Before you begin your crochet projects, there are a few essential items needed for success.
Crochet Hooks
Crochet hooks have differnt sizes that are to be used with different weighted yarns.
Lace Weight Yarn: 1 (1.4 – 2.2 mm)
Super Fine Yarn: 2 (2.25 – 3.5 mm)
Fine Yarn: 3 (3.5 – 4.5 mm)
Light Yarn: 4 (4.5 – 5.5 mm)
Medium Yarn: 5 (5.5 – 6.5 mm)
Bulky Yarn: 6 (6.5 – 9 mm)
Super Bulky Yarn: 7 (9 – 15 mm)
Effects of choosing the wrong hook size:
Too small: tight, dense stitches; difficulty catching yarn or drawing the hook through loops; smaller finished work.
Too big: loose, distorted stitches; overly stretchy fabric; larger than intended work.
Tip: When using a pattern it will have suggestions of hook sizes. You can also find the best suited hook size on the back of the label of the yarn you have choosen.
Stitch Counters
I highly recommend the use of stich markers, especially when starting out or when you have an advanced patter. It is very easy to look count of the stitches in your row and this can lead to your project being wonky or uneven and sometimes you don't notice until your
are far along.
Scissors
You will want a decent pair of scissors. I personally use a hair of beard trimming scissors but you can find many options at any yarn or sewing store. You just want something sharper than kitchen scissors.
Darning Needle
These are large, blunt tipped needles with a large eye hole. They are used to finish off your projects by weaving in the yarn ends.
Yarn
I am still learning about yarn and all the types there are. There are three categories of yarn, animal fibers, plant fibers and synthetic fibers. The pattern you use will tell you the yarn they have used for the project, but you can always play around with the type of fiber you use.
Animal Fibers: These types of yarn include Wool (sheep), Alpaca (alpaca), Cashmere (goat). and Silk (derived from the cacoons of silkworms)
Plant Fibers: These types of yarn include Cotton (Gossypium plant), Linen (Flax plant), and Bamboo (Bamboo plant)
Synthetic Fibers: These types of yarn include Acrylic, Nylon and Cotton/Acrylic Blend.
Yarn Weights
Yarn weight refers to how thick the yarn is. Zero is the finest and seven is very thich yarn that you could even "crochet" with your hands.
