Crochet hooks come in 1001 shapes and sizes, I now know. A quick Google shows that the choice is enormous and the options endless. So which crochet hook is best to use? In this blog I dive into the world of crochet hooks and tell you how to make the right choice.
Which crochet hook is best for you depends on several things. Before you give up straight away, let me stress this: yes, the right hook really does make a difference. Did you know the recommended hook size is always listed on the yarn label? Super handy! Even so, you can deliberately choose a bigger or smaller hook, for instance because you want a different effect. Take a bigger hook than the label recommends and your work will turn out looser and airier. Take a slightly smaller hook and your work becomes compact and firm. That can be a style choice. But if you have no idea where to begin, do read on. I'm going to explain which hook makes crocheting more enjoyable when you're a beginner. And just as importantly: which type leaves you with the least cramp in your hands (ouch!).
Crochet hook materials: what's out there?
Once you look into crochet hooks a little, the options seem endless. No worries! I'm going to make it easier for you. Most crochet hooks consist of two parts: a handle and a hook. These are usually made from the same material, but they can also be two different materials. Most crochet hooks are made of aluminum, wood, bamboo, plastic or steel. Let me explain the differences.
Aluminum crochet hook
I'm a fan of aluminum crochet hooks. Why? This type of hook is smooth, light in weight and sits nicely in your hand. For beginner crocheters an aluminum hook is very suitable, because it creates less friction. This hook often has a soft grip (made of silicone) or a hard grip (made of hard plastic) handle. Want to avoid tired, painful hands? Then go for a soft grip.
Steel crochet hook
This old school crochet hook is strong and fine. A fine steel hook can be handy when you crochet with very delicate materials. Old-fashioned hooks in particular are made of steel. Some have no handle at all, which is less pleasant for your hands.
Bamboo or wooden crochet hook
Wooden or bamboo crochet hooks are durable, environmentally friendly and stylish. You see them turning up in beautiful shots on Instagram. They're light in weight and often have a slight grip. Even so, I personally crochet a lot more stiffly with them, because wood or bamboo is less smooth. That's why it isn't my favorite.
Plastic crochet hook
My very first crochet hook was plastic. There's nothing wrong with plastic hooks as such. Thick hooks in particular are made of plastic, because it's less heavy. Even so, a plastic hook can feel less solid. If you want to crochet for hours, this can cause cramp in your hands.
Special crochet hooks: Tunisian and ergonomic
Which other crochet hooks are there? There are a few special types I'd like to explain. The names may not mean much to you yet, but during your crochet adventure you're bound to come across them. There's the Tunisian crochet hook, for example. It's specially designed for Tunisian crochet – a mix of crochet and knitting. Another special type is the ergonomic crochet hook.
Thanks to its specially designed handle it sits comfortably in your hand and reduces the strain on hands and wrists, so you can crochet for hours without pain. As far as I'm concerned it's a real recommendation, certainly for beginners. Once you're more advanced you can also try double-ended crochet hooks. This hook has a hook at both ends. That lets you switch easily between colors and stitches.
Crochet hook size chart: choosing the right size
Choosing the right size of crochet hook is super important. It determines how tight or loose your crochet work turns out. But how do you pick the right size? As I said earlier: always check your yarn label first. It usually lists the recommended hook size. That makes the choice a lot easier straight away, but of course you can experiment with it. So aside from the label, let me explain what the guidelines are. Certainly when you're just starting out, that's useful to know. When do you use a fine, medium or thick crochet hook?
- Fine crochet hooks (2 to 3.5 mm, US sizes B/1 to E/4):
Fine crochet hooks are usually between 2 and 3.5 millimeters thick. I find a fine hook perfect for projects where you work with delicate materials, such as small stuffed toys and needlework. Finer hooks are less suitable for beginners, because the tight work makes it harder to see your stitches. You're also learning a new skill with crochet, so it's nice not to be fiddling about straight away and to start with slightly more robust ‘tools’.
- Medium crochet hooks (4 to 6 mm, US sizes G/6 to J/10)
Taking it a little bigger? Then medium crochet hooks with a thickness between 4 and 6 millimeters are the best choice. With these you can crochet blankets, scarves and tops, for example. Do you know our wonderful Bella Wrap Top yet? Add it to your wishlist right away! If you're just starting to crochet, I'd recommend a hook of around 5 millimeters (US H/8). That's still my favorite size! Not too thick, not too fine, but just right.
- Thick crochet hooks (7 mm and up, US sizes K/10½ and larger)
For crocheting lovely, warm blankets and cozy sweaters I'd recommend going for a thick crochet hook. With a hook size of at least 7 millimeters you're usually in good shape.
So which crochet hook is best?
There's no single hook that's the very best or the very worst, because the choice you make mostly depends on the end result you want. The material of the hook, the size and the yarn you use all play a part. So the choice you make is very personal and can differ per project. Are you a beginner crocheter? Then I understand you could use a few tips. My tip: go for a medium crochet hook and start with a project that isn't too difficult. A medium hook works well with many standard yarns. That way you won't be struggling with stitches that are too tight or too loose. I'd also choose an ergonomic crochet hook, because that helps you avoid cramp. At Yupa Studio we're fans of the KnitPro Waves crochet hook. Thanks to the soft grip it sits comfortably in your hand so you can crochet with it undisturbed for hours. But ‘bad’ crochet hooks don't exist. So above all, choose what feels good to you.
That was a whole lot of information about crochet hooks. Hopefully I've made the choice a bit easier for you. Thanks for reading and happy crocheting!
Still have a question about crochet hooks? No problem! Feel free to send an email to help@yupastudio.com. We keep a close eye on the mailbox, so you'll get a quick answer to your question.
