bright, pretty colors, and it’s perfect for making summer tops, baby toys, washcloths, potholders, and summer accessories like bucket hats, water bottle holders, market bags and totes! This is generally one of my go-to cotton yarns that I use for many of my crochet patterns.

vanna’s choice

Vanna’s Choice from Lion Brand Yarns is a 100% acrylic worsted (medium) weight yarn. This yarn is versatile, soft, and warm. These qualities make this yarn great for blankets and winter accessories like beanies and scarves! I’ve been using this yarn ever since I learned how to crochet, and I use it for many of my headband and beanie patterns.

Pound of Love

Pound of Love from Lion Brand Yarns is a 100% premium acrylic worsted (medium) weight yarn. It’s always good to have a BIG ball of yarn handy. You can make an adorable baby blanket with one or two balls of this yarn. This yarn is also great for shawls, garments, and accessories. Plus, it comes in a variety of beautiful colors!

Simply Chunky

Simply Chunky from Paintbox Yarns is a 100% acrylic bulky/chunky weight yarn. It comes in a huge variety of colors and is perfect for making warm winter accessories, and cozy home decor projects. The thicker weight is also great because it will help your projects work up quickly!

Recycled Cotton Worsted

This recycled cotton yarn from Paintbox Yarns is a worsted (medium) weight yarn that is made from 100% recycled materials. This yarn comes in 10 gorgeous colors, and it is perfect for anything from home decor projects to wearable garments!

brava & brava bulky

Brava is another super affordable, quality acrylic yarn that comes in a worsted (medium) weight, and a chunky weight. Like most other acrylic yarns, Brava is hypoallergenic, machine-washable, and perfect for a wide variety of projects from blankets to accessories. My favorite thing about this yarn is that it’s buttery soft!

Dishie

Dishie yarn from KnitPicks/WeCrochet is another worsted (medium) weight cotton yarn that’s great for beginner crochet projects! This yarn is durable, practical, and beautiful. Because of its absorbent nature, it’s perfect for projects like dishcloths, towels, reusable makeup/face wipes, etc. It’s also great for making toys, accessories, summer tops, and more!

hue + me

Hue + Me is a chunky/bulky yarn from Lion Brand that’s perfect for quick, cozy projects. This yarn is a blend of acrylic and wool fibers, making it especially warm and soft. The color palette is absolutely dreamy, and perfect for making on-trend sweaters, blankets, home decor, and more!

24/7 cotton

24/7 Cotton yarn from Lion Brand is another worsted (medium) weight cotton yarn. This cotton yarn is mercerized, which makes the colors extra vibrant and gives the yarn a little bit of a sheen. This yarn creates amazing stitch definition which is perfect for showing off all of your beautiful stitch-work. 24/7 Cotton is great for a variety of projects from home decor and accessories to spring/summer wearables.

Crochet hooks

You also can’t crochet without a hook! (Actually you could technically use your finger, but that’s a topic for another day.) So, you’ll want to grab a few good hooks to start with. You don’t need to buy every size right away, but you do need to make sure you have the right size for your first projects.

Take a look at the yarn label to find out which hook size is recommended for your yarn. As shown above, the yarn in my sample photo recommends a size 4 mm hook. If you’re not sure what to use, go with the recommended size!

As your crocheting style develops you may find yourself wanting to use hooks that are smaller or larger than the recommended size on the yarn label. I typically like to use smaller hooks for stuff like amigurumi & bikini tops that require a tighter weave, and larger hooks for things like blankets, scarves & sweaters. It also wouldn’t hurt to start with a variety of hook sizes or an inexpensive hook set to have a few options handy! 

The most common hooks that I find at craft stores are metal/aluminum hooks, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with buying the most affordable aluminum crochet hooks you can find. However, I will suggest grabbing some hooks with cushioned, ergonomic handles if you can find them. Many craft stores offer Clover’s ergonomic hooks which are a bit more expensive, but WeCrochet also has a super affordable ergonomic crochet hook set that you can order from their website!

Crochet Hook Recommendations

Here are a few of my favorite beginner-friendly crochet hooks and sets!

WeCrochet Bright Crochet Hook Set

I love this hook set because it’s so affordable, and it features ergonomic handles that are essential for crocheting comfortably. The set includes 9 hooks from sizes 2.0mm to 6.0mm. This was the number one item on my TOP 10 BEST YARN AND CROCHET PRODUCTS OF 2022 post!

Clover Amour Crochet Hook Set

Clover Amour crochet hooks are a bit more expensive but they’re worth it! These hooks glide through yarn with ease, and the grips are super comfortable on your hands. While a full set of these hooks can cost about $80, I often see them on sale on Amazon. You can also buy them individually at most craft stores.

Extras

Last but not least, you’ll want a couple extra things to help with the finishing touches, like scissors and a yarn needle. Most scissors will be able to cut through your yarn, but a little pair of sewing scissors will work best! I especially love folding scissors that fit easily into my purse or wallet for travel!

Yarn needles (also called darning needles or tapestry needles) are large eye needles that will help you weave your ends back into the fabric so you’re not left with the yarn ends dangling from your projects. If you’re using a pattern that requires seaming, you’ll also need a yarn needle to sew your work. 

Now you’re ready to build your own crochet starter kit! Just remember the 4 essentials: yarn, crochet hooks, scissors, and a yarn needle.

Pre-selected Beginner Crochet Kits from my Favorite Shops

I’ve also created some crochet starter kits from a few of my favorite stores! Each kit features three yarn options, a crochet hook set, a pair of scissors, and a pack of yarn needles.

lovecrafts (HUGE variety of brands and products)

LoveCrafts Beginner Crochet Kit:

1. Paintbox Yarns Simply Chunky. 100% acrylic, chunky/bulky weight.
2. Paintbox Yarns Recycled Cotton Worsted. 100% cotton, worsted (medium) weight. This yarn is made from 100% recycled materials!
3. Paintbox Yarns Cotton Aran. 100% cotton, Aran (medium) weight.
4. Boye Aluminum Crochet Hook Set. 8 hooks, sizes 3.25mm to 6.5mm. You can never go wrong with Boye crochet hooks!
5. Fiskars Forged Embroidery Scissors. Small embroidery scissors are great for trimming yarn, and Fiskars is generally my go-to brand of scissors for any craft!
6. Susan Bates Plastic Yarn Needles. Two pack, 2.75″ long.

wecrochet (unique products + amazing quality)

WeCrochet Beginner Crochet Kit:

1. Dishie. 100% cotton, worsted (medium) weight.
2. Brava Worsted. 100% premium acrylic, worsted (medium) weight.
3. Brava Bulky. 100% premium acrylic, chunky/bulky weight.
4. WeCrochet Bright Crochet Hook Set. 9 hooks, sizes 2.0mm to 6.0mm. These hooks are also ergonomic!
5. Foldable Scissors. Folding scissors are the best! These are sure to keep your projects (and your fingers!) safe.
6. Clover Jumbo Yarn Needles. Two pack. Bent tips help you sew through your stitches!

lion brand (amazing quality + affordable prices)

Lion Brand Yarn Beginner Crochet Kit:

1. 24/7 Cotton. 100% cotton, worsted (medium) weight.
2. Vanna’s Choice. 100% acrylic, worsted (medium) weight.
3. Pound of Love. 100% premium acrylic, worsted (medium) weight. This big ball of yarn is huge (one whole pound)!
4. Lion Brand® Bamboo Crochet Hooks. This is not a hook set, but an individual crochet hook. Make sure to select the size that’s recommended for your yarn, or grab a couple sizes so you have a variety of options to practice with.
5. Knitter’s Pride Rainbow Folding Scissors. These little scissors are equally as practical as they are pretty!
6. Lion Brand Large-Eye Blunt Needles. Set of 6 large-eye needles in 3 different sizes.

hobbii (fun options + exclusive brands)

Hobbii Beginner Crochet Kit:

1. Mega Ball Aran. 100% acrylic, worsted/Aran (medium) weight. This is a HUGE ball of very highly rated yarn that will help you get through plenty of projects, big and small.
2. Rainbow Cotton 8/8. 100% cotton, DK/light worsted weight. This yarn is actually thinner than the other yarns that I’ve recommended, but it’s such an amazing yarn for crocheters of any skill level!
3. Amigo XL. 100% high-bulk acrylic, worsted (medium) weight.
4. Easy Touch Crochet Hook Set. 11 hooks, sizes 2.0mm to 8.0mm, These hooks are also ergonomic!
5. Classic Scissors. These scissors come in three different colors!
6. Plastic Wool Needles. Set of 6 large-eye needles in 2 different sizes.

Thank you for reading the first part of my Beginner Crochet Guide – Building Your Crochet Kit!

Stay tuned for the next part of this series by subscribing to my newsletter or following along on Instagram!

If you’re a beginner, (or a crocheter of any skill level), let me know what you’d like to learn about the wonderful world of crochet in the comments!

Beginner Crochet Patterns

Here are some of my favorite beginner-friendly crochet patterns to help get you started!

Let’s be crochet friends! Get in touch with me on Instagram @noelebellecrochet

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