21 Crochet Tools And Supplies Recommended for Crocheters (2023)

By Jodie Morgan

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Here is a guide to the best tools for crochet. If you start crocheting, knowing the essential crochet tools you need makes your crocheting experience that much easier.

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I reviewed, fact checked and updated this post on April 11, 2023

Table Of Contents

What Tools Do I Need For Crocheting?

If you’re a beginner, the tools you need for crocheting are yarn, a crochet hook, a pair of scissors, and a yarn needle.

Crochet supplies for beginners are yarn and a crochet hook. You’ve got to start somewhere! You’ll find you need crochet accessories like a yarn needle, crochet hook organizer, and scissors. Despite this, crochet supplies are affordable.

This is all you need to get started! Add to your crochet supplies if required later. These primary products are available at all craft stores for a low cost. Ready to see the rest of the tools?



Essential Beginner Crochet Supplies

Looking for the answer to what do you need for crochet? Read on.

1 Yarn

grey  and cream yarns in a bowl

I love all types of yarn. Different yarns are used for crochet projects and pieces. Acrylic yarn is popular due to its many colors and its affordable price.

Yarns come in so many options, from color, size, textures, weight, durability, and materials used. There’s so much choice! A gift card to a lovely yarn store is one of the many great gift ideas for crochet lovers.

Crocheters recommend Red Heart and Lion Brand yarns, though there are many others. To decide what yarn product with ease, read my post on the best yarn for crochet. Make sure you choose fibers of worsted weights. They’re good weight yarn for beginners. Looking for yarn for socks? Read my post on the best sock yarn ever.

Stuck on what yarn to choose? Contact the customer service of the company via their email address and ask for recommendations!



2 – Crochet Hooks – Essential Crochet Tool

A Crucial Item - Furls Blue Odyssey Crochet Hook in a crocheter's hand on a pink sweater

Of course, crochet hooks are essential crochet tools. No matter what you’re creating, you need one of these! (Unless you’re doing finger crochet.) There are so many variations and sizes. You only need one size hook to start. A top tip is to get hook size H (5.00mm) if you are new to crochet.

However, once you try more projects, save on money by choosing sets. (They have multiple hooks of different sizes and lengths.) For more on the best crochet hooks to choose from, please read my post on the best crochet hooks.

If you’re a beginner at crochet, consider starting with an inexpensive hook rather than a set. (You might have heard of steel hooks, but avoid those for now. They require an advanced understanding of crochet, and a bit of patience.)

3 – Scissors

Floral Embroidery Scissors from ChloeArtCrafts Etsy Store

These are essential crochet materials for beginners. Having good scissors makes sense when you are crocheting. Use a pair of scissors for cutting yarn when changing colors, weaving in ends, and making pom poms.

Or a yarn cutter pendant, like the one from Clover.



Clover Pendant, Antique Silver 4.9' Height, 2.5' Length, 0.4' Width

String it on a decorative ribbon and worn as a necklace. The sharp circular blade inside the metal exterior cuts yarn and threads.

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4 – Yarn Needles/Darning Needle/Tapestry Needles

2 Large Eye Needles from SewProCrafts Etsy Store

Yarn needles are a must. What’s the difference between this and a regular one? This kind of needle used for crocheting has a giant eye, unlike a sewing needle. The larger eye of the yarn needles makes it easy to insert your yarn or thread to weave in your crochet project’s yarn ends. I don’t recommend plastic ones as they don’t last as long.

Use them for repairing garments. As sad as it is, sometimes things get holes.

5 – Tape Measure

Measuring Tape for Body 60 Inch 150cm Body Tape Measure Waist Measuring Tape Tailor Cloth Fabric Measurement Tape

Tape measures are an essential crochet tool to measure your crochet project. Crochet patterns have measurements of how long and wide an item is.

Tape measures are great for taking measurements of family and friends to ensure an excellent fit for any crocheted garments you might make for them.



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6 – Crochet Hook Case Or Hook Organizer

crochet organizer

Having your favorite hooks all in one handy case or organizer is great. Both have sections for individual hooks and room for your notions and crochet accessories like stitch markers, scissors, and a tapestry needle. The material of this organizer is easy to care for.

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7- Stitch Markers

Stitch Markers keep track of stitch pattern repeats, the beginning of a round or end of around. There are many beautiful stitch markers, but here are some popular ones.

Clover 3109 Jumbo Locking Stitch Markers, blue, orange Check Price On Amazon

8 – Digital Row Counter

Digital Row Counters

Forget the notebook and pen to write down your rows. Speed up the process with this. Row counters are available in different forms, and this one is a digital row counter. Press the button when you finish a row, and it records the number. It has an adjustable band to fit on your finger. Crocheters recommend these handy crochet tools.

9 – Stitch Pattern

Stitch Patterns

There are so many crochet stitch patterns to enjoy. Many are available on the internet, and crochet experts who blog, often have video tutorials giving you step-by-step instructions on doing a specific stitch. Here’s my post sharing some excellent crochet pattern books.

Crochet Patterns involve different stitch patterns depending on the project. What type? Here are a few things you’ll find patterns for crochet accessories, amigurumi, sweaters, hats, mittens, gloves, cowls, scarves, home décor items, afghans, and blankets.



I started learning about crochet years ago, and I still haven’t uncovered all the stitches! You never stop discovering new things.

10 – Crochet Stitch Dictionary

200 Essential Crochet Stitches with Step-by-Step Photos by Sarah Hazell

Just the thing for any crocheter wanting to add to their hobby skills toolkit.A recommended book for any crochet would be Crochet Stitch Dictionary: 200 Essential Crochet Stitches with Step-by-Step Photos by Sarah Hazell. It has excellent instructions to show you how to do different techniques. It gives you thousands of ways and types to enhance your crochet.

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For more excellent inspirational content, look at my article on crochet books.

11 – Blocking Board or Blocking Mats

We-Crochet-Blocking-Mats-min

Blocking boards and mats are great tools to have when you are working through blocking your crochet projects. Use a blocking mat to have lovely clean edges like granny squares and open up any intricate patterns. No need to use old towels from the back of the laundry cupboard!

Click the links above to read my reviews of these crocheting materials.



12 – Yarn Storage

HOMEST XL Yarn Storage Tote, Tangle Free with 6 Oversized Grommets, Knitting and Crochet Organizer, Large Craft Supplies Bag with Drawstring Closure, Purple (Patent Design)

Keeping yarn neat is easy if you have a dedicated craft room with lots of cupboards with space. If you’re storing yarn away for a current project, this bag is great.

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13 – Yarn Bowl

Darn Good Yarn Rosewood Yarn Bowl

Yarn bowls keep your yarn from rolling off the couch and onto your floor. They are a fantastic tool, and the different materials they are made from and the features are varied. I’ve shared some beautiful yarn bowls in my guide.

14 – Heated Gloves For Hand Pain

Heated Wrist Wrap

This soft cotton glove is a fabric heating pad.The warmth reduces the pain in your hands from arthritis or carpal tunnel. They’re filled with flax seeds and lavender. The fabric is soft 100% cotton so your hands feel snug and cozy. Heat them in the microwave.

15 – Gauge Stitch Ruler

Stitch Gauge Ruler

Struggle to count your stitches no longer! This handy tool tells you how big it is, so you can adjust it as necessary.

To determine your stitch gauge, find the marks corresponding to the stitches in your crocheting. Use it to keep track of a work in progress or to gauge your progress. Bella Crochet has an excellent tutorial on the reason you need to check this.



16 – Project Planner

A crochet project planner is an excellent way of tracking your projects and avoiding the stress of forgetting what you were doing. Make one with an existing notebook, print out some templates, or buy a premade one.

17 – Yarn Winder & Yarn Swift

These tools revolutionize winding yarn! Think of all the times you’ve spent endlessly taming yarn into useable balls. Using these means more time crocheting that hat.

Knit Picks Onyx Yarn Swift and Yarn Winder set up on a table. Blue yarn around the swift ready to wind.

Swifts are useful if you have lots of hanks as they help keep them untangled and organized as you wind them. Read more about the best selection of varieties in my guide.

Knit Picks Yarn Winder

A yarn winder is more efficient than spending time winding yarn into a ball. It also winds yarn into a high-quality neat cake. They’re much easier to crochet from and don’t go rolling over the place as balls do. See more details on yarn ballers. Every crocheter needs one of these.

Wind from any location with a flat surface. It’s portable and lightweight. Be warned. These operations might become the most enjoyable parts of crochet!



18 – Project Bag

Furls Leather Project Bag

Keep your crochet supplies and current work-in-progress in a project bag so you can work on them whenever the mood strikes. Perfect for other needles, like storing your arts and crafts supplies collection too! There are stylish bags on the market in any color. Want more? Read this.

19 – Pom-Pom Maker

Clover Pom-Pom Maker

Use a pom-pom maker to make cute decorations for your crochet projects. They’re a great idea for a variety of home decor items. You can make them by hand, but keep in mind these give you perfectly sized ones with great precision.

One of my favorite essential crochet tools for making pom-poms is the Clover Pom-Pom Maker because it’s easy to use and has good value for money.

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20 – Project Labels

EverEmblem Fabric Labels

Do you create crocheted goods and designs? Want something to let people know you made that beautiful sweater? Make them unique with tags. Fabric labels are a way to make your handmade creations from your crochet journey stand out. There are gorgeous options on the web.

21 – Lilly Brush Lint Remover

Lilly Brush Pilling Remover Check Price On Amazon

Great for keeping your beautiful sweaters and cardigans sparkling.



Here are some additional things worth considering.

  • Crochet tutorials. Skillshare is an excellent option, it gives you access to many great courses. So does Creative Bug.
  • Ravelry! A cross between a forum, a helpdesk, a pattern finder and project tracker for fiber artists. The community is warm and welcoming
  • Youtube usually has great videos on any new technique you might encounter
  • Pinterest is excellent for finding and organizing new projects
  • A crochet kit! Make a project to suit your preference, and all the materials needed come in one convienent box. You can put your efforts into making than endlessly searching for the things you need

FAQs About Crocheting Tools

What Are The Most Popular Crochet Items?

The most popular crochet items are infinity scarves, crocheted hats and beanies, baby clothing, and amigurumi.

How Many Hooks Do You Need To Crochet?

To get started, you need one recommended for your yarn and the pattern you have chosen. As your confidence grows and your crocheting skill increases, you need more sizes.

Conclusion

I hope this guide with information on the best crochet materials and tools was helpful. Tips in order to make your crochet life easier! Tell me if you have any favorite crochet tools or anything I haven’t mentioned. I’d love to hear about them.

Share your thoughts in the comments section below. (Emails are never published).

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About The Author

Jodie Morgan From Crochet Penguin

Jodie Morgan (Author & Founder)

[email protected] | Lives In: Regional Australia

Author: Jodie Morgan is a passionate crocheter and blogger with 17+ years of experience currently living in regional Australia. Taught by her mother, she fell in love with crocheting after her first child was born. When she’s not crocheting, you’ll find her enjoying a cup of coffee with cream, or sharing helpful resources and tips with the online crochet community. Please say hello, or see what she's making on socials.

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