The Absolute Beginner's Crochet Supply List (Nothing You Don’t Need)

The essential four

You can start crocheting today with just these. Everything else is a nice-to-have.

• One 5.0 mm (H) hook: The perfect beginner size. Comfortable, easy to see, works with the everyday yarn below. An ergonomic handle is worth the extra dollar or two.
• A ball of light-colored worsted weight yarn: Smooth acrylic in a pale, solid color. Skip the fuzzy, dark, or textured yarns for now — you need to SEE your stitches.
• A pair of small scissors: Anything sharp enough to snip yarn cleanly. You almost certainly own these already.
• A yarn needle: A blunt, big-eyed needle for weaving in ends. A pack of plastic ones costs almost nothing.

The very-soon-after extras

Once you’ve made a few rows and caught the bug, these make life noticeably easier:

• Stitch markers: Little clips that save you when counting rounds — essential the moment you try amigurumi. In a pinch, a scrap of contrasting yarn works.
• A tape measure: For checking gauge and sizing. The soft fabric kind that rolls up.
• A row counter: Or just use our free digital counter over in Tools — no batteries required.
• A project bag: Keeps your yarn clean and your cat uninvolved. A zip pouch is plenty to start.

What you can happily skip (for now)

Resist the giant hook set, the fifty-color yarn pack, and the fancy ergonomic everything until you know you love this craft. A beginner does not need a blocking board, a swift, or a ball winder. Buy those when a specific project actually asks for them — not because a starter kit bundled them in.

A smart first purchase

If you'd rather buy once and be done, a modest crochet kit with a few hook sizes and a couple of yarn balls is a reasonable splurge — just make sure it includes at least one 5.0 mm hook and some light worsted yarn. Everything else in the box is a bonus you'll grow into.