Picking your first crochet hook feels like it should be simple. It’s a stick with a hook on it. How complicated can it be?
Reasonably complicated, as it turns out. The material affects how the yarn slides. The handle affects how long you can crochet before your hand cramps. The hook shape — inline versus tapered — changes how easy it is to insert into tight stitches. And the size determines everything about your finished project.
None of this needs to stop you from getting started. But knowing what you’re choosing between makes it easier to pick something that actually works for you, rather than just grabbing whatever’s cheapest.
Here’s what we’ve learned from making dozens of baby items with a lot of different hooks.
Hook Material: Aluminium, Plastic, or Ergonomic?
The shaft of a crochet hook is usually made from aluminium, plastic, wood, or bamboo — and the handle, if it has one, is usually rubber or silicone.
Aluminium hooks
The standard. Aluminium hooks are what most patterns are written for, they’re widely available, and they’re cheap enough that you can buy a full set without worrying too much. The yarn glides smoothly off a metal hook, which makes maintaining consistent tension easier.
The downside: the handles are thin and hard. If you crochet for more than an hour at a stretch, your hand will feel it.
Good for: Learning tension, budget sets, occasional makers.
Ergonomic hooks (soft-grip handle)
These are regular aluminium or steel hooks with a rubber or silicone handle. The handle is wider and softer, which dramatically reduces hand fatigue for longer sessions. If you’re planning to crochet for hours at a time — making a blanket, for example — an ergonomic hook is worth the extra few pounds.
We use ergonomic hooks for most of our pattern work now. The Clover Amour range is what we reach for most often. They’re not cheap for a full set, but a single hook in the size you use most (4.0mm for most baby patterns) is very affordable.
Good for: Regular makers, anyone who gets hand cramp, longer projects.
Bamboo and wooden hooks
Bamboo hooks have a slight grip that some people find helpful — yarn slides less freely, which can actually be useful if you’re working with slippery yarn. They’re lightweight and feel nice in the hand.
The downside is that bamboo hooks can snag on rough or textured yarn, and the tip isn’t as smooth or precise as metal. For baby items where you need clean stitch definition, we find aluminium or ergonomic hooks work better.
Good for: Slippery yarn, people who prefer a warmer feel.
Hook Shape: Inline vs. Tapered
This one matters more than most beginners realise.
Inline hooks have a hook that sits in line with the shaft — the throat of the hook is the same diameter as the rest of the shaft. Boye is the classic inline brand. Inline hooks work best with a “knife grip” (holding the hook like a pencil from above).
Tapered hooks have a more pronounced point and the throat is narrower than the shaft. Clover Amour hooks are tapered. They tend to work better with an “overhand grip” (holding the hook from above with your thumb and finger on the flat).
Neither is objectively better. What matters is which feels more natural for you. Most beginners find tapered hooks slightly easier for getting into stitches, but this is personal.
If you’re buying your first hook, don’t overthink this. Try both if you get the chance, and go with whichever feels less awkward.
What Size Hook Do You Need?
For crochet baby items specifically, you’ll almost always be working with DK or worsted weight yarn, which means:
| Yarn Weight | Hook Size |
|---|---|
| 4-ply / Fingering | 2.5–3.0 mm |
| DK (size 3) | 3.5–4.5 mm |
| Worsted (size 4) | 4.5–5.5 mm |
| Chunky (size 5+) | 5.5mm+ |
The 4.0mm hook is the one you’ll use most if you’re following our patterns. It works for most DK cotton and DK acrylic, and it’s the hook we use for everything from baby shoes to bonnets. If you only buy one hook to start, make it a 4.0mm.
Check the yarn label before you start — there’s usually a recommended hook size printed there. Your gauge swatch will tell you if you need to go up or down half a size.
Our Honest Hook Recommendations
For beginners on a budget: Boye crochet hook set
A full set of aluminium Boye hooks (2.0mm–10.0mm) costs around £8–12 and covers everything you’d ever need. They’re not glamorous but they work, and having a full set means you can follow any pattern without needing to order a specific size.
The handles are thin, but for short sessions that’s not a problem. It’s what most people start with, and it’s perfectly fine.
For beginners who want to invest: Clover Amour set
If you know you’re going to crochet regularly, the Clover Amour set is genuinely worth the money. The ergonomic handle is notably more comfortable for longer sessions, the tapered hook makes getting into stitches clean and easy, and the size range covers everything from lace to chunky.
They’re significantly more expensive than budget sets but they’re the hooks we use most at Bloom Bonnet. A starter set of the most common sizes (3.5mm to 6.0mm) is a reasonable first investment if you’re serious about the hobby.
Just one hook to start: 4.0mm ergonomic
If you’re not ready to commit to a full set, buy a single Clover Amour 4.0mm. It costs a few pounds, covers the most common baby pattern size, and gives you a feel for ergonomic hooks without spending a lot. If you like it, buy the set.
What We’d Avoid
Sets with plastic hooks only. Plastic flexes very slightly under tension, which makes maintaining consistent stitch size harder. Fine for chunky yarn, not ideal for anything structured like baby shoes.
Very cheap sets from unknown brands. Hook sizes can be inaccurate — a hook labelled 4.0mm that’s actually 3.7mm will throw off your gauge without you realising it. Stick to known brands where the sizing is reliable.
Lace hooks for a first purchase. Lace hooks (below 2.0mm) require very fine thread and very good eyesight. There’s no reason to start there.
Taking Care of Your Hooks
Metal hooks are basically indestructible — they’ll outlast you if you don’t lose them. The things to watch:
- Store them upright or in a roll rather than loose in a bag where the tips can get caught and bent
- Smooth any rough spots with very fine sandpaper if you notice yarn snagging — this happens occasionally with cheap hooks
- Keep ergonomic handles away from heat — the rubber can deform slightly if left in a hot car or on a radiator
Ready to Start Crocheting?
Once you have your hook and yarn sorted, our beginner patterns are a good place to start. The Summer Baby Hat uses a 4.0mm hook and is simple enough to finish in a weekend. The Little Baby Booties are flat construction — great for getting used to reading pattern rows without working in the round.
If you’re new to reading patterns, our beginner’s guide to reading crochet patterns walks through abbreviations, stitch counts, and repeat notation step by step.
And for yarn advice, our best yarn for crochet baby items guide covers exactly what to buy and why.