The short answerFor crochet, start with a 5 mm (H-8) hook and smooth, light-colored worsted yarn, about $10 to $20. For knitting, get US 8 (5 mm) bamboo needles with the same kind of yarn for $15 to $35.
What to buy
First crochet stitches
5 mm (H-8) hook with smooth, light-colored worsted yarn
Big, pale stitches you can see and count. You make flat squares and scarves first, which is less cute and teaches more.
$10 to $20
See options on Amazon →Wants a cute animal
Beginner amigurumi kit with video lessons
You finish with a small stuffed animal, and the videos show each step. Starting the tiny first round is fiddly, so expect a few restarts.
$12 to $30
See options on Amazon →Finds needles awkward
Round knitting loom set with hook tool
You wrap yarn around pegs and lift loops over, which many people pick up in one evening. It mostly makes hats and tubes.
$12 to $25
See options on Amazon →First knitting project
Knitting kit with US 8 (5 mm) bamboo needles and worsted yarn
Bamboo grips the yarn so stitches don't slide off. A scarf or dishcloth kit is plain, and that's the point.
$15 to $35
See options on Amazon →Links go to Amazon. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
What the numbers mean
- Yarn weight
- How thick the yarn is, numbered 0 to 7 on the label. Start with 4 (worsted or medium), or 5 (bulky) if you want faster results.
- Hook size
- Listed in mm and a US letter. A 5 mm (H-8) hook suits worsted yarn, and amigurumi kits use smaller hooks to keep stuffing from showing.
- Needle size
- US 8 is 5 mm and suits worsted yarn. US 10 is 6 mm and suits bulky yarn.
- Yarn color and texture
- Light, smooth yarn shows every stitch. Dark, fuzzy or velvety yarn hides them, which makes counting and fixing mistakes hard.
- Fiber
- Acrylic is cheap and washable. Cotton holds its shape for dishcloths and amigurumi, and wool is stretchy and forgiving for knitting.
What not to pay for
- Fuzzy, dark or velvet yarn first
Chenille and black yarn look lovely and hide your stitches completely. Save them for project 3.
- Slippery metal knitting needles
Stitches slide right off polished metal when you're new. Bamboo or wood holds them in place.
- 100-piece accessory sets
You need 1 hook or 1 pair of needles, scissors, a blunt yarn needle and a few stitch markers. The rest sits in a drawer.
Plastic safety eyes can pull out and are a choking hazard. If the toy is for a child under 3, stitch the eyes on with yarn instead.
Questions
Should I start with crochet or knitting?
Many people pick up crochet faster because there's one hook and one live loop. Knitting makes a stretchier, drapier fabric for sweaters and socks. Choose based on what you want to make.
What size crochet hook should a beginner use?
A 5 mm (H-8) hook with worsted weight yarn. It's big enough to see your stitches and small enough to control. A soft-grip handle helps if your hand cramps.
Why is my amigurumi kit so hard?
The first tiny rounds are the hardest part of any amigurumi. Use a stitch marker to mark the start of each round. If the kit's yarn is fuzzy, practice on smooth yarn first.
Written by the DIY Project team. We recommend by type and spec, cheapest option that does the job first. How we check
Updated October 3, 2026. Prices are estimates.