Crochet Kits

Choosing the right crochet kit for your next project

A good crochet kit takes the guesswork out of starting a new piece: the yarn is already matched to the pattern, the hook size is specified, and you're not left standing in an aisle trying to work out whether Aran weight will actually give you the gauge the designer intended. That's especially useful if you've been searching for a crochet kit or crochet set as a self-contained project rather than piecing together yarn, hook and pattern separately from three different places.

Most kits on this page fall into two camps: amigurumi-style animal makes (bunnies, sheep, foxes, unicorns and the like) worked in sections and stuffed, and flat or textured homeware pieces such as cushions, coasters and blankets. Both are sold as complete sets, so the "crochet kits" search really splits into "which design do I want to make" and "will this suit my current skill level". If you'd rather choose your own yarn, start with our free crochet patterns for beginners, or browse amigurumi crochet patterns for toy designs like the ones in these kits.

Picking a design: animals, homeware or seasonal makes

If you're drawn to toy-making, the Hoooked animal range is extensive and covers everything from the Cow Kirby Kit to the Raccoon Ricky Kit and the Unicorn Nora Kit, all worked in a similar chunky style so techniques transfer easily between kits once you've made one. Paintbox Yarns takes a slightly different approach with its cotton Aran animal kits, such as the Norman the Sheep crochet kit, which tend to produce a neater, more classic amigurumi finish. For the home, DMC's Mindful Making range includes calmer, repetitive makes like the Mandala Coasters kit, worked in rounds and genuinely restful to crochet of an evening.

Yarn weight, fibre and what's actually in the box

Kits vary in exactly what's included, but as a rule you'll get the stated number of yarn balls in the design's colourway, a hook (or hooks) suited to that yarn's weight, safety eyes or stuffing where the pattern needs them, and the written pattern itself. Cotton Aran, as used across the Paintbox Yarns animal kits, is a firm, slightly stiff-handling yarn that holds its shape well for toy stuffing and doesn't pill the way a soft acrylic might after handling. Chunkier barbante-style cotton, used in many Hoooked kits, gives a denser stitch definition and works up quickly because each stitch covers more ground. If you're making a blanket rather than a toy, check the finished measurement on the kit, as with the Comforting Blanket crochet kit, so you know what you're committing to before you start.

Hook sizes and tension for a neater finish

The hook supplied in a kit is matched to the yarn and the designer's tension, so it's worth resisting the urge to swap it for whatever's in the drawer. A hook that's slightly too large leaves visible gaps between stitches on amigurumi, which matters because stuffing can show through; one that's too small makes dense fabric hard work on the hands over a long session. If you crochet loosely, try going down half a size from what's recommended; if you crochet tightly, go up half a size, then check your tension swatch (where the pattern gives one) before committing to the full project. For anyone also working on knitted pieces alongside their crochet, it's worth browsing knitting needle sets to keep both crafts properly equipped.

Skill level, timing and adapting the pattern

Most amigurumi kits assume you already know how to work in the round, increase and decrease, and sew pieces together neatly, so they sit at a confident-beginner to intermediate level rather than absolute first-project. A smaller toy such as the Puppy Millie kit is a reasonable evening-or-weekend make once you've got the basics down, while a full blanket kit is a longer-term project best picked up over several weeks. If you want to adapt a design, changing the stuffing density is the easiest tweak for a firmer or softer toy; changing yarn weight is riskier, as it throws off both finished size and yardage, so it's safer to stick with the kit's specified yarn the first time through.

• Check the hook size supplied matches your usual tension before you start
• Toy kits generally need safety eyes fixed before the head is stuffed and closed
• Blanket and cushion kits list a finished size, so measure your intended space first
• Seasonal designs, such as a Christmas tree hangers kit, are worth starting well ahead of the date you need them

Frequently asked questions

Are these crochet kits suitable for complete beginners? Many are approachable for newer crocheters, but they generally assume basic stitches and simple shaping are already familiar; if you've never picked up a hook before, practise the core stitches on a scrap swatch first so the kit itself isn't your very first attempt.

Do crochet kits come with a pattern, or is it a separate download? The pattern is included as part of the kit rather than sold separately, so there's nothing extra to find; if you're specifically after patterns to download and print yourself, that's a different type of listing to a physical kit.

Can I use a crochet kit as a gift? Yes, they work well for this since everything needed is in one box; just check the recipient's experience level against the design's complexity, and choose a smaller make like one of the single-animal kits if they're new to the craft.