Crochet noob is confused

[Apfelbunny]

Here's the thing...I've never done crochet, I can't knit (are they similar?)...Yet someone bought me a kit to crochet a toy for dc2.
My craft thing is cross stitch which is basically colouring in, so this is a fair way out of my comfort zone

I could of just stuck it on eBay or hidden it, but I've decided Ill give it a go.
I've got web pages saved with how to do the Various stitches etc and raring to go... Except the kit didn't come with a crochet stick.
How do I go about finding out what size I need (I read there's different sizes and different weights of wool)
I'm so clueless, I thought wool was wool and a stick was a stick - does it really make a difference?

Help!

[Megatherium]

It's a crochet hook you need. Are you sure there are no instructions telling you what size is needed for the kit? It may be that the size doesn't matter too much - the bigger the size of hook the bigger the toy you will have at the end of it. In that event I'd go for a sort of medium size 4 or 5.

Before you do anything, I strongly advise you to follow some of the online Bella Coco tutorials, they're excellent.

[SpongeBobJudgeyPants]

The bigger the crochet hook the bigger your toy will end up. Thicker yarn will also produce a bigger result. As a newbie, you may find it easier with a slightly bigger hook, and double-knitting yarn. I am assuming the size of the finished toy is not crucial.

[Lessthanaballpark]

I'd be surprised if there weren't something in the instructions on this.

But not to worry. Can you upload picture of the yarn, or the kit or the label on the yarn and we can try to guess.

[SoupDragon]

the bigger the size of hook the bigger the toy you will have at the end of it.

Whilst true, this isn't the whole story. Whilst it will be bigger, the fabric will be too thin and holey if you've used too big a hook.

[Apfelbunny]

It was supposed to come with a hook but didn't...Can't see on it what size it would of been unless it's under a very stuck sticker (dc1 attacked the tin with stickers)

[ThursdayNextIsMyHero]

I started with cross stitch, can't knit and learnt to crochet using a basic book, and online information. Attic 24 is good, as is Bella Coco if you prefer video tutorials. It may be out of your comfort zone at the moment, but it may quickly take over (speaking from experience)

[fruityb]

When all else fails - size 5 lol.

I got a set with rubber handles from Amazon for about six quid and they're great. I hate plastic hooks get metal ones!

[SoupDragon]

I think it would have been. 4mm or 3.5mm hook. DK yarn is probably the most likely yarn which usually uses a 4mm, but for things that are stuffed it is not unusual to drop down a hook size.

[Apfelbunny]

It's a kit to make melody the kitten, so I think it's meant to be quite small judging by the amount of stuffing that comes with it (can't go on volume of wool as I don't know how far wool goes when you're crocheting).

I'll just get a standard sized hook and see what happens, it's just something I can attempt of dc2 naps in bed and not on me so I'm not going to buy a book about it.

Will it go horribly wrong if I have the wrong sized hook for the wool? Or does it only matter in extremes like really big or really little?

[SoupDragon]

From googling it appears to be a 4mm hook.

[Apfelbunny]

Thanks, I've been having issues with Google, mainly because the baby keeps hitting my keyboard!

[temporarilyjerry]

Don't forget to post a pic when it's finished. :-)

[Apfelbunny]

Haha, I will do. I haven't started it yet...