If you’re just beginning to learn how to crochet, you may be wondering what kinds of costs are associated with this hobby. Crochet can be a lot of fun and, if done wisely, can even be fairly inexpensive. But if you’re just starting out you probably need to know a little bit about crochet and what materials are needed. So keep reading and learn!
Crochet is a process of creating fabric to make shapes or clothing from yarn or thread. Crocheting is similar to knitting as it consists of pulling loops of yarn through other loops. It differs from knitting in that only one loop is active at one time, and that a crochet hook is used instead of two needles.
Here’s how crochet is done: crocheted fabric is begun by placing a slip-knot loop on the end of the hook, pulling another loop through the first loop, and repeating this process to create a chain of a suitable length. The chain is either turned and worked in rows, or joined to the beginning of the row with a slip stitch and worked in circles, or rounds. Rounds can also be created by working many stitches into a single loop. Stitches are made by pulling one or more loops through each loop of the chain. At any one time at the end of a stitch, there is only one loop left on the hook.
The first thing you’ll need to begin your new hobby of crochet is some type of crochet hook. Crochet hooks come in many types and sizes. Steel crochet hooks range from 3.5 to 0.75 millimeters in the size of the hook, or from 00 to 14 in American sizing. These hooks are used for fine crochet work. Aluminum or plastic crochet hooks are available from 2.5 to 19 millimeters in hook size, or from B to S in American sizing. Some of the more popular crochet hooks are made by Boye and Susan Bates. There are many artisan-made hooks, too, most hand-turned of wood, sometimes decorated with semi-precious stones or beads. These crochet hooks will all vary in prices, ranging from only a few dollars for aluminum or plastic hooks, to over twenty-five.
Next, you’ll need some yarn or thread to start off with. There are five classifications of crochet thread. They are: super fine (sock, baby and fingering yarn); fine (baby and sport yarn); light (light worsted and DK yarn); medium (worsted, afghan and Aran yarn); bulky (chunky, craft and rug yarn); or super bulky (roving and bulky yarn). Each type has its own weight or thickness with roving and bulky yarn being the heaviest. These types of yarn will also vary in prices, from only a few dollars a skein, to well over fifteen and even more. Luckily, you can often find great sales on yarn that will bring the cost significantly lower. And if you’re just starting out, you will want to start with a simple yarn like light or medium that isn’t too fine and isn’t too heavy.
Finally, you will eventually need a pattern for whatever it is you want to make. If you’re just starting out, you may want to keep it simple by making scarves or blankets that only require you to make a rectangular shape (no pattern needed). But eventually you’ll want to move on to hats or sweaters or bags and then you’ll need a pattern. Patterns vary greatly in price. They can be found online for free or purchased in your local handicraft store. Be creative and look for ways to save money in crochet by finding free patterns, buying yarn on sale, and using a middle-grade crochet hook.
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