There are a few words that you should know as you work on learning crochet.

Parts of a Hook

There are a few parts of the hook and you should know what each of them mean.

Things that Hooks are Made Of

Different materials can change the way you crochet – and how quickly you might make your stitches.

Different hooks – even the same material but from two companies – can make an impact on your comfort. This is a very personal decision. Don’t take it lightly – this is important.

We’ll give you more information on a couple common types, including some pros and cons for each.

Wood and Bamboo

Hooks made of wood or bamboo tend to be a bit lighter in weight than aluminum hooks.

They can also be less expensive, so they’re a great “entry” option when you’re just starting out. Don’t think that they’re not good though. It’s truly a matter of which you prefer to work with when crocheting.

But, these hooks – especially in finer (smaller) sizes can actually break with use. The thin-ness of the hook works against itself here.

On the other hand, if they have a small burr, you can probably buff it out with some fine-grit sandpaper (220 grit shown below) and even steel wool. I suggest you keep some sandpaper in a small plastic bag in your crochet bag because if you have to deal with a burr and it snagging the yarn, you’ll make sure you never do that again.

Some hook manufacturers will actually paint or dye the hook and make it colorful. You can’t do that with an aluminum or steel hook.

Aluminum

These hooks tend to be a bit heavier than their wood counterparts. The weight isn’t a good or bad thing though. It truly depends on personal preference.

For me, I prefer aluminum hooks. I like that their size stays pretty much the way it started and that they’ll resist breakage and won’t develop burrs.

Having said that, I also have a set of bamboo hooks and will grab them as well depending on my mood, the yarn and even the stitch pattern.

Steel

Steel hooks tend to be in smaller sizes. They’re stronger so they keep their shape better. They also tend to work better without breaking, even under the extra strain being put on that small hook.

You might even be like my mom and have a few to use for other purposes – grabbing a pull on a piece of fabric or just fixing small imperfections in things.