The Ultimate Guide to Crochet Hooks - Sandra Stitches (2024)

As a crochet designer and fellow crochet lover, I understand the importance of having the right hook in your hand. Whether you’re a long-time crocheter or just starting your journey in this wonderful craft, navigating the world of crochet hooks can feel overwhelming.

So many options, so many numbers and sizes.

Choosing the perfect hook for your project, for your hand or your yarn weight is crucial, that is why I am giving you here a guide so you can crochet with fun and most importantly without pain

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What is a Crochet Hook?

If you’re new to crocheting, the crochet hook is your must-have! It’s the item that helps you make crochet stitches, which are basically loops of yarn. These loops, when joined together, become the building blocks of your crocheted creations, like blankets, scarves, and even toys!

Getting Familiar with Your Hook:

Just like any other tool, the crochet hook has different parts that work together to make crocheting easier and more enjoyable. Let’s take a look at each part:

  • Throat:This smooth area sits right behind the hook. Its job is to guide the yarn smoothly into the part of your project you’re working on.
  • Point:This is the sharp tip of the hook. You use it to poke into existing loops and stitches, allowing you to move the yarn and create new stitches.
  • Grip:This is the area where you hold the hook comfortably. It often has a special rest for your thumb and might even have a label telling you the size of the hook.
  • Shaft:This is the smooth part between the grip and the hook. The thickness of the shaft determines the size of the hook, which in turn affects the size of the loops you create with your yarn.
  • Handle:This is the part you hold onto while crocheting. Handles come in different shapes and materials, so you can find one that feels comfortable and fits your hand well.

Are you ready to start crocheting?

Crochet Hook Styles

Two Types of Crochet Hooks: Inline and Tapered

There are two main types of crochet hooks you’ll encounter: inline and tapered. Both help you create beautiful stitches, but they have slight differences in their shape.

Inline Crochet Hooks:

  • Imagine a straight line from the tip of the hook to the handle. This is what “inline” means. The hook point and the shaft (the smooth part) are the same size.
  • Some crocheters find these hooks easier to control and create consistent stitch sizes with.
  • They often have a deeper throat (the space behind the hook) and flatter thumb rest.

Tapered Crochet Hooks:

  • Unlike inline hooks, the tip of a tapered hook doesn’t follow a straight line with the shaft. It’s slightly rounded and sits a bit above or below the shaft’s line.
  • These hooks often have a rounded head, which some crocheters find helpful when working with yarns that tend to split easily.
  • They usually have a longer shaft and a shallower throat compared to inline hooks.
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Crochet Hook Sizes: Numbers, Letters, and Beyond

The size of your hook is important because it affects the size of your finished project. Using the right hook size for your yarn weight is key to getting the look and feel you want.

Crochet hooks come in a diverse range of sizes, designated by various systems that can initially appear confusing. The most common systems are:

  • US system:Utilizes numbers, with smaller numbers indicating smaller hooks and vice versa (e.g., size 4, size 8).
  • Metric system:Employs millimeters (mm), with smaller numbers representing smaller hooks and vice versa (e.g., 2mm, 5mm).

Here’s a handy chart that serves as your personal translation guide:

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The Ultimate Guide to Crochet Hooks - Sandra Stitches (4)

What Crochet Hook Sizes Should a Beginner Buy?

As a beginner, starting with a basic set of hooks is the ideal way to begin your crocheting journey. There are a few materials that hooks are made of, wood, metal, resin, plastic, aluminum, combinations you name it! In the end, you will find the one that feels more comfortable to you!

Remember: do not buy whole sets with all sizes, try a few first and you will see that the most sizes used are:

Sizes H/8 (5.00 mm) and I/9 (5.50 mm):These versatile sizes are suitable for a wide range of yarn weights and projects, allowing you to explore various techniques and projects confidently.

Size G/7 (4.00 mm) (optional):This size is perfect for working with finer yarns and creating delicate projects, like amigurumi or lacework.

Remember, these are just suggestions. The best way to discover the perfect hook size for you is to experiment with different sizes and materials.

Explore, practice, and find what feels comfortable in your hands and creates the desired results in your projects.

What If My Crochet Hook Size Is Not Labeled?

If your crochet hook, whether a vintage treasure or a mystery find, does not have a size label, we can handle it!

You can easily determine its size using a crochet hook gauge. These affordable tools come in various formats, such as rulers with marked increments corresponding to hook sizes or small cards with holes of various diameters representing different hook sizes.

Insert your hook into the appropriate hole to identify its size. and that is it! you have your hook size in minutes!

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Congratulations! You’ve successfully navigated the world of crochet hooks. Now you’re equipped with the knowledge to choose the perfect hook for your needs, explore different materials and sizes, and conquer any unlabeled hook you encounter.

Remember, the most important thing is to have fun and experiment! Don’t be afraid to try different hooks and techniques, as your personal preferences and skills will develop over time. Embrace the learning process, and most importantly, enjoy the creative journey that crochet offers. Happy crocheting!

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P.S. Do you have any favorite crochet hooks? Share in the comments below and let’s build a supportive community of crocheters who love to learn and grow together!

Want more crochet resources?

Check out my Freebie Page

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DISCLOSURE

AMAZON ASSOCIATES: Sandra Stitches participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

This post contains links to products that I use and recommend, If you purchase any using my links I get a very small fee at no ad to you! Thank you for supporting my small biz!

The Ultimate Guide to Crochet Hooks - Sandra Stitches (2024)

FAQs

Is there a crochet hook that counts stitches? ›

Counting Crochet Hook Set, Ergonomic Crochet Hooks with Led and Digital Stitch Counter, Crochet Kit with 9 Interchangeable Crochet Needle for Crocheting and Knitting.

Are aluminium or plastic crochet hooks better? ›

It all depends on your taste and preferences. If you are a beginner opt for an aluminum crochet hook. If you like an environmentally friendly and durable crochet hook, a wooden one will be ideal. If you like to lay your fingers on a vibrant and smooth hook, pick nothing but a plastic crochet hook, and so on.

Are wooden or metal crochet hooks better? ›

Metal hooks are typically cheap and durable, so they're great for beginners. The metal can get a little slippery and your stitches can slide off a little too quickly, but all-in-all they're a great start! Wood hooks offer a little more friction while you're working as it will grip your yarn differently than metal.

How many crochet hooks should you have? ›

Only one for normal crocheting. However, different projects require different size hooks, so it's best to keep a variety on hand. Also, if your yarn isn't the same weight as the pattern recommends, you'll need to use a bigger or smaller hook in order to achieve the right size.

What are the most popular size crochet hooks? ›

An H-8 5mm crochet hook is the most common size recommended for use with worsted weight yarn. Fingering weight yarn is smaller than worsted weight yarn, so once you get comfortable with your crochet skills, you might want to try this yarn. Try a D-3 3.25mm crochet hook for fingering weight yarn.

Why are Clover crochet hooks better? ›

What makes Clover crochet hooks so good? Using the Clover Soft Touch Crochet Hook is a breeze. The ergonomic design of the hook makes it comfortable to hold, even for extended periods of time. The soft-touch handle provides a comfortable grip, and the hook glides smoothly through the yarn, making it easy to work with.

Is it better to hold your crochet hook like a pencil or knife? ›

The benefits of using the knife grip include greater control and less strain on the hand and wrist, making it ideal for extended crochet sessions. For a knife grip, the crochet hook is held from above with the hook secured by the thumb.

Are bamboo crochet hooks better than metal? ›

Needles and hooks made from metal are heavier than their bamboo, wood or plastic counterparts. They are the noisiest material and the 'clinking' sound produced by metal knitting needles can be deemed as antisocial.

Is it better to use a crochet hook too big or too small? ›

Using a larger hook size than suggested will give you looser, more open stitches, as well as making your finished crochet piece larger. Using a smaller hook size will give you tighter, denser stitches, and your finished piece will end up being smaller.

Does using a bigger crochet hook use less yarn? ›

Yarn consumption: Since bigger hooks create larger stitches, you may use more yarn to complete a project, which can increase the cost.

How do you count stitches? ›

Choose one row and count all the V's from left to right. You can also count your stitches on the purl side of your work. On the wrong side you'll count each bar as one stitch. Be careful with those elusive stitches along the edges that like to curl up in stocking stitch!

Does the first loop count as a stitch crochet? ›

Never count your first slipknot or the loop on the hook (called the working loop). Make sure the chain is not twisted and that the front is facing you (so that you can see those sideways V shapes).

References

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