What is the difference between crochet hooks

Thanks for the info. Hello Jane I have just discovered your wonderful blogs. I am new to amigurumi and love it because I can finish small sized projects quickly but they are cute enough to be good sellers for my local charity. Your tips are going to take my crochet to a new level and I have subscribed to your newsletter.

Cheers Ann. I hold the crochet hooks differently than most, and usually prefer the tapered hooks. But thankfully I have both styles in my repertoire, because lately I have been using Caron Simply Soft yarn, and my tapered hook was splitting the yarn terribly, especially with hdc or dc stitches. I switched to in-line, and had no more splitting. So for me, it really depends on the project. I find that with thicker or coarser yarn the tapered is better for me, and with tighter stitches such as when doing small amigurumi or softer, looser yarn, such as Simply Soft, the in-line is better.

We all have different sized hands and different ways of holding the hooks, etc. I am making some knew stuff for clothes and knittting and crocheting. Am making some crochet hooks myself thanks for the posts. I just grab whatever is in my hook bin! But for socks, I have to use the Clover Soft Touch.

They are small and so easy to use on something tiny like sock yarn. For ami, I use the Clover Amour hooks. I just love them. Both of my girls, ages 9 and 12, crochet too and come steal my Amour hooks for their own projects! I went to the craft store that like I said and it has changed my crochet life! The inline hook is some much easier for me!

I just find the inline, metal hook is better for consistency, it glides through different yarn types easily, and my projects look so much better. I tried Susan Bates hooks, but the way the throat is literally cut into shaft, it has edges that I feel grating the yarn. I hate working with hooks that are not absolutely smooth so inline is not for me.

I mostly use Tulip Etimo hooks which have a shape I love and a soft handle to work with all day. Also have some Clover Amours for American-only sizes, they are not too different a little longer to the handle and a bit deeper throat so I can change between the two brands without adjustment period.

My favorite are the Tulip Etimo! I bought one of each to try, and loved the Tulip so much I never did try the other and gave the Clover to my niece for her to use! I am not sure what kind of hook they are. My favorite hooks to use some rosewood hooks and a tunisian both tapered—they are my favorites because they are LONG and I have big hands. I agree that one should try both styles with an open mind if you can afford to and see which works best for you.

I love Susan Bates bamboo handle crochet hooks too. I must agree with the others that in desperate times the Clover is a go to hook. I sometimes need the pointy tip but just refuse to use the Boye!!! They are easy on your hands too.

Thanks for your article! I find I can crochet fo hours with them with no fatigue or soreness…….???? I like the handle on the soft touch, particularly for tight stitches. You may need to swatch again with a larger or smaller size hook, depending on if you are a loose or tight needle.

Here is a link to a helpful chart from the Craft Yarn Council which tells you the recommended hook size for each weight of yarn, and an approximate number of stitches per four inches in single crochet. There are plenty of books full of crochet patterns and how-tos. Find the right yarn for your crochet hook at the yarn buying guide.

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You should always check which terminology a pattern uses so you grab the right hook. Conversion charts help ensure that your hook is the correct size. Finding the right size for a crochet hook is important because it determines the gauge of your crochet. Smaller hooks make finer and tighter crochet, while larger hooks produce a bulkier, more open weave.

Patterns and yarn labels always suggest what size hook to use, but you may need to switch to a different size to achieve the correct gauge. Although all crochet hooks have a hook at the tip, the style of that hook varies.

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. The hook itself is in line with the shaft or handle. Tapered hooks have a more rounded hook at the tip and the hook extends just past the shaft or handle.

No matter which type you choose, always be sure to slide your crochet stitches all the way onto the shaft 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. These two styles feel different when you crochet, but they both work the same so you can use what you like best. Hook sizes are measured either by their letter in the alphabet, or by their size in millimeters starting with the smallest.

I personally use the letters, but that also depends on where in the world you live. In Europe, I understand that millimeters are used more often, while here in the United States we tend to use the alphabet.

Same size technically, and the gist is the same just whatever suits your fancy. A very small yarn? Size 4 is the most popular yarn size. Size 5 starts to get a little thicker considered bulky and size 6 is known as super bulky. In the photo below, I used the exact same pattern with the exact same yarn. Same number of rows, same number of stitches. Exactly the same. The only difference? Hook size!

The first smallest was made with a D 3. If you are wondering why I am making so many hats in these sizes, they are for donation to my local NICU. Easy peasy, and a great way to understand both tension and why hook size matters. Your email address will not be published. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed. I love to share my knowledge and ideas, and I love that YOU love them enough to share them as well! You are free to sell products made from my patterns, all I ask is that you do not use my images to represent your work and that you link back to my pattern in your listings.

Thank you! Please see my Terms of Use before doing so. Here are my privacy policy and disclosure policies. Where in the World, is Carmen Sandiego? Hee hee! Yarn Size Matters There are six main sizes of yarn. Comments I am following a pattern that is using a 3.