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Crochet yarn and hooks recommendation

29 replies

INeedNewShoes · 16/12/2025 11:40

I want to put together a beginner crochet kit for my daughter but I’m clueless about these things. We previously bought wool from Hobbycraft and it’s horrible quality.

Please can anyone recommend a specific brand of yarn that will be easy to work with for a beginner. Also any pointers re buying hooks will be much appreciated.

OP posts:
HeartShapedSea · 16/12/2025 11:49

Hi
Cotton based wool such as Ricorumi is easier to work with, I'd recommend learning granny squares before anything else then progress.

I use ergonomic hooks size 3 or 4 for amigurumi cotton based wool, hook size 5 for traditional woolly wool. You can buy these anywhere like amazon etc

CottonPyjamas · 16/12/2025 11:52

There's a store called Hobbii that sells Amigo acrylic yarn. That would be good for a beginner, but is online and ships from Denmark. You'd need to check shipping times. Also, it's the best part of ten pound a hook, but Clover Amour hooks can be bought from Amazon. They're highly recommended. Size 5mm is probably most commonly used.

Fionasapples · 16/12/2025 11:55

For a beginner I'd recommend Stylecraft DK yarn, reasonably priced and lots of colours. My favourite hooks are Knitpro, available through Amazon.

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Mudflaps · 16/12/2025 12:09

Stylecraft double knit yarn and a size 4mm hook is ideal for beginners. There are lots of crocheters on social media now so finding beginner guides is pretty easy but some people prefer to learn from a book with diagrams so adding a book might be helpful. I used a childs guide to crochet when I started even though I was in my 40's. Clover/knitpro/tulip are all good brands of hooks but everyone will develop a preference for one brand over another.

INeedNewShoes · 16/12/2025 13:04

Thank you all for your advice. I will set about putting together a nice starter kit for DD.

I like the idea of a nice book rather than printing things from online. Any book recommendations?

OP posts:
mimipuss82 · 16/12/2025 13:21

Clover amor hooks are amazing ! It costs more but is much more pleasant to use

Crazymadchickenlady · 16/12/2025 13:24

I love the clover hooks too. I mainly use my 4mm one. Stylecraft yarn is cheap and colourful and easy to use.

Maybeishouldcrochet · 16/12/2025 13:28

Have you looked at Attic24- her tutorials are free and easy to follow..... She has some kits to buy on wool warehouse.
I would also recommend style craft DK and a 3.75mm, 4mm and 4.5mmm hooks (so she can work on tension).... I also love the clover amor hooks

Soony · 16/12/2025 13:34

I completely disagree about cotton being easy to crochet. I've been crocheting for many years and really struggle with cotton as it doesn't flow as easily as acrylic.
I'd buy a clover hook size 4 or 5 and some acrylic in either a light plain colour or a multi colour. Dark colours are harder to work with so start light.
YouTube is the best way to learn. Books are nice to have but for a beginner I would recommend Bella Coco on YT.

Justbecauseyoucandoesntmeanyoushould · 16/12/2025 13:40

I'm self-taught and have become very proficient! 😂 Good quality acylic DK yarn (anothe fan of Stylecraft), 3mm and 4mm hooks with silicone handles (Clover hooks are comfortable) and Bella Coco on YouTube - great tutorials!

TallShip · 16/12/2025 16:21

Bella Coco tutorials are great. I’ve crocheted for years but use Bella Coco to update my techniques and refresh.

OakleyStreetisnotinChelsea · 16/12/2025 16:28

I would also say acrylic yarn and Bella Coco on YouTube .

I get that books are nicer for a hamper but honestly the books won't get opened when YouTube is so easy to follow.

The Knitting Network is a decent website with lots of inexpensive yarns for experimenting. King Cole DK is just over £1 on there.

HeartShapedSea · 16/12/2025 19:50

I think maybe you just get used to the wool you like, I have crocheted a long time and I prefer cotton based for amigurumi.
Maybe try a selection of types and see what she prefers and may depend on what projects she wants to work on. I wouldn't recommend any velvet yarn but unfortunately items made from it sell very well so I often have to use it.
Good luck! Crochet is great and extremely addictive

Cleo65 · 16/12/2025 20:06

Check out 'Beginner Crochet' books on Amazon - there's some very reasonably priced ones on there with great reviews.

RaininSummer · 16/12/2025 20:10

I agree that cotton is hard for beginners as it's got no give and often splits. Stylecraft or yarnsmiths are good acrylic yarns. I got a nice beginner book for my granddaughter from Amazon and also a set of hooks in a case with other bits and pieces. I'm a crafter myself so I rolled her up smaller balls of loads of different colours

cadburygorilla · 16/12/2025 20:12

Another vote for Stylecraft Special, I use it loads and it’s good value

PoppySaidYesIKnow · 16/12/2025 20:21

Bella Coco book - You Can Crochet with Bella Coco. The designer has lots of videos on YouTube too. Would recommend Stylecraft DK yarn and a 4mm hook - Tulip hooks are great.

AnneShirleysNewDress · 16/12/2025 20:26

I taught myself to crochet in lockdown and also recommend Bella Coco tutorials. I started with Stylecraft Special and Paintbox yarns and they have a good range of colours. I’d also add stitch markers to the kit.

EmpressaurusKitty · 16/12/2025 20:28

AnneShirleysNewDress · 16/12/2025 20:26

I taught myself to crochet in lockdown and also recommend Bella Coco tutorials. I started with Stylecraft Special and Paintbox yarns and they have a good range of colours. I’d also add stitch markers to the kit.

Also a darning needle, tape measure & small pair of scissors.

WhereIsMyLight · 16/12/2025 20:48

A lot of things are going to depend on personal preference and what your DD wants to do. Cotton yarn is good for amigurumi because it holds its shape, the stitches are also clearer with cotton yarn but cotton yarn splits easier and has give. Acrylic yarn is slightly fuzzier making the stitches a bit harder to see but is pretty forgiving.

Personally, I don’t really like Stylecraft special DK. I don’t really like the feel of it. I would probably buy a few different brands either by going to hobby craft or a yarn shop. If your DD wants to make something like a headband ear warmer or a hat, go find a nice soft brand, rowan is more expensive but a nice brand for her to treat herself with. A chunky wool is actually quite good to start with (with a bigger hook probably a 6mm hook but it says on the wrapper) because the stitches are bigger and your project grows quite quickly.

For now, avoid any tinsel yarn, avoid any chenille yarn or anything like mohair - this is not forgiving if you need to undo your work. Avoid baby yarn as it’s slightly fuzzier and harder to see. You also want to avoid dark colours like black, navy and brown but you also want to avoid too light such as white, pale pink. Yellow, orange and mid greens and blues are good because the stitches are clearer.

You will need some other supplementary bits - tension ring might help if your DD wants to do amigurumi. She’ll need snips to cut yarn an a tape measure. Darning needles - I like ones that are stainless steel but have an angled end (link isn’t working for me) but if you’re doing chunky yarn you’ll need to find chunky darning needles. Row counters might help. You’ll also want some stitch markers, the locking ones are helpful. If doing amigurumi you might want to get some safety eyes and some polyfill stuffing.

I learnt to crochet like most people here from
Bella Coco tutorials. Knot Monster has some good books with a range of themes and has video tutorials.

Funnywonder · 16/12/2025 21:20

I learned from ‘A Little Course in Crochet’ (Dorling Kindersley.) It was excellent. I got the basics from the book (which is my preference for learning), then watched videos on YouTube. I agree with the majority that Stylecraft Special DK is perfect for learning. I found that using a slightly bigger than recommended hook helped me to see the stitches properly. I also think that cotton is good because, although I find it harder to work with (it can be a bit squeaky and unyielding), you can really see the definition of the stitches. It slows you down and slow is good when you’re learning. So if it was me, I would go for a 5mm hook as well as a 4mm. If your daughter takes to crochet, she’ll need that 5mm some day! Also, everyone has their own preferences for the shape of hook. I like a straight metal hook (Knitpro), but lots of people prefer the hooks with grippy handles and ones with curved shapes.

EmpressaurusKitty · 16/12/2025 21:32

I learned from ‘A Little Course in Crochet’ (Dorling Kindersley.) It was excellent.

I’ve got that too. The first thing I ever made was the baby blanket from that book.

Lw00f · 16/12/2025 22:02

I also enjoy using stylecraft yarn but tbh I think it’s just about practice in the beginning and eventually you get used to the yarn. I bought ‘The Granny Square Card Deck’ which might be fun stocking filler for her. They have a good mix for beginners, then moving into more advanced, it’s a great way to practice and there’s so many squares to play around with and she’s not starting an unmanageable project.
I really hope she gets into it, I love crochet and find it’s a great distraction from scrolling :)

NoisyMonster678 · 16/12/2025 22:04

Hooks which have silicone hnles are ideal, I use these all the time as they help with grip.

Keep fingers, hands and wrists relaxed.

  • Stitch markers - good for projects.
  • Silicone hooks as a set of assorted sizes.
  • Yarn - super chunky is great for beginners
  • Book with instructions of basic stitches

I always place my yarn in a bowl whilst crocheting makes it easier to unravel.

Hope this helps!

thinkfast · 16/12/2025 22:04

I have these hooks OP and like them much more than some of the more expensive ones mentioned above. I also like style craft special as a good beginners yarn.

https://amzn.eu/d/1beFfQ5

Amazon.co.uk

Amazon.co.uk

https://amzn.eu/d/1beFfQ5?tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum--chat-5460813-crochet-yarn-and-hooks-recommendation