How To Use a Crochet Hook

In buying and using a crochet hook, there are a few things to consider what would work best for you: material, size, or type of tip. The most important thing to know when starting out is to know what exactly you’ll need the hook for. If it’s for larger projects, you’ll normally want larger hooks; if you’re looking for a long shelf life, you’ll probably want aluminum. Here are a few tips you can follow while shopping around.


How to Crochet for Absolute Beginners: Part 1

Material

You’ll find a few different materials used in making crochet hooks.

As mentioned before, if you want a long-lasting crochet hook, look into getting aluminum hooks. Similarly, wooden hooks are excellent choices due to their durability, ergonomics, and variety. Bamboo, rosewood, and birch are some of the highest quality hooks you’ll find.

Metal-based hooks are excellent if you’re leaning towards something more affordable. But if size is your concern, look for plastic types. These can come in larger sizes, and you can even find plastic handles with metal hooks for the best of both worlds.


Size

Consider the size of your project when picking the size of your hook.

Smaller hooks will yield smaller gauges. Of course, you can still create larger pieces, but the crochet itself will come out tight. If you’re looking for looser, wider crochets, use wider hooks to achieve that effect.

Most yarns recommend a certain size hook to use for the yarn. As well as many patterns clarify what size hook to use in the instructions. Make sure you have a conversion table handy in case you need to convert the crochet hook size between systems of measurement, as these vary from US to metric. There are also crochet starter kits that can be just that, a great place to start! As they have everything you need to get started for a particular project.


Types of Tips

There are two types of tips to consider: Tapered and Inline.

Tapered tips consist of a rounded hook that extends past the shaft leading up to the tip. These are best used if you prefer quick and smooth crocheting sessions. They make crocheting an easier task on the wrist.

Inline tips, however, have deeper bowls and a sharper tip, all in-line with the shaft. These are great for beginners picking up crocheting, as they hold better precision from the pointed tip. They are also great at consistently creating even stitches.


Using a Crochet Hook

The most important part of using a crochet hook is comfort. Find the style you’re most comfortable with, and start from there.

There is no one correct way of using crochet hooks, but one common way is the pencil grip. Hold the hook as you would a pencil. Now find the finger hold and slide your thumb and index finger down there. Extend your middle finger past your two fingers to balance your grip, making sure it’s a firm one. Angle the hook towards you slightly, and you’re ready!

Another method is the knife grip. Once again, hold the hook as though you were holding a knife. Find the finger hold, and slide your thumb and middle finger down. Now, extend your index finger forward, again, resting for balance, and grip it firmly. Angle the hook towards you slightly, and you have the knife hold!

Remember to find a position that is most comfortable to you. Once you do, you’re ready to use a crochet hook!


Check out this video from simplydaisy on how to use a crochet hook. She’ll walk you through how to make a simple knot, how to hold the hook, how to crochet a chain, complete a single crochet, and how to weave in the end.

How to Crochet for Absolute Beginners: Part 1

How to Knit with a Crochet Hook

Now that you know all the crochet tools, it is now the time to learn how you use them. The first thing is to understand what is a need to knit with a crochet hook. Typically, the best crochet hook size for the beginners is an aluminum H/8 (5mm) crochet, as it is more comfortable while holding in your hand. Remember, a 4-ply knitting worsted weight yarn is a need to use an H/8 (5mm) hook. Besides, you can choose to use a natural fiber like wool, synthetic fiber like acrylic, or a mix of nylon and wool. However, cotton isn’t recommended for the beginners since it isn’t that easy to crochet due to its inelasticity compared to other fibers. Some stitches, especially those made using dark colors such as the black and navy colors, are hard to notice.


How to Hold a Crochet Hook

There exist two different ways you can comfortably hold a crochet hook, namely:

1. Where the grip feels like that of a knife, and

2. The hold is similar to having a pencil

How to use the first and recommended crochet holding technique, the grip feels like having a knife.

Position the hook in your hand in such that the thumb is at the level in front of the grip while the index finger is horizontal on the grip’s posterior such that the throat and tip are on your opposite side.

 Wrap the rest of your fingers around the crochet hook to secure it. Familiarize your hand on how to hold it several times by putting it down and then picking it up several times. The second is hold comparable to holding a pencil. According to a recent doctor’s report, choose the most comfortable technique, although the second one may cause carpal tunnel syndrome.


How to Make a Foundation Chain

Remember the foundation chain, a series of loops functions as the base where you establish all of your crochet stitches. Below are the key concepts for making a foundation chain.

It is supposed to be in the wrists. Ensure your arms are comfortable at your side so that the wrist does the majority of work

Each chain stitch requires you to use approximately 1″/2.5cm of yarn so that the yarn can smoothly slide from the ball under your pinkie as well as over the index fingers at any time you are making a stitch. The index finger should be approximately 1.57″/4cm away from the crochet hook tip.

Remember, once you make four-five chain stitches, ensure to move your middle finger and thumb up to re-secure your foundation chain through holding the subsequent chain stitch between your two fingers.

Making each chain stitch requires you to wrap the yarn over your crochet hook from the back to forward. Ensure your index finger is straight while your wrist is twisted toward you. Make sure you simultaneously turn the other wrist away from so that the yarn is brought at the front of your hook. Now get both of your wrists back to the initial position. This ensures the yarn is entirely caught under the hook, a process called yarn over. You can now twist the wrist facing you such that the hook faces downwards. Pull the yarn via the loop before twisting your wrist bask to its initial position in a way that the hook is facing you. You have already made the first chain stitch.

Now that you’ve got an idea on how to hold the crochet hook you’re ready for your first project! I’d recommending starting with making a crochet blanket or a crochet scarf. Comment below with and questions so we can help you get started!