A Guide to Crochet Hooks and How to Use Them
Want to learn how to crochet? You just need a crochet hook and yarn. Once you learn the basic crochet stitches, you can go forward with any pattern or project. To help you with crochet hooks and how to use them, our guide will take you through hook sizes, materials, and styles. So, let’s get started.
Sizes
Crochet hooks are available in a wide range of sizes. The crochet hook size is calculated by the thickness of the shaft or cylinder that establishes the size of the stitches. Finding the right size for a crochet hook is important because it determines the gauge of your crochet. The general rule to crochet is bigger the hook size, the bigger the stitches which means the fabric will be open. While a smaller hook size means smaller stitches and dense fabric. Patterns and yarn labels always suggest what size hook to use. But, the choice will also depend on your comfort and the gauge.
Here’s a quick guide to crochet hooks
Metric hook size
Hook size
Yarn Category name
1.5 - 2.25 mm
B-1
Lace
2.25 - 3.5 mm
B-1 - E-4
Super fine
3.5 - 4.5 mm
E-4 - 7
Fine
4.5 - 5.5 mm
7 - I-9
Light
5.5 - 6.5 mm
I-9 - K-10 1/2
Medium
6.5 - 9 mm
K-10 1/3 - M-13
Bulky
9 - 15mm
M-13 - Q
Super Bulky
15mm and higher
Q and larger
Jumbo
Materials
Crochet hooks come in a variety of different materials, including wood, bamboo, plastic and metal. Wood and bamboo have a grip on yarn and are preferred by beginners and seasoned experts when the yarn is slippery. Metals, especially steel hooks are ideal for lace and delicate crochet. There are some ergonomic options with metal tips and rubber handles for comfort.
Types of Hooks
Although all crochet hooks have a hook at the tip, the style of that hook varies.
Single-ended Crochet Hooks
These are the traditional crochet hooks that most crocheters learn their craft. The hooks are available in a standard range of sizes as are the handles.
Double-ended Crochet Hooks
These have hooks on either end. They are of different sizes, with the difference being 0.5mm.
Tunisian Hooks
These are the most unique crochet hooks, different from typical crochet hooks as they are longer but follow the same standard sizes. The Tunisian crochet hooks assist in the unique Tunisian crochet stitches (a hybrid of knitting & crochet) but can also be used for normal crochet patterns. Like knitting, for Tunisian crochet, you keep the stitches on the hook and have a knit-like appearance. There are many options available for Tunisian crochet hooks- single-ended hooks, double-ended, and ones with interchangeable cables.
How to Grip a Crochet Hook?
Every crocheter holds the crochet hook differently. The key is to be comfortable. The two main grip styles or method for holding your hook is the knife grip and the pencil grip. In knife style, you hold the crochet hook as a knife for cutting food. The pencil grip is when you hold the hook just like you hold a pencil.
No matter how you hold the hook, you can easily crochet. Start with a slip knot and proceed with the basic stitches and soon you’ll become a pro. The key to being successful is to practice and give yourself time.