Getting Started
Tools and Materials
In this chapter, learn what tools and materials you need to get started in crochet.
The two main things you’ll need are yarn and a hook.
There are many different kinds of yarn to choose from. Yarn varies based on material (e.g., wool, acrylic, cotton, bamboo), weight (e.g., lace, fine, bulky), and colour (anything you can think of!). Choose a yarn that is easily available to you and fits your budget.
For more information about the composition of yarn, read the presentation Yarns & Classification [PDF].
Read up on the standard yarn weight system online, or reference the following chart:
| Yarn weight number | Category name | Hook size | Example project |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | Lace | 2.25 mm | Doily |
| 1 | Super fine | 2.25–3.5 mm | Socks |
| 2 | Fine | 3.5–4.5 mm | Baby onesie |
| 3 | Light | 4.5–5.5 mm | Sweater |
| 4 | Medium | 5.5–6.5 mm | Toque |
| 5 | Bulky | 6.5–9 mm | Rug |
| 6 | Super bulky | 9–15 mm | Heavy blanket |
| 7 | Jumbo | 15 mm and larger | Basket |
Once you’re comfortable with this chart, test your knowledge in the Review section at the end of this chapter.
Whereas knitting[1] uses two needles, crochet uses one hook. Hooks come in different sizes, materials, and designs.
Size
Like yarn, crochet hooks come in a variety of sizes. Matching your the size of your hook to that of your yarn is important to creating a crochet project with appropriate tightness. For instance, using a giant hook with light-weight yarn will result in your project having gaping holes.
When purchasing yarn, the packaging will likely indicate what size of hook is appropriate. Hooks are sized according to the diameter of the shaft in millimetres, meaning that a 5 mm hook is 5 mm thick. If you crochet long enough, you are bound to collect a range of hooks in different sizes.
Material
Crochet hooks are made from aluminum, steel, wood, and plastic, among other things.
Media Attributions
- Susan Bates crochet hooks © Nadine (cafeconlecheporfavor) is licensed under a CC BY-NC-ND (Attribution NonCommercial NoDerivatives) license
- Knitting is another fibre craft. ↵
