I knitted for many years before I was willing to seriously attempt crochet.

My grandmother taught me both, but knitting was something my mum and others could help me with later and crochet was not.

It was actually when I was really sick and need to lay up in bed for a time that I decided to give it a try. I didn’t want to wreck my knitting or needlework projects.

I sent my spouse out on a quest for some yarn, a hook and a ‘how to’ book.

I really found having a decent hook reduced my frustration. Buying one good quality one with a steel head and plastic handle in the size you need for a first project will really help.

Most of the less expensive ones aren’t smooth enough at the tip where you push into the work and some of them are too rounded. I find most of the American brands really bad. And you’ll want the metric sized ones anyway so you can have more precision. Don’t buy a whole set until you know what works for you ergonomically in terms of handles.