Crochet Tools and Resources

Are you like me and you love seeing what other crocheters are using beyond yarn?  Or maybe you haven’t started crocheting yet, and don’t know where to start looking for crochet resources and accessories.

(Be sure to check out my last recommendation if you are just beginning to crochet.)

Since I have been crocheting for over 15 years, I narrowed down some of my favorite crochet tools that I would like to share with you. Most of them are inexpensive which is great, because let’s face it, you need that money to buy all the yarn! (All links below for crocheting rescources lead to Amazon.)

Keep scrolling past the crochet resources to see a list of blogging resources I use and recommend.

Crochet Resources

Hooks:

The Clover Amour Crochet 10 Hook Set is my absolute favorite. These hooks are lightweight, colorful and so smooth. I can crochet for longer and faster when I use these hooks. They are like the PF flyers of crochet hooks.  (Sandlot anyone?) They have a rubber handle which makes holding them extremely comfortable.  Now I just need to continue to expand my set with the bigger hooks for thick yarns. (They do have a smaller hook set as well, but I don’t do much delicate crocheting.) The only drawback to these hooks is that they can collect dirt and dust on the handles. See my full Clover Amour Crochet Hook review.

No contest, these are the best hooks I have ever used. With them I can crochet longer and faster. Read the full clover amour crochet hook review.

Accessories:

Yarn Needles – There isn’t much to the humble yarn needle, but they sure do make a difference. Trying to weave in ends with just a hook is not my preferred way to spend precious crafting time.  This set by Lion Brand comes in three different sizes, which means you can choose the size that fits your yarn best!

A soft measuring tape is useful for measuring gauge and the size of your final product. If you are like me, and take your WIPs all around the house or town, then this retractable measuring tape is great to keep in your bag.

Scissors/Cutters:

If you plan on crocheting on an airplane or have small kids, this Clover Yarn Cutting Pendant is the perfect tool. Plus it is actually really adorable and you could wear it on a chain.

Books:

Right now, my go-to crochet book is Crochet, The Complete Guide, by Jane Davis.  The book itself has a hardcover but it is spiral bound inside.  The pictures are beautiful and the instructions are clear. There are instructions for 162 different stitching which also includes graphs.  Until I got this book, I had no idea that I would be able to read crochet/stitch graphs! They always seemed like a confusing mystery to me, but graphs are now demystified!

If you are just getting started on crochet, I Taught Myself to Crochet Beginners Kit by Boye is a wonderful and inexpensive resource.  This is the kit I purchased when I learned to crochet.  The items in the kits have changed a bit in the last 15 or so years but you get the basics that you need to get started!

What about you? Do you have favorite crochet tools?  Did I miss anything you find essential?

Blogging Resources

SiteGround Hosting Service

I have had a phenomenal experience with Siteground. When I switched to SiteGround from my previous hosting company, my site speed increased significantly just by switching hosts! The other day, my site was down and I contacted Siteground through their chat service. Within 5 minutes, the expert had found an extra line of code installed by a plugin which crashed my site and removed it. Their StartUp plan is perfect for those looking to start their first blog or website.

MailerLite

Once you’ve started a blog, you will want to start collecting email addresses. Having an email list is the best way to stay in contact with people who are interested in your content. MailerLite is simple to learn, intuitive and has almost all of the same advanced functionalities as the larger email marketing providers.  Best of all MailerLite is free for your first 1000 subscribers!

Simple Pin Media

So you’ve started a blog, now you need to actually get people to see it! Pinterest can be one of the best traffic sources but there is so much to learn. Simple Pin Media has an AMAZING podcast and blog for those looking to DIY their Pinterest management. I look forward to every podcast release and to their weekly newsletter.

Tailwind

Instead of being on Pinterest all day long trying to find and pin content (kind of a dream job, right?) you can schedule your pins to go out at intelligent intervals using Tailwind. They even have a smart scheduler, which recommends times your audience is most likely to be active on Pinterest. There is also a scheduler for Instagram but I haven’t used that one yet.

Canva

Canva is a great and free design platform. I first used it to create some power point graphics for my job, but have since used it to design all my blog graphics including my pins! There are paid options and perks, but the free version is robust and easy to use.