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Quick & Easy Crochet Magazine

When you first enter a craft or specialty yarn store to purchase a crochet hook, you may begin to feel overwhelmed by all of the choices.  First, it is important to realize, that not all crochet hooks are the same.  If you have taken a look at the "Crochet Hooks Conversion Chart", then you are already familiar with the differences between crochet hooks from the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada.  Additionally, there are also many variations amongst crochet hooks depending upon the type of material used to construct the hooks, and the inherent size and style of the hook.

Crochet hooks come in varying sizes to produce different stitches.  Likewise, you can purchase yarn in different textures, styles, and thickness and this will also impact your choice of crochet hook for your project. Generally, projects that require the use of very thick yarns, will require larger hooks.  Projects consisting of very fine yarn will require a smaller hook.  Many crochet patterns will recommend a yarn type as well as the best suited crochet hook to complete your project, yet what are you to do if you really want to make the project in a different yarn?  Fortunately, there are ways to determine your gauge for each project and choose the hook size as well as yarn style that you would like to use.  But before we get into that, let's take a look at some of the different styles, sizes, shapes, and materials used to manufacture crochet hooks, so that you will have an understanding of why there are so many to choose from.

Crochet Hooks: Steel, Aluminum, Bamboo, Plastic

• Steel Crochet Hooks

Steel crochet hooks are smaller and thinner then other types of crochet hooks.  They are designed to be used with crochet thread.  This type of hook and crochet thread is suitable for thread projects such as doilies, cotton bedcovers, and filet crochet. Cotton thread comes in numbered sizes, and the guidelines specify that you will select a steel crochet hook according to the size of the crochet thread that you are using for your project. It is important to realize that when using Steel crochet hooks, the higher the number of the hook, the smaller the hook will actually be.  When working with a pattern, you will be given recommended thread and crochet hook size to use.  However, it is also important to realize that you always need to check your gauge and use the crochet hook that best meets the gauge of your project.

• Aluminum Crochet Hooks

There are basically two styles of crochet hooks, inline and tapered.  The two main companies that produce these style aluminum crochet hooks are known as Bates and Boye.  Bates produces inline crochet hooks, where as Boye produces tapered.  Basically, it is a matter of personal preference which style you prefer.  

Here is an example of a Susan Bates Aluminum Crochet Hook that costs $2.50 from Joanns.

Likewise, here is a tapered Aluminum crochet hook from Boyes available at Joanns.

The difference between inline and tapered crochet hooks is that the head of the hook is "in line" with the body of the crochet hook for inline hooks.  The tapered crochet hooks become thinner or "tapered" right below the head of the hook.  Again, personal preference determines which type of hook is best.

Whether you choose a tapered or inline crochet hook, the size of aluminum crochet hooks remains the same.  The sizes for aluminum hooks are as follows:

Bamboo crochet hooks are made from Bamboo and come in the same size format as aluminum hooks.  Here is an example of a Bamboo crochet hook.

You can also find bamboo crochet hooks that are made from aluminum, but just have a bamboo handle.  

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