The basic ingredients needed to make artisan bread are incredibly simple, and you’re almost guaranteed to have the majority of what you need already at home. Especially if you are starting with a simple bread recipe, the only exception might be some yeast!
The answer is no! A lot of recipes call for mixing in a stand mixer. A stand mixer definitely makes the process a bit easier, but people have been making bread for hundreds of years without a stand mixer.
To knead your dough, you can use your hands with an extra side of flour to prevent sticking or use a dough hook mixer. A dough hook mixer is a great idea if you need to make multiple loaves at once or decide to pursue bread-making regularly.