What crochet hooks should I use?

When I first started crocheting, I bought the first hooks I could find online. I cannot remember the brand but I do remember the pain in my fingers! The key to falling in love with crochet is using the right hooks, otherwise you will pack it in after a couple of weeks. Many hooks I used would snap and break after a couple of weeks. It took me a few months to finally find ones that go the distance, don’t hurt my fingers and pick up each stitch with ease. The hooks that I consistently use now are Clover Soft Touch hooks. They are plastic with a soft pad near the hook. I purchased them online, on Winne the Wool Wagon website. I like to buy Irish where possible so I will provide some website links here (not a conclusive list). These shops provide the Clover Soft Touch Hooks.

• Winnie the Wool Wagon
• Bantry Yarns
• Blanchardstown Village Wool Shop
• This is Knit
• The Crafty Fox
• The Crafters Basket

When crocheting small animals, like bears, giraffes, lions, elephants I would use hooks varying from sizes 2.00mm up to 3.5mm. I use a size 1.50mm when making leaves or anything floral.

It really depends on a number of factors, the yarn you are using, how big or small you want the item to be, how long you are willing to spend creating it.

The majority of my amigurumi projects are created with a 2.5mm hook. This fits perfectly with the yarn I use, which is always 100% cotton. Cotton yarn is generally DK in size.

Don’t worry if this means nothing to you right now, I will create a seperate post about wool and yarn. Is there is a difference I hear you ask?! Yes there is!

Types of Crochet Hooks

There are many types of crochet hooks on the market. The kind of crochet hook you use depends on the project and your personal preference. Here are a few common styles:

Aluminum: Aluminum crochet hooks are inexpensive and widely available. They are quite popular, especially among beginners. However these do hurt your fingers after a couple of hours. They are available in a variety of sizes and colors.

Knitpro Waves Crochet Hooks

Plastic and resin: They are lightweight, durable, and very comfortable to hold.

Clover Amour Soft Touch Hooks & Addi Swing Crochet Hooks

Bamboo and wood: The yarn doesn’t slide through as easily but are comfortable to hold. Wooden hooks are not available in the smaller sizes.

Addi Olive Wood Crochet Hooks & Addi Bamboo Crochet Hooks

Ergonomic: These crochet hooks have larger soft handles designed to reduce strain in your hands. They can be made from wood or plastic.

Addi Swing Crochet Hooks

Steel: These are the smallest crochet hooks that are used for thread crocheting.

Tulip Steel Crochet Hooks

Crochet Hook Sizes

The table below outlines the standard sizes of available hooks. The larger the hook, the bigger the project. These hooks come in aluminum, wood, or plastic.

*Clover Amour Soft Touch hooks start from 0.6mm, 0.75mm, 0.9mm, 1.00mm, 1.25m, 1.5mm, 1.75mm, 2.00mm, & 2.10mm