Look in your local yarn shop or search online for crochet hook and you will find all different shapes, sizes and materials. All crochet hooks have the same basic anatomy, there are three essential parts – the handle, the shaft and the hook. Each part is important and necessary to crochet, with each part having their own functions.
The Handle
Some hooks have a simple handle which is just an extension of the shaft, some are super shaped and ergonomic. No matter what, all hooks have a handle. Each person will find they have a shape and style which suits their grip and movements. I highly recommend trying different handles to see what suits you.
I personally find that the KnitPro Waves crochet hooks are comfortable and find that most people can hold one easily.
The Shaft
The shaft is possibly the most important part of the hook. Whilst crocheting your stitches should sit on the shaft of the hook. The shaft is the area of the hook which determines the size of your stitches. Say you are working on an 8mm hook, it is the shaft which has a diameter of 8mm. Make sure to keep stitches and working loops on this section to avoid tight stitches which are hard to pull your hook through.
The Hook
One function of the hook is to keep stitches or loops on the hook by securing them below the crook of the hook. One problem some people have is that they work their stitches in this section. The crook area below the hook has a smaller diameter than the shaft, so stitches can end up small and tight.
The tip of the hook is what you will be working into your work with. There is a happy medium as to how pointy this should be. Too fat and blunt and your hook won’t go through your work easily. Too sharp and pointed it will end up splitting your yarn.
