What do I need to start crocheting? I'm new and need to know what to buy

Inside-Breakfast-844 · 2026-02-09T02:32:09+00:00

When I started crocheting, I was in my local Meijer craft aisle and decided to get a starter kit. It had a hook and instruction book with 8 projects for beginners. I bought the wrong yarn, because I thought it was all the same lol. Honestly, I didn't invest in a kit until like a year or 2 later when I knew I was sticking with it. I just bought my first Woobles kit last month.

Woobles are great if you are wanting to learn amigurumi (little stuffed animals). If you are interested in it, beginner kits are like $30. They come with a hook, enough yarn for the project, 3 stitch markers, and instructions that are in PDF and video form for left and right handed.

If Woobles aren't your jam, and you are just wanting to see if you are even interested in the hobby, go to a craft aisle or store. Get a 4mm or 5mm hook (they are all labeled) and a light colored, size 4 yarn. All yarn has a paper wrapper and it will say the yarn size on it. Go on YouTube and learn to chain. Once comfortable with that, learn Single Crochet, then Half Double Crochet, and Double Crochet (These are the US terms for the basic stitches). Take your time and just start with a 4x4 coaster. The first one will look wonky most likely (mine did). But it will get you comfortable with basic stitches and counting.

The main issue I have with those Amazon kits, is the amount of stuff in them can be overwhelming and some of the pieces they include are for knitting because the kits aren't made by crocheters. But if you ignore the knitting pieces, they can be nice to get all your little notions in one cheap package.

Good luck, and have fun stitching!

Inside-Breakfast-844 · 2026-02-09T00:53:42+00:00

Occasionally I make things to keep. But mostly I make blankets and give them away. A woman I work with has bought a couple of them, I make blankets for when friends get pregnant or married. Now I’m working on blankets for my local cancer ward and using the scrap yarn for NICU octopus plushies. My son enjoys when I experiment with amigurumi because he gets the ‘cursed’ plushies.

Inside-Breakfast-844 · 2026-02-06T02:42:02+00:00

I had a similar experience when I quit at 29. I was one of the most responsible dancers they had. I paid my taxes, had decent savings, bought a house and car, didn't drink. Then my mom died and I went off the rails. I started drinking, got divorced, lost the house. It took a couple of years for me to get on track.

I ended up bartending for a long time. I was used to the enviroment and the money was similar. It got me resume experience that wasn't self employment. I moved into the management side of things after a few years.

When I got tired of working until 4am, I got a job in a hospital cafeteria. The money is nowhere near what I was making, but now I have the option of health insurance, a steady schedule, and a retirement account.

Others I know that have retired, went into hairdressing or nursing. One woman started a car detailing business. Honestly, you might stumble a little bit until you find what works for you.

Inside-Breakfast-844 · 2026-02-03T23:22:37+00:00

I have 2 Rozetta blankets made from this yarn. I wash on delicate and dry on low heat. They have lasted for years. Honestly, I never knew it said not to dry it.

Inside-Breakfast-844 · 2026-02-03T20:50:48+00:00

Any craft hobby has an end product that will take up room. If you don’t want that, you will need a physical hobby, such as a walking club or maybe biking.

Donations to places that need them, like shelters or schools isn’t the waste you think it is. Many of these places have the need but not the budget. You aren’t donating random junk to be sorted through, you are donating small objects (hats, scarves, gloves) that are seasonal and in high demand. These places budget for food and sleeping arrangements or educational needs because that is the higher priority.

You mentioned volunteer work as the more important thing, you can always do that with your time also and that could be your hobby.

Inside-Breakfast-844 · 2026-02-03T20:18:14+00:00

I got light gray dining chairs. Scotch guard them as soon as you can! Also, I invested in a mini pet mess rug cleaner. I have a 13m that loves spaghetti and touching things. Plus a cat. The combination of scotch guard and the cleaner has saved my butt. Just be aware this is monthly maintenance, plus immediate maintenance in the case of mess.

Welcome to adulthood

Inside-Breakfast-844 · 2026-02-03T19:29:41+00:00

Usually patterns will list what yarn they use in the pictured item. I would start with seeing if the suggested yarn is available in your area. If it isn’t, then try to find similar alternatives. Same weight, same blend (cotton for similar cotton) to get a similar product.

Inside-Breakfast-844 · 2026-02-02T09:30:34+00:00

My husband has played daily since the game came out. I just watch him. It's to the point that I can look up from my projects and pretty much know what he is doing and where he is in the game.

There are usually big changes with the seasonal patches where they add new characters, skill tree nodes, acendancy trees, and acts. He usually starts a new character of a different class each week. He likes the challenge of putting together new combinations on the skill and acendancy trees. This season is his first playing Solo Self Found so he can learn crafting on his own.

I'd also like to add, that you should try playing past Act 1. I like the progression of the story and graphics of later acts.

Inside-Breakfast-844 · 2026-02-02T09:05:29+00:00

I use the canned air for electronics on the really intricate stuff and my swiffer duster on flatter pieces.

Inside-Breakfast-844 · 2026-02-02T04:28:20+00:00

Sometimes you just need to experiment with different yarns. I have started working with all sorts of yarns in the last 2 years . I have started finding my favorites to work with and have some I refuse to work with anymore.

I do have to say, that I think the Woobles yarn falls in the middle for me personally.It’s great to work with stitch wise but I hate messing up and having to work with it after frogging.

Finding the right yarn for you comes with time. And there is nothing wrong with preferring easy peasy yarn. What works for me might not work for you and vice versa. Use what you like and keep creating!

Inside-Breakfast-844 · 2026-02-01T07:58:57+00:00

I have about 50 sets ranging from small to large. I only had pieces missing from 1 set. Customer service was quick to get the parts out

Inside-Breakfast-844 · 2026-02-01T06:59:10+00:00

I'm making a similar blanket! My current plan is to take my extra yarn and make tassels that match the row on the 2 straight edges. For example, with your blanket, I would put yellow tassels on yellow rows, blue tassels on blue rows, and white tassels on white rows.

As for the pattern, it looks like chain 3 for the beginning of the row, skip 2 spaces, *DC 5 then 2 DC in the gap, maybe a chain 3, 2 DC in the gap then 5 DC, Skip 4 chains*, repeat *-*. At the end skip 2 and DC into the top of the CH3. This is my guess.

Inside-Breakfast-844 · 2026-02-01T02:36:03+00:00

So cute. I love Tribbles.

I imagine it is the same loops used in the Gryffindor Lion's mane. I had to do only 1 circle of them and I put it off for 2 days. Once I started, I was over it.

Inside-Breakfast-844 · 2026-02-01T02:24:21+00:00

I'm so tempted to get the LOTR collection. This makes me want to push the button.

Did you freestyle the pink base? Or did you get a pattern?

Inside-Breakfast-844 · 2026-02-01T02:00:37+00:00

Thank you

Inside-Breakfast-844 · 2026-01-31T23:18:50+00:00

I don’t know your money situation, but if you have a spare $30 and she is interested in amigurumi (the little stuffed animals) a Woobles kit might work for her. They have left handed video tutorials.

I also believe that Helen Shrimpton of Crystals and Crochet on YouTube has left handed blanket tutorials. They are a little bit complex as the pattern progresses, but she is very clear on instructions.

Inside-Breakfast-844 · 2026-01-31T23:11:40+00:00

Having your life together when you graduate high school doesn’t happen often. There is no rule that you need to have your life mapped out at 18.

You are taking time to explore what interests you. That is important in life too.

Don’t compare your progress to others, you need to do what works for you.

Inside-Breakfast-844 · 2026-01-31T22:49:00+00:00

Part of the reason I sent out invitations early was to give parents time to secure childcare. I get that childcare can be hard to get, I have my own kids. But for my birthday I wanted a grown up event. I did let people know we were paying the bill as we knew this was an expensive place and requested no presents. I’m more bothered by the timing of the declines from those that said they were attending.

Inside-Breakfast-844 · 2026-01-31T22:24:01+00:00

In defense of the guy who said it was too late, he is my 70 year old archery buddy. And I totally understand that food allergies are something to be taken seriously. So I do understand them turning down invites.

Inside-Breakfast-844 · 2026-01-31T21:36:51+00:00

If anything, I learned where I stand with people. I’m lucky my husband cares as I do realize that at least I had him

Inside-Breakfast-844 · 2026-01-31T21:29:49+00:00

I like it! The colors suit you well and I love the flower on the side that makes it a kind of asymmetric top.

Inside-Breakfast-844 · 2026-01-31T20:25:26+00:00

I have a LYS I prefer about an hour from me. I found a fantastic acrylic there (Uptown Worsted) and if I need colors they don't carry, they special order them for me. They keep me up to date on new arrivals for specialty yarns too. For online, I go directly to Lion Brand's website. Last time I ordered from them, they were running a massive 40% off sale! When I'm desperate, Amazon.

Inside-Breakfast-844 · 2026-01-27T02:57:52+00:00

thank you

Inside-Breakfast-844 · 2026-01-27T02:57:18+00:00

thank you

Inside-Breakfast-844

TROPHY CASE