Anatomy of a Crochet Hook

Even though you may think a crochet hook is nothing more than a straight stick with a hook on one end, crochet hooks actually have five distinct and necessary parts. Each part of the hook performs a specific function.

• Point: You insert this part of the hook into previously made stitches. It must be sharp enough to slide easily through the stitches, yet blunt enough so that it doesn’t split the yarn or stab your finger.

• Throat: The throat does the actual hooking of the yarn and pulls it through a stitch. It must be large enough to grab the yarn size that you’re working with but small enough to prevent the previous loop from sliding off.

• Shaft: The shaft holds the loops that you’re working with, and its diameter, for the most part, determines the size of your stitches.

• Thumb rest: The thumb rest should be sandwiched between your thumb and middle finger when you hold the hook, letting you easily rotate the hook while you do each stitch.

• Handle: The handle is used for balance or leverage.

Different brands of hooks have slightly different shapes. Take some time to experiment with a couple different brands of crochet hooks to find the one that you’re most comfortable working with.