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Crochet hook?

(69 Posts)
PinkCosmos Thu 24-Aug-23 13:20:40

I am hoping to take up crochet and have been watching lots of videos on YouTube.

My auntie showed me how to do basic squares but that was 50 years ago. I never progressed beyond the squares and haven't done any crochet for 49 years!

I have seen a granny square that can be done like a daisy or a sunflower and wanted to have a go at that. Hopefully ending up with a blanket grin. Pictures are random ones from the internet.

My questions are|:

What size of a crochet hook do I need for double knitting wool?

In the American YouTube videos they seem to use crochet hooks with thick chunky handles. I learnt using a thin hook. Which one would you prefer? Is the thicker one easier to handle for a novice?

Any other advice would be welcome.

Thanks

Baggs Thu 24-Aug-23 13:32:37

I generally use a 4.00mm hook for double knitting yarn. I've only ever used the old-fashioned 'thin' hooks so can't help on that front. Good luck!

Marmin Thu 24-Aug-23 13:34:00

Not a crocheter myself but my wife is a very keen practitioner. She says the thicker is easier to hold and handle, it is what she uses. A size 4 hook is her choice. She is making squares as I type this. Hope this helps.

Chardy Thu 24-Aug-23 13:37:55

On the ball band of the wool it should tell you which knitting needle size and crochet hook size is usual for that wool.

However I tend to 3.5mm for double knit (I tend to crochet quite loosely). I think one of the women at our crochet group uses a 4mm as she crochets tighter and beautifully.

nanaK54 Thu 24-Aug-23 13:41:04

I use 4mm for DK and I much prefer a 'chunky handle'
Happy crocheting - my 17 year old granddaughter has just taken up this hobby, didn't need any advice from nana, she watched tutorials and is doing really well.

Juggernaut Thu 24-Aug-23 13:51:41

Google Bella Coco Crochet, and follow her instructions, you'll soon have work flying off your hook!
Also, have a look at Attic24, Lucy's work is gorgeous, and she does lots of 'little pretty things' for you to try out!
Have fun!

Ailidh Thu 24-Aug-23 13:56:16

4mm for dk, sometimes 4.5mm if the designer suggests it. That's for flat things.
3mm if you're doing amigurumi, i.e. small toys, so that the stuffing doesn't poke through.

I use Knitpro hooks, which have an aluminium hook and a softish handle. The important thing for me is that the handle has a flat bit on it to rest my thumb on while I work.
You can get many more and prettier handles if you hold your hook like a pen and don't need the flat bit!

PinkCosmos Thu 24-Aug-23 14:02:28

Thanks everyone.

JackyB Thu 24-Aug-23 14:04:04

The ones I have come with a lid, like a pencil. So You can put the lid on the other end which makes for a thicker handle or leave it off for a thinner size. The chunkier ones are more comfortable if you're doing longer stints.

I hope to teach my 9-year-old DGD next time I see her.

nanna8 Thu 24-Aug-23 14:15:33

I am not an expert by any means but I have made several throw rugs where you don’t have to join up squares- all in one, stripes or whatever. I have a strong dislike of sewing up things I have knitted or crocheted !

Callistemon21 Thu 24-Aug-23 14:22:47

Baggs

I generally use a 4.00mm hook for double knitting yarn. I've only ever used the old-fashioned 'thin' hooks so can't help on that front. Good luck!

Yes. The size of hook and knitting needles is usually stated on the yarn band.

I can't use the straight crochet hooks but then it could be because I don't hold it as I should, being self-taught.

The brands which I find most comfortable to use are Clover Amour and Knitpro Waves.

Callistemon21 Thu 24-Aug-23 14:25:44

nanna8

I am not an expert by any means but I have made several throw rugs where you don’t have to join up squares- all in one, stripes or whatever. I have a strong dislike of sewing up things I have knitted or crocheted !

I use the Join As You Go method for joining up squares as I dislike sewing up.
It's a lovely, soothing way of joining squares.

JAYG by Hooked by Robin is a helpful video.

Primrose53 Thu 24-Aug-23 14:26:15

I agree with the others, 4mm is about right for crochet squares using DK yarn.

I went from the standard thin Aero type hooks to KnitPro Waves hooks about 15 years ago and much prefer them. They have a nice thick shaft in different colours for sizes and my late Mum went over to them when she was late 80s and loved them.

Callistemon21 Thu 24-Aug-23 14:28:58

I like the KnitPro knitting needles too.

Here's a link to the continuous JAYG method:

www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://www.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3DkKsb_1YTV4I&ved=2ahUKEwjIzqOEs_WAAxUNh1wKHS3UCkIQwqsBegQIEBAB&usg=AOvVaw3mLwpPmgTEHZGaiprEKqhU

Caravansera Thu 24-Aug-23 14:39:24

Hook 4mm, 4.5mm or 5mm for DK depending on your tension and how much drape you want in the pieces. I use Clover Amour hooks which have a soft grip which is better ergonomically, especially if you intend to crochet a lot.

I am not a fan of the granny square although many are. I would urge new crocheters to learn how to work in a straight line. It is much easier and rhythmic, creates a softer fabric, gives you much more scope to play with stripes and stitch patterns and make other things plus less or even no joining.

Work a loose chain the desired length or stitch count plus one. Work your chosen stitch into the bumps on the back of the chain until the end. Turn. Chain one. Work the first stitch of the new row into the stitch at the base of the chain one i.e. the last stitch of the previous row. I never bother with the instruction in many patterns which tell you to work three chains (say) to count as a treble (US double). It isn’t necessary and you get a much straighter edge without it.

I am a big fan of Lucy who blogs as Attic24. She had a great eye for colour and, as she uses mostly Stylecraft Special DK, the best budget acrylic imo - her projects are inexpensive to make. I’m working her Moorland blanket at the moment on 4.5mm.

baubles Thu 24-Aug-23 15:44:03

For DK I use a 4mm hook with a chunky handle as the thin metal ones make my hand seize up.

I’ve been known to pad out a metal one with insulating tape.

MiniMoon Thu 24-Aug-23 15:52:02

It really depends upon the pattern and what I'm making. For DK I tend to use a 4mm or 4.5mm crochet hook.
I've been having problems with my thumbs so I bought myself a set of hooks with chunky handles.
This is my 4mm hook.

MiniMoon Thu 24-Aug-23 15:55:59

Crochet Kim makes good video tutorials. I learnt a lot from watching her.
I taught myself tunisian crochet with the help of Kim. I think her surname is Guzman. She also has patterns on Ravelry.

MiniMoon Thu 24-Aug-23 15:58:28

Oh, by the way, most online patterns and youtube videos use American stitch terminology. I am now bilingual in crochet language. grin

JackyB Fri 25-Aug-23 10:44:30

I am careful, too, not to confuse the British and American terms. At the moment I'm using a pattern from my mother's collection which she accumulated when she was evacuated with the whole office during the war. She writes in her memoires about how they bought up all the yarn and patterns they could find in the town to help them pass the boring evenings and lunch hours.

PinkCosmos Fri 25-Aug-23 12:31:43

JackyB

I am careful, too, not to confuse the British and American terms. At the moment I'm using a pattern from my mother's collection which she accumulated when she was evacuated with the whole office during the war. She writes in her memoires about how they bought up all the yarn and patterns they could find in the town to help them pass the boring evenings and lunch hours.

I knitted a jumper for my GS recently and couldn't work out why it had come up so small. I was using the old size 6 knitting needles instead of the 6mm ones. I now have a conversion chart!

I find it really confusing as I knit with one needle under my arm so I can't knit with shorter needles. The older needles are generally longer than the new needles.

Anyway, back to crochet hooks. I was looking on Amazon for a Knitpro crochet hook and saw light up crochet hooks! Has anyone used these and are they any good or just a gimmick?

MiniMoon Fri 25-Aug-23 13:54:52

My crochet hooks are by the quilted bear. They have silicone handles. They also do them in polymer clay. Lovely hooks and less than half the price of the knit pro ones.

Auntieflo Fri 25-Aug-23 13:55:14

Caravansera, that is a beautiful blanket that you are making.
I am now itching to start one, even though we certainly don't need any more. By the way, is the yarn multi coloured?

nanaK54 Fri 25-Aug-23 15:15:05

JackyB

I am careful, too, not to confuse the British and American terms. At the moment I'm using a pattern from my mother's collection which she accumulated when she was evacuated with the whole office during the war. She writes in her memoires about how they bought up all the yarn and patterns they could find in the town to help them pass the boring evenings and lunch hours.

That is so special

RosesandLilac Fri 25-Aug-23 15:15:49

I love Clover Amour hooks, I never use any other brand nowadays.