How to Choose Crochet Hooks

If you are new to crocheting, or picking it back up after a long hiatus, you may be surprised by the plethora of crochet hooks that are now available. From aluminum to wood, there is a crochet hook for every budget and every taste. Read on to learn how you can choose the best crochet hooks for your projects.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. 
    

   Size DOES matter. If you plan on doing a tremendous variety of crochet projects, then you will want to collect a wide range of hook sizes. They range from .5 mm (used for fine thread and filet crochet) to 19 mm and also are sold by a corresponding letter size. However, the metric and letter sizes are typically listed on the packaging.

2. 
    

   Different hook materials available include bone, wood, ivory, aluminum, plastic and steel. The smaller thread crochet hooks are made of steel, so unless you should locate someone who makes these small hooks from other materials, this will be your only choice when shopping retail. Aluminum, wood and plastic hooks are available for projects that use yarn.

3. 
    

   Quality is not an outright necessity, however it does make for a more enjoyable crocheting experience! While plastic hooks are a bit cheaper than aluminum, you need to consider the weight of the hook in your hand, and also take into account the type of yarn you are using. Plastic hooks sometimes have left over burrs on the seam of the hook which will cause a plethora of annoying snags as you work your project.

4. 
    

   The feel of the crochet hook is probably the key characteristic to focus upon. If you're brand new to crochet, it will be easier for you to adapt to whatever you pick up, so try out several different types to see what feels best in your hand. Weight varies between manufacturers and between material types, with plastic being the lightest and aluminum being heaviest. You may also want to check how it feels when working the yarn. Some hook heads are formed differently and pick up the yarn with more ease than others.

Tips & Warnings

• If you want fancy-schmancy....it's out there, and it's breathtaking! Just do an image search for Crochet Hooks, and you'll see a host of exquisitely designed hooks that will catch your eye!
• There are handy sets of hooks in an assortment of sizes, which are cost effective if you need many different sizes.
• If you have Carpel Tunnel Syndrome, there are special wrist and hand braces you can buy for support.
• Yarn is a drug. Use with caution. Don't believe me? Check out Stitch Witch (see Resources)!

Resources

• How to Protect A Fiber Artist's Most Important Tool-The Hands
• How to Organize Your Yarn Stash
• Homespun Yarn-Fashion Forward Fiber
• Bernat Bamboo Yarn-Turning Wood in to Silk
• Crochet Hook Size Conversion Chart
• Stitch Witch

[Miragi]

on 9/22/2009 @deb: I love that! I got a bunch of stuff when my mother-in-law passed away. Hooks, knitting needles, yarn, etc.....not worth her dying, but something to remember her by. I just opened a brand new one today that was packaged that she never got the chance to use. Also got a crapload of (must be) antique cotton crochet thread in a multitude of gorgeous colors. Thing is, don't wanna use them because u can't find colors like that anymore ;)

[debinflorida]

on 9/22/2009 I got extremely lucky once and found a huge cache of hooks and knitting needles in a neat old vintage box at an estate sale. I think I have every size hook imaginable! I need to get back to my crocheting. It's so relaxing.

[FrazzledNanny]

on 4/23/2009 I love crocheting! Thanks for the helpful article on choosing a crocheting hook. 5*