How I Learned to Hold a Crochet Hook

How I Learned to Hold a Crochet Hook: A Personal Step-by-Step Guide

When I first picked up a crochet hook, I had no idea how important the way I held it would be. I fumbled with the yarn, my fingers felt stiff, and my stitches were uneven. But after some trial and error, I found a method that worked for me. If you’re just starting out, I want to share my experience and guide you through the best ways to hold a crochet hook so that your hands stay comfortable and your stitches come out even.

Step 1: Choosing the Right Hook

Before I could even think about how to hold a crochet hook, I needed to find the right one. I started with a basic 5.0mm (H/8) aluminum hook—it’s a great size for beginners because it’s not too small or too large. Later, I upgraded to ergonomic hooks like Clover Amour because they made crocheting for long periods much easier on my hands.

✅ Tip: If you experience hand fatigue, try a soft-grip or ergonomic crochet hook.

Step 2: Understanding the Two Main Crochet Hook Grips

There are two main ways to hold a crochet hook, and I tried both before settling on the one that felt most natural. Here’s how each works:

The Pencil Grip:

• I held my crochet hook the same way I would hold a pencil.
• My thumb and index finger gripped the flat part (thumb rest) of the hook, while my other fingers rested lightly underneath or alongside the handle.
• This grip gave me precise control over my stitches and felt more natural when working with delicate yarns.

The Knife Grip:

• I wrapped my whole hand around the hook, similar to holding a knife while cutting food (gently!).
• My thumb and index finger still guided the hook, often resting on the flat part, but my palm supported the end of the handle.
• This grip gave me more leverage and made it easier to work with thicker yarns and larger projects.

At first, I kept switching between the two grips to see which felt more comfortable. Eventually, I found that I preferred the knife grip because it put less strain on my wrist, especially when working on big projects like blankets.

✅ Tip: Try both grips for at least 15 minutes each, perhaps while making a simple chain, and see which feels better and more sustainable for you!

Step 3: Positioning My Hands for Comfort and Control

Once I figured out how to hold my hook, I realized that my other hand—the one controlling the yarn—was just as important. Consistent yarn tension is key! Here’s how I positioned my hands for the best tension and control:

• I used my non-dominant hand to hold the yarn, looping or weaving it around my fingers (experiment to find what works!) to create consistent tension as it fed to the hook.
• I kept my grip loose on both the hook and the yarn to avoid stiff hands and overly tight stitches.
• I focused on letting the hook do the work of pulling yarn through loops, instead of forcing the yarn – this really prevented hand fatigue.

✅ Tip: If your stitches are consistently too tight, the first thing to check is your grip. Relax your hold on both the hook and the yarn.

Step 4: Practicing Basic Stitches to Get Comfortable

To get used to my chosen grip and yarn tension, I started with the most simple stitches, like the chain stitch (ch) and single crochet (sc):

1. Making a Slip Knot: I made a loop with my yarn, used the hook to pull the working yarn through that loop, and tightened it gently onto my hook.
2. Crocheting a Foundation Chain: Holding the hook in my preferred grip, I yarned over and pulled the yarn through the loop on the hook, repeating this motion smoothly to create a chain.
3. Practicing Single Crochet: I worked into the foundation chain (starting in the second chain from the hook), inserting my hook, yarning over, pulling up a loop (2 loops on hook), yarning over again, and pulling through both loops.

At first, my stitches were definitely inconsistent! But as I practiced, focusing on the grip, my hand movements became more fluid and natural. The key was to let my wrist and fingers move together smoothly rather than making tense, jerky motions for each stitch.

✅ Tip: Start with short practice sessions and simple swatches (small squares) before tackling bigger projects. This builds muscle memory without overwhelming you.

Step 5: Troubleshooting Common Problems

I certainly faced a few challenges while learning how to hold my crochet hook properly. Here’s how I solved them based on my experience:

• Problem: My hand felt stiff or sore after crocheting for a while.
  • Solution: I started taking short breaks every 15-20 minutes to wiggle my fingers and do simple hand stretches. Using an ergonomic hook also helped immensely.
• Problem: My stitches were uneven (some tight, some loose).
  • Solution: I paid close attention to my yarn tension. I adjusted how I wrapped the yarn around the fingers of my non-dominant hand until the flow felt smoother and more consistent.
• Problem: I kept dropping stitches or splitting the yarn.
  • Solution: I realized I was rushing. I slowed down my pace, made sure my hook was fully inserted into the stitch before yarning over, and ensured the hook's throat caught the yarn cleanly before pulling through.

Crocheting became so much easier and more enjoyable once I figured out how to hold my hook comfortably and correctly. I realized that finding the right grip really can make a huge difference in how enjoyable and effortless the process feels.

✅ Tip: Listen to your body! If something doesn’t feel right or causes pain, adjust your grip, posture, or hook until it feels natural and comfortable.

Final Thoughts

Learning how to hold a crochet hook properly took me some time and experimentation, but once I found my preferred grip (the knife grip works best for me!), everything else about crochet started to fall into place more easily. Whether you naturally lean towards the pencil grip or the knife grip, the most important thing is to find what works best and feels most comfortable *for you*.

Take your time, experiment with different grips and hooks if needed, and try to enjoy the learning process. Soon enough, holding your crochet hook will feel completely natural, letting you focus on the magic of creating with yarn!