How to Buy Crochet Supplies

The key to creating a crochet item that's serviceable and attractive - and to enjoying the experience of making it - is in selecting the right supplies. Crochet supplies sometimes come packaged with the instructions for making an item. If they don't, the instructions tell you what supplies you need. You can buy supplies online through websites devoted to knitting and crocheting or at local arts and crafts stores.

Buying Yarn

1. Buy yarn in the weight called for by the project instructions. Weight refers to the thickness of the yarn, the number of threads (plies) that make up the strand, the weight per meter, and the number of wraps per inch. Yarn weights have been standardized by the Craft Yarn Council.
   • 0 (lace) is called laceweight in the United States.
   • 1 (superfine) is also called fingering weight.
   • 2 (fine) is also called sport weight.
   • 3 (light) is also called DK weight, which stands for double knitting.
   • 4 (medium) includes worsted weight and Aran weight, which is slightly bulkier.
   • 5 (bulky)
   • 6 (super bulky)
2. Choose the type of fiber according to the instructions or your own preferences. Check the label to learn the care instructions and find out whether the yarn is washable or must be dry-cleaned.
   • Wool yarn includes lamb, Merino, virgin, Shetland and Icelandic varieties. It's a popular material for crocheters and other crafters. If possible, buy washable wool, which has been treated so it can be cleaned with water.
   • Fleece yarn includes mohair and cashmere from goats, and angora from rabbits.
   • Silk, cotton, linen and rayon yarns are smooth and shiny.
   • Synthetic yarns are made of nylon, acrylic and polyester. These are easy to use and care for.
   • Plant-based yarns can be made from soy, bamboo or corn.
   • Novelty yarns can be difficult to work with, especially for novice crocheters. They include ribbon, boucle (textured), chenille, thick-thin and faux fur.
3. Buy enough yarn for your project, plus a little extra. Most stores will buy back skeins you don't use. The project instructions will either tell you how much you need by weight or recommend a specific number of skeins of a certain brand.
4. Check the lot numbers of the skeins. Buy the same lot number for all yarn of the same brand and color. You may not be able to tell the difference between lots in the store, but they will be very obviously different in the finished item.
5. Buying Crochet Hooks
6. Buy hooks one at a time or as a set. If buying a set, make sure it includes a wallet to keep all the hooks together and organized by size.
   • Steel hooks are small and sized from 00 to 14. They are used for working with crochet thread and very small yarns. If you don't want to do small projects, skip buying these hooks. Many crocheters find working with small hooks and yarns causes hand cramps and eyestrain.
   • Aluminum or plastic hooks are sized D through S and are made for working with larger yarns. Aluminum hooks are more comfortable for most crocheters because of their weight. For hooks larger than K, consider plastic instead.
   • The method for sizing hooks can be different in different countries. Consult a conversion chart if the project instructions calls for hooks measured in millimeters or using numeric sizes.

Buying Other Supplies

1. Buy a bag or basket to hold your yarn and other supplies as well as the work in progress. This not only makes it easy to keep your supplies in one place, but keeps your yarn in good shape, especially if you have cats or small children that like to play with yarn balls.
   • Choose a lightweight bag with handles if you want to carry your project around; otherwise, buy a basket with a lid that will look attractive sitting with your furniture.
2. Consider other supplies that make completing your project easier:
   • Small scissors
   • Yarn needles
   • Row counter to keep track of the number of rows you've worked.
   • Stitch gauge to make sure your item will be the correct size when finished.
   • Measuring tape
   • Magnifying light
   • Comfort pads for hooks if your fingers tend to get numb or tingly from holding the hooks.
   • Stitch markers and locks to keep track of where you've made specific stitches and to keep the stitches from unraveling between work sessions.
   • Yarn bobbins will hold small amounts of yarn or entire skeins. Small bobbins are useful for projects in which you change colors often because they keep the yarn ends from getting tangled. Large bobbins allow you to pull the yarn from the skein smoothly, but most crocheters don't bother with them.