A small, useful kit
Start with the project you want to make, not a basket full of equipment. Find the yarn, hook and simple tools that fit your pattern.
Choose for your project
Use what you already have where it suits the pattern. These are selection notes, not a requirement to buy a particular brand.
For a first practice swatch, choose a smooth yarn whose stitches you can see clearly. Medium-weight yarn can be a manageable starting point.
Check the fibre, care instructions and length per ball. A weight category alone does not guarantee the right gauge.
Choose yarn that lets you make a dense, comfortable fabric with the hook and stitch pattern your project requires.
Use the pattern’s specified weight and amount. Cotton and acrylic behave differently; replacing them can change size and feel.
For a dishcloth or other washable household project, look for cotton intended for that use and check its care label.
Make and wash a sample. Colourfastness, shrinkage and texture vary; a decorative yarn is not automatically suitable for every household task.
Choose the millimetre size your pattern calls for, then check your gauge. A comfortable handle matters more than buying a large set immediately.
US letters and older UK numbers vary by manufacturer. Compare millimetre markings; a 5 mm hook is a starting sample, not a universal choice.
Match the pattern’s yarn and hook guidance. Baby Bat’s two samples use 2 mm and 3 mm hooks with different yarns.
Check the size on the hook itself. There is no universal rule to go down a fixed number of hook sizes for every toy.
Removable markers help identify the start of a round or the first and last counted stitches of a row.
Choose markers that fit your stitches without stretching them. Closed knitting rings cannot be removed from crochet in the same way.
Use a flexible tape for body measurements and a ruler or gauge tool to count stitches across a flat sample.
Check centimetre and inch markings. Measure without stretching the fabric and follow the pattern’s gauge instructions.
A blunt yarn needle and small scissors are useful for weaving ends and assembly. Stuffed projects also need suitable filling.
Choose the needle eye for your yarn. Match care instructions and the recipient’s needs; small detachable parts can be hazardous to children.
