The Best Crochet Tools You Actually Need (+ A Supplies Checklist!)
If you’re just getting started and looking for the best crochet tools, you might be wondering:
- What are the absolute must-haves?
- Do you really need all those fancy crochet gadgets and accessories?
- Which crochet supplies are worth investing in—and which ones can you skip?
I’ve been crocheting for over a decade, and in that time, I’ve tried so many different crochet tools—some that I swear by, and others that ended up collecting dust. Whether you’re a beginner looking to build your first crochet kit or an experienced maker who wants to streamline your essentials, I’ve got you covered! In this post, I’ll break down:
- The 5 best crochet tools I can’t live without
- The essential crochet supplies you’ll actually use
- A FREE printable crochet supplies checklist so you never forget a thing!
📌 Want a handy, printable version of all these essential tools? Grab my FREE Crochet Supplies Checklist so you can take it to the store or reference it anytime!
Watch the Video!
I’ve put everything we’re talking about in this blog post into a video! Check it out below!
Must Have Crochet Tools (My Top Picks!)
I’ve collected a lot of crochet tools over the years, but if I had to narrow it down to the absolute essentials, these are my top 5 crochet tools I truly can’t live without.
1. Crochet Hooks (The #1 Essential!)
We can’t crochet very efficiently without a hook, right!? Hooks are essential to crochet but there’s so many out there! What crochet hooks are best for beginners? Here are my top 3 recommendations.
Want a full breakdown of all the hooks I own? Check out this my Crochet Hooks Ranked: Best & Worst post!
Clover Amour Crochet Hooks (My #1 Pick!)
- Brushed aluminum tips glide like butter through yarn
- Soft, ergonomic grip prevents hand fatigue
- The full set ranges from 2.25 mm to 6 mm
Susan Bates Bamboo Handle Hooks
- Inline-style hook (great for those who struggle with split stitches)
- Lightweight bamboo handle for a comfy grip
- Affordable alternative to luxury hooks
Boye Ergonomic Hooks (Best Budget Option!)
- Rubber grip makes long crocheting sessions easier
- Great for larger projects, with sizes up to 10mm
- Most affordable set if you want quality hooks on a budget
2. Stitch Markers (Tiny But Essential!)
Why you need them: Stitch markers are an absolute must-have for crochet—especially for amigurumi, rounds, or counting stitches in long projects.
💡 Pro tip: Use open stitch markers for tracking rounds and locking stitch markers to hold an active stitch! (For example, when you’re done crocheting for the day, put a locking stitch marker on your last crochet stitch to keep the project from unraveling.)
3. Yarn Needles (For Weaving In Ends Like a Pro!)
I get this question quite a lot – and the answer is YES! Yes, you do need a yarn needle. Yarn needles are essential for weaving in your ends at the end of a project. They ensure that your ends or truely weaved in allowing you to really get in there with the tail so your final project that you worked so hard on doesn’t unravel!
Metal vs. Plastic: Metal yarn needles tend to glide better through stitches. In my experience, plastic ones just tend to break.
4. Scissors (Small, Sharp, and Portable!)
At the end of every project you’re going to need to snip your yarn! Or maybe you’re working a colorwork pattern and you’re switching colors mid project – either way, you need a pair of scissors!
Best crochet scissors: Embroidery scissors. They’re small and sharp and portable. And they can easily fit into a crochet pouch or pencil cup for storage.
5. Measuring Tape & Gauge Ruler
At some point you’re going to need to measure your work and/or check your gauge and you can’t do that without a measuring tape and/or ruler! I like to use a measuring tape for measuring progress or if a pattern says to crochet for a certain amount of inches. I like to use a ruler or gauge checker to measure my gauge.
Want to learn more about gauge? Read my full guide here!
Nice-to-Have Crochet Tools
Right now, you’ve got the must-have tools covered, but what about the “nice-to-have” tools? These aren’t essential, but they make crocheting so much better!
Even though the tools above are absolute essentials, there are a few extra gadgets that I love having in my crochet kit. They’re not required, but they can make crocheting easier, faster, and more fun!
Nice-to-Have Crochet Tools
Row Counter
If you struggle to keep track of rows (especially in big projects), a row counter is a game-changer! I have this one, its almost like a watch that you attach to your finger!
Knit Companion App
A really great digital tool for tracking crochet and knit projects! You can highlight instructions, add notes, and keep track of rows, rounds, and stitch repeats super easily!
Yarn Winder and Swift
When you start dabbling into all the yarn possibilities you’ll likely find yourself in love with hand dyed yarn. This is the yarn you’ll likely find in a local yarn shop or online from indie dyers. Its more expensive and precious than yarn found at the big box stores. These yarns are typically sold in hanks and are not ready to work with right out the gate, so to get your yarn ready for your next crochet session, you’ll need a yarn swift and winder to get it into that perfect cake shape!
Blocking Combs
If you do a lot of lace or garment-making, these make blocking so much easier and faster than using individual pins.
Essential Supplies for Crochet Projects
Yarn (Obviously!)
I don’t think it really needs to be said but without the yarn, we really have nothing at all – so it is worth mentioning! For Beginners just starting out on their crochet journey I highly recommend picking out your favorite color in an affordable acrylic yarn. Here’s some of my favorite go-tos:
- Red Heart Super Saver (budget friendly, durable and comes in lots of colors)
- Impeccable Loops & Threads (soft and easy to work with, plus has a large color variety)
- Brava Worsted by Knit Picks & WeCrochet (great quality and has probably the BEST color range)
Blocking Mats, Pins & A Steamer
If you’re a beginner crocheter and just learning your stitches you won’t need blocking mats and pins right away, but once you graduate to making actual finished projects you’ll want to invest in a set of blocking mat and pins AND if you don’t already have one – a steamer. Blocking takes you’re finished project to an entirely new level. During the blocking process whether you give your project a bath or a gentle steam (the blocking method will depend on the fiber!) it allows the stitches to relax and fall into place. The ending result is a more polished and professional looking piece! Trust me!
Storage Solutions (Keep your Crochet Supplies Organized!)
As your crochet supplies grow, so will your need for better storage.
A small zippered pouch or pencil cup
If there’s anything you take away from this post, its to get a small zippered pouch to store your crochet hook, yarn needles, scissors and stitch markers. Without a pouch, if you’re anything like me, you will quickly forget where your crochet tools are when you need them ost! For years I used a Lancôme zippered pouch. It was a free gift with purchase from the Macy’s counter and was given to me from either my Mom or Grandmother. It was white patten leather with a gold zipper and pink stitching. I was always asking my husband – have you seen my white pouch!??
But I always always always put my tools back into it and I never lost them!
📌 Want an easy way to keep track of your crochet tools? My FREE Crochet Supplies Checklist includes a section on must-have storage solutions!
Mesh Bags for WIPs
Reusable produce bags or laundry bags are perfect for storing work-in-progress projects. Each project gets its own bag, keeping yarn & patterns organized! I used to keep all of my projects in one huge basket but my projects would get all tangled together and be a huge mess. A lot of my time was wasted trying to untangle my projects from one another and it definitly ate into my crochet time!
A journal or project planner
A journal or project planner is really great to have on hand to keep track of where you’re at between sessions so you can easily jump back in. They are also really great to take notes on important things like changes you make or magic numbers (like the amount of rows that makes you’re perfect sock or mitten!)
Tracking projects = fewer mistakes! A crochet planner helps you:
- Track where you left off
- Take notes on pattern modifications
- Keep a record of favorite yarns & hooks
Exciting News! I’m currently creating a brand-new crochet project planner just for you! Sign up here to be the first to know when it’s released!
📌 Download your Free Crochet Supplies Checklist
Want a handy checklist of all the essential crochet supplies and tools? Download my FREE Crochet Supplies Checklist here!
Where To Buy The Best Crochet Tools & Supplies
There’s so many places options for where to find the best crochet tools! So if you’re new to crochet and don’t know where to start, here’s what I suggest.
Big Box Stores
These are stores like Michaels, JOANN (rest in pecace), Hobby Lobby, and Walmart. These stores are great for anyone getting started. You can usually find at least one if not all of these stores in every major city and most towns. They are full of budget friendly, hooks, yarns, and most of the other crochet tools and supplies we talk about in this post!
Online Retailers
Think WeCrochet, Knit Picks, and Amazon. My favorite online retailer is WeCrochet/Knit Picks. They have the best variety, quality, and color selection. They are also super budget friendly and ship fast!
As for Amazon, I love it for crochet tools, but always check the pricing with the original retailer or compare with your local big box store!
Local, Indie & Specialty Shops
I love these types of shops for shopping small business selections of beautiful yarns and crochet tools. A couple of my favorite shops include:
- Furls – luxury, beautiful, and unique crochet hooks
- Sewrella Yarn – for beautiful hand dyed yarn that always has a fun theme
- A Homespun House – also beautiful themed hand dyed yarn
Common Crochet Tool Mistakes & How to Avoid Them
Buying plastic hooks and yarn needles
I learned this the hard way. One of my first crochet hooks was from an acrylic set. I was in the middle of a project and the hook snapped in half! (And I wasn’t tugging too hard on it, I promise!) After that happened I’ve never gone back to plastic hooks and always use aluminum!
A similar situation happend with a plastic yarn needle. This time I know I was tugging a little hard, but when you weave in ends, sometimes you have to! They eye of the needle ripped open and was then rendered useless. I highly suggest starting out with metal!
Investing in an expensive crochet hook set too soon
Before you invest in an expensive crochet hook set, make sure you actually love crocheting first! I know I’m biased towards crochet and just know you’ll love it! I also know theres lots of people out there where they try it and its just not for them, and thats ok! So before investing in an expensive set (like the Clover Amours), just grab one of the hooks separately to test the waters and make sure you LOVE crocheting, and LOVE the hook before you get the whole set.
And if your concern is that you’ll have two of the same size hook – trust me you’ll need it later! I have multiples of all of my go-to hook sizes!
Not Using Stitch Markers
One of the most common questions I get on my tutorials is: ‘Why are you using a stitch marker?’ Stitch markers are an absolute game-changer in crochet! They help mark the beginning of rounds, keep track of stitch counts and repeats, and even track your progress. Whether you’re working on amigurumi, garments, or intricate stitch patterns, stitch markers make crocheting easier, more organized, and way more enjoyable!
FAQs About Crochet Tools & Supplies
What is the best crochet hook for beginners?
I always recommend Clover Amour, Susan Bates Bamboo, or Boye Ergonomic for beginners because they’re comfortable and easy to use!
Are ergonomic crochet hooks really worth it?
YES! They reduce hand strain, help you crochet faster, and make crocheting way more comfortable.
How do I store my crochet hooks?
I keep mine in a crochet hook cup on my desk, but I also love using a small zippered pouch for on the go projects.
What’s the best crochet hook size for blankets?
Most granny square blanket use worsted weight yarn (medium #4), which pairs well with a 5 mm or 5.5 mm hook.
Which crochet tools do you swear by? Drop a comment below—I’d love to hear what’s in your crochet kit! 💕
