My Crochet Toolbox
Crocheting is my passion. The successful completion of a crochet project brings me great joy, especially when it is destined to be a gift for someone that I care for. Reaching that joy-filled state requires me to combine just the right selection of pattern and yarn, the success of which is heavily influenced by my previous experiences and acquired crochet skills. My choice of crochet notions, AKA my crochet toolbox, is crucial in helping me to get it right and achieve the finish that I am aiming for.
A crocheter’s toolbox consists of an amalgamation of tools that have usually been collected over time. Sometimes we purchase our tools, other times that are borrowed, gifted, or inherited. However you have assembled your toolbox it has likely changed over time. Tools break or get damaged, your likes and dislikes change, and your crochet skills evolve. Below I will share with you the tools that I currently use on a regular basis, and a few that I aspire to try out!
I hope that you find my insights useful. I would love to know where and why your own preferences differ, the crochet notions that you covet and tools that you would recommend.
If you are new to crocheting you may find it helpful to first read our blog post ‘Essential Supplies for Crochet Beginners’.
***This page may include affiliate links - this means that I may earn a small commission if you purchase the product. This is at no additional cost to you. I will only recommend products that I have tried and tested myself, and that I like using. This income helps me to keep designing quality crochet patterns for you.***
My Crochet Notions
Crochet Hooks
When I first started crocheting, I purchased a basic set of crochet hooks, with chunky handles, that came in a sturdy case along with a variety of other notions. When I saw people debating the ‘best’ crochet hooks online I always felt a little bemused. I was able to crochet perfectly well with my affordable selection of hooks, especially after upgrading my choice of yarn. I did however notice that a few of the hooks within my set were less easy to use than the others due to slight imperfections snagging the yarn.
So often did I see certain brands of crochet hooks being lauded that I was finally convinced to give one a go and see what I was missing. All I can say is ‘wow’. Until I tried my new crochet hook (I had opted to purchase a Clover Soft Touch in my favourite size) I hadn’t realised what I was missing out on. The experience was so mind-bogglingly different (in a VERY good way) that I immediately purchased the whole set, and never looked back. Wanting to share my passion I gifted my old hooks to a friend who wanted to learn to crochet, and that was that… or so I thought.
I kept seeing debates discussing which brand of hook is superior. Whilst I had no desire to purchase any more hooks (for my Clover hooks made crocheting feel as smooth like butter), I was intrigued. In the interest of research, I entered a giveaway where the prize included a set of Tulip Etimo Rose crochet hooks, and I won! When my prize eventually arrived, I was keen to try them out. I found them strange to use initially. They felt alien in my hand due to the differing grip required, however once I had acclimated to this I loved them too! I found them equally easy and smooth to use (when compared to my Clover hooks).
Currently I am happy to reach for either set of hooks, finding the Tulip and Clover crochet hooks to be pleasurable to use. My choice for each project depends entirely upon which I find first (as I frequently leave hooks inside the WIP bag with their corresponding project). Despite this, I am keenly looking forward to trying out a Furls crochet hook next!
I appreciate that a crocheter’s preferred crochet hook is an intensely personal decision. It is influenced my innumerable factors including your budget, how you hold your hook and any memories associated with the hook. Which hook is your favourite right now?
If you pin the image below it will be easy to find this blog post again later.
Stitch Markers
As you likely noticed in my blog post ‘7 Handy Uses for Stitch Markers’, I swear by stitch markers. I constantly find that they help to make my crochet experience more enjoyable by eliminating and/or minimising several stressors (see the blog post for full details). From the moment that I started using stitch markers I have not looked back.
At present I tend to use two different categories of stitch markers - functional and aesthetically pleasing. My favourite ‘functional’ stitch markers are these by Knitpro. Whilst they only come in two colours and relatively small sets, over other stitch markers that I have tried, I find that their tips are nice and pointy (making them easier to slip into stitches), have almost no imperfections (to snag my yarn) and to date, have never snapped.
Conversely, since my last birthday and Christmas, courtesy of my kind friends and family, I have been fortunate to receive some truly beautiful stitch markers (that I have shared in my video blog episodes). I tend to utilise these predominantly as progress keepers, giving them two reasons for making my smile 😀.
Scissors
I do not own enough pairs of scissors! In the fullness of time, I hope to put together a series of small notions pouches so that I can leave one within each WIP bag in use, thereby reducing my frustration when I cannot find the item that I am after.
Right now I have three pairs of scissors in circulation. The first is a pair of folding scissors, which I find incredibly handy as my children (despite sometimes playing with them) are unable to ‘assemble’ them or cut themselves. (Please note that they are always supervised when playing with my crochet scissors). Perhaps I should write a spin-off blog post to my ‘Crochet Hacks for Mums’ that includes this!
My second pair, which came in the case with my Tulip crochet hooks are never left within their reach because they are so incredibly sharp. Happily they came in their own little slip-on case, to avoid any accidents when I am fishing around for them - the last thing that I need is blood on my yarn lol.
The final pair are my beautiful stork embroidery scissors. Admittedly I do tend to use these less often as they frequently migrate into my sewing box. I enjoy machine sewing and cross-stitch on occasion alongside my crochet. I have not counted my many pairs of sewing scissors in this list 😅, especially as I’d probably cry if my fabric scissors were blunted!
How many pairs of scissors do you own?
Tapestry Needle
I have never felt the need to upgrade from my original tapestry needle set - I haven’t lost them all yet lol. They are a fairly standard straight metal set. I find them easy to thread and of an easy size to use. I would however like to try one of the angled ones in the future to see if there is an significant difference in their ease of use. Historically, I have tried using small crochet hooks in place of a tapestry needle, but found this method of weaving in ends far more laborious.
Yarn Bobbins
As you can probably tell from some of the crochet patterns that I have designed, I have a *cough* slight fondness for colourwork 😁. Whilst there are many techniques that can be employed to create beautiful colourwork motifs e.g. tapestry, intarsia, fair isle, I tend to opt for intarsia, which involves the use yarn bobbins.
As you will have learnt in our ‘20 Ways To Make Crocheting More Affordable’ blog post, there are many different types of yarn bobbins. Within my crochet toolbox I have a combination of shaped plastic bobbins and homemade cardboard ones. Just as with my crochet hooks, I am happy to reach for either.
Row Counter
I have yet to update my original row counters. Whilst they are not the prettiest to look at, they work well. I use the basic version that came with my original crochet set. I wouldn’t say no to a prettier one though lol, like one of these pretty pin ones, and I’d love to have a play with one of the Knitpro rings!
Tape Measure
Having learnt to sew before I learnt to crochet I have a variety of basic tape measures that are in regular use. The next time that I get to replace one, I’d like to one of the far cuter, retractable ones.
Blocking Mats
Being an advocate of the ‘reduce, recycle, reuse’ philosophy I currently use the old foam play mats that we purchased when my eldest was learning to walk (on our then wooden floors). They work perfectly well, despite being attacked by our two cats, but I plan to upgrade to some ‘proper’ blocking mats (affiliate link to Amazon) when they wear out. Although they are a little more costly, the lines printed on them make keeping the edges of your projects straight considerably easier - unlike my poor flexible tape measure the printed on lines don’t accidentally move!
Blocking Pins
Again, trying to use what I have before buying new (I’d rather spend my money on yarn 🤣) I use my stainless steel sewing pins to block my crochet projects, although they do sometimes bend. I will however be adding some of these Knitpro knit blockers to my Christmas list this year and they are far more sturdy, and their larger size will make blocking quicker - a win-win in my book. Speed is essential when you are blocking in my house courtesy of the three circulating minibeasts lol.
WIP Bags
This is the area of my crochet toolbox where I hope to make the most progress this year. Whilst I have a few homemade WIP bags (that I love), and a Lovecrafts WIP bag (which came with my bag of mystery yarn), most of my WIPs live in mesh bags, or more embarrassingly carrier bags. Whilst all of these options are fine, and perfectly functional, I dream of the day where I have a stack of stunning WIP bags waiting to be put to good use.
If all goes well, I’d like to make a few more ‘dodgy bags’ when the Little Drops of Wonderful make-along takes place this year, and perhaps attend my first yarn show/festival where I might find a few pretty ones like this to purchase.
Yarn Jar
I have always been in the habit of holding on to my larger yarn scraps to use in smaller colourwork motifs (like the rainbow in the Twisted Trio Ear Warmer) or to make scrappy projects (like the Scraptacular Baskets). However, this year I have decided to try and reduce my yarn waste further by finding a use for every last scrap. This is why I have a Kilner jar where I collect my smallest scraps (mostly from weaving in ends), that I plan to use as stuffing for my occasional amigurumi projects.
Others
I do not yet own a ball winder or swift, as my budget does not regularly stretch to gorgeous hand-dyed yarns. The few skeins that I have won or been gifted so far I have wound by hand. In the future I would love to own a wooden set like this one - it just looks so gorgeous!
Are there any other crochet notions that you use regaularly? Or find incredibly helpful? I’d love to hear about them 😀.
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