Step 1: Collect Supplies

Quite luckily the start up costs of crocheting are minimal and you may even have some of the supplies already. Here is what you'll need.

• Crochet Hook (you only need one!)
• Yarn
• Scissors
• Tapestry/Yarn Needle

Choosing Your Yarn

It's best to start with a medium weight or '4' weight yarn. I suggest starting with a Red Heart Super Saver brand yarn because it's inexpensive, holds up well, comes in an assortment of fun colors, and is medium weight. There are other types of yarn that are medium weight, you're welcome to try them if you'd prefer.

To find out if a yarn is a medium weight check the label. 

 

You also want to pick a color that is not too dark and not too light. This will make it easier for you to see the stitches in the beginning. Avoid the ombre or variegated yarns at this point.

These colors are great for starters but don't feel like you have to choose one of these! (From top to bottom Orchid, Aruba Sea, and Prefect Pink)

The yarn should cost no more than $3.50 per color.

Choosing Your Crochet Hook

Different size hooks will make different sized stitches, obviously, but even within the medium weight class of yarn there can slightly different bulkiness to the yarn and therefore different recommended hook size. Regardless of pattern, your results will always turn out better if you use the hook size recommended by the yarn (with the exception of amigurumi or tiny crocheted characters/toys/ect).

To find out the hook size you need, check the label on your yarn again.

Recommended hook size for Red Heart Super Saver yarn is a 5.5mm hook or an I-9. Make sure you look at the crochet hook size and not the knitting needle size. Easy way to tell, one is shaped like a hook, and the other one is two needles.

I recommend Boye brand hooks, they are my favorite, but try what you want.

A hook will run you a little bit over $1... big spender.

Tapestry/Yarn Needles

These are used for weaving in the ends of your yarn once you've finished a project. As you work on project with multiple colors you will have more ends to weave in, that is the allure of a solid color piece. Less ends.

You should find the yarn needles in the store by the crochet hooks and knitting needles. Look for one with a big eye so it's easier to thread the yarn through when you get to that point.

I recommend getting the metal needles over the plastic ones. Again personal preference. But 100% of the people who wrote this blog post agree with me.

Scissors

I seriously hope I don't have to explain this one. Any scissors will do, just to trim yarn and cut it off when you're done with a piece. I bought kids school scissors (metal ones, not plastic) because they are inexpensive and easy to keep around with the rest of my crochet stuff.

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And now I've given you an excuse to go shopping! Go collect supplies, I doubt it will cost you more than $7 unless you simply can't decide on a shade of yarn and have to buy 5.

I hope to have the next step up very soon! Feel free to post questions in the comment section if you need clarification on anything!