Bored at home? Thinking about taking up a new hobby? Crocheting is one of the most therapeutic and addictive hobbies out there. From blankets to bags to booties, crocheting gives you endless possibilities for creative projects. There’s a lot to learn about yarn, techniques, and tools if you’re new to the crochet game. The most critical among them? The hook! This article takes you through 10 of the best types of crochet hooks, materials, and styles to get you started. Let’s check them out.
Crochet Hook Basics
First off, what is a crochet hook?
Crochet hooks are the long slender handheld hooks you use to pull stitches of yarn through one another, and an essential piece of crochet equipment.
There are five main parts of any hook: the shaft, thumb grip, throat, mouth, and hook (also referred to as a point, head, or top).
As you get the lay of the crochet land, you’ll hear about both inline and tapered crochet hooks. Inline hooks feature a more angular head, and a point that’s in line with the shaft. Tapered hooks, on the other hand, boast a point that extends past the line of the shaft and has a smoother, more rounded throat and head.
Crochet Hook Sizes
Crochet hook sizes are determined by the diameter of their shaft and measured in a few different ways. The easiest and most accurate way to talk about size is with metric measurements, but you’ll also find that U.S. crochet hooks are classified with numbers and letters.
If you see a crochet hook that says J-10 or D-3, don’t panic. It’s not as complicated as it sounds. Unlike the metric sizing system, the numerical and alphabetical sizing isn’t standardized. You know when you go shopping, and the same sized jeans fit differently at each store? Crochet hook sizing can be the same way. Just navigate to the shop’s sizing page and make a quick comparison.
Which to Use?
The style, shape, and material of the crochet hook will change the feel of your stitches and move through the yarn slightly differently. At the end of the day, there are no hard and fast rules for deciding what type of crochet hooks are best for beginners and new crafters. While some are better suited to different kinds of yarns and projects than others, crochet hooks are a matter of personal preference. Experiment with a few different materials, shapes, and brands as you go.
But what are the different types of crochet hooks ? Let’s jump right into the list of crochet hook materials and styles to find out.
5 Types of Crochet Hooks: Materials
1
Aluminum
Aluminum crochet hooks are one of the most popular choices for new and experienced crocheters. It’s no wonder why: they’re affordable, easy to find, and ultra-versatile. Aluminum crochet hooks come in plenty of colors, sizes, and sets that give new crafters every size crochet hook they need to get started.
2
Plastic
Much like aluminum crochet hooks, plastic crochet hooks are affordable, easy to maneuver, and lightweight. They come in fun, bright colors and jumbo sizes designed to work well with chunkier yarns. Using a larger plastic crochet hook will make learning the stitches a bit easier if you’re just starting out with crocheting.
3
Wood
Wood crochet hooks come in more ornate designs with thicker, curved handles, making them popular among established crochet enthusiasts. While they’re beautifully created, they can be unwieldy for newer crafters and hard to find in every size.
4
Bamboo
Bamboo crochet hooks are a greener, more sustainable choice than some traditional alternatives, and they come with some great benefits. They’re lightweight and nimble enough to provide the same ease of use as aluminum and plastic hooks. At the same time, bamboo has more natural texture than many crochet hook materials, which prevents stitches from sliding around on the shaft.
5
Steel
Steel crochet hooks are much tinier than other crochet tools, and they’re used for delicate lace and thread work. They’re super smooth and require an experienced hand, but can achieve a much more detailed stitch and fabric.
5 Types of Crochet Hooks: Styles
6
Light Up
Meet the high-tech hook of the crochet world.
Light up crochet hooks have built-in lights that illuminate the hook and throat while you work. If you want to crochet at night, while watching TV, or without your glasses, then light up crochet hooks might be the perfect choice for you. They’re also lifesavers when you’re traveling or on the road.
7
Knook
Unsurprisingly, knook crochet hooks are used in knooking, which is a specific kind of crocheting that combines knitting with traditional crochet stitches. Knook hooks have a crochet point on one end and a small hole on the other end, which is used to thread a cord through. The result of knooking is a versatile woven fabric that looks more knitted than crocheted.
8
Tunisian
Much like knook crochet hooks, Tunisian crochet hooks are a specific type of tool used in a specific type of crocheting called (unsurprisingly) Tunisian crocheting. These crochet hooks have elongated hooks with stoppers at the end of the shaft that makes crocheting afghans and blankets a breeze. In fact, you’ll often hear Tunisian crochet referred to as Afghan crochet for this reason.
9
Ergonomic
Ergonomic crochet hooks come in a variety of styles and materials. They’re helpful for anyone with arthritis, joint pain, and for a technique of crocheting that involves more finger movement than wrist action. You can also make other types of crochet hooks more ergonomic by adding clay polymer handles to the shaft. Handles aren’t expensive, and they’re an easy way to make a set of crochet hooks you already love more comfortable to use.
10
Broomstick Lace
Broomstick lace crocheting is a style of stitch that involves using a dowel, broomstick needle, or knitting needle in addition to a standard crochet hook. While you can use any crochet hook for this, you’ll need to purchase a secondary tool if you feel like taking on the broomstick lace challenge. It might be worth your while — broomstick lace has a beautiful decorative pattern to it.
Further Reading
