Choosing a Hook - Jillian kaye crochet

Choosing a Hook
Whether you're looking for more comfort, splurging on a new set, or
trying out a different type of hook, the process of buying new crochet
hook set can be more tedious, costly, and complicated than it has to be.
Since its big surge in popularity, crochet hooks have become widely
available in almost any variety you could probably think of. Meaning
taking that first step in exploring the land of crochet hooks can be
intimidating at first.
Although there may not be a “perfect” hook, you can get pretty close
and make your crochet sessions more enjoyable. This guide may not
promise you'll find your dream hook without trial and error, but it will
help you make a more informed decision.
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Hook Material Type & Best Use
Crochet hooks come in a variety of shapes, sizes, & materials. Currently, hooks come in sizes
0.35mm all the way to 25mm. For the sake of time and keeping this simple I'll be covering
popular hook material only.
Aluminum – Like most people who crochet, this will probably be the first set of hooks you'll
own. They are inexpensive and practical. They have a vast range of sizes (C all the way to
jumbo) and have a variety of styles.
Steel – Steel hooks are reserved for lace making and wire thread for jewelry. Aluminum can
be used, but steel is preferred. These hooks are available in small sizes. A normal range in a
set of steel hooks would be 0.35mm - 2.0mm
Plastic – Although they're fun looking, these are my least favorite. They break easily and
don't work well with acrylic yarns. I have yet to find a decent plastic hook.
Bamboo - These have a nice, light hand feel that will warm up with your hands. They come
in the same sizes as aluminum hooks. Bamboo hooks can be up to 60% lighter than their
aluminum counterparts. Don't let their fragile appearance fool you. Bamboo is a very strong,
durable material. They do no break easily.
Glass – I wanted to give glass hooks an honorable mention just because they're so pretty.
They look like they should be displayed as art, rather than used for crochet. I don't know
about the practicality of these hooks. They're just fun to drool over.
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Anatomy of a Crochet Hook
Knowing the anatomy of the crochet hook is definitely helpful and takes some guess work
out, when searching for a new set.
Features differ from hook to hook. You will probably have to use some trial and error to
know what's right and not so right for you.
These different styles don't have anything to do with changing how your stitches look, but
more to do with hand comfort and what works best for you.
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Tip – It may seem insignificant, but the tip has a lot to do with how enjoyable your crochet
sessions will be. They differ by manufacturer and size (usually the larger the hooks, the
more rounded the tip will be).
• Pointed tips – I use these when working on projects that require tight stitches. They
work well for amigurumi or if you have difficulty getting into your stitches for any
reason.
Be careful when using a pointier tip hook, it has a tendency to split your yarn.
• Rounded tips – with the rounded tip it's easier to grab your yarn. You also don't
have to worry about splitting your yarn as often as you would with a pointed tip
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• Sharp tip – A sharp hook (also called piercing hook) can poke through fabric. If you
were making a blanket with a fabric background and had to crochet an edging on
it, this hook would be ideal.
Hook – You can get hooks with a shallow or deep groove. If you drop your yarn a lot, try
using a hook with a deep groove.
If that's not an issue, try a shallow grooved hook. You'll shed time off your project.
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Throat – When shopping around for a new set, it's important to understand the difference
between inline and tapered hooks.
• Inline – These hooks have the same width from the hook down to the handle. They
come in handy if you have difficulty keeping your stitches a uniform size.
• Tapered – These hooks have their smallest point at the head and increase in size
moving down towards the handle.
Notice in the picture, the inline is more symmetrical and the hook falls inline with the
handle. The choice between inline or tapered is about your personal preference. One isn't
better or worse than the other.
Shank – Also known as the shaft, is located between the throat and thumb rest. The shank
determines the size of the hook.
Example: a “J” hooks is 6mm in diameter, that means the shank is 6mm in diameter.
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Thumb Rest – Also known as the grip, the thumb rest is located between the shank and
handle. Most often the hook size will be printed on this area.
Depending on how you crochet (pen hold or knife hold), the thumb rest can help or hinder
you when crocheting.
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Handle – Located under the thumb rest, the handle has a practical and aesthetic purpose.
It acts as a support or a balance and determines your level of comfort.
There's a huge variety of handles available to the crochet community and that can make the
search for that perfect handle daunting.
Unless a hook is a novelty or made specially, you can place crochet hooks handles in 1 Of 3
categories:
Ergonomic Hook – Ergonomic hooks have larger handles that forces you to loosen your grip.
It loosens tension in the hand and prevents hand and wrist strain.
So, if your crochet sessions last long or you crochet often, your hands and wrists get achy
and crampy, you suffer from arthritis or carpal tunnel, you want to prevent possible future
hand/wrist issues, or you're just looking for more comfort; you should consider picking up
an ergonomic crochet needle.
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Soft Touch/Comfort Grip Hook – If you're not ready to dive into ergonomic hooks, this
would be a good consideration.
There are after market products available to add comfort to your plain hooks or could try a
hook that's comes already equipped with a built in soft grip.
Plain Hook – Plain hooks are the bare bones, simplest form of the crochet hook.
Because of their low cost, these hooks are usually the starter set for people who are new to
crochet. Later on they may graduate to a more sophisticated hook.
That doesn't mean you should write off plain hooks forever. They can be modified in several
ways to give you a more comfortable crochet experience. You can buy grips specially made
for plain hooks, dabble with clay to make the hook handle larger (and prettier), or wrap
rubber bands around the hook. There are many more options.
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Hopefully this will help you get a head-start on choosing what kind of hook
would best fit your needs.
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Happy crafting!
JillianKaye💙
Questions or comments? Click Here or c&p – JillianKayeCrochet@aol.com