When the weather turns cold, I love a hobby I can do on the couch, and crochet and knitting are an easy place to start. These 25 hooks, needles, yarns and finishing tools come from well-known craft brands you can find at Amazon, Walmart and craft sto...
A set of aluminum hooks with soft, ergonomic handles that I recommend to anyone whose hand gets sore after an hour of crocheting. It suits beginners and regulars alike because it covers the common sizes. Buy it before you start a chunky scarf or blan...
Clover 3672 Amour Crochet Hook Set, 10 sizes
A budget-friendly hook set from a brand most craft stores carry, which suits anyone trying crochet for the first time. I like having several sizes in one case. Grab it if you want to start without spending much.
Boye Aluminum Crochet Hook Set, 3 pc
A set of smooth, wood-handled hooks that feel nice to hold during long sessions. It suits crocheters who want a step up from basic aluminum. I would pick this if you plan to make blankets or sweaters this winter.
Furls Crochet
A super-chunky yarn that works up fast, which suits anyone who wants a cozy scarf or blanket done over a weekend. I like that it is soft and easy to find. Buy a few skeins in one color for a simple first project.
Lion Brand® Wool-Ease® Thick & Quick® Solid Yarn, Color
A soft, thick yarn in a large range of colors that suits blankets, cowls and hats. I like the rich color choices for fall palettes like burgundy and brown. Grab enough skeins from the same dye lot before you start.
Hue + Me Wool Blend Yarn - Lion Brand Yarn Canada
A mid-weight acrylic and wool blend for sweaters, hats and mittens that has a classic feel and many colors. It suits anyone who wants a warm yarn that is easy to wash. I would start here for a first sweater.
Wool-Ease - Lion Brand Yarn
A thick, chenille-style yarn that makes soft throws and plush pillows with big stitches. I think it suits beginners who like fast results. Buy extra skeins at the start, because a blanket uses more than you expect.
Bernat Blanket Yarn (300g/10.5oz)
A smooth chunky acrylic yarn that suits scarves, beanies and baby blankets. I like it for gifts since it is simple to wash. Pick it up if you want a soft yarn without a high price.
Bernat Softee Chunky Yarn (100g/3.5oz)
A classic, widely available acrylic yarn with a big range of colors that is great for practice projects. It suits students and anyone who is learning. I would buy it for swatches and big projects before moving up to pricier skeins.
Red Heart Super Saver Yarn
A soft, bright acrylic yarn that suits afghans, toys and winter accessories. I like it when I want fall colors on a budget. Worth getting if you make gifts and want many colors to choose from.
Red Heart With Love Yarn
A silky, soft acrylic yarn that suits baby items, scarves and anything that touches skin. I like its smooth feel while working. Pick it up if you want a gentle yarn for gifts.
Caron Simply Soft Yarn
A cotton yarn that is a classic for dishcloths, coasters and washable bags. It suits anyone who wants a project that survives hot water. I would grab a few balls for a quick weekend make.
Lily Sugar'n Cream The Original 100% Cotton Yarn
A self-striping yarn that changes color on its own, which suits anyone who wants a pretty scarf or shawl without switching skeins. I like how plain stitches look fancy. Buy it if you want a simple project with a big payoff.
Mandala® Yarn - Lion Brand Yarn Canada
Smooth, warm bamboo needles that keep stitches from sliding off too fast, which suits beginners learning to knit. I like how they feel on cold evenings. Buy a pair in the size your yarn label recommends.
Circular Knitting Needles PRO “Takumi®” - Product Features
A set of aluminum interchangeable needle tips that lets you switch sizes with cables, which suits knitters who want one case for many projects. I like the smooth join. Worth getting if you plan to knit sweaters.
Zing Knitting Needle Sets & Crochet Hook Sets
Sturdy stainless-steel circular needles with a smooth cable that suit hats, cowls and sweaters knitted in the round. I like the sharp but comfortable tips. Pick the length that matches your project.
ChiaoGoo Red Lace Circular Needles
Small, flexible clips that hold crochet and knit pieces together while you sew up seams, which suits makers of blankets and sweaters. I keep a pack in every project bag. Buy a set instead of using pins.
Locking stitch markers that clip on and off any stitch, which suits knitters and crocheters who lose count. I like how easy they are to move around. Grab a pack before you start a patterned project.
Quick Locking Stitch Markers (Small)
A clicker counter you press after each row, which suits knitters working on cables and patterns. I like how it frees me from tally marks on paper. Buy it for a complex project where counting matters.
Clover Knitting Stitch Counter Mini Kacha-Kacha
A small set of yarn needles with bent tips for weaving in ends, which suits crochet and knitting finishing. I like how they handle thick and thin yarn. Pick up a set so you always have the right size.
Clover 339 Chibi with Darning Needles
Small, sharp scissors that snip yarn tails cleanly and fit into a project bag. They suit crocheters, knitters and stitchers. I think they are worth a buy if you want a pair that lasts for years.
Gingher 4" Straight Embroidery Scissors
Spring-loaded scissors with fine tips for trimming yarn ends, which suits anyone with sore hands. I like the easy action for repeated snips. Pick it up if you want an easy, affordable pair.
Fiskars 6" Easy Action Micro-Tip Scissors, Sewing
A popular beginner knitting book with clear instructions and patterns, which suits anyone teaching themselves from scratch. I like the friendly tone and the learn-as-you-go approach. Buy it if videos are not enough for you.
Stitch 'n Bitch: The Knitter's Handbook
A handy reference that answers common crochet questions, which suits anyone stuck on a stitch or a pattern. I like keeping it by my chair. Pick it up if you want a quick fix when a project goes wrong.
The Crochet Answer Book by Edie Eckman
A smooth, soft worsted-weight acrylic that I reach for when I want a gift scarf or hat that feels gentle on the neck. It suits crocheters and knitters who want a wide choice of colors. Buy it in a burgundy or brown shade for a fall project.