Crochet is a delicate art form many people think is for old ladies. It is not. There are millions of individuals around the world of all ages doing it. Since I am a beginner, I wanted to share my top five essentials for beginning your crochet journey.
The Art of Crochet section aims to help any beginner grasp this art, just as my dear mum tells me. I’m choosing to call it an art form because it takes patience. I’ve only been doing it for a few weeks and already learned a lot. However, I can only do the single crochet stitch (so far!).
All the products that I mention will be linked throughout the post.
Let’s dive into the top five essentials I would recommend when starting your crochet journey.
1. Grip Handle Crochet Hooks
The first thing you need to begin crocheting is a crochet hook. I found starting with a set rather than just one was better. Buying a set is best as it gives you a selection to buy.
I started with the Anko Crochet Hooks. For those not from Australia, Anko is a brand exclusive to Kmart. I bought a pack of 9-grip handled crochet hooks for $7.50. These hooks are great for comfort, and they’re long-lasting.
2. Stitch Markers
Stitch markers are something that I had no idea existed until recently. I’ve seen my mum crochet for years. She didn’t even know they existed until I mentioned it. I looked online, and it’s hard to find them in a store anywhere. However, I was in a local Roni’s store last week when I came across the last packet of Kraft Korner ‘pins’, which the brand calls Stitch Markers. However, if you buy Kraft Korner Stitch Markers, you can’t get them separately as you have to buy them with yarn/wool needles too. I got mine for $2.50.
More on the needles in a moment.
Stitch Markers are ideal for the beginner crocheter because if placed at the end of a row, they can help keep somewhat even edges. Another brand (which I will cover in more detail in another post) that has Stitch Markers is Pony. However, the price might be steep, from $4.75 to $9.50, depending on the size. There is a choice of small and large.
The brand has been around forever and sells a wide range of items.
There is another far cheaper brand: Boye, which has packs of jumbo markers for $4. I’ll do a whole post on Stitch markers at a later date.
3. Wool/Yarn Needles
A vital part of crochet is wool/yarn needles to sew in the ends of your projects. There is a choice of plastic which is what I have, or metal. Many people prefer metal, but I use plastic because I’m not a sewer. Also, plastic ones are dirt cheap.
I mentioned above that when I bought the stitch markers that I have, they came with plastic needles. Before this, I bought a set by Sullivan’s at Lincraft for just $1.70.
4. Wool/Yarn
The most crucial aspect of crochet is the wool or yarn. I’ll do a whole post on this later, but it is best to use something essential as a beginner. I’ve been using 100% Acrylic knitting yarn. I’ve bought a lot from Roni’s, which has a deal in store for 5 for $10.
I haven’t found any yarn cheaper than $2. However, if you look online, you can find significant discounts if you know where to look.
5. Storage
You cannot crochet without some form of storage. My mum gave me a bag she has never used from her stash. You can use anything. I used to have a box with handles for my French knitting.
