Crochet Hand Position: Different Ways to Crochet!
When you are new to crochet, you may be wondering: what is the correct way to hold a crochet hook? What should my hand position look like? This week, we’re going to talk about crochet hand positions!
In the world of crochet, you will find so much versatility. From the way crochet pattern designers write and format their patterns to the preferences for types of yarn or how to hold a crochet hook, there will never be a shortage of differences in your pursuit of learning crochet. While it’s important to understand the variations and acknowledge the differences in other crocheters’ preferences, keep in mind that whatever feels right to you is the right way! Today, though, let’s dive into the crochet hand positions you may come across as you’re learning. Happy wishes and cozy stitches!
This post is all about crochet hand positions.
Crochet Hand Position: Different Ways to Crochet!
Crochet Hooks
First, let’s talk about crochet hooks. There are so many different kinds of crochet hooks out there, and they range from very inexpensive to ridiculously expensive. It can be overwhelming to choose the best crochet hooks when you are just starting out. Well, I’m here to tell you: go cheap!
You don’t need the fanciest crochet hooks on the market to learn to crochet. In fact, you should do the opposite! You can buy a set of Boye or Susan Bates aluminum crochet hooks for a small investment. As you build your crochet skills, you can gradually add more expensive crochet hooks into your collection. Or don’t! Honestly, some of my favorite crochet hooks to this day are the cheap Susan Bates ones I learned on.
You can find the Susan Bates aluminum hooks here.
You can find the Boye aluminum hooks here.
Knives Up, or Pencils Down! The Two Main Hand Positions
When learning to crochet, there are two main ways to hold a crochet hook that you will come across. The first position is the “knife” position, and the second is the “pencil” position. As their names suggest, these positions describe the way your hand position resembles the way you hold a knife or a pencil.
Knives Up
As you can see in the image above, the crochet hook is held between the thumb and index finger, with the hook end pointing up toward the ceiling.
This is the “knife” hold or hand position.
The knife hold looks a lot like this picture here!
Pencils Down
As you can see in the picture above, the crochet hook is held with the hook end pointed down, similar to the way you hold a pencil.
The ways in which the crochet hook can be held are as vast and varied as the crocheters themselves! I have seen some very creative and interesting ways people have come up with to handle their hook. However, these are the two main crochet hand positions people stick to, with maybe some minor variations between them.
Chances are, you will most likely hold the crochet hook the way the person who taught you to crochet holds their hook. For example, my mother taught me to crochet when I was young, and she held her crochet hook in the knife position. As a result, I used this crochet hand position for every project when I was first learning to crochet, and it is still my most preferred method today.
However, no matter which way you learn, try them both! You may find that you prefer one crochet hand position over the other. Some people can even comfortably switch back and forth between the two positions.
While you will come across many different ways to hold your crochet hook and yarn, keep in mind that, at the end of the day, the way that feels the most comfortable to you is the only right way! That’s one of the beautiful things about crochet. We all do it a little bit differently, but we can all create absolute magic by tying knots into yarn with a hook.
What is your preferred crochet hand position? Share below!
And stay cozy,
This post was all about crochet hand positions.
Check out these free crochet patterns to try out these crochet hand positions!
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Crochet Hand Position: Different Ways to Crochet! Read Post »