What is an ergonomic crochet hook?
Ergonomics is the science of developing and designing products and infrastructure to be as comfortable, efficient and safe as possible.
Ergonomic is the word to describe a product designed for specific criteria.
In this case, the best ergonomic crochet hooks are designed to be easier to use and more comfortable for people in pain.
An excellent choice for crocheters who have tendonitis, arthritis, stress injuries or other complications.
Note: This is not medical advice. It is a review for informational purposes. If you have a medical condition, it is best to ask your doctor.
These crochet hooks are not a cure or treatment for hand pain, but are designed to be comfortable and reduce stress and discomfort in the wrists, fingers and arms.
Anyone can benefit from these great inventions!
If you have constant pain, get it checked out by a doctor. Here are some tips for reducing discomfort when crocheting.
Experiment or get recommendations from doctors to find the best one for you. Some may work for you, others not so much
Use proper lighting to avoid squinting and physical discomfort, especially for your eyes.
Avoid smaller instruments. Use larger ones
Take breaks often
Do hand exercises to stretch your limbs and muscles and avoid aches and pains
Rest your hands on something comfortable, such as a cushion or pillow
Try to maintain correct posture, sitting in a straight-backed chair may be better than the couch for some people.
Make some of these changes, and it will make a world of difference.
New tools from The Hook Nook. An assortment of Hook Nook tools and hooks on a blue background.
The different parts of a crochet hook
A crochet hook may look simple enough. A stick with a hook on the end, hence the name.
It's a bit more complicated. Knowing the anatomy of these essential tools will help you gain insight and help you choose the right one for you.
The two essential parts are the body and the head.
The body is divided into three main parts, a shank, a shaft and a throat. Some hooks also have a thumb rest.
The head is divided into a point, a groove and a lip. The end is sometimes referred to as a tip.
For more information on the anatomy of a crochet hook, Click here.
What are the different types of crochet hooks?
There are two types of crochet hooks. These are tapered and in-line.
Inline crochet hooks have the same width along the length of the hook. The head is the same width as the shaft, and the throat looks like someone has chipped a dent to create a groove. They are also called Bates hooks.
Tapered ones are larger at one end, slowly getting smaller and smaller toward the other, hence the name. The heads are generally slightly larger than the shaft. They are also called Boye Hooks.
Both have a different feel, and you probably know which one you prefer. If you don't, try both and see what you think.
Here are a few more differences between the two.
In-Line/Bates
A sharper, pointier head.
They are straight and do not taper
Hook is the same width as the handle and does not bend or curve
The deep groove makes it easier to hold the working wool in place, perfect for beginners
The sharp head is good and bad. Excellent for inserting the end into the project, although there is a chance it can catch and snag
Some patterns are too sharp and will snag every time, no matter what you do.
Yarn store good yarn
Tapered/Boye
The throat is narrower than the rest of the tool.
The tips are generally softer and rounder than the other type.
Most of the hook is not the same size as the shaft.
If your gauge or tension is tight, these may not fit you because the tapered throat makes the working loop even closer and smaller than you want. Your already tight tension may become too tight!
More comfortable for those with wrist pain. No need to move your hands too much to slide and place loops of yarn on the hook.
Also, less effort to 'wrangle' or get the yarn under control ready to crochet!
For more information on Boye Ergonomic Crochet Hooks, read my post.
These are two basic types, and are divided into specific crochet types and uses. Here is a list of these specially designed models.
Aluminum: Not designed for a specific purpose, but for a multi-purpose model. They are famous for beginners because the yarn slips easily through the hook, much easier to crochet! They come in a wide range of sizes.
Bamboo: Lightweight, soft, comfortable to wear and made from renewable material, what's not to love? They are affordable and come in many sizes.
Ergonomic: This is the type this review focuses on. It has a large soft handle designed for optimal comfort and ease of use. Some allow you to detach the hook from the handle to change it for different ones.
Knook: This is an interesting invention. With this, you can crochet something that looks like knitting! This is through a long crochet hook with a hole in one end.
Plastic: Lightweight, soft and cheap to buy, plastic hooks come in all shapes and sizes. Even in giant quantities, perfect for bulky crochet or broom lace. They're hollow, so they're not a strain on your hands when you're working.
Tunisia: Also known as cro hooks. At first glance, they don't look like a crochet hook because they are much longer and are more similar to knitting needles.
Designed especially for Tunisian crochet, they allow you to hold stitches while you work.
Steel: They have a similar feel to the aluminum ones, but are the smallest available. They are made for fine and small crochet, such as delicate lace or rugs.
Ergonomic Crochet Hooks - Your Questions Answered
Are ergonomic crochet hooks better?
If you are looking for comfort and relief while crocheting, ergonomic hooks are better. If you are looking for something functional to get the job done, standard crochet hooks are good.
Here's a quick comparison between ergonomic crochet hooks and regular crochet hooks.
Ergonomic crochet hooks
A large, sculpted handle (Furls Odyssey & Furls Streamline crochet hooks are great examples of this).
The handle is usually a different material than the rest of the instrument.
Can sometimes be disassembled to interchange ends
Designed for pain relief
Designed for comfort
Normal crochet hooks
Shank is usually smaller, and the same material as the rest of the hook
Cannot come apart
Designed to fit all types of users
Designed for functionality
What type of crochet hooks are best for beginners?
The best size for beginners is an H/8 (5mm). It is usually made of aluminum. It is not too big or too small, and very comfortable to work with. The best thread weight for this size is worsted weight thread.
What is the most popular crochet hook size?
Again, the very versatile H/8 (5mm) size! Perfect for a wide range of projects and uses.
What are the most comfortable crochet hooks?
Ergonomic crochet hooks. They are designed and made to be comfortable first.
How do I choose a crochet hook and yarn?
It is best to choose your yarn first, then examine the label. It will tell you how to choose a crochet hook that best suits the yarn.
Store for good yarn yarn
Are bamboo crochet hooks better?
If you are looking for something lightweight, affordable, capable of being used for a wide variety of projects, yes, bamboo crochet hooks are better.
What size crochet hook should I get?
These instruments come in a variety of sizes. The measurement of a hook is how long the shaft is between the head and the shank. The size of the shank determines the stitch size.
US Sizing uses letters, with B being the smallest, and Q being the largest. All hooks in the United States follow this method, except steel hooks, which use numbers. The larger the number, the smaller the shaft.
The yarn tag should help you, as it has a recommended hook size and stitches every four inches.
In general, the larger or smaller your yarn, the hook should match. If you're not sure, here's a tip to help you out.
If your stitches are too loose, you will need to go down a size. If your stitches are too tight, you need to go up a size.
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