Crochet as a hobby has resurfaced for a while now, gaining more popularity by the hour. If you’re into this relaxing art as well, you might need a new crochet hook every once in a while.
Since you can’t always find the perfect hook size in your nearby store, it may be a good idea to carve up your own tool.
For this reason, we’ve put together this guide on how to make a crochet needle at home.
Let the fun begin!
Step 1: Choose Your Material
You can create a crochet needle from a large range of materials, a lot of which might already exist in your household.
The following objects make for great candidates:
- A straight wooden branch
- A plastic or wooden chopstick
- A hardwood dowel
Before you take your pick, make sure that the stick or branch you’re using is long, firm, and dry. Don’t go for cheap chopsticks; these will probably break if you try to carve them.
Step 2: Determine the Needles Length
The ideal length that most commercial crochet hooks come in is about six inches. Of course, you can give or take an inch or two according to your needs.
The best way to figure this out is to hold the wooden chopstick in your hand and see which length might suit you.
Also, the project you’ll be working on can influence the length of the hook. If you’re preparing yourself to create a large project, you may need a needle longer than six inches.
Step 3: Make Any Needed Adjustments
Before you begin carving, you should decide which part of the chopstick will include the hook. Plus, don’t forget to determine which way this hook will point.
Mark these details on your chopstick, then cut it according to the length that you’ve chosen.
Remember that, when you carve the chopstick up, some wood will come out in the process. Therefore, you may want to cut it a bit longer than its intended length.
Step 4: Sharpen the End With the Hook
In this step, you might need a pencil sharpener or a knife. Use either to create a rough point on the end of the stick that will become the hook of the needle.
Step 5: Create a Neck Onto the Hook
Using a knife, cut a portion of the chopstick with long, smooth strokes to create the neck of the hook. Make sure to follow the wood grain and rotate the material as you work.
Best results often come from a neck that’s an inch and a half long, so you may want to stick to this length.
After that, sand the neck to make it smooth and comfortable enough to hold while you crochet. Note that this isn’t the final sanding, so don’t put too much effort into it.
Step 6: Round Out the Tip
To make sure that the hook works efficiently, you’ll need to do some rough sanding on the tip. This way, it’ll be easier to create the cut for the hook.
Step 7: Mark Where the Initial Cut Will Be
Since you’ve already created the ‘smile’ mark that indicates where the hook should be using a pencil, you can get to work.
Of course, this mark is only for the initial cut for the hook. It’s always a good idea to place it a little further from the end than it will finally go.
Also, if you don’t know where exactly to create this shape, compare your chopstick to a commercial hook that you already have.
Step 8: Make a 45-Degree Cut at the Mark
Using a good knife, create a 45-degree cut at the mark that reaches all the way through half the chopsticks thickness.
This is the beginning of the hook, which you’ll refine later.
In this step, you can use a saw knife, pocket knife, or any other type of blade.
Step 9: Make The Cut Deeper and Wider
Use the same knife to make this cut deeper and wider. You can easily achieve this by moving it gently from side to side and in up-and-down movements.
Take care not to cut too deep, or else the chopstick might break in two. Instead, use quick and slight motions to create a fine hook.
Ideally, leave about a third of the original stick’s width at the narrowest spot of the cut.
Step 10: Sharpen the Sides a Bit
This step isn’t necessary, but it can make crocheting easier by giving the thread a place to sit. With your knife, make the sides of the hook more pronounced and edgy.
Again, make sure not to carve out too much material, which might weaken the hook.
Step 11: Shape and Shorten the Point
It’s important that the point of the hook isn’t too long, or else you might find it harder to pull it through loops. Therefore, you’ll need to shape the point according to your needs.
It’s always a good idea to use a commercial hook as a reference at this stage to keep your mistakes to the minimum.
Step 12: Sand the Hook
Finally, use sandpaper to smooth out the entire needle, and focus more on the hook and its neck. This is the place where the thread will rest, so it should be flat and free from anything that might snag the yarn.
Make sure that there are no bumps and that all the surfaces are even.
Step 13: Use Your New Hook
Now that you’re done, you can use your latest creation to make wonderful pieces of art. In the beginning, you may not be used to the feel of a wooden crochet needle.
Yet, the more you work with it, the more it should fit comfortably in your grip.
What Can I Use Instead of a Crochet Needle?
There are a variety of things you can use for crochet needles, including but not limited to:
- Bobby pins
- Clothes pins
- Dental floss
- Embroidery needles
- Fishhooks
- Tacks
- Wire hangers
- Chopsticks
Whatever you choose, make sure it is sturdy and has a blunt end. You don’t want to accidentally poke yourself with a sharp point!
Wrapping Up
Knowing how to make a crochet needle might save you some trouble, especially if you can’t afford to buy a new hook every now and then. Be sure to check out some of the best Interchangeable Knitting Needles if you’re looking for one. Also, you may want to check out our article regarding ergonomic crochet hooks because of the repetitive nature of crocheting.
Hopefully, our guide will come in handy in this case, allowing you to reuse some household items to create this beauty. Comment and let us know if you’ve made your own crochet hook before, and what you used the create it.