What Crochet Hook Do I Use?
Here is a complete guide to crochet hooks. This video and post should answer the question, “What Crochet Hook Should I Use?”
A crochet hook is a primary tool used in crochet. Crochet hooks come in many different colors, materials, and sizes. This article explains the various categories of hooks along with the advantages and disadvantages of each.
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Metal Hooks
Metal tools are the most common type of crochet hook. Manufacturers use aluminum or steel in these hooks. Metal hooks are generally inexpensive, readily available, and come in a variety of colors and sizes.
Aluminum Hooks
Aluminum makes up most of the average-sized metal hooks you find in the stores. This metal is lightweight and durable, plus it doesn’t tarnish or corrode. Aluminum doesn’t have that weird metallic smell, plus it doesn’t absorb dust, oils, or debris. Aluminum is also recyclable.
Steel makes up the smaller metal hooks used for lace and doily making. As with aluminum, steel hooks are solid and resist oils, scents, dirt, and dust.
Pros:
- Lightweight
- Durable
- Impermeable
- Recyclable
Cons:
- Cold feeling to the touch
- Larger hooks can be heavy
Wooden and Natural Hooks
Hooks made of natural plant fibers like bamboo or wood have many advantages. Bamboo is a sustainable material. What that means is it grows quickly and doesn’t require much to maintain. Bamboo also has antimicrobial properties. Crochet ones made of tree fibers include rosewood and birch wood. They are lightweight and feel very warm in your hand. Hooks made of natural materials are often very decorative and rich-looking.
The only major disadvantage of natural materials like wood and bamboo is the size limitation. It is challenging to produce tools as small as steel ones for size 30 thread. Additionally, ultra-large ones are hefty and challenging to work with crochet patterns.
Pros:
- Very Lightweight
- Durable
- Sustainable
Cons:
- Standard sizes only
- Splinters
Plastic and Acrylic Hooks
Crochet hooks made of plastic and other polymers like acrylic are readily available. They are incredibly lightweight and inexpensive. Even super huge ones are very light and easy to use. One of the disadvantages of plastic hooks is that they can easily bend and break. And some people are not keen on creating more plastic items in this world.
Pros:
- Extremely Lightweight
- Inexpensive
- Huge hooks are readily available
Cons:
- Breakable
- Not consistently recyclable/renewable
Ergonomic Hooks
I consider ergonomic hooks as hooks that have a unique handle designed for comfort in the hand. Some hooks have a more oversized handle built into them. Then there are combination hooks, where the top hook part is aluminum, and the bottom part is wood. You can add a comfortable handle on other hooks, such as polymer clay or foam handle sleeves.
Comfort hooks are great for people with arthritis or other issues that make holding a thin tool difficult. Next up are lighted crochet hooks. These fantastic tools have a wonderfully comfortable handle with the benefit of light. Lighted ones are suitable for crocheting in low-light areas or when working with dark yarn.
By the way, feel free to check out my beginner crochet videos on YouTube.
Tunisian Hooks
Tunisian crochet hooks look like a combination of a crochet hook and a knitting needle. Afghan or Tunisian crochet uses these special tools, which require the loops to remain on the tool as you work. These special hooks come in a variety of styles and lengths.
Standard Tunisian Hooks
I have three different lengths of what is considered a “standard” Tunisian tool. Several are smaller and made from bamboo. Others are made of aluminum and come in two sizes.
Extended Tunisian Hooks
I also have an assortment of extended crochet hooks. These extendable Tunisian hooks are helpful when making large blankets. They contain the standard crochet hook on one end, while the other end has a soft, thin, plastic tubing that holds the stitches.
Tunisian Crochet Hook Kits
I love my Denise Interchangeable Tunisian Crochet Hook Kit. This kit contains a variety of sizes on one side. At the same time, the other side includes the soft, flexible fishing-wire-like plastic tubing with sizing that you can customize.
If you would like to learn more, check out my beginner Tunisian Crochet information and video.
Double Ended Crochet Hook
A double-ended crochet hook is terrific for working with Tunisian crochet in the round and using multiple colors. By turning and using both ends of the hook, you can create unique stitches and patterns.
Finally, there are crochet hook-like tools out there as well. Technically they are not crochet hooks, but they sure look like them!
Knitting Pick Up Hook
This hook-like tool picks up dropped stitches in knitting. It is easy to accidentally drop a stitch (or a loop) off of the knitting needle in knitting. Sometimes this loop unravels itself down several rows into the work. This hook tool helps fix the stitches and helps place any dropped loops back on the hook.
Crochet Hook Size Markers
You can place these half-sized crochet hooks on a WIP or “Work In Progress” so you remember what size you are using for that project. They usually have a tiny lobster clasp similar to one on a necklace to connect it onto the piece. Then a little marker displays the hook size.
The one shown in the video came from a set that has been available on Amazon. They may or may not be out of stock at this time.
Locker Hooking
Locker hooking is a vintage fiber art that uses a tool that is half of a crochet hook and half of a sewing needle. You draw loops up from a canvas with the crochet hook section and then draw through using the sewing needle part with yarn.
Size Chart
| US Size | Millimeters |
| 0 | 2 |
| B-1 | 2.25 |
| C-2 | 2.75 |
| D-3 | 3.25 |
| E-4 | 3.5 |
| F-5 | 3.75 |
| G-6 | 4 or 4.25 |
| 7 | 4.5 |
| H-8 | 5 |
| I-9 | 5.5 |
| J-10 | 6 |
| K-10.5 | 6.5 |
| L-11 | 8 |
| M-13 | 9 |
| N-15 | 10 |
| P | 11.5 |
| 17 | 12.75 |
| 19 | 15 |
| Q | 16 |
| S-35 | 19 |
| 50 | 25 |
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