If you’re here because you want to learn to crochet, you’re in the right place! Before you can even begin to crochet, it’s important to know how to hold a crochet hook. So, before we even talk about how to chain, single crochet or double crochet, you first need to know how to hold your crochet hook.
It doesn’t really matter so much as to how you hold it. No one method is more right than the other. It’s a matter of selecting the method that feels most natural and comfortable to you.
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I’ve already shared with you a free printable crochet terms and abbreviations chart and a list of essential crochet supplies for beginners. This tutorial, just like the previous two, assumes you know very little about crocheting. So, please don’t be offended if you’re reading this and you already know how to hold a crochet hook. As a refresher, here are a list of essential crochet supplies for beginner crocheters:
When my oldest daughter came to me about helping her stepdaughter (we’ll call her “Little K”) learn to crochet, of course I jumped at the opportunity. Little K is 10 years old. My daughter, Heather, knows how to crochet, but she’s left-handed. Little K is right-handed. Heather worked with her but it was a little confusing (somewhat backwards) so she asked me to help her. We started with the very basics – how to hold a crochet hook and then moved on to how to hold the yarn.
I remember when my mom taught me how to crochet. I was so excited! My first lesson was learning how to hold the crochet hook and wrap the thread around my fingers. Talk about awkward! Now it just feels natural. Before long, it will fee natural to you, too!
Let’s get started!
How to Hold a Crochet Hook
There are two primary methods or positions for holding a crochet hook: Knife Position and Pencil (or Fork) Position. The knife position is literally like holding a knife in your hand. Likewise, the pencil position is just like holding a pencil in your hand. I prefer the knife method.
But, first, let’s talk about the anatomy of a crochet hook. I already told you there are two primary kinds of crochet hooks (inline and tapered). All crochet hooks have a handle, thumb rest, shank (also called the shaft), throat and point. You need to know this so that when I reference the shaft, for example, you’ll know precisely what I’m talking about. Below is a picture that illustrates the anatomy of a crochet hook.
Knife Position: Just like it sounds, you hold the crochet hook in your hand similar to how you would hold a knife, with your thumb and middle finger grasping the thumb-rest and the crochet hook’s handle is resting against your palm.
Pencil Position: This method is also called the Fork Position. You simply hold the crochet hook in your hand similar to how you would hold a pencil. Make sure your thumb and forefinger are grasping the thumb-rest, and the handle is resting on the fleshy area between your thumb and forefinger (called the purlicue).
So, now that you know how to hold a crochet hook in your hand, you’re ready to move on to how to hold yarn in your hand to crochet! Pretty cool, right?! Before you know it, you’ll be crocheting up a storm! I’ve even created a short video demonstrating how to hold a crochet hook. This is my very first video, so be kind!
By the way, if you have questions, feel free to leave them in the comments below. I’ll be glad to try to answer and assist in your crochet journey! Next lesson in this Learn to Crochet series? How to hold the yarn! Before you know it, you’ll be crocheting up a storm!!
Til next time…
