{ tools of the trade - yarn and other useful stuff }

Before I forget, let's talk yarn for a minute.

If you've been to a store, I'm sure by now you've noticed various symbols on the little paper wrapping of the yarn. As with everything else these days, the possibilities are endless when it comes to yarn: natural fibers, man-made fibers, novelty yarn, ribbon, etc. It comes in different weights (thickness) and length of the ball/skein.

Here's a really good chart from the Craft Yarn Council to help you choose the appropriate size of the hook (or knitting needles) for any given yarn: Standard Yarn Weight System. And if you are really curious to know more about types of materials used to make yarn then read About Knitting Yarn.

Now you've got your yarn, you've got your hook... what else would you likely need? I have a few other inexpensive tools handy to help me finish projects:

First is the knitting safety pins (sans coil). Due to lack of time, I often don't finish my projects in one sitting, so it's nice to have the last finished stitch secured with , rather than having a hook slip right out unraveling some of the rows and losing count. So these things are very handy, and also for me, the smaller one doubles as a stitch marker.

Second, yarn needles (steel or plastic). You CAN finish your project by weaving yarn in with a crochet hook, but using a yarn needle is much easier and achieve a cleaner finished look.

Other handy (optional) stuff to have are small scissors, some sort of storage for all of your tools, gauge counter, and needle threaders, just to name a few.