How to Select a Crochet Hook

Only three hours on the road left from our two-day road trip going back home from Texas to Georgia, and I was a bored passenger. I'd taken along half a dozen books, two cross-stitch projects, and a couple of unfinished needlework projects (better known as UFOs.)

Here we were in Alabama, only about 300 miles from our home in Dahlonega, Georgia. It was almost lunch time, so my husband and I were on the lookout for restaurants. Eating out for me is a big deal as we don't eat out that much--only on vacations and special occasions. After a week of dining in both fast-food and quality restaurants, I knew I would soon be back to cooking at home soon--only one more trip to a restaurant for awhile.

But instead of looking for a Shoney's or Crackle Barrel, I was on the look-out for Wal-Mart, Michaels, JoAnne Fabrics, AC Moore or Hobby Lobby--anywhere they sold crochet hooks and yarn.

Now I need another crochet hook (and ball of yarn) like I need a good toothache--I must have at least two dozen hooks (as well as a trunk full of yarn) at my house, stashed away in my craft closet. But I failed to bring any along for the trip. Don't I have enough UFOs already at home? But my hands were itchin' for yarn and hooks, so I thought for a moment---and then appealed to my husband's desire to save money.

"Hey, there's a Wal-Mart up the road," I noted as we stopped for gas just before lunch. "I know that whenever you see a Wal-Mart, there's usually a Subway restaurant. And, while you're ordering our subs, I can breeze through the food section and pick up TV dinners for tonight." (I was proud of myself, appealing, again to his strong need to economize.)

My husband glared at me in disbelief. I could tell by the look in his confused dollar-sign brown eyes that he probably knew I had an ulterior motive (buying something at Wal-Mart).

"Okay," he agreed. The satisfied approval in his eye said, "How could I possibly pass up a cheap last lunch that doesn't even require a tip.

So we stopped--He picked up a cheap couple of subs while I bought my yarn and a crochet hook--a size "I", which I already had at home. But it kept me happy for the last leg of our trip.

For you of you who don't crochet but thought about learning, a crochet hook is a tool that has a hook one end for drawing thread through knotted loops. Unlike knitting needles, you only need one hook to make crochet stitches. Crochet hooks have been used for the last 300 years and come in all sizes and varieties. Unlike antique hooks, made in the 1700s, modern crochet hooks usually are just basic tools---more practical and not as decorative as the antiques ones your great-great grandmothers first used.

Do you collect crochet hooks? Or, maybe you haven't learned to crochet, yet, and are confused about the hooks. When you first take up crocheting, you may feel overwhelmed by all the different varieties. Choosing the right hook depends on what you plan to make. If you want to do small, fine work with thread (rather than yarn) you'll want to choose small steel hooks, (ranging in size from .6mm to 3mm, or size "00" to "14"). If you'd rather make larger items (such as afghans), then you'll need the larger-size hooks which work with thick yarns. Most of my crochet projects have been done with average size hooks (sizes "G" and "H"). Note that the steins of yarn you buy will indicate what type of crochet hook to use.

What's more, there's also a hook known as the afghan hook, used to do Tunisian crochet. This hook is longer and is double-ended, suited for the afghan (or Tunisian) stitch, which is similar to knitting. However, when you start crocheting you'll first want to learn the basic stitches, so don't worry about Tunisian crochet for now. Here's a rundown on the different hooks and purposes as well as some uses for them other than crocheting....

*Types of hooks---Crochet hooks are made in different materials. I have all four types: metal, wooden, steel, and plastic hooks. Many who crochet prefer wooden hooks because they aren't as slippery to use as metal hooks. But on the other hand, they're more slippery than plastic hooks. Most craft stores carry more metal hooks than wooden or plastic ones, probably because metal hooks are more durable---plastic and wood cracks, although they're nice to use. Steel hooks are used for thread crochet to make smaller and more delicate items such as dollies.

*Size---Crochet hooks range in size from 2 mm to 15.75 mm. Use the smaller hooks (such as 00-size 14mm) when working with thread crochet (rather than yarn.) The larger hooks (such as "P" and "Q" are used to make big items such as thick afghans. Hooks are labeled according to size and letters of the alphabet, the smaller hooks with letters closer to the first letters of the alphabet, with progressing letters for larger hooks, ending with "P" (size 15.75 mm).

*Where to buy hooks---Of course, you can always find hooks in craft stores that sell yarn, such as Michaels, AC Moore, JoAnne Fabrics, and Hobby Lobby, as well as Wal-Mart. However, it's also a good idea to check thrift stores and garage sales as you can find them for bargain prices. Earlier this year I spotted a complete set for less than $3 at my local thrift store. Often crafters trade one hobby for another or just don't do their particular craft anymore, so they donate their supplies to thrift stores.

Now that you know some of the differences in crochet hooks, why not pick up your first hooks and then take a few crochet lessons offered at a local craft store? Once you make that first row of stitches, you'll be "hooked."