How to Buy a Crochet Hook
Crocheting sweaters, scarves, hats and more with professional results is tied to selecting a crochet hook that fits the project to be made. Hooks not matched well with projects can split and snag yarns or be difficult to maneuver. Before buying a crochet hook, consider the size of the project to be made, the type of yarn to be used and how the hook is constructed. Crochet hooks typically are inexpensive, and crocheters often have several on hand that are suitable for their varied creations.
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Instructions
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Consider that crochet hook sizes range from as small as .75 mm to as large as 20 mm, and projects will take longer to complete with small hooks. While crochet patterns often include recommendations for hook sizes and yarns, hook sizes will need to be adjusted if yarns other than the recommended ones are used.
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Match the crochet hook size to the yarn. Yarns are categorized by weight, ranging from super fine or fingering yarn to super bulky or roving yarn. Fingering yarns typically require crochet hooks that are 2.25 mm to 3.5 mm, while super bulky yarns require a 9-mm hook or larger.
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Check a yarn’s label, which often includes a recommended crochet hook size. If only a knitting needle size is provided, choose a hook with a metric size that’s close to the recommended needle size.
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Look for steel or aluminum hooks when a project will be crocheted with yarns that have a rougher texture, such as wool or acrylic. These hooks have a slippery surface that allows such yarns to freely slide over them. Bamboo and wood crochet hooks have a texture that creates some friction with yarns, which provides more control when working with silky yarns that can easily slip off a hook.
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Bear in mind that some crochet hooks have a deep groove in which the yarn rests as stitches are formed, while others have a shallow groove. It can be difficult to grasp all layers of yarn with a hook that has a shallow groove, and messy stitches will result from a yarn that splits as only portions of it are grabbed when crocheting.
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Hold a crochet hook in your hand, taking note of how it feels. Some hooks have a cushioned handle and are marketed as being ergonomically correct. Some crocheters prefer hooks made of bamboo or wood because they feel warmer in their hands than aluminum or steel varieties.
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Tips & Warnings
A yarn that is too thick for a hook can continually slip out of it, leading to uneven stitching.
The tips of some bamboo and wood crochet hooks have a rough texture, making them prone to snagging yarn.
Rosewood crochet hooks have an antique look that appeals to many crocheters, but these hooks also may have a pointed, sharp tip that can damage yarn and make them difficult to maneuver.
