5 Tips for Choosing the Correct Crochet Hook Size
You’ve found the perfect yarn in a delicious color. You have fallen in love with a crochet pattern. But that perfect yarn is not the yarn called for in the pattern. Or you have an idea for a freeform crochet design. How do you know which crochet hook size to use? Will the crochet hook called for in your pattern give you the correct gauge if you substitute the yarn? How do you know which crochet hook to use when designing your own pattern? Let’s look at some tips for choosing the correct crochet hook size.
First it’s important to understand why choosing the correct crochet hook is important. If you use too small of a crochet hook, your crochet fabric will be stiff with no drape in the fabric—think more like stiff, felted fabric. If you use too large of a crochet hook, the resulting crochet fabric will be loose with very little stitch definition and large holes in the fabric. Of course, there are instances where you may want a very stiff or very loose crochet, but this is quite rare. So, let’s assume you want a crochet fabric with a Goldilocks drape, not too loose but not too stiff.
1. The Yarn Band
Your first clue for choosing the correct crochet hook is on the yarn band of that deliciously perfect yarn. Most yarn bands will give you suggestions for the correct crochet hook size to use for that specific yarn. Your yarn band will also tell you the yarn’s category.
2. The Yarn Category
We’ve all heard the terms worsted-weight, lace-weight, or sport-weight yarn. These are examples of yarn categories which categorize yarn by size or more specifically the number of wraps per inch. The graphic shown here gives you a good place to start when choosing the right crochet hook for your yarn’s category.
3. The Crochet Pattern
If you are working from a crochet pattern but substituting your new yarn with the yarn called, you have a couple of clues for choosing the right crochet hook size. First, make sure that your substitution yarn is in the same category of size as the yarn called for in the pattern. Substituting a worsted-weight yarn for the lace-weight called for in the pattern will take more than just a different crochet hook unless you want to greatly increase the size of the finished piece. But choosing a substitution yarn in the same weight category will help you achieve the right size finished piece and narrow down your crochet hook choices.
Both your substitute yarn and the yarn called for should both have the same recommended crochet hook size. Next take a look at the crochet hook size called for in the pattern. Do they match?
4. The Gauge Swatch
Especially when substituting yarn, there is no trick for skipping the swatch. Even if your yarn is the same category as the yarn you are substituting for, there are small variations from yarn to yarn. Just think about your jean size from brand to brand. They may all say size 12, but they all fit a bit differently. It is especially important to swatch in order to make sure you are using the correct crochet hook when you are substituting yarn.
5. Your Crochet Style
The last tip I will give you for choosing the right crochet hook size is to pay attention to your crochet tension. I am a tight crocheter. So I know that for most patterns, I will have to size up my crochet hook. Pay attention to if you regularly have too tight and small or too loose and large finished pieces.
Get the perfect drape, whether you are using the yarn called for in a pattern or substituting your favorite yarn. Knowing how to choose the right crochet hook size will take you crochet stitches to the next level and ensure a better fit every time.
Happy Crocheting,
Toni Rexroat, Contributing Editor
Join the Conversation!