Crochet is one of those fantastic hobbies that actually requires very little to get going. There are, however, a few essential crochet supplies and tools that I think everyone should have in their project bag.
I’m going to leave out the obvious (yarn and hooks!) but here is my list of 7 essential crochet supplies and tools. All of these items can be found in my project bag.
Essential crochet supplies list:
1. Sharp pair of scissors or yarn snips
A decent pair of scissors, snips or a yarn cutter is an absolute must. You need them when weaving in ends and snipping off yarn tails. If the scissors in your kit are blunt, get them sharpened stat! I have quite a few pairs of scissors that float between projects so that I never have to hunt around for a pair.
2. Stitch markers
There are many ways to mark stitches, from bobby pins to scrap yarn. But my favourite are locking stitch markers. They are easy to snap into place and because they lock closed, they won’t fall out.
I like that they come in different colours as this helps to distinguish different parts of the pattern. For example, I will use one colour to mark the right and wrong side of my work, and another to mark the beginning or end of a round.
>>Upcycled stitch marker charms tutorial
Top tip: use a stitch marker to hold your working stitch when you pack away your project or have to travel with it. It will stop your project from becoming unravelled!
3. Measuring tape
A measuring tape is one of my essential crochet supplies as many patterns require you to work your project to specific measurements.
A measuring tape can also be used instead of those fancy gauge measures. My favourite measuring tapes are the ones that can roll up at the click of a button. They are easy to use, store well, and come in many cute varieties online. And the absolute best is if you can find one with both inches and centimetres!
4. Sewing and yarn needles
Depending on the type of crochet that you do, you may not need all of these, but having a selection of needles is definitely one of my essential crochet supplies. The needles I use most for my crochet work include:
- Bent tipped yarn needle in different sizes. These are wonderful for sewing amigurumi together. My favourite brand is Clover Chibi
- Straight yarn needles in different sizes are an essential crochet tool for joining granny squares. I have a selection in both plastic and metal which I used depending on my fiber type.
- Embroidery needle. A thin, sharp embroidery needle for adding embroidered details as well as sewing on appliques or joining amigurumi.
Top tip: Store your needles in a small tin with a magnet in the tin so that the needles can’t fall out and get lost.
5. Pins
Pins are one of those underrated, but in my opinion essential crochet supplies. I always keep a few pins in my little tin of needles. Really useful for pinning pieces of a project together before seaming, useful for marking out the placement of safety eyes or other features, and they can be used for blocking.
I also use pins to attach a paper note to my crochet (including details of the yarn, hook size etc) if I have to pack my project away for a time.
Top tip: make sure your pins are stainless steel and have a decent sized head so that they don’t rust or get lost in your project!
6. Pencil or pen
I’m always scribbling notes to myself on the patterns I’m working on. Whether it’s marking off where I have got to or noting if I’ve needed to make a slight tweak, having a pencil in my project bag is always handy. While I can also make notes on my phone, I find the action of writing down notes helps to solidify them in my mind. If I’m reading the pattern off my phone, then I also like to have a small notebook in my bag for taking notes or jotting down ideas.
I’m a bit non-committal when I’m crocheting and prefer to use a pencil which I can erase if I need to. But a pen is just fine too!
Top tip: A pencil is also a useful tool for jamming stuffing into soft toys or turning out tight shapes.
7. Notions pouch / project bag with lots of zips!
I like keeping all my crochet supplies together in a project bag; preferably one with lots of compartments. Bags with lots of zipper pouches are the best! Clear pouches are also useful so that you can see which project you have stored.
I like to keep a set of my necessary crochet supplies (i.e. all the things listed above) in each of my crochet project bags so that I never have to hunt around for a pair of snips or a stitch marker.
Are there any essential crochet supplies that you can’t live without that I’ve left out?
For those of you wanting to stock up on crochet supplies beyond the essentials, have a look at all the items I have listed in my Amazon selection, or check out this comprehensive list of gift ideas for crocheters.
Happy stitching friends!
Continue Reading:
>>How to choose the best crochet hook
>>All you need to know about yarn thickness | what is yarn weight
>>T-shirt yarn tips | How to crochet with t-shirt yarn
>>Furls crochet hook review: pros and cons of ergonomic hooks
My project bag has similar contents. I carry folding scissors in my project bag, and leave the pointed ones in a basket by my chair.
My bag also stores earbuds, a small snack and a notepad.
Oh, snacks are important! I also have a basket on a chair in our living room which has a few extra things like hand cream and my ear buds.