Essential Crochet Supplies for Beginners
Updated 2026-05-07
Six things get a beginner crocheter from "I bought yarn" to "I just finished my first project." Here's exactly what to buy, what each one does, and what beginners often overspend on that they don't need yet.
1. Worsted weight yarn (medium / category 4)
Smooth, light-colored acrylic in a 100g (3.5oz) skein. Acrylic is forgiving: frog-and-redo doesn't fuzz the strand the way wool does, and the price is right for practice projects.
Recommended: Lion Brand Vanna's Choice Worsted, about $5/skein, widely available, dozens of solid colors. Skip variegated at first; visible stitches matter more than aesthetics.
2. Crochet hook size H/8 (5.0mm)
The H/8 is the standard pairing for worsted yarn. Aluminum is fast and slick, and the right answer for most beginners. Ergonomic wooden or rubber-handled hooks save your hand on long sessions, but cost 3-5× more.
Recommended: Boye Aluminum H/8 Hook, about $3, available at any craft store.
3. Stitch markers (split-ring, set of 20)
Mark turning chains, pattern repeats, and rounds. Worth the $4: losing your place mid-project is the #1 reason beginners abandon their first scarf.
Recommended: Knit Picks Split Ring Markers
4. Tapestry needle (set of 6)
Blunt tip, oversized eye, for weaving in yarn ends without splitting the strand. Metal or plastic both work. You'll lose them; buy a set.
Recommended: Clover Tapestry Needles
5. Small fabric scissors
Anything sharp will do; most beginners overspend here. A $5 pair is fine.
Recommended: Generic small fabric scissors
6. Project bag (optional but useful)
A zippered tote keeps yarn, hook, scissors, and the in-progress project all in one place. No more pulling tangled yarn from the bottom of the couch. Small zippered cosmetic bags work too.
Recommended: Knit Picks Mini Project Bag
What you don't need (yet)
Skip these until you've finished a project and know what you actually want:
- The 36-hook complete set. You'll use H/8 for ~80% of patterns. Buy specific sizes as patterns demand them.
- Blocking mats and pins. Useful for finished lacework. Useless for your first scarf.
- A yarn winder. Worth it once you're buying skeins by the pound. Not worth it for two practice projects.
- Specialty yarns (silk, cashmere, hand-dyed). Practice on $5 acrylic. Save the nice yarn for projects you'll actually wear.
Total starter cost
Yarn ($5) + hook ($3) + markers ($4) + needles ($4) + scissors ($5) = about $21. Add a $10 project bag if you want it. Under $35 to start, with enough yarn for 2-3 small projects.
Once you have these supplies, start with the complete beginner's guide for basic stitches, first projects, and FAQ.