# I finally bought a crochet hook! yaaay **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 29, 2011, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-finally-bought-a-crochet-hook-yaaay/601149 "2011-10-29T03:15:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2011, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-finally-bought-a-crochet-hook-yaaay/601149/61 "2011-11-02T18:03:21Z")
> [@Hello\_Again](#): > > You said yourself that knitting felt more easy/natural. it stands to reason you hold your knitting in a more relaxed way. Feeling awkward/tense = excessive hand grip = pain = tension/awkwardness. > > It is of course also possible that the hook you have doesn’t sit in your hand well, or that you should try the other “hold.” But I would say about 85% of the time when a new student complains of hand/arm pain, the issue is “brain effort death grip” (the harder you concentrate, the tighter you hold) often combined with the “confusion shoulder clench.” Heh, confusion shoulder clench is probably accurate. I found it hurt less when I crocheted on a surface (desktop) instead of holding my arms up, so that helped. Also, I’m crocheting with 4-ply cotton which is a \*\*massive pain in the ass. \*\*Fuck cotton! But I really wanted to make myself a washcloth, and knitting cotton is impossible for me (not stretchy enough). I tried to start knitting one 3 times and I couldn’t even get a full first row of stitches done. It’s just too inelastic and I’m not good enough yet to keep it from winding supertightly around the needle :mad: One day 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2011, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-finally-bought-a-crochet-hook-yaaay/601149/62 "2011-11-02T18:15:10Z")
> [@rachelellogram](#): > > …Also, I’m crocheting with 4-ply cotton which is a \*\*massive pain in the ass. \*\*Fuck cotton! … Um, I _ **really** _ think you’re doing it wrong ;). That said: now I’m wondering whether there are more ergonomic crochet hooks available - something with a much wider, perhaps loop-shaped, area to be held by the thumb and middle/ring/pinky fingers. That would allow you to use those fingers, perhaps with less of a death grip, while the regular crochet hook encourages a harder and more fatiguing grip. ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2011, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-finally-bought-a-crochet-hook-yaaay/601149/63 "2011-11-02T18:53:57Z")
Answering my own question: googling “ergonomic crochet hooks” gets numerous hits. One line has an egg-shaped handle into which you insert tips of various sizes. Another line has just a somewhat fatter, more cushiony handle. I wonder if you could just get a spongy rubber ball, hand-sized, and drill a small hole through it to insert a regular crochet hook. I could swear I heard of doing this for pencils for kids with motor skills issues. ---
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2011, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-finally-bought-a-crochet-hook-yaaay/601149/64 "2011-11-02T19:07:40Z")
Doing it wrong, as in cotton shouldn’t be hard to crochet with? Or I shouldn’t be crocheting with cotton in the first place? It’s a very inelastic fiber, and the plies separate too easily, which makes it harder to work with than acrylic. Not that I’m very yarn-worldly or anything… but I couldn’t knit with the cotton at all. It’s just not stretchy enough to allow it, combined with my inexperience. ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2011, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-finally-bought-a-crochet-hook-yaaay/601149/65 "2011-11-02T19:23:06Z")
> [@rachelellogram](#): > > Doing it wrong, as in cotton shouldn’t be hard to crochet with? Or I shouldn’t be crocheting with cotton in the first place? It’s a very inelastic fiber, and the plies separate too easily, which makes it harder to work with than acrylic. Not that I’m very yarn-worldly or anything… but I couldn’t knit with the cotton at all. It’s just not stretchy enough to allow it, combined with my inexperience. I just just making a play on your phraseology, as in if it’s literally a pain in the ass, you’re using the wrong body parts. Guess the joke didn’t go over all that well, sorry! I’ve never worked with cotton for knitting so I can’t comment on that but I can believe it might be more challenging!! I wonder if it might work better with something larger-gauge, needlewise, so you have some give in the nearby stitches? ---
**Author:** ![Hello\_Again](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hello\_Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hello_Again)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2011, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-finally-bought-a-crochet-hook-yaaay/601149/66 "2011-11-02T19:41:40Z")
“Kitchen cotton” such as Peaches & Cream can be really tough to work with. It’s inelastic (as you’ve observed) and very sticky/grippy on itself, making it hard to draw up stitches smoothly, and since beginners usually work too tightly, this yarn makes it close to impossible to work into tight stitches with its stickiness and lack of give! As “first timer” yarns go, it’s probably the worst widely available choice, but it has sooo many seductive colors and its cheap. I’ve knit with it, only a little, and I remember pulling up lots of extra slack for each stitch. That’s probably a horrible habit – never take my advice on knitting! – but that’s what I did. ---
**Author:** ![Saltire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saltire/32/553_2.png) [@Saltire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saltire)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2011, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-finally-bought-a-crochet-hook-yaaay/601149/67 "2011-11-02T20:10:59Z")
I’d say you should definitely stick with acrylic yarn until you get used to crocheting. Once you’re there, though, cotton will become part of your arsenal. I use it almost exclusively for the stuffed toys I make. I’m told by the mothers of those I’ve given them to that they like to chew on the cotton toys more than other yarns. ---
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2011, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-finally-bought-a-crochet-hook-yaaay/601149/68 "2011-11-02T20:25:52Z")
> [@Mama\_Zappa](#): > > I just just making a play on your phraseology, as in if it’s literally a pain in the ass, you’re using the wrong body parts. Guess the joke didn’t go over all that well, sorry! > > I’ve never worked with cotton for knitting so I can’t comment on that but I can believe it might be more challenging!! I wonder if it might work better with something larger-gauge, needlewise, so you have some give in the nearby stitches? Oh, crocheting with my ass. That’s funny. Sorry I destroyed the joke… that’s what I get for reading before caffeinating 🙂 **Hello Again,** I know that I’m definitely knitting too tightly. I guess I worry that if I don’t keep it tight and uniform, my project will end up loopy with big stupid-looking holes all over the place. I hope to loosen up over time. > [@Saltire](#): > > I’d say you should definitely stick with acrylic yarn until you get used to crocheting. Once you’re there, though, cotton will become part of your arsenal. I use it almost exclusively for the stuffed toys I make. I’m told by the mothers of those I’ve given them to that they like to chew on the cotton toys more than other yarns. Do you have pictures of any of the toys you’ve made? I’m curious to see! I don’t imagine kids would like to chew on acrylic. Just thinking about it gives me the cringing willies. :eek: The thing is, pure acrylic is pretty scratchy. My mom made me a couple crocheted scarves when I was a kid, and I really REALLY hated the feeling. The soft wool/acrylic blend I’m knitting with now is a lot softer, though, and it’s adequately stretchy. I might just stay away from pure acrylic forever. I really don’t like it ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Sudden\_Kestrel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecd19e/32.png) [@Sudden\_Kestrel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sudden_Kestrel)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2011, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-finally-bought-a-crochet-hook-yaaay/601149/69 "2011-11-02T20:38:03Z")
> [@rachelellogram](#): > > That’s not impossible. But knitting doesn’t hurt nearly as bad as crocheting. Maybe it’s a nervousness/inexperience factor causing a death grip, but I think it’s at least partially ergonomic. Crocheting aggravates the very structures in my hands that have been trashed by over 3 decades of keyboarding, so if you have that kind of preexisting damage it might be aggravated by your new [del]addiction[/del] hobby. The twisting hand motion involved specifically in crocheting is harder on my tendons and ligaments than that of knitting, but I just keep on crocheting :). Hey, I can always buy voice recognition software, right? ATM I’m learning Tunisian (aka Afghan) crochet. It is as easy as crochet but looks very similar to knitting. Since I’m in the “too few hands to knit” group, I like having a way to get a smoother “fabric” than I get with traditional crochet methods. ---
**Author:** ![Hello\_Again](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hello\_Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hello_Again)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2011, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-finally-bought-a-crochet-hook-yaaay/601149/70 "2011-11-02T20:58:13Z")
> [@rachelellogram](#): > > Do you have pictures of any of the toys you’ve made? I’m curious to see! I don’t imagine kids would like to chew on acrylic. Just thinking about it gives me the cringing willies. :eek: The thing is, pure acrylic is pretty scratchy. My mom made me a couple crocheted scarves when I was a kid, and I really REALLY hated the feeling. The soft wool/acrylic blend I’m knitting with now is a lot softer, though, and it’s adequately stretchy. I might just stay away from pure acrylic forever. I really don’t like it ☹ I’ve made toys with cotton too (I believe that when you make toys for babies, they should be, strictly speaking, edible). Cotton is actually great for toys because it holds its shape really well. That stiffness that’s such a bother becomes something great about the yarn. Are … you … on ravelry yet? That’s where all my pics are loaded. ETA: and there’s so many kinds of Acrylic now. Some of them are really nice. ---
**Author:** ![QuarkChild](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/c5a1d2/32.png) [@QuarkChild](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuarkChild)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2011, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-finally-bought-a-crochet-hook-yaaay/601149/71 "2011-11-02T21:40:07Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > It get easier with time, but you never completely give up counting. Seriously? I crochet all the time, and I never count. After a while you learn what the stitches are supposed to look like so you know if you made a mistake. Here’s a hint for beginners: If you’re crocheting a scarf, do it longways rather than in short rows. Then you won’t get wobbly edges. ---
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2011, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-finally-bought-a-crochet-hook-yaaay/601149/72 "2011-11-02T21:43:38Z")
Yeah! My ravelry name is yarnifluous, but I don’t have anything posted yet. I just joined a few groups so far. If you don’t mind, can you PM me your link? Or post it here, whatever. I really like to see what more experienced yarners come up with. ---
**Author:** ![Hello\_Again](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hello\_Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hello_Again)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2011, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-finally-bought-a-crochet-hook-yaaay/601149/73 "2011-11-02T22:46:24Z")
Ok, I sent you a PM with links. Friend me and/or visit the “SDMB Yarnies” group. ---
**Author:** ![Hello\_Again](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hello\_Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hello_Again)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2011, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-finally-bought-a-crochet-hook-yaaay/601149/74 "2011-11-02T23:15:25Z")
The hoodie really is an easy pattern. It’s also free for download on Rav. It came out really adorable. You asked about stuffing. I bought a bag about half the size of a bed pillow from Jo-anns, I think it was about $5 or less, and I’m not out of stuffing after stuffing every toy you see on my projects list. Its hypoallergenic, non-toxic, and machine washable, so it pretty much beats any improvised stuffing you could think up. The stego’s legs are just made with increases and decreases (I used a pattern). Like I said, the cotton actually has a lot of structure. They are stuffed with stuffing, nothing else. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2011, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-finally-bought-a-crochet-hook-yaaay/601149/75 "2011-11-02T23:55:33Z")
> [@QuarkChild](#): > > Seriously? I crochet all the time, and I never count. After a while you learn what the stitches are supposed to look like so you know if you made a mistake. Seriously. Then again, I keep trying out more challenging patterns and techniques, so in a sense I’ve always got a beginning or learning vibe going. ---
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2011, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-finally-bought-a-crochet-hook-yaaay/601149/76 "2011-11-03T03:02:10Z")
> [@Sudden\_Kestrel](#): > > ATM I’m learning Tunisian (aka Afghan) crochet. It is as easy as crochet but looks very similar to knitting. Since I’m in the “too few hands to knit” group, I like having a way to get a smoother “fabric” than I get with traditional crochet methods. Wow, thanks for this. Tunisian crochet combines elements of knitting and crocheting, yet somehow manages to be easier than either of them (for me) \*\*and \*\*produces a [nicer-looking stitch](http://i.imgur.com/HTo0w.jpg) than plain crochet. I did a couple forward and backward passes on my big plastic hook while watching an [instructional youtube video](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2MQP0JIi4o), and I picked it right up. I’m gonna get a Tunisian crochet hook tomorrow! ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2011, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-finally-bought-a-crochet-hook-yaaay/601149/77 "2011-11-03T13:55:44Z")
Tunisian is fun! I’ve made two afghans (back when it was called “Afghan Stitch”). One is narrow strips, with cross-stitched flowers on each stitch, and joined by more traditional crochet stitches. The other is also individual stitches, but with a pattern of “popcorns” (when you are doing the second half of the row, in between specific stitches you chain 3 before drawing it through the loop on the hook). The first one, I gave as a gift. The second one, I gave to my mom, and inherited it when she passed on. It makes a very dense, warm blanket. ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2011, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-finally-bought-a-crochet-hook-yaaay/601149/78 "2011-11-03T14:11:03Z")
That should read “on every strip”, not “on every stitch” for the cross-stitching :). ---
**Author:** ![Hello\_Again](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hello\_Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hello_Again)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2011, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-finally-bought-a-crochet-hook-yaaay/601149/79 "2011-11-03T14:24:45Z")
Yeah I just tried my hand at Tunisian entrelac (diamond-pattern) and had a blast. With entrelac, you don’t need a Tunisian hook (the long ones with a stopper) because you only pick up 6 stitches at a time. But I enjoyed it so much I ran out and bought some Tunisian hooks so I could do more varied projects. Nowadays they even have “tunisian circular” hooks so you can make big projects without having to hold all the weight in your hands. A long flexible cable alows you to push the bulk of the work off the hook so you can set it down in your lap, on a table, etc. I have my eye on this pattern: [http://www.crochetme.com/media/p/123950.aspx](http://www.crochetme.com/media/p/123950.aspx) But I have an awful lot of projects to complete before I can focus on that one. ---
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2011, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-finally-bought-a-crochet-hook-yaaay/601149/80 "2011-11-03T16:40:35Z")
Very cool. I’m really excited about Tunisian because it builds up fast, and no need to turn the work. If I used the long cable you’re talking about, would it be possible to make a whole blanket one row at a time, without having to connect separate squares later? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-finally-bought-a-crochet-hook-yaaay/601149.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-finally-bought-a-crochet-hook-yaaay/601149.md?page=5)