This blog post is part of the “Hobby Box” series. The first hobby I picked is Crochet. Let’s learn crochet in a fun and easy way. In the coming days, I will share all about crochet. Today, let’s begin with crochet supplies and where to buy them.

Have you ever looked at a beautiful handmade bag, a soft baby blanket, or an adorable crochet teddy and wondered, “Could I make that?”

The answer is absolutely yes.

Crochet is one of the easiest crafts to learn. Unlike knitting, which uses two needles, crochet requires only one hook and a ball of yarn. Once you master a few basic stitches, you can create almost anything from home décor and clothing to toys, flowers, handbags, and even gifts for loved ones. I have crocheted so many pieces and now I sell them too. You can check them out on my online shop.

The best part? Crochet is relaxing, affordable, and incredibly rewarding.

If you’re starting from scratch, this guide will walk you through every supply you’ll need, where to buy it in India, and how to avoid spending money on things you don’t need yet.

Do You Need an Expensive Crochet Kit?

Not at all.

One of the biggest myths about crochet is that beginners need dozens of hooks, expensive imported yarns, and fancy accessories.

The truth? You can start crocheting with less than ₹700. I paid ₹380 for a crochet kit and ₹150 for yarn balls, which I bought from a local store. Here’s another smaller crochet starter kit with all the essential tools I found online. Your first crochet kit only needs:

(Buying Links Below)

• One crochet hook
• One ball of yarn
• A small pair of scissors
• A yarn needle
• A measuring tape
• Stitch markers (optional but helpful)

That’s it. You can always add more tools as your skills grow. I had just one 3 mm plastic crochet hook when I tried crocheting sunflowers on my white sweater for the first time.

Crochet Supplies Every Beginner Needs

1. Crochet Hook

A crochet hook is the primary tool you’ll use to create every stitch.

It looks like a slender stick with a tiny hook at one end that catches and pulls yarn through loops.

Hooks come in different sizes, materials, and shapes. As a beginner, don’t worry about owning an entire set.

Best Hook Size for Beginners

A 4 mm or 5 mm ergonomic crochet hook is ideal because:

• Comfortable to hold
• Easy to see stitches
• Works with most beginner yarns
• Reduces hand fatigue

Pair this with a smooth, light-colored, medium-weight (Aran or Worsted/Weight 4) yarn. Avoid tiny hooks (below 3 mm) until you’re more experienced.

2. Yarn

Yarn is available in hundreds of colours, fibres, textures, and thicknesses.

Color: Opt for solid, bright, or light colors like pastel yellow, light green, or baby blue. Avoid black, dark navy, or variegated (multi-color) yarns while you’re learning, as they hide stitches

Fiber: Start with 100% acrylic (durable and budget-friendly) or 100% cotton (excellent stitch definition).

Weight: Choose Worsted Weight (Size 4) or Bulky (Size 5). They are thick enough to handle easily without being too large. In simpler terms, worsted yarn is a versatile, medium-thickness yarn that sits in the middle of the yarn weight family. It is thicker than DK (Double Knitting) or sport weight, but thinner than bulky yarn.

Texture: Stick to smooth, tightly spun yarn. Avoid fuzzy, hairy, or “bouclé” yarns, which make it nearly impossible to find your loops.

For your very first project, choose:

• Medium-weight yarn
• Smooth texture
• Light colour
• Acrylic or cotton

Avoid:

• Fuzzy yarn
• Black yarn
• Eyelash yarn
• Metallic yarn

These make it difficult to see your stitches.

3. Yarn Needle

Also called a tapestry needle, this large blunt needle is used to:

• Weave in loose yarn ends
• Join crochet pieces
• Sew amigurumi parts together

Yarn needles are available in two types of materials: plastic and stainless steel. Plastic needles are inexpensive and beginner-friendly.

4. Scissors

Any sharp pair of scissors works.

Many crocheters keep a small pair of craft scissors in their project bag.

5. Stitch Markers

These tiny clips help mark:

• Beginning of a round
• Important stitches
• Pattern repeats
• Increase and decrease points

If you don’t have stitch markers yet, no problem, use:

• Safety pins
• Paper clips
• Small pieces of contrasting yarn
• Earrings hooks

6. Measuring Tape

A flexible measuring tape is essential for making:

• Clothing
• Bags
• Blankets
• Home décor

Checking measurements as you crochet helps prevent sizing mistakes.

7. Project Bag/Box (Optional)

A dedicated project bag or box keeps everything organised and prevents yarn from getting dirty or tangled. A simple tote bag works perfectly when you’re starting. I store my yarn in poly bags and I have a crochet kit box to store all other crochet supplies like crochet hooks, yarn needles, stitch markers, measuring tape, etc.

Where to Buy Crochet Supplies in India

Thankfully, finding crochet supplies in India has become much easier over the past few years. Dedicated craft stores now stock quality yarns, hooks, kits, and accessories suitable for beginners as well as experienced crocheters.

1. Magic Needles

One of the most popular online stores among Indian crocheters.

Best for:

• Beginner crochet kits
• Crochet hooks
• Hobby Store yarns
• Chenille yarn
• Cotton yarn
• Stitch markers
• Project accessories

Why beginners like it:

• Excellent project-based shopping categories
• Learning guides
• Reliable beginner supplies

2. Candy Crafts

Ideal for:

• Cotton yarn
• T-shirt yarn
• Crochet accessories
• Bag-making supplies

3. Yarnamour

Perfect once you’ve gained some experience.

Known for:

• Premium hand-dyed yarns
• Ergonomic hooks
• Luxury fibres

4. Amazon India

A great place to buy:

• CLAPONE Crochet hooks
• Cutebox Crochet Hooks
• Yarn bundles
• Tapestry needles & Stitch Markers
• RangTeq Crochet Kit
• VIRADHAM Crochet Kit

Please read reviews before purchasing inexpensive no-brand hook sets.

Recommended Crochet Hook Brands

If you’re shopping in India, these brands are trusted by many crocheters:

Pony, KnitPro and Clover are all well-known names among crocheters. KnitPro is manufactured in India and has earned an international reputation for its knitting and crochet tools.

Recommended Beginner Yarns

Choose one of these for your first few projects:

How Much Should You Spend?

A good beginner kit doesn’t have to be expensive.

You can comfortably begin with a budget of ₹500–₹1,000.

What Should Your First Crochet Project Be?

Choose something small and repetitive so you can focus on learning stitches rather than finishing a complicated pattern.

Great first projects include:

• Coaster
• Bookmark
• Headband
• Mug cozy
• Simple granny square

Avoid garments or stuffed toys until you’re comfortable with the basics.

Beginner Shopping Checklist

Before you start crocheting, make sure you have:

☐ 4 mm or 5 mm crochet hook

☐ One ball of medium-weight yarn

☐ Yarn needle

☐ Small scissors

☐ Stitch markers

☐ Measuring tape

That’s all you need to begin your crochet journey.

Every experienced crocheter started with a single hook, a ball of yarn, and plenty of practice.

Don’t worry if your first few stitches look uneven. That’s completely normal. Crochet is a skill that improves with every row you make.

In the next article of this series, we’ll take a closer look at crochet hooks. You’ll learn about the different hook materials, sizes, ergonomic designs, inline vs. tapered hooks, and how to choose the perfect hook for every project.

This blog post is part of my “Hobby Box” series, where I pick up a brand-new hobby and share the process, the chaos, the wins and everything in between.

Update: Here’s part 2 of Crochet For Beginners – The Complete Beginner’s Guide to Crochet Hooks

Happy crocheting!