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A Beginners Guide to Choosing Crochet Hooks
Learn How to Find The Right Crochet Needles for Your Project. Includes Tips on Size, Types, Materials and Yarn
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If you are just starting out your crocheting journey and need help with finding the perfect crochet hook, you have come to the right place. In this article, we will talk about all the important things you should consider before you make the purchase. You may already know that there are many different types available in craft stores, such as worsted weight yarn hooks, jumbo yarn hooks, Tunisian crochet hooks, inline/straight hooks, and tapered hooks.
Continue reading to learn more about the anatomy of a hook, different sizes, types and styles. This article will help answer all your questions so you can confidently pick the right crochet hook for your next DIY project and start creating neat and beautiful items like potholders, mittens, scarves, granny squares, or Afghans.
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Hemptique is a one-stop-shop for Earth-friendly and sustainable art & crafts supplies suitable for all types of projects, all ages, and all skill levels. We are on a mission to provide crafters around the world with green crafting supplies and make a positive impact on our planet’s environment. Our merchandise is made from carefully sourced natural materials like hemp, making it toxic-free and highly durable. For crocheters, we have natural hemp blend yarn in 6 beautiful colors. It’s soft, absorbent, and strong, and can be used for various crafts such as crocheting, knitting, weaving, string art, scrap yarn projects, etc. It is ideal for handmaking items like blankets, hats, scarves, cloths, and baby garments. For smaller projects, we have Hemp Yarn Bon Bons, with each set containing 6 coordinating colors. For more information, give us a call on (760) 602-4864 ext. 403 and 405. Apply for a wholesale account or bulk order to receive various discounts and special perks.
Crochet Hook Anatomy
A hook is one of the two most important crochet supplies you will need to begin this new craft. In fact, you can’t create fabric items without it.
Image credit: Gorgeous Crafts
Point (head, tip) is the part at the very top of the hook, which you insert into stitches. This section can be rounded or pointy. Although the latter is easier to push through loops, if it’s too sharp it can easily split your yarn.
- Lip & mouth grab yarn and pull it through the loop, which is why they should be large enough to snitch yarn, but not too large. If they are too big, the stitches can slide off hook easily before even being worked on. The mouth section is also known as ‘the bowl’ or ‘the groove’.
- Throat is the part which guides the fiber into working area and it can be inline or tapered. Novice crafters may find inline angled throats easier to handle. We’ll talk more about the difference between the two later in the article.
- Shaft (shank) is measured in millimeters, and together with the throat and neck it holds loops that slip up and down this area. It plays a vital role in determining the size of stitches. Longer shafts are suitable for working several stitches at a time.
- Thumb rest is a wider, flattened component, sitting between right a thumb and middle finger when holding the needle. This way, you’re able to rotate the hook while crocheting. This is also a place where most manufacturers print the size.
- Handle is used to balance the needle and provides stability during crafting. It rests either inside your palm (‘knife grip’ crocheters), or on top of your finger (‘pencil grip’). They can be ergonomically designed to be easier on hands.
5 Types Of Crochet Hooks
Below, you can find more information on a variety of different styles of crochet hooks available on the market.
1. Inline crochet hooks
This type of hook has the same width as the shaft. They have a uniform, angular look, with defined pointy lip, and deeper mouth. Due to their sharper angles, they are perfect for creating uniform stitches and tighter stitches, used for making scarves or gloves.
2. Tapered hooks
Compared to inline needles, tapered ones have wider lip, rounder head and not so deep mouth. Because of their rounded appearance, it allows you to crochet faster, with minimal yarn split. With tapered hook, you may finish large projects, such as blanket, in just a couple of days.
3. Ergonomic hooks
They can be either inline or tapered and compared to standard hooks, they have a significantly larger handle. They are specially designed to help ease the wrist pain that may arise with constant crocheting motions. If you notice that your hands or wrists are getting sore, try ergonomic hooks or an ergonomic handle that can be attached to a standard hook.
4. Knook crochet hooks
Knook crochet hooks are used to craft items that look like they have been knitted. At the end of the shaft you thread a cord to move stitches onto and make a knit look. These are mostly recommended for advanced crocheters, so it’s best to first cover the essentials before moving to more complex tools and tasks.
5. Tunisian (Afghan) hooks
Tunisian hooks, also referred to as Afghan hooks, are distinctive tools that resemble knitting needles. They are longer than regular hooks, so on the forward pass all stitches stay on the hook and are only worked off during the reverse pass. Sometimes they have a stopper or cord attached to hold all the stitches. Some companies make interchangeable Tunisian hooks that screw onto interchangeable cables which enables crafters to create the ideal needle length for their project.
Understanding Hook Sizes
For beginners, it’s best to start with projects that call for a medium size or larger hook (4.00mm to 6.50mm). Larger hooks are easier to handle when you’re just starting out, so try to use these until you get some more practice.
What is crochet hook size?
Hook size denotes the size (diameter) of the hook head and throat. The reason why size matters is because it determines the size of stitches and how your final item will look. As a general rule, use bigger size for thicker yarns.
| US Size | Millimeters |
|---|---|
| B-1 | 2.25 mm / 2.5 mm |
| C-2 | 2.75 mm |
| D | 3.125 mm |
| D-3 | 3.25 mm |
| E-4 | 3.5 mm |
| F-5 | 3.75 mm |
| G-6 | 4 mm |
| G | 4.25 mm |
| 7 | 4.5 mm |
| H-8 | 5 mm |
| I | 5.25 mm |
| I-9 | 5.5 mm |
| J | 5.75 mm |
| J-10 | 6 mm |
| K-10 | 6.5 mm / 7 mm |
| L-11 | 8 mm |
| M/N-13 | 9 mm |
| N/P-15 | 10 mm |
| P-16 | 11.5 mm / 12 mm |
| P/Q | 15 mm |
| Q | 16 mm |
| S | 19 mm |
| T/U/X | 25 mm |
| T/X | 30 mm |
Steel crochet hooks sizing
Steel crochet hooks are used mostly for making lace and fine details with fine fibers, and they are sized differently than standard hooks. Here, a larger number denotes a smaller size, while smaller number indicates a larger hook size.
| US Label | Metric |
|---|---|
| 00 | 2.7 mm |
| 0 | 2.55 mm |
| 1 | 2.35 mm |
| 2 | 2.25 mm |
| 3 | 2.10 mm |
| 4 | 2 mm |
| 5 | 1.90 mm |
| 6 | 1.80 mm |
Tunisian hook sizes
Tunisian hooks are measured the same way as standard ones with the same size measurements. The only difference is that they have a cord attached to carry a large number of stitches.
Most commonly used sizes
Although they come in a variety of different sizes, some are used more often than others. Here’s which ones:
Hooks for worsted weight yarn – It is mostly recommended to use H-8 (5 mm metric size) for worsted weight yarn.
Hooks for fingering weight yarn - It is best to use D-3 (3.25 mm) size hook with fingering weight yarn, which is smaller than the worsted weight one.
Hooks for jumbo yarn – Choose S (S-35, 19 mm) needle to craft bulkier items from jumbo, roving yarn or rope.
Hooks for beginners – In the beginning of your journey, select sizes ranging from E to J (3.5 mm to 6 mm). They will be easier to manipulate until you improve your skills enough to move to other sizes.
Materials
Now that you have familiarized yourself with various types and sizing, it’s time to learn more about the different materials that are used to make crochet needles.
- Bamboo feels warm in the hand, it’s not expensive, it’s eco-friendly, and easily accessible, making it a perfect choice for beginners. Plus, it provides a good grip and allows for better control of slippery fibers like rayon, silk, or bamboo. Over time, they become smoother and improve their performance. The only downside is that sometimes the tip is too sharp and may need sanding before first use.
- Acrylic (plastic) is the best choice for beginners. It’s sturdy, smooth, lightweight, and low priced. It is available in many bright colors making them fun for kids who want to learn how to crochet. They have moderate grip but unfortunately are not the best solution for the environment, so opt for other materials if you can.
- Metal (aluminum) hooks are durable and strong but allow for faster crocheting because they have less grip. It’s especially great for use with fiber that tend to stick to themselves, like wool, mohair, and alpaca. The disadvantage is that it’s heavy, can be cold, and may cause fatigue in the hands.
- Wood allows for comfortable grip, it’s warm, and lightweight. As an eco-friendly option, it can be pricier than other options.
- Steel is the strongest material and usually manufactured in the smallest sizes (for lace and doily projects). It is also great for incorporating beads into the fabric.
Hook & Yarn Pairings
In this section we will explain what to look for when searching for the hook based on the yarn that is called for in the pattern you’ll be following. The reason why it’s important to coordinate needle with the yarn is to avoid things like stiff fabric, no drape, loose structure, no stitch definition, large holes, and overall, an item with no shape and poor visual appearance. On the other hand, if the needle is too small, it will be hard to push it through the fabric. The stitching will be tight and dense and the final product will be too stiff.
Yarn label – Every yarn label contains guidelines and information on what needle size to use with that specific yarn. Most manufacturers provide both US and metric sizes, so make sure you’re looking at the correct one. The label also has information on yarn’s composition, weight and its category.
Pattern information – At the beginning of your pattern you will find information on the adequate size to use. For instance, light and airy scarves call for larger sizes, while amigurumi figures or 3D textured products require you to use smaller sizes.
Stitch tension – Use smaller size for tighter stitches and larger size for loose stitching techniques.
| Yarn weight | Suggested US Size | Metric sizes |
|---|---|---|
| 0, lace, thread | Steel #1, steel #2, B-1 | 2.35 mm, 2.25 mm, 2.50 mm |
| 1, super fine, finger or sock weight | C-2, D-3 | 2.75 mm, 3.25 mm |
| 2, fine, sport, baby weight | E-4, F-5 | 3.5 mm, 3.75 mm |
| 3, light, DK, light worsted | G-6, 7, H-8 | 4 mm, 4.5 mm, 5 mm |
| 4, medium, worsted, Afghan | I-9, J-10 | 5.5 mm, 6 mm |
| 5, bulky, chunky | L-11, M, N | 8 mm, 9 mm |
| 6, super bulky, roving super chunky weight | N/P-15 | 10 mm |
| 7, jumbo | P/Q, Q | 15 mm, 15.75 mm, 16 mm |
Recommended Product
Hemptique offers Hemp yarn balls, which are durable, soft, and machine washable. This strong, 3-ply, plant-based fiber is a great choice for a variety of different projects, including making towels, cloths, garments, blankets, wall hangings, and home décor items. Machine wash at 40C, tumble dry, do not iron.
- Weight: heavy worsted
- Material: Cotton 65%, Hemp 35%
- Size: 1.75 oz (50g)
- Crochet hook size: I-9 (5.5mm)
- Colors: Mint, Periwinkle, Sky Blue, Natural, Dusty Pink & Moss Green
Tips For Selecting Crochet Hooks
Picking the hook is all about personal preference. Some crafters find metal too slippery, while others can’t work with bamboo needles. If you're just starting out, it would be best to try several different materials to determine which one suits your needs best. Different handles and different head shapes can greatly impact the way a hook feels in your hands. What’s important is to use a hook that is easy to manipulate and whose size corresponds with size that is recommended in the project.
Comfortability - Test out different materials to find the one that suits you best.
- Pattern recommendation – Patterns usually contain advice on preferred hook size.
- Yarn & hook pairing - Don’t use a tiny hook with bulky yarn. If you’re switching the needle, do the same with yarn, make sure their weight/size are matching.
