5 Crochet Hook Tips | KT and the Squid

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When I first started crocheting one thing I didn’t put to much thought into were my hooks. Over the years I have collected quite a few and have learned they are just as important as the yarn. Here are a few hook tips you may not have thought about.

1. Keep several hooks on hand even if they are the same size.

The obvious reason for this is (if you’re like me) you’ll often put a project down and when you come back to pick it up all the sudden the hook you were using is GONE! Sometimes a kid runs off with it or the couch eats it but it’s handy to have an extra hook on hand so you can carry on without loosing your mind searching. By the way, lost hooks show up once you give up and stop looking.

The other reason is I like to have hooks that are the same size but different brands or different materials. I have 5 different I hooks. They are all 5.5mm but depending on the type of yarn I’m using or if I need to meet a certain gauge I could use any of those 5 hooks.

2. Keep them organized.

I have  lot of hooks! So I store them in a few places. One is in my travel case. In this case I keep scissors, yarn needles, a tape measure and whatever hooks I’m using in my current WIPs.  My favorite hooks are stored in a crystal cup thing (technical term) out in the open so I can grab what I need on a whim. The rest are neatly organized in a cases like these.

3. Keep them clean.

You may not think much about this but it’s a good idea to clean your hooks every once and a while. For aluminum and plastic hooks I just use soap and water. You want to be a little more careful with your wood hooks. A quick wipe down with a clean damp cloth and an immediate drying with a cloth will do.

4. Keep them slick.

When you get a brand new hook you may notice they have a bit of grab to them. I like to just rub them on a clean cloth to “break” it in. Also, you can rub a small amount of lotion on your hook then wipe it off with a tissue. This will leave just enough oil on the hook to help it glide through yarn.

5. Keep them comfy.

It was years after I started crocheting when I realized you can add handles to your hooks to make them more ergonomic and it was a huge lifesaver. You can find a tutorial to add a polymer clay handle here. Or if you’re like me and not gifted with clay you can purchase this handle to fit your aluminum hook. I’m also fan of The Crochet Dude handles. I have small hands so the lengths are great. Armor Hooks and Soft Touch Hooks are a good choice as well.

 

Do you have a hook tip you’d like to share? Leave it in the comments!

Katy