Essential Crochet Tools & Accessories
Crochet is such a joy. From classic Afghan blankets and granny square projects to cardigans, pillows, toys, and more, it offers endless creative possibilities. Maybe you found your first crochet hook at a garage sale, picked one up in a store, or received it as a family hand-me-down craft. However you begin to crochet, you’ll soon notice there are a few extra tools that can make things easier and more enjoyable.
In this post, we’re here to help you get started with some of those helpful items. Also, we will link to helpful resources throughout this post, and at the bottom, you’ll find a Quick-Reference Checklist PDF you can use to keep track of what you have.
You Must Have….
Crochet Hooks
If you’re choosing your first crochet hooks, we have a helpful article, Choosing Your First Crochet Hooks, that covers shapes, materials, and sizes to guide your decision.
Yarn
Yarn can feel like an even bigger world to explore, and we’ve got several articles on the Crochet Learning page to help you find what works best for your projects.
Common Accessories Mentioned in Patterns
Once you move past the basics of a crochet square, you’ll likely want to follow a pattern. Many patterns mention a few go-to crochet tools that can make a big difference right from the start.
Scissors
This might sound obvious, but some yarns, especially silk, are too strong to break by hand. A small pair of scissors is perfect for travel and helps you keep working no matter where you are.
Stitch Markers
Locking stitch markers are a staple in your toolkit. They help you track the beginning of a row, mark a specific stitch or row, or remind you which side is which. Some even come with fun little charms to bring a smile to your project.
Darning Needle
Also known as a tapestry needle, this tool is used to weave in your yarn ends. While some techniques let you weave in your ends as you go, most projects still leave a few ends to tidy up at the end. Having a variety of sizes is helpful for different yarn weights. We like the Clover Chibi sets because they come in a neat travel case.
Items Not Always Listed but Usually Needed
It’s not uncommon for patterns to skip over a few essentials. These are the tools we often find ourselves reaching for when we crochet, even when they’re not mentioned.
Measuring Tape
For hats, mittens, sweaters… just about everything that you’ll want to measure. A soft tape is easy to use, and retractable ones are compact, easy to store, and great for travel.
Hard Ruler
When checking your gauge, you’ll want to make a swatch. A hard ruler makes it easier to count stitches and rows without bending into the fabric. Some even come with built-in magnifiers to make reading stitches easier.
Yarn Swift
Hand-dyed yarn often comes in skeins, and while a chair or a willing friend can help, a yarn swift, also known as an umbrella, is a great investment. It holds the skein steady and under tension, making it much easier to wind the yarn into a cake.
Nostepinne or Ball Winder
You can wind yarn by hand or use a nostepinne, which is a simple wooden tool, tapered at the top. But if you’re working with finer yarns or large skeins, a ball winder can save you time. Plastic winders are budget-friendly, and while wooden ones are more expensive, they are also more durable and easier to repair. There are even motorized options if you’re winding regularly.
Keep Yourself Organized
These tools can help you stay on track and have a more enjoyable crochet experience.
Row Counter
Whether you prefer a physical counter or a phone app, this tool is great for keeping track of your rows. It’s especially helpful on larger projects or when you’re just getting started.
Pen and Paper
Make notes as you go. Whether you jot things down in a notebook, on your printed pattern, or in a digital tool, tracking any changes you make will help you repeat your success or find where something went off track. Don’t rely on memory; writing it down is always worth it.
Blocking Tools
When your project is complete, it’s time to wash and block it. Most hand-dyed, wool, or luxury fibres need to be washed by hand and shaped carefully as they dry.
Basin or Tub
Use a basin or your bathtub to soak your project. A separate basin lets you move it out of the way to cool or soak while still using your space.
Soap
You can use scent-free biodegradable dish soap or choose a wool wash like Soak, designed for delicate fibres.
Remove Water
To remove excess water, gently roll your piece in a towel and press. A washing machine or salad spinner can also help spin out moisture, but avoid wringing; this can stretch or distort your stitches. Putting items in a mesh bag before spinning avoids anything from snagging your handmade work!
Block Mats and Pins
Blocking mats give you a clean, movable surface for shaping your work. They’re especially useful for lace pieces that need gentle stretching. Use T-pins or knit blockers to secure everything in place while it dries.
Steamers
If you prefer steam blocking, a handheld steamer makes the job easier. Just be careful with the hot steam so as not to burn yourself.
Fun Extras That Can Help
Project Bags and Notion Pouches
Having a dedicated project bag makes it easier to crochet on the go. These bags keep your yarn and current project clean and together. Notion pouches are great for storing stitch markers, needles, scissors, and other small crochet tools. Just a heads up, project bags often become a collection of their own!
Pattern Chart Holder
If you use printed patterns, chart holders can be really helpful for keeping your place. You can also use a sticky note, but just be cautious, they tend to lose their grip over time.
Niddy Noddy
If you have leftover yarn you want to store or reuse later, a niddy noddy lets you wind it back into a skein easily.
Digital Scale and Calculator
Want to know how much yarn you have left? Weigh it. This can be especially helpful partway through a project if you’re unsure whether you’ll have enough to finish.
Final Thoughts on Crochet Tools
There are always new tools and gadgets popping up, and we may not have covered them all here. Still, we hope this gives you a helpful starting point. If you have favourite tools that we haven’t mentioned, feel free to share them with the SweetGeorgia community. We love hearing what works for you.
Courses to Help On Your Journey
At the School of SweetGeorgia, we have over 100 courses to help you on your fibre arts adventures. From knitting, spinning, crocheting, weaving, dyeing, and more, we are here to help. Here is a list of some of our basic crochet courses:
- Crochet Basics
- Crochet Increases & Decreases
- Crochet Joins
- Granny Squares
- Crochet Textures
- Amigurumi: Crocheting Basic Shapes
Join Our Community!
- At the School of SweetGeorgia, we’ve built a vibrant and welcoming community of fibre-loving makers, passionate instructors, and dedicated staff. Whether you’re looking for guidance on a new technique or just need a little creative encouragement, we’re here to support you every step of the way.
- Not yet a member of the School? We invite you to come and see what it is all about! Use the code: EXPLORETHESCHOOL to save 15% on an All-Access monthly membership!
- We welcome you to join us in our SweetGeorgia Community. This is where we share projects that inspire, have fibre-filled conversations, host make-alongs, and participate in a variety of virtual meetings! We discuss all things knitting, crocheting, spinning, weaving, machine knitting, and more!
- Want to stay in the loop? Subscribe to our newsletter! It’s a simple way to stay updated on what’s new at SweetGeorgia and the School of SweetGeorgia, catch up on the latest articles, watch new SweetGeorgia YouTube videos, and be a part of our community without any pressure to post. We value your presence, no matter how you choose to connect with us!
Checklist
Here is a quick checklist you can use to see what you have, need, and want!
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