Starting Point
Hey Friends, I hope you had an amazing weekend! I know we did; we had a busy one but it was so much fun!! We had a family party so the kids got to play with their cousins, and that's always hilarious to watch them together. We also took a day trip to Imagination Station in downtown Toledo. If you're in the Toledo area and haven't been there yet you need to go! I've been going there since I was little, and I love to see my kids enjoy some of the same thing I loved when I was their age. Yes, of course I took my crochet work along with me on the half-hour car ride, and I will show pics of that project soon!
This week I wanted to introduce you guys to some of my favorite crochet supplies, what I started out with and what I'm using now.
Hooks:
First off, when your first starting don't waste your money on expensive tools. Seriously, its not worth it! You can make beautiful works of art with less expensive tools, and just as efficiently. My favorite beginner hooks are the Boyle Aluminum Crochet Hooks. They're super easy to find (I bought most of mine at Walmart) and they hold up! I would recommend starting with a medium size hook, like a I or a J so you don't put too much stress on your hands. But remember, the yarn that you choose will recommend a size for that yarn on their label, I would recommend sticking to their recommendations until you get the feel of how that specific yarn works.
Now I feel like I am a "grown-up" crocheter, since I've been d
oing it for pretty much forever. This Christmas I was gifted a beautiful set of Clover Armour hooks. I am in love!!! However, I don't think I would have been as successful if I had started with theses. When I first started I had a hard time gauging my stitches and my yarn was all over the place. I think that the grip would have driven me insane. It took some getting used to not having the entire hook to use, and with the Clover hooks there isn't as much usable space.
Now, to sit down and work on a large project, these are fantastic! They are smooth like butta and are easy on the hands. 10/10 would recommend!
So when you first start out, buy a few hooks in different sizes and find what works the best for you. Once you get the motions down, then invest in some nicer hooks.
Yarn:
When your first starting, cheap yarn is the way to go! Heck, I still have a huge supply of inexpensive yarn! Now, its not my favorite for blankets or anything wearable, but for Amigurumi or
other projects it works great! When you first start there is no point in buy expensive or fancy yarns that are difficult to use, especially if its your first project, it might not turn out how you would expect. The best part of cheap yarn; you can find it at almost any supermarket. Some of my favorite starter yarns are Caron Simply Soft, Red Heart Classic, or any store brand yarns. I have a hard time spending more than $5 on a skein of yarn, I am a cheap ass!
Go with acrylic to start!!! Acrylic is easy to work with, washable, and it doesn't stretch easily!! I made the mistake of using cotton early on, and it stretches when you have any sort of tension and it still drives me insane to this day! Wool yarn is so soft, but it frays easily and when you're new to learning where to put stitches, this could be a challenge.
DON'T USE BLACK YARN! I repeat!!! DON'T USE BLACK YARN! Or any dark colored yarn for that fact! Dark colored yarns are super difficult to see, unless you're crocheting outside in direct sunlight!
The Extra Stuff:
So, the next thing you need is a yarn needle. These can be found in plastic or metal and sharp or blunt. I prefer the metal sharp ones, the point makes it very easy to weave in those dreaded ends. I have found the plastic ones are usually too long, and they tend to snag and get stuck in yarn, especially acrylic.
Stitch markers are another essential you will need once you get to using patterns. I use them a lot in Amigurumi projects!! My favorites are actually little charms for charm bracelets. They have an easier clasp and stay put, plus I got my cute little one at Pat Catans for $0.25!! Before I got that charm, I had purchased 500 stitch markers from the app Wish for $1! Those markers do their job, but it a pain in the butt to close them, so I usually don't, and then end up loosing my starting point.
Scissors are pretty simple, I know a lot of people who use fancy ones, but I think children safety scissors are the easiest, they fit in my little kit and I haven't found the need for a super sharp pair.
It has taken me until yesterday to find a way to store my hooks and supplies together nicely. And I found it at no other than, Pat Catans for a dollar!! It's actually a storage container for pictures, but when I laid eyes on it, it screamed "crochet hooks"! When my husband saw that I finally had my hooks together he literally said "it's about damn time!" And he's not wrong! I had tired a gallon-size bag, a small basket, a makeup bag to try to stay organized, and none of that worked. So cross your fingers that I can keep my crap together!
Time to shop:
So here is your guide, when you're standing in the middle of the yarn isle for the first time; excited and confused.
1. Grab a light colored skein of yarn that costs less than $5. Make sure it is acrylic.
2. Look at the label of the yarn and buy the size hook it recommends, and then buy one a size smaller. Yes, buy 2 hooks.
3. Buy a set of yarn needles, metal is easier.
4. Don't worry about fancy scissors.
5. Jump up and down with excitement cause you're officially a crocheter!
Take a screen shot of this list!!!
I know that I covered a lot in this post, but I am trying to cover as much ground as I can, so we can start projects together. Please feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions, I am hear for all of you and I can't wait to see you grow and learn and maybe you can teach me something along the way! Feedback is so important to me so please, leave a comment, question or any requests in the comments; and I look forward to hearing from you guys soon!
xoxo, Kala
This week I wanted to introduce you guys to some of my favorite crochet supplies, what I started out with and what I'm using now.
Hooks:
First off, when your first starting don't waste your money on expensive tools. Seriously, its not worth it! You can make beautiful works of art with less expensive tools, and just as efficiently. My favorite beginner hooks are the Boyle Aluminum Crochet Hooks. They're super easy to find (I bought most of mine at Walmart) and they hold up! I would recommend starting with a medium size hook, like a I or a J so you don't put too much stress on your hands. But remember, the yarn that you choose will recommend a size for that yarn on their label, I would recommend sticking to their recommendations until you get the feel of how that specific yarn works.
Now I feel like I am a "grown-up" crocheter, since I've been d
oing it for pretty much forever. This Christmas I was gifted a beautiful set of Clover Armour hooks. I am in love!!! However, I don't think I would have been as successful if I had started with theses. When I first started I had a hard time gauging my stitches and my yarn was all over the place. I think that the grip would have driven me insane. It took some getting used to not having the entire hook to use, and with the Clover hooks there isn't as much usable space. Now, to sit down and work on a large project, these are fantastic! They are smooth like butta and are easy on the hands. 10/10 would recommend!
So when you first start out, buy a few hooks in different sizes and find what works the best for you. Once you get the motions down, then invest in some nicer hooks.
Yarn:
When your first starting, cheap yarn is the way to go! Heck, I still have a huge supply of inexpensive yarn! Now, its not my favorite for blankets or anything wearable, but for Amigurumi or
other projects it works great! When you first start there is no point in buy expensive or fancy yarns that are difficult to use, especially if its your first project, it might not turn out how you would expect. The best part of cheap yarn; you can find it at almost any supermarket. Some of my favorite starter yarns are Caron Simply Soft, Red Heart Classic, or any store brand yarns. I have a hard time spending more than $5 on a skein of yarn, I am a cheap ass!
Go with acrylic to start!!! Acrylic is easy to work with, washable, and it doesn't stretch easily!! I made the mistake of using cotton early on, and it stretches when you have any sort of tension and it still drives me insane to this day! Wool yarn is so soft, but it frays easily and when you're new to learning where to put stitches, this could be a challenge.
DON'T USE BLACK YARN! I repeat!!! DON'T USE BLACK YARN! Or any dark colored yarn for that fact! Dark colored yarns are super difficult to see, unless you're crocheting outside in direct sunlight!
The Extra Stuff:So, the next thing you need is a yarn needle. These can be found in plastic or metal and sharp or blunt. I prefer the metal sharp ones, the point makes it very easy to weave in those dreaded ends. I have found the plastic ones are usually too long, and they tend to snag and get stuck in yarn, especially acrylic.
Stitch markers are another essential you will need once you get to using patterns. I use them a lot in Amigurumi projects!! My favorites are actually little charms for charm bracelets. They have an easier clasp and stay put, plus I got my cute little one at Pat Catans for $0.25!! Before I got that charm, I had purchased 500 stitch markers from the app Wish for $1! Those markers do their job, but it a pain in the butt to close them, so I usually don't, and then end up loosing my starting point.
Scissors are pretty simple, I know a lot of people who use fancy ones, but I think children safety scissors are the easiest, they fit in my little kit and I haven't found the need for a super sharp pair.
It has taken me until yesterday to find a way to store my hooks and supplies together nicely. And I found it at no other than, Pat Catans for a dollar!! It's actually a storage container for pictures, but when I laid eyes on it, it screamed "crochet hooks"! When my husband saw that I finally had my hooks together he literally said "it's about damn time!" And he's not wrong! I had tired a gallon-size bag, a small basket, a makeup bag to try to stay organized, and none of that worked. So cross your fingers that I can keep my crap together! Time to shop:
So here is your guide, when you're standing in the middle of the yarn isle for the first time; excited and confused.
1. Grab a light colored skein of yarn that costs less than $5. Make sure it is acrylic.
2. Look at the label of the yarn and buy the size hook it recommends, and then buy one a size smaller. Yes, buy 2 hooks.
3. Buy a set of yarn needles, metal is easier.
4. Don't worry about fancy scissors.
5. Jump up and down with excitement cause you're officially a crocheter!
Take a screen shot of this list!!!
I know that I covered a lot in this post, but I am trying to cover as much ground as I can, so we can start projects together. Please feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions, I am hear for all of you and I can't wait to see you grow and learn and maybe you can teach me something along the way! Feedback is so important to me so please, leave a comment, question or any requests in the comments; and I look forward to hearing from you guys soon!
xoxo, Kala
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