A Guide to Basics of Beginning Crochet Hooks from Start to Finish

In our post about Quick Tips to Crochet holds, we discussed maintaining tension and what works best for you and feels most comfortable. There are a plethora of hooks out there to choose from, and they come in all different styles and materials.

If you are new to this craft, I advise starting with a simple needle aluminum hook in 5mm (size H) or a 6mm (size J) hook. These particular hooks are readily available and work well with medium-weight yarn; the label on the yarn will point you to the best hook for that weight. If you are looking for comfort or have problems with arthritis or other muscular needs, I would look at the comfort grips.

The chart below will help with choosing the right needle for you and the material that is best for different types of yarn. If you enjoy crochet, start exploring with the other kind of hooks to suit your crochet style!

Categories of yarn, gauge ranges, and recommended needle and hook sizes

What's in a Hook?

Needles can come in:

• Aluminum

• Bamboo

• Plastic

• Steel

Basic crocheting hooks come in two types of heads.

Inline Hooks' hook is the same width as the shaft. When you look at the hook profile, it is more angular than the tapered hook and comes to a point at the head of the hook. The hook's mouth is more profound than most other hooks. Due to the angularity of the hook, they are handy when dealing with tighter stitches; however, they can split the yarn more often than tapered hooks.

The Tapered Hook has a round and softer head than the inline hook. The Tapered Hook's shaft gradually narrows to the head of the hook. This hook has a smoother, faster feel that makes weekend projects fly by!

Inline and Tapered Hook

Check out your local or online craft shop and see what is available in your area. A few well-known vendors for hooks are:

• Clover Amour

• Susan Bates

• Prym

Beginner Crochet Variety

Dragon n hook

Now I know what Hook I want, how do I hold it?

There are two different ways that most crocheters hold their hooks.

The first way to hold a hook is called the pencil hold; hold your hook just like a pencil.

Crochet Hook Pencil Hold

The second way is called a knife hold; hold that hook that you are about to cut something!

Crochet Hook Knife Hold

As in any crocheting method, there is no right or wrong way to hold the hook; it is what is most comfortable and ergonomically fit for you.

Now that we have the basics for the yarn hold, basics, and hooks we are ready to start our first chain stitch!

Stay creative!

Ro