Know Your Crochet...How to Start Crocheting, Part 2-Materials

In need of a good DYI project or want to brush up on you crochet knowledge, well my dears, you have come to the right place.

Tools of the Trade

As with any skilled craftsman or hobbyist, having the right tools is essential. While there are some variations in personal preferences or available options, the basic necessities include: yarn (naturally), a crochet hook, scissors, a yarn needle, measuring tape, and stitch markers.

There are additional tools that aren't essential but can simplify the process for some crocheters, such as a stitch counter or a gauge meter, which helps ensure your stitches are the correct size.

Tools, Tools, where are the Tools?

This will be a brief note. The tools you need are fairly easy to locate. If you're an online shopper, you can find all your tools on the internet; just ensure it's a safe and reputable site like Amazon, Etsy, or eBay.

If you prefer visiting physical stores because you enjoy browsing arts and crafts, you can find what you need at places like Michael's or Hobby Lobby (or any comprehensive craft store near you). A few good alternative options, or if you're in a pinch, are Walmart or Target. They usually have some miscellaneous items available.

If you can't find what you're looking for in physical stores, most of these craft stores also have websites with a wider selection and occasionally offer online promotions that can provide a good discount.

You have them, now what?

We'll begin with the basics: scissors and a yarn needle. Scissors are quite simple to understand. Similar to sewing, you'll want a good pair of fabric scissors that won't fray your yarn when cutting.

Besides my fabric scissors (which my kids have been strictly warned not to touch!), I also own a pair of yarn snippers like the one shown in the picture. I appreciate the protective cap that comes with it, providing safety for both you and your projects when not in use.

Yarn Needle is useful for finishing off work by weaving in any leftover tails. Even if I crochet the tails into my piece as I work, I still prefer to weave the final bit into the back of the piece for added durability. This ensures the loose ends are held tightly, preventing them from slipping out of your project and causing it to unravel when worn, used, or washed. To weave your tails in, choose the right size needle for your yarn, thread the tail onto the needle, and weave it through a section of loops on the back of the piece... easy peasy!

Next, we'll proceed to discuss the measuring tape and the stitch markers. The measuring tape, straightforward and simple, is used to measure your project when you need to achieve a specific size. You can purchase them at any craft store for about a dollar, and they are available in a variety of colors.

A stitch marker is any object that helps you keep track of a particular spot while crocheting. For instance, when working on a circular pattern, you may not always join the two ends of a row before starting the next one, creating a spiral without a clear beginning or end. The stitch marker helps you remember your starting point. They can also assist in tracking the number of rows by attaching the marker to the edge around the first stitch of the row. I typically mark my rows in groups of '10' for easy counting. Like the measuring tape, stitch markers are plastic and come in various colors. However, I prefer using actual safety pins in different sizes for various projects. I find safety pins more convenient because their point makes them easier to attach to projects, especially if it's a tight weave or a small project with fine yarn. Additionally, I can poke it into my pant leg or chair arm until I need it again.

Now onto the essentials, so to speak. These are the most crucial items you'll need to start your project. Let's begin with yarn. In recent posts, I've discussed how to choose your yarn based on your project, so if this sounds familiar, that's why. However, a little refresher never hurts.

The first step was selecting our pattern, and at the top, right before the instructions start, you should find a section listing your materials and the type and size of yarn you need. If the exact brand of yarn isn't available or you have a preferred brand, you can opt for a similar yarn that matches the required color and size number (e.g., 6 or 7 as shown below).

• Super Fine 1: Super fine yarn is lightweight and typically used for baby items, sock patterns, or shawls. Lacy items often fall under this category, as this type of yarn works best for creating delicate pieces.

• Fine 2: Sport weight yarn works best for items such as socks, wraps, heirloom sweaters, and other delicate accessories. It is also used for lightweight afghans.

• Light 3: Slightly heavier than a fine weight yarn, this weight is used for items such as garments and heavier baby items.

• Medium 4: Worsted weight yarn is the most frequently used. It is easy to work with (making it great for beginners), approximately double the weight of DK or sport yarn, and ideal for working up Afghans.

• Bulky 5: Bulky yarn is about twice as thick as worsted weight. It usually works up quickly when using large needles/hooks, and it’s great to use when making sweaters, scarves, rugs, and throws.

• Super Bulky 6: Super bulky yarn is a thick yarn that works up quickly. It is most commonly used for cowls, scarves, and hats.

• Jumbo 7: Jumbo yarn is the thickest yarn weight, added in 2014 to classify the super thick yarns that began to appear on the market. Jumbo yarns are great for arm knitting and work up quickly.

The materials will also indicate the number of yarn balls or skeins required for the project. If you check under the yarn labeled as 6, it states that you need 2 balls of yarn. To your right, I've included a chart displaying various crochet items and the amount of yarn needed depending on the yarn's thickness.

Now that you've chosen the appropriate yarn, you'll need a tool to work with it.

Given your intelligence, I'm sure you're aware that a hook is essential! There are countless types of crochet hooks, just like grains of sand, and choosing a design that reflects your personal style is part of the enjoyment of crocheting!

I'll briefly discuss the basics of choosing a crochet hook, as I wrote a detailed blog about crochet hooks earlier last year. I'll include the link to that blog and a few others at the end of this post.

In my view, the most crucial factors in selecting a hook are the required size and the comfort during crocheting.

Returning to our example pattern, you'll find the hook size needed for your project under materials. In this case, you would require an 8mm hook or an 'L' hook. Hook sizes can be indicated by millimeters or a letter. An 'L' hook is 8mm, and the most common size is an 'H' hook, which is 5mm. The simplest way to match the letter with its size is to look it up on Google... OR...

You can have a look at the hook conversion chart below:

Before we proceed, another place to find the recommended hook size is on the yarn label itself. When you purchase yarn, it comes with a label that provides a wealth of information on how to best utilize it.

This label suggests using a 5mm hook for medium weight (4) yarn. However, this doesn't mean you must use a 5mm hook with this yarn weight. As you become more familiar with hook sizes and yarn weights, you can experiment with different sizes to achieve a tighter or looser weave for your project.

Ok, now to the comfort portion!

Indeed, just like a quality pair of shoes, comfort significantly matters. No matter the size of the hook, the type of tip, or your grip, if you love crocheting, you should do it with both style and comfort. Over time, the repetitive motion of crocheting can unfortunately lead to joint pain. So, my husband, being the thoughtful person he is, researched and discovered these ergonomic hooks with special handles designed to reduce soreness from repetitive actions.

And believe me, they delivered exactly as promised, much better than the basic steel hooks. However, those have their own advantages too. You can find them in almost any store with a craft section, and they are reasonably priced, especially for beginner crocheters.

Alright, I hope you didn't just use this post to drift off to sleep ;), but before you log off, take a look at the related links about selecting crochet hooks, yarn weights, and a few other topics that will help you better understand the tools of the trade.

#bloggingthemoonCM #knowyourcrochet #crochetmaterials