Choosing the right crochet hook

Unlike knitting, you only need one tool for crochet: the crochet hook. Depending on the yarn, you choose a thicker or thinner hook. You can also pick hooks made from different materials—anything from plastic and wood to metal. As you can see from the huge selection, choosing the right crochet hook isn’t that easy. There are a few things to keep in mind so your crochet project turns out well and works up quickly. But don’t worry: in the sections below you’ll learn everything you need to know. Do you have even more questions about crocheting? Then take a look at our extensive help area!

Crochet hook anatomy

Every crochet hook consists of a handle, the shaft, and the hook.

The handle of the crochet hook

The handle is either straight or ergonomically shaped. With very thin hooks, it makes sense to choose a thickened handle so the tool sits better in your hand. With very thick crochet hooks, a narrow thumb rest is helpful.

The shaft of the crochet hook

The shaft sits between the handle and the hook. It is made from the same material as the hook and should be as even and smooth as possible so the yarn can glide over it easily. Don’t choose a shaft that’s too short, so you don’t have to cramp your hand while crocheting.

The hook of the crochet hook

The most important part of your tool is, of course, the hook. It has a tip and a throat. With the tip, you insert the hook into stitches you have already crocheted to catch the yarn. If your crochet hook is too pointy, it can split the yarn into individual strands. That doesn’t look nice. If it’s too rounded, you’ll have trouble inserting it. You also need to pay attention to the throat: if it isn’t notched enough, the yarn will keep slipping off. If it’s too deep, the yarn can get caught in it.

Different crochet hook materials

With so much choice, it can be hard to decide! Choosing the right crochet hook may seem complicated, because you can find tools made from all kinds of materials. But if you keep a few small things in mind, you’ll quickly find the right one.

When deciding, make sure your hook doesn’t bend—it needs to be sturdy. The material must be smooth and even so the yarn won't snag on it. It also shouldn’t be too heavy, so your hands don’t get tired too quickly while crocheting. On the other hand, if it’s too light, it may slip out of your hand.

Wooden crochet hooks

Wood has the big advantage of being a sustainable raw material. With a natural wooden hook, you’re doing something good for the environment. It also feels pleasant in your hand. It isn’t cold like a metal hook and is also a bit lighter. This is especially helpful for large, heavy crochet projects. Due to its natural properties, a wooden hook isn’t quite as smooth as a metal or plastic hook. This means you’re less likely to slip when working with shiny yarns like silk or viscose. However, you should make sure wooden crochet hooks are well made. If the hooks aren’t properly sanded, wool can snag on them, for example.

Bamboo crochet hooks

Bamboo hooks are also made from a raw material that grows back easily. They are particularly light and are therefore ideal for heavy wool. However, you should keep in mind that bamboo crochet hooks can bend easily. As a beginner, you may not find that as easy to work with, so it’s best to choose a thick (and therefore relatively sturdy) eco-friendly hook only when working with thick wool.

Metal crochet hooks

A metal hook in small sizes is perfect for thin yarn. It doesn’t bend and it doesn’t break. And the yarn glides easily over the smooth metal. If you work with small sizes, a metal hook won’t feel too heavy even when you crochet for a long time. One small drawback is that metal can feel a bit cold. Also, thin all-metal hooks often don’t sit as comfortably in your hand. If you’re planning a longer project, you may want to choose a crochet hook made from a mix of materials instead.

Plastic crochet hooks

Plastic hooks look great, of course. They come in bright, trendy colors—so just looking at the tool can make you want to start crafting. Unfortunately, that’s pretty much the only advantage plastic hooks have. Quite often, plastic crochet hooks are poorly finished. They have a seam where your yarn keeps catching. They’re slippery, so you can easily slip off. And they’re very light and unstable. Especially in medium sizes, it’s not uncommon for plastic crochet hooks to break.

Your crochet hook made from a mix of materials

Crochet hooks aren’t always made from just one material. Especially in small and medium sizes, you’ll find many tools with a metal hook and shaft and a plastic handle. These hooks combine the stability and smoothness of metal with an ergonomically shaped plastic handle. The handle is designed so the hook fits perfectly in your hand and your fingers don’t get tired even after hours of crocheting. The only thing you need to watch out for is good workmanship—so you don’t end up with a hook where the plastic handle comes loose from the metal shaft.

Crochet hook size

To choose the right crochet hook for your project, you also need to consider the thickness of your yarn, because that determines the thickness (size) of your tool.

Two different crochet hook size systems

There are two different systems for crochet hook sizes: the metric (German) system and the US system. Metric hook sizes are given in millimeters and increase in half-millimeter steps. So the thinnest hook starts at 1, the next thinnest is 1.5, then 2, and so on. The US system starts with the letter A and then simply continues up the alphabet.

How hook size affects your stitches

You can find which hook size you need printed on your yarn label. However, you’ll usually be given a range of about one millimeter. For example, it might say: recommended hook size: 3.5–4.5. Which size you choose exactly depends on your project. The rule is: the thinner the hook, the tighter your stitches will be. If you want your finished project to be as firm and not see-through as possible, choose the smallest size listed. If you want a looser result, use the largest size printed.

How to find the size of your crochet hook

With a new crochet hook, it’s easy to see its size. It is either printed on or embossed. While an embossing can still be read even after frequent use, with heavily used crochet hooks the printed value may become hard to read. In that case, you can either determine the size with a needle gauge. Or you can simply test your hook. If you can barely catch the yarn with the hook, it’s too thin. If a small test swatch of single crochet stitches turns into a lacy pattern, it’s too thick.

Crochet hook sets as a practical alternative to single hooks

If you buy crochet hooks as a set, it’s usually cheaper than buying each tool separately. However, before buying a set you should be clear about two things: you need to know whether the hook suits you and you can work well with it. And you should be planning several crochet projects with different yarns. Only then does it make sense to have many different sizes at home.

Special crochet hooks

Of course, there are also a few nice extras when it comes to crafting tools. You don’t need them, but in certain situations they can still be very useful.

For example, you can buy a double-ended crochet hook with a handle in the middle and a hook of a different size on each side. As you can probably imagine, this tool doesn’t sit quite as comfortably in your hand, because it doesn’t have an ergonomically shaped handle. Also, depending on your grip, the pointed hook at the other end can make it easy to poke yourself while crocheting. But for small repairs in between, this tool can be a practical helper.

A light-up crochet hook isn’t really necessary either—after all, who crochets in the dark? But if you like crocheting in the evening by candlelight or in dim lighting, the small light in the tip can be helpful when inserting the hook and catching the yarn. However, keep in mind: it isn’t environmentally friendly, because it needs batteries. It’s also noticeably thicker than usual, so your hands may get tired more quickly while crocheting.

Crochet hook tips for beginners

As you now know, choosing the right crochet hook isn’t that easy. On the one hand, you need to base your choice on the yarn you want to crochet with. On the other hand, you should also consider your personal preferences.

• Before you start a larger crochet project, you should practice crocheting with a small test swatch. When making a swatch, you’ll quickly notice whether you crochet rather tightly or rather loosely.
• You can make loose stitches a bit tighter by using a thinner crochet hook (= a smaller size). Conversely, you can loosen up very tight stitches by using a thicker hook.
• Don’t order your first crochet hook online. Go to a local store and hold hooks made from different materials and in different lengths in your hand.
• If you have large hands, a long hook of at least 14 centimeters can feel comfortable. If you have small hands, the tool can be a bit shorter.
• Make sure the workmanship is good. The hook and shaft need to be smooth, but not slippery, so the yarn can glide over them well. Overall, you need a stable crochet hook that doesn’t bend and doesn’t break.
• When testing, hold the hook in your hand the same way you will when crocheting. Some crocheters hold their tool like a pen. Others hold it like a knitting needle, in a fist, with the fingers underneath the hook and the thumb on top of the handle.