hooks

Quoting from the American Thread Company booklet (that I inherited from my MIL):

"Crochet Hooks used differ in size according to the material and object to be worked. The largest, usually of Composition, Bone, Ivory or Wood are used for the heavier kind of work in wool or heavy cotton, steel hooks are preferred for finer types of Crochet in cotton. The Afghan needle is longer than usual and is the same thickness throughout."

At the right are 4 crochet hooks. The top 2 are size 5; the other 2 are size 7. The first and third ones are steel.

For US sizing, steel hooks start out with size 00 (3.50 mm) and decrease in size as the number hook increases. A size 5 steel hook (1.90 mm) is larger than a size 7 steel hook (1.65 mm).

Non-steel hooks increase in size as the hook number increases. In US usage, these hooks are often also referred to by letters (size 7 being an exception to the rule). A size 5 or F hook (3.75 mm) is smaller than a size 7 hook (4.50 mm). (These numbers correspond exactly to knitting needle sizes. Both size 5 hooks and size 5 knitting needles are 3.75 mm around.)

To make matters even more confusing, a size 2 steel hook is the same as a size 1 or B hook (2.25 mm). A size 0 steel hook is the same as a size 3 or D hook (3.25 mm). So, be forewarned. (UK sizing is also different than US sizing.) Here is a link on US sizing.

For me, I use hook size suggestions as guidelines. I make several chain stitches with the suggested hook. If the thread/yarn is difficult to pull through the chain st, I switch to a larger hook. If the chain stitches look big and holey, I switch to a smaller hook. (Further, if I would use a size 7 knitting needle for a particular yarn, I'd probably also use a size 7 hook.)

Finally, here is what an Afghan hook/needle looks like and how it is used. (The picture and words are from the American Thread Company booklet.)

Why move the posts

One question might be as to why I'm moving posts from Bits and Bobs, the Blog to here. Here's my reasoning:
Although I'm an author of the Bits and Bobs, the Blog blog, I'm not an administrator.
It's very hard to get hold of the administrator of the blog since she's moved on to studying culinary arts as a profession (and, as of today, hasn't been on Ravelry for about 3 months now).
I'd like to join a crochet blog ring (which only an administrator can do).
I'd like to make a few other changes to the blog layout (which only an administrator can do).
I'd like to have any comments sent directly to me -- instead of having to check the blog daily for comments.
I'd like the ultimate status of the posts to rest in my hands instead of someone else. I've put a lot of work into writing the various crochet posts and would hate to see it all just disappear.

"Crochet is Quick"

This is the first installment in several on crocheting. I recently found a booklet, which belonged to my MIL, on knitting and crocheting (or at least the middle 20 or so pages) from, I believe, the American Thread Company (The first 6 pages are missing.). The booklet appears to be over 50 years old. The title of the section on crocheting is "Crochet is Quick".

I'll be posting parts of the booklet. Later, I'll also post directions for edgings -- since knitters occasionally used crocheted edgings to prevent curling -- and other projects (as the mood hits me).

But, before we begin, we need some basics (as quoted from the booklet):

"What You Need and How To Begin
"Materials
"Crochet work takes its name from the hook with which it is done. It is one of the oldest and most useful needle work arts. It is composed of a few foundation stitches by which every design may be developed.
"Crochet Hooks used, differ in size according to the material and object to be worked. The largest, usually of Composition, Bone, Ivory or Wood are used for the heavier kind of work in wool or heavy cotton, steel hooks are preferred for finer types of Crochet in cotton. The Afghan needle is longer than usual and is the same thickness throughout.
"Crochet threads vary as to twist, size and color. Whenever possible, use the thread recommended in the directions and be sure you purchase a sufficient quantity of the same dye lot. This applies to all colors, including Cream, Linen and Ecru. Wherever 'Gauge' appears, it is important that it be followed.
"Needle gauge means the number of stitches worked to one inch and the number of rows worked to one inch. It is wise to work about a two inch square with the thread and needle recommended. If the stitches per inch do not correspond, the size of needle must be changed. If there are more sts to the inch than given, use a larger hook, and if fewer stitches to the inch, use a smaller hook. Practice until correct gauge is obtained."