How to Start Crocheting for $20 or Less At Michaels
Want to start crocheting without spending a fortune? Well you’re in the right place, I’ve got you! The price of everything seems to be going up and the craft world isn’t immune. But even with rising prices, I’ve created a beginner crochet kit for less than $20. Its everything you NEED to learn to crochet plus a few extras you might already have at home, plus free resources like YouTube to help you learn your first stitches.
Can You Start Crocheting for $20? Let’s find out!
The mission is to be able to get everything we need to start crocheting for $20 or less. I’m including my local sales tax. I live in Pennsylvania, so my tax is 6%.
In case you missed it, earlier last month I made a blog post and youtube video about everything you need in order to crochet, plus some nice to haves. Because our budget is so small, we are getting really really selective and breaking it down to what is ACTUALLY needed in a pinch for you to simply learn. Once you break out into projects, you’ll want to get the remaining items on the list over time.
The non-negotiables:
- yarn
- crochet hook
- yarn needle
If there’s anything left over, that’s just icing on the cake! Most of us already have scissors at home, so don’t feel like you have to buy a pair just for this! Same goes for stitch markers—you can use scrap yarn, bobby pins, or safety pins in a pinch.
Here’s a breakdown of some extra things to buy if the budget allows.
- scissors
- Measuring tape
- Knit Check
- Notions pouch
- stitch markers
- Storage basket
- notebook/pen
Everything I bought at Michaels for Under $20!
Here is a list of everything I bought at Michaels to start crocheting.
| Item | Price |
| Yarn (Loops & Threads Soft Classic) | $3.99 |
| Crochet Hook (Susan Bates, 5.5 mm) | $3.49 |
| Embroidery Scissors | $3.99 |
| Measuring Tape | $2.00 |
| Notions Pouch | $2.00 |
| Stitch Markers (The Crochet Dude) | $2.49 |
| Yarn Needles (2-pack) | $0.99 |
| Subtotal | $18.95 |
| PA Sales Tax (6%) | $0.90 |
| Final Total | $19.85 |
If you include tax I went just $0.19 over my goal. I got everything I need to start crocheting right now, including tools to help me finish my project, and tool storage too!
What to Prioritize If You’re On a Stricter Budget
Crocheting doesn’t have to be expensive—even if you’re working with a really tight budget. Here’s what I’d recommend focusing on at each price point:
Start your crochet journey for $15.00
| Item | Price |
| Yarn (Loops & Threads Soft Classic) | $3.99 |
| Crochet Hook | $3.49 |
| Yarn Needles | $0.99 |
| Notions Pouch | $2.00 |
| Measuring Tape | $2.00 |
| Subtotal (before tax) | $14.47 |
This includes everything you need to start and finish a project. What you’ll need to find around the house:
- Scissors: Most of us have scissors lying around the house somewhere!
- Stitch Markers: Get creative and use scrap yarn, safety pins or bobby pins to mark your stitches and keep track of where you’re at!
Begin crocheting for only $10.00
| Item | Price |
| Yarn (Loops & Threads Soft Classic) | $3.99 |
| Crochet Hook | $3.49 |
| Yarn Needles | $0.99 |
| Measuring Tape | $2.00 |
| Subtotal (before tax) | $10.17 |
Again, this shopping list includes everything you’re going to need, you’ll just need to get creative with the above items plus:
- Notions Pouch: Use a little pouch our bag you have lying around the house. In a pinch, a ziplock sandwich baggie can be great!
How to start crocheting for just $6.00-ish
| Item | Price |
| Yarn (Loops & Threads Soft Classic) | $3.99 |
| Crochet Hook (Loops & Threads Aluminum) | $2.49 |
| Subtotal (before tax) | $6.58 |
I really wanted to be able to do this for $5.00 at Michaels but I just wasn’t able too but I was able to get close! When you really boil it down, all you need to start crocheting is a hook and skein of yarn! To keep the price as low as possible, I opted for a more affordable hook. Its still a quality hook because its completely metal and super durable, you’re sacrificing a little comfort here. This was one of the first hooks I purchased for myself, after breaking my first hook (a plastic one) in half mid project. I used this hook for years and it served me well.
You’ll likely be able to scrounge around the rest of the items at home. You’ll need to get creative with the additional items listed above plus:
- Yarn needle: Instead of a yarn needle, use your crochet hook to weave in your tails the best you can
- Measuring tape: Use a ruler or measuring tape you have lying around.
What I’d Splurge On If The Budget Wasn’t So Tight
Honestly, the only thing I’d splurge on this list if I were a beginner crocheter, would be to upgrade the crochet hook to a Clover Amour (retails for $9.99) and I’d pick at least 2 different colors of yarn.
Watch the Budget Crochet Haul! Come to Michaels With Me!
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Learning to Crochet Doesn’t Have to Be Expensive
One of the reasons I love to crochet is that it’s a low barrier hobby. You don’t need a ton of tools and materials just to get started. As your love for the hobby grows so will your desire to experiment with more yarns, more hooks, and some tools to make crocheting a bit easier.
Once you’ve got your essentials in hand, there are so many free video tutorials out there to help you go from zero to a finished project. Be sure to check out my learn to crochet for beginners series on YouTube! Once you learn the basic stitches, there’s really nothing you can’t do!
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to start crocheting?
Crocheting can cost as little or as much as you can afford or desire to spend. I’ve found you can start crocheting at the US craft store chain, Michaels for as little as just $6! Though, I’d say a healthy budget is $20 – $30.
Can I start crocheting with just a yarn and hook?
Yes, absolutely! Well, let me back track a little. Yarn and a hook are the only tools you need to buy, but I definitely recommend pairing them with a free beginner tutorial on YouTube. You check out mine here!
What’s the best yarn for beginner crochet?
The best yarn for beginner crocheters is whatever inspires to want to work with it! That being said, a yarn that really inspires you, may not be the yarn that keeps the inspiration high when you’re trying to learn (like a super fuzzy yarn, or yarn with lots of bobbles in it.) I like to tell beginners to start with a #4-medium weight, 100% acrylic yarn in their favorite light and bright color! (If this sounds like a foreign language – all this information is on the back of a yarn label!)
This type of yarn is affordable, and using a light/bright color helps you see your stitches as you go, so you can see what you’re doing!
