Crochet Yarn for Beginners: Which Yarn and Hook to Buy
One of the first questions every crochet beginner asks is: which yarn should I buy? Walk into a yarn shop and you'll see cotton, milk cotton, acrylic, wool and polyester in hundreds of shades. Here is a simple guide to what each one is good for, which hook to pick, and what to check before you buy.
The main types of crochet yarn
Cotton
Cotton is firm, smooth and doesn't stretch much, so every stitch shows clearly. It is the classic choice for toys, flowers, coasters, bags and anything that needs to hold its shape. It can feel a little stiff on the hands at first, and it has less give, so keep your tension relaxed.
Milk cotton
Milk cotton is a soft cotton blend that is lighter and gentler than plain cotton, with a slight sheen. It is very popular for amigurumi, keychains and baby items because it is soft, comes in bright colours and is easy to work with.
Acrylic
Acrylic is budget-friendly, comes in the widest range of colours and is easy to wash. It is a good all-rounder for practice pieces, blankets and décor. Some acrylics go a little fuzzy with heavy use, so for toys that will be handled a lot, cotton or milk cotton lasts better.
Wool
Wool is warm and stretchy, so it is the one to choose for winter caps, mufflers and sweaters. It is less suited to toys and flowers, where you want crisp, firm stitches.
Polyester and crochet thread
Polyester yarn is tough and often has a shine, which works well for bags and decorative pieces. Crochet thread is much finer and is used with a small hook for delicate work such as doilies, borders and the edging on a thalposh.
Which yarn for which project?
- Toys and amigurumi, like our crochet cupcakes (AC-D14): cotton or milk cotton.
- Flowers and bouquets: cotton or milk cotton, so the petals hold their shape. Try our easy flower tutorial.
- Keychains and bag charms: cotton or milk cotton in bright colours.
- Bags and pouches: cotton or polyester, which are strong enough to carry weight.
- Baby items: soft milk cotton or a soft acrylic, and avoid fluffy yarn that sheds.
- Winter wear: wool or a wool blend.
- Doilies and borders: crochet thread.
Choosing a hook size
Most yarn labels suggest a hook size. Start there. With medium-thickness yarn, most beginners find a hook of around 4 mm to 5 mm comfortable to hold and easy to see their stitches with. A few rules of thumb:
- For amigurumi, go a little smaller than the label suggests. Tighter stitches keep the stuffing hidden.
- For blankets and wearables, the label size or slightly bigger gives a softer, drapier fabric.
- Thread needs a much smaller steel hook.
- A hook with a comfortable grip makes a big difference if you crochet for long stretches.
What to check when you buy yarn
- Buy enough for the whole project. Shades can vary slightly between batches, so buy all of one colour at once.
- Start with a light, plain colour. Stitches are much easier to see in light yarn than in dark or variegated yarn.
- Choose smooth yarn for your first project. Fluffy, fuzzy or textured yarn hides stitches and is hard to undo.
- Read the label for the fibre, the suggested hook size and the washing instructions.
Your first project
Begin with something small and flat. A granny square or a simple flower teaches you the basic stitches and gives you a finished piece in an evening. Follow Anjali's free Hindi videos: crochet for beginners (crosia kaise chalaye), then the granny square and the crochet heart. Browse all crochet tutorials, or learn in person at our crochet classes (offline from ₹1,500/month, online from ₹1,000/month).
Where to buy crochet yarn in Greater Noida West
Our shop in Gaur City 2, Greater Noida West stocks Ganga, Anchor and Vardhman yarn, including cotton, acrylic, milk cotton, wool and polyester, along with crochet thread, hooks and kits. Shades and stock change often, so message us on WhatsApp with the type, colour and quantity you need and we'll tell you what's in stock. See our yarn shop for details.
