Hook and yarn for beginners: what you really need

A simple shopping list for starting out, with tips on hook size and yarn choice.

1
The yarn
Smooth cotton yarn of medium weight in a light colour. Light colours show every stitch.
2
The hook
Take the hook size from the ball band. A hook with a plastic or wooden handle is easier on the hand.
3
The extras
A tapestry needle, scissors, markers and a tape measure. Nothing more.
4
What to skip
No fluffy yarn and no dark yarn until you feel confident. You can hardly see the stitches in them.

The yarn