In need of a good DYI project or want to brush up on you crochet knowledge, well my dears, you have come to the right place.
How to pick your size when it matters
The size of a crochet hook depends on the thickness of the cylinder,
which is what establishes the size of the stitches. In the United States, hook sizes are usually listed with a letter and a number (ex: H-5mm), although some have only a letter or a number.
Finding the right size for a crochet hook is important because it determines the gauge (number of stitches per square inch) of your crochet . Smaller hooks make finer and tighter crochet, while larger hooks produce a bulkier, more open weave. When you buy your skein of yarn, on the label it will suggest what size hook to use, but you may need to switch to a different size to achieve the correct gauge.
Hook Tips....Like "Don't crochet with the wrong end?"
Although all crochet hooks have a hook at the tip, there are two main types of tip: inline and
tapered. Inline hooks look like a cylinder with a notch cut out to form the hook. Tapered hooks have a more rounded hook at the tip and the hook extends just past the cylinder or handle. No matter which type you choose, always be sure to slide your crochet stitches all the way onto the cylinder portion of the hook so they are the correct size. If the stitches stay too close to the tip, they may end up small or uneven. They both work the same so you can use what you like the best, however I prefer the tapered tip because I feel the yarn slides from the hook to the cylinder part easier creating a smoother motion. I believe this also helps with your tension so you don't pull your yarn too tight.
My what a good grip you have!
Everyone holds their crochet hook a little differently, but what's most important is that you're comfortable as you work. Generally most people will use one of these two main grip styles. The first style is the knife grip.
For this, you hold the hook similar to when you use a knife for cutting food. Grip the hook with your thumb and three fingers, placing your index finger on the top of the hook to help keep it steady to guide it. The other common style is the pencil grip. With this method, you hold the hook just like you hold a pencil, gripping it with your thumb and index finger while keeping it steady with your hand and bent fingers. As for me and my house, well just me, I use the pencil grip because I feel I can control the size of my stitches better.
Look at Ms. Fancy Pants...
No matter what size of hook you're using, the type of tip, or your grip...if you love to crochet you must do it in style and comfort. First, let's talk about comfort, because if there's anything we've learned from life...comfort is key! The motion of crocheting after a while can unfortunately start to cause joint pain. So, my husband, being the wonderful guy he is, did some research and found these ergonomic hooks with special handles that help alleviate soreness from repetitive action.
And you must believe they did exactly what they claimed, so much better than the simple steel hooks. But they too have their merits. You can find them at just about any store with a craft section and they are a good price range especially for beginner crocheters.
Now to the fun part! Not only can you get your hooks and handles in a wide variety of colors, but you can find just about any type of print that suits your fancy. The crazy prints also make for great gifts for yourself or for a fellow crocheter. But don't forget about storage. Storing your beloved hooks is just as important as the cat print crochet hooks you just spent hours scouring the internet for. You can make your own holder (a crocheted case for crochet hooks) or you can use a case like the flower print one below (I have one like that) or a super fancy one to keep all your crochet supplies in like the last example (which also has cats on it).
So if you haven't found the right hook for your hand yet, hopefully this helps, and if you have, you can never have too many different designs in your collection!