You can start crocheting with very little. With yarn and a hook, plus some cheap crochet accessories, you can get started. As you improve, add a few crochet tools and you're really flying. Here's our guide to what you'll need.
Key Takeaways
- You only need a few basic crochet supplies to begin: yarn, a suitable crochet hook, scissors and a yarn or wool needle.
- Smooth DK or aran yarn with a hook around 4 mm or 5 mm is a common beginner starting point, although the pattern or yarn label should guide the final size.
- Locking stitch markers and a tape measure are useful early additions because they help with counting, sizing and keeping track of your work.
- The best beginner crochet kit should focus on useful basics rather than a large number of unfamiliar tools.
- Row counters, yarn bowls and project bags can make crocheting easier to organise, but they are optional rather than essential.
- Blocking mats and pins become more useful for projects where shape and dimensions matter, such as motifs, garments and lace.
- Hook grips and ergonomic hooks are a matter of personal preference, so there is no need to buy them unless you find them more comfortable.
- Add specialist crochet accessories gradually as your skills and projects develop, rather than buying everything at the start.
Start With
- Yarn
- Crochet hook
- Yarn/wool needle
- Scissors
Very Useful
- Locking stitch markers
- Tape measure
- Row counter
- Project bag
Helpful Extras
- Yarn bowl or holder
- Blocking mats and pins
- Soft-grip hook
- Tension gauge
- Hook/storage case
The Must-Have Crochet Accessories List
The most useful crochet supplies are those you'll actually use in most of your projects. Focus on a small core collection to begin. From there, add tools only when your current pattern, technique, or project requires them. UK crochet patterns also use their own stitch abbreviations, including dc for double crochet, htr for half treble and tr for treble.⁵
Crochet Hooks
Crochet hooks determine the size of your loops. Use the size recommended by your pattern or yarn. Around 4 mm or 5 mm is commonly suggested for beginners because the stitches are relatively easy to see and handle.² Don't buy every size immediately; the projects you choose will gradually determine which hooks are useful to own.³
Crochet hooks come in different sizes and materials, but beginners do not need a complete set straight away.
Check the yarn label or pattern for the recommended metric hook size; 4 mm and 5 mm hooks are commonly paired with beginner-friendly DK or aran yarn.
Aluminium, bamboo, wood and soft-grip hooks all feel slightly different in the hand, so comfort can guide your choice once you have learned the basics.
Stitch Markers
Stitch markers are useful when you start crocheting in rounds, working with repeated sections, or making shapes where it's hard to spot the beginning of a row. Stitch markers are cheap, but you can also use a short piece of contrasting yarn. Both knitting and crochet can use markers, but not necessarily the same ones.
Locking or removable stitch markers clip directly into a crochet stitch, making them useful for marking the start of a round, keeping track of pattern repeats or identifying important stitches. Unlike closed-ring markers commonly used in knitting, these can be removed without sliding them off a needle.
Yarn Needles
Yarn needles have a large eye so it's easier to thread wool or yarn. You'll mainly use this once the actual crocheting is finished. You may also see this type of finishing tool described as a tapestry or darning needle.¹
Some of the most useful crochet accessories are also the smallest.
Stitch markers help you keep your place; yarn needles are used to sew in ends; scissors cut the working yarn; and a flexible tape measure lets you check the size of your project.
Keeping these together in a small case or pouch makes them much easier to find while you work.
Scissors or Snips
A small sharp pair of scissors that can cut yarn is all you need. There are specialist scissors if you want, but they aren't necessary. Thread snips or folding scissors are useful if you regularly carry a project bag.⁷
Measuring Tape
Flexible measuring tape will become essential once you're past practice swatches. When you're making scarves, blankets, or motifs, you'll be glad you have one. You can also use your measuring tape to compare garments with the dimensions in a pattern and measure a tension square before committing to a larger project.⁶
Row Counters
A row counter is useful when your pattern has the same instructions for several rows. However, this is definitely an optional extra. You can get mechanical counters, digital versions and phone apps to do the job. Or you can tally up on a piece of paper. Beginners should get in the habit of recording where you stopped.
The best beginner crochet kit doesn't need dozens of tools. Look for smooth DK or aran yarn, an appropriately sized crochet hook, a yarn or wool needle, scissors, locking stitch markers, a tape measure and clear beginner instructions or a simple pattern. Beginner supplies commonly include DK or Aran yarn, an appropriately sized hook, and basic finishing tools,² while UK kits such as TOFT's also combine yarn, a crochet hook, a wool needle, a pattern, and beginner guidance.⁴ A small collection of useful supplies is usually better than a large kit filled with accessories you may not need yet.
Helpful Crochet Accessories That Improve the Experience
Once you've got the essentials, there are more crochet materials and tools you can get for convenience rather than necessity. Some are useful for certain projects, so don't go out and buy them all at once. Just add them to your kit as and when you need them.
Yarn Bowls and Holders
Yarn bowls and holders give you a place to store your yarn. It'll feed towards your hook and can be quite useful. If you crochet at a table or sofa where loose balls roll away, this could be useful.⁶
A yarn bowl or holder can stop a ball of yarn rolling across the floor while you crochet and may help keep the working strand more organised.
It is a convenience rather than an essential crochet tool, and a basket, project bag or other suitable container can serve much the same purpose when you are starting out.
Project Bags and Storage Cases
By the time you have several hooks, needles, and projects in progress, you'll need some storage. A project bag will do the job. You can also get a separate hook case or a small accessories pouch to keep markers and needles from disappearing under larger balls of yarn.⁶
Blocking Mats and Pins
When the finished shape matters, blocking is essential. You can get foam mats and pins to make shaping easier, but there are other surfaces you can use depending on the project and blocking method.⁷ As always, match the tools to the job.
Blocking helps a finished crochet project settle into its intended shape and dimensions.
Mats and pins make it easier to position motifs, garments or lace accurately while they dry, although beginners do not necessarily need dedicated blocking equipment for their first projects.
Always consider the yarn's care instructions before choosing a blocking method.
Hook Grips
Hook grips are an upgrade if you find them useful. Don't automatically assume that they're better than without. Some crocheters prefer the direct feel of traditional aluminium, bamboo or wooden hooks. Have a look at conventional and soft-grip hooks, so you can change style later without replacing your entire collection.³
Tension Gauges and Other Small Tools
A tension gauge or ruler helps sizing stay accurate. If you're making fitted accessories or something that'll be worn, size can be really important. You can use them to count crochet stitches and rows across a measured area and compare the result with the tension stated in the pattern.
Start with yarn, a crochet hook, scissors, and a crochet hook or wool needle. Stitch markers and a tape measure are worth adding early, while row counters, yarn bowls, blocking equipment, specialist storage, hook grips and tension gauges can wait until your projects actually call for them.
These are just the beginner crochet tools we recommend looking into. However, if you work with a private crochet tutor, they can recommend what you'll need. On Superprof, most offer the first session for free, so try a few and find the right one for you.
References
- Hobbycraft. “Get Started in Crochet.” Hobbycraft, https://www.hobbycraft.co.uk/ideas/get-started-in-crochet.html. Accessed 1 Sept. 2026.
- LoveCrafts. “Free Crochet Patterns for Beginners.” LoveCrafts UK, https://www.lovecrafts.com/en-gb/collections/free-crochet-patterns-for-beginners. Accessed 1 Sept. 2026.
- LoveCrafts. “Tools, Hooks and Accessories.” LoveCrafts UK, https://www.lovecrafts.com/en-gb/collections/crochet-supplies-link. Accessed 1 Sept. 2026.
- TOFT. “Mini Tortoises Crochet Kit.” TOFT, https://www.toftuk.com/PD.aspx?product=Gifts%2FMini_Kits%2F-Mini_Tortoises_Kit. Accessed 1 Sept. 2026.
- UK Hand Knitting Association. “Crochet Abbreviations (UK).” UK Hand Knitting Association, https://www.ukhandknitting.com/contentfiles/patterns/ukhandKnittingAssociation-41.pdf. Accessed 1 Sept. 2026.
- Wool Warehouse. “Crochet Accessories.” Wool Warehouse, https://www.woolwarehouse.co.uk/accessories?product_department=35716. Accessed 1 Sept. 2026.
- Wool Warehouse. “How to Guide: Blocking.” The Craft Room, https://blog.woolwarehouse.co.uk/how-to-guide-blocking-2/. Accessed 1 Sept. 2026.
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