Crochet Hook Guide: How to Choose the Right One?

You’ve just discovered this wonderful crochet learning guide, but you are confused as to which crochet hook you should take home. Well, if you feel that you’re going crazy with too many options in stores, be assured that you can get confused, especially if you’re a beginner. I’ll provide your complete guide. Here it is!

A crochet hook is the most important in working with precise stitches in crochet projects like scarves, blankets, and lacework to achieve uniform stitch size as well as ease of handling. One usually finds crochet hooks available in different materials and sizes suited for different yarn types, therefore making it an important tool in achieving good quality, looking results.
What is a Crochet Hook?
A crochet hook is a kind of needle. This is used to create the stitch in yarn or thread with which you make the items, such as blankets, scarves, hats, etc.

It has a handle on one side and a hooked end on the other side that helps grab the yarn and pull it through loops to create a stitch. Of course, this makes it quite impossible to crochet without a crochet hook because literally, you would be holding nothing if you were to assume its absence; hence the derivation of the word “hook.”.

The size and material, apart from the design of crochet hooks differ. All these can affect the outcome of your crochet project. Whichever the thickness of your yarn, however fragile or thick thread you might be working with, there is a suitable crochet hook available for whatever task you intend.

History of Crochet Hook
This craft has a long history, which is interesting. The word “crochet” comes from the French word. Its meaning is “small hook.” However, no one can point to when exactly this craft was invented. It is believed that crochet hooks had already existed in Europe back in the 19th century as early hints.

That was the time when crochet hooks were unheard of, but there were bones, wood, or ivory made for use. Women of the Victorian era popularized it greatly by using crochet hooks for lace, doilies, and even more intricate work. Nowadays, people from every nook and corner of this world love crocheting with endless selections in crochet hooks.

Standard Crochet Hook Sizes
Similarly, crochet hooks also have crucial sizes. The proper size of a hook determines the size of stitches, which in turn forms the size of the project to be produced. The following table shows some standard sizes of crochet hooks according to the US and metric scales:

Size (US) Size (Metric – mm)
B-1 2.25 mm
C-2 2.75 mm
D-3 3.25 mm
E-4 3.5 mm
F-5 3.75 mm
G-6 4.0 mm
H-8 5.0 mm
I-9 5.5 mm
J-10 6.0 mm
K-10.5 6.5 mm
L-11 8.0 mm
M-13 9.0 mm
N-15 10.0 mm
For beginners, it is a good rule of thumb to start with a hook size that is middle-of-the-road, for example, a 5.0 mm (H-8) which works well for most mediums-weight yarns and is easy to work with as well.

Types of Crochet Hook
The crochet hooks differ in many ways. It depends on the various types of needs they fulfill. Your hook choice depends on the type of yarn to be used. The kind of your project also affects the choice. Here are some different types of crochet hooks:

1. Aluminum Crochet Hooks