The Anatomy of your Hook

 

Part of choosing the best hook for you is knowing the anatomy so you can make an informed decision.

Head/Hook/Point

The head/hook/point is at the very top and allows you to poke through your stitch. They can either be pointy or much duller. If you find yourself splitting your yarn often, you may have a head that’s too pointy.  If you’re having difficulty inserting your hook into the next stitch, you may have a head that’s too dull.

Throat / Groove

The throat/groove is what allows you to pull the yarn through your stitches. There are 2 styles, inline and tapered. The inline throat is much sharper, having the tip of the hook pointy. There’s great debate on which is best, but you’ll never know which is best for you until you try them both. If you’re splitting yarn on the pull-through you may find tapered to be better. If you’re having an issue grabbing yarn to pull through, inline may be best.

Shaft / Shank

The shaft/shank is where the measurements for each hook come from. This is where the stitch takes shape and determines its size.

Thumb Rest/ Grip

The thumb rest/grip is optional and may not be on some hooks. This gives your thumb a comfortable place to rest regardless of how you hold your hook. Often the size will be engraved onto the thumb rest as well.

Handle

The handle is ultimately where you should focus as far as comfort goes. Most hook handles are made of the same material as the rest of the hook, but if your hand is cramping up then getting a nice comfort handle or ergonomic handle can do wonders.

What are they made of?

 

Aluminum

Your first hook will probably be aluminum. I highly suggest it as they are widely available and allow you to try crocheting out without spending a lot of money. Aluminum is typically cold and hard, but also allows the yarn to easily slip on and off so you can crochet more quickly.

Plastic

Also cheap and very lightweight. Plastic however seems to have a 50/50 chance with their owners of breaking easily. I had no idea I could snap my hook in half, but sure enough, my first plastic hook did just that.

Wood

Most commonly rosewood or bamboo has a strong grip on the yarn that will keep it from slipping off the hook. Unlike metal hooks, they are warm in hand. Unfortunately, they aren’t typically available in jumbo or small sizes.

Ergonomic – Style

Ergonomic handles have large soft grips. Typically used with metal they give you all the benefits of metal hooks without the cold and cramping. Once I switched to ergonomic handles my hands have felt so much better. I tried stress relief gloves and they were never comfortable.

Am I holding my crochet hook wrong?

No. There’s no right way to hold a hook. You may hear differently, but honestly, if it’s comfortable for you it’s correct. There are 2 typical ways people hold their hook: The pencil and The knife. Both due to how you hold their named items.

Hook Sizes

UK mm SizesUS Letter Sizes
2.25mmB-1
2.75mmC-2
3.25D-3
3.5mmE-4
3.75mmF-5
4mmG-6
4.5mm7
5mmH-8
5.5mmI-9
6mmJ-10
6.5mmK-10.5
8mmL-11
9mmM/N-13
10mmN/P-15
11.5mmP-16
15-16mmQ

Homework

Homework

Pick up your very first crochet hook! When you’re in the store, notice how the label will often show all variations of 4mm hooks as just G or even 7? Sometimes that will happen! So, to ensure that you have the correct size pay attention to the millimeters. They don’t fluctuate like the letters depending on the manufacturer. Make sure you grab a 4.5mm one! It’s my favorite size and one I often use. (It’s okay if you can’t find one, use a 4mm instead!) Once you’ve found your hook find the right type for your grip.

Are you a knife or pencil holder? Which one feels more comfortable to you?

Quiz

What part of the hook determines the size of your stitches?

A – Shaft

B – Head

C – Handle

D – Throat

My yarn keeps splitting.. What should I do?

A – A bigger size hook will help!

B – Change your grip! Ergonomic handles will keep it from splitting!

C – Look for a rounder, dull head type of hook!

D – You definitely need a pointier head type of hook!

Identify #3 in this picture.

A – Throat

B – Shaft

C – Head

D – Thumbgrip

A

C

B