Confused about getting the best crochet needles? Don’t worry, we’ll help you out. Getting the best crochet needles is as important as finding the yarn for your project. But what is a crochet needle? It’s basically the same as a crochet hook.
A crochet needle is a tool used to make knitted fabrics from yarn. It resembles a large pencil with a hook on one end. The crochet hook is inserted into the stitches of the fabric and then pulled through the loop on the yarn. This action creates a new stitch on the fabric.
The best crochet needles for beginners are usually made of aluminum or plastic. These materials are lightweight and easy to handle. The best crochet hooks for more experienced crocheters are typically made of wood or metal. These materials are heavier but provide more stability and control.
When selecting a crochet hook, it’s important to consider both your skill level and the type of project you’re working on. Below are some of the best crochet needles available in the market:
1. Best Wooden Crochet Needles: Brittany
A handsome crochet hook made out of wood is more than just for looks. Once you have started crafting with yarn, you’ll find yourself having a preference over what kind of crochet needles to be using. If you want to work with a wooden crochet needle, check out the gorgeous piece from Brittany.
One of the best crochet hooks for arthritis is made out of wood as it does not transfer the cold as a metal needle would. The Brittany crochet needle is smooth and soft, which is beneficial for both your hand and the yarn you’ll be using.
One of the best things about the wooden Brittany hook is it uses birch. This type of wood is environment-friendly as it is durable, renewable, and also biodegradable. At the same time, birch wood is lightweight and resists warping.
2. Best Crochet Needles for Beginners: Pony
If you are just starting your journey into crochet, the Pony Easy Grip Set might just be your best bet. A crochet hook set includes everything you might need for your project. For starters, the set comes with 9 crochet needles from sizes 2mm to 6mm. Don’t worry as the needles come in different colors, it’ll be easy to spot which is which.
To give you a better grip, the Pony crochet needles measure 14cm in length. They also have soft grips with ridges on them. This will also keep your needles from rolling away when you put them down.
3. Best Crochet Needles: EXCEART
If you want to combine knitting and crocheting, then you better grab the Exceart hooks. What’s unique about this crochet needle is it has a hook on one end and then a hole on the other (similar to that of a needle). This tool is usually used for knooking, a combination of knitting and crocheting.
The Exceart crochet needles can also help you in finishing off your work, whether it be for weaving in the ends or sewing up the seams. One set from Exceart comes with 6 pieces of crochet needles in varying sizes (2.75mm, 4mm, 6mm) and colors (gold, red, blue). They are all made of aluminum and measure about 16cm in length.
4. Best Crochet Needle for Chunky Yarn: Clover
Are you a fan of making scarves, blankets, and hats? Maybe the cold season is approaching and you want to make winter clothes or festive crochet items? If that’s the case then you’ll be arming yourself with chunky yarn. With that, you should also be grabbing Clover’s Amour Crochet Hook.
An easy-grip handle and a fun, bright color is just the start of the Clover crochet needle. This crochet tool knocks it out of the park as it is also functional. It is designed to have an optimal shape for crocheting. It’s good for the hands and also for the yarn. You’ll definitely have a smooth crocheting experience with this needle.
5. Best Crochet Needle Set: Red Heart
You might know the Red Heart brand as it offers some of the best yarns for crocheting. But, this brand also has collaborations to deliver crochet needles. The Red Heart Crystallites set is fun to look at and also definitely delightful to hold! This set comes with 5 crochet needles in sizes 4.0mm to 6.5mm. The hooks come in different colors for easy size identification.
The Red Heart crochet needles promise a consistent gauge. They are translucent and made of plastic. Sure, they look cute but there’s a reason for this, too. Plastic needles are easy to handle and are light. With the needles being translucent, you can see your yarn through as you crochet.
6. Best Ergonomic Crochet Needles: Susan Bates
Whether you have carpal tunnel or not, you can appreciate an ergonomic crochet needle as someone who works with yarn. Crocheting can definitely help you pass the time and sometimes, you’ll only realize you’ve been doing it for hours when you feel the pain in your hand or wrist. Check out the Susan Bates Soft Ergonomic hook to help you out.
The Susan Bates crochet needle is from the Silvalume line—hooks and needles undergo an anodizing process so they are smooth. You shouldn’t experience any yarn slip-ups with this needle. With the Soft Ergonomic hook, your hand can rest comfortably on it, too.
7. Best Jumbo Crochet Needle: Boye
Sometimes, if you want to finish your crochet project fast, you are going to need to scale up your items. This means bigger yarns (think T-shirt yarns!) and of course the appropriate crochet hook. Check out the T-sized needle from Boye. It has a gauge of 30mm, a far cry from all of the other hooks in the larger department.
You can also easily create giant projects like amigurumi with the Boye crochet needle. Bigger needles allow you to work with materials other than the usual yarn, this can be anything from jute, rope, and textile scraps. This hook has a rounded head and a tapered throat for easy crocheting.
8. Best Crochet Needle for Speed: Lion Brand
Another yarn brand also offering crochet tools is Lion Brand. Made out of plastic, this crochet needle promises you a speedy performance. This is because plastic is definitely lighter (as opposed to wood or metal). At the same time, the plastic hook does not have any imperfections that can cause yarn snagging.
You can expect less strain on your wrists or hands with the Lion Brand crochet needle. Enjoy a smooth crocheting project with this 19mm needle. You’ll be able to create and finish projects like blankets, clothes, furniture throws, and more in a snap—think a fashionable cowl in 1 hour!
Choosing the Best Crochet Needles
The first thing you need to do when choosing a crochet needle is to decide what material you would like it to be made out of. This can be based on personal preference or the type of project you are working on. For example, if you are crocheting with very delicate thread, you might want to use a hook that has a smooth surface so as not to damage the thread. On the other hand, if you are using a thick yarn, you might prefer a sturdier hook that can handle the weight of the yarn without bending. Another factor to consider is the grip; some needles have ergonomic handles that are easier on the hands, while others have traditional round handles.
Once you have decided on the material and grip that you want, the next step is to choose the size of the needle. The size will be determined by the thickness of the yarn you are using; a thicker yarn will require a larger hook, while a thinner yarn will require a smaller hook. You can usually find this information on the skein of yarn, or on the pattern, if you are following one. If you are unsure, it is always better to err on the side of caution and go up a size rather than down; it is much easier to make your stitches smaller than it is to make them larger!
Finally, once you have chosen the perfect crochet hook for your project, it’s time to get started!
Sewing Needles for Crochet Projects
Now that you are finished with your project, it’s time for another needle to discuss. Sewing needles are important tools for crochet projects. They help to create the fabric of the project by piercing through the yarn. There are different types of sewing needles that can be used for different purposes. The type of needle you choose will depend on the type of yarn and project you are working on.
The first thing you need to know about sewing needles for crochet projects is they have to be blunt. When you create crochet projects, you notice that there are holes that are formed, this is where you will put your needles through. Think of it as the holes on an Aida cloth if you will. Here are some of the sewing needles that you will need for crocheting:
1. Plastic Needle
The 3-inch Boye plastic needles are perfect for crochet projects. You can easily tie in the ends of your work or even for adding an eye to an amigurumi creation (through the yarn and stuffing without losing the needle!). Plastic needles are safe to use, even by younger crafters. If you don’t need to poke a hole for sewing, the Boye plastic needle is a good go-to.
2. Large-Eye Needle
If you are not used to handling plastic needles, don’t worry, there is also a metal version for crocheting. The Valar Dohaeris needles have large eyes (so you can easily yarn through) and also blunt ends (of course, they’re a bit sharper than plastic). One set comes with 18 pieces of needles in 3 sizes and they all come neatly in a tube so they won’t get lost.
3. Bent Needle
Now, this is like the needle before, made of steel, has a large eye, and is blunt-ended. However, what makes it different is the Vidillo needle is also bent. You might not appreciate it now but once you finish your crochet project, you’ll find a bent needle has its advantages.
Remember that sewing crochet projects aren’t as straightforward or as simple as regular sewing. Most fabrics are flat and crochet projects have a little more body. Having a bit of an angle can help you sew one hole that is a bit too close to another.
4. Embroidery Needle
Crochet needles may be made out of any material which can hold tension, but most are made from wood, bamboo, plastic/nylon, aluminum, or steel wire with handles on both ends for ease in use. The size ranges vary greatly depending on the yarn being used and the desired finished product; however, generally speaking, there will be one appropriate for fine threads and one for thicker yarns.
Now, there is a time when you will need a needle that is quite sharp and has the capability to poke new holes in your work. If that is the case, grab a pack of DMC embroidery needles. If you want to add tiny details on your blanket, such as a name, or maybe add a little satin nose on a stuffed doll, a large and blunt needle will not do. Instead, you have to get embroidery needles plus the appropriate fine thread (skip the yarn!).
* Threader
This isn’t your grandmother’s regular threader that you’ll find in a tin box for cookies. Clover has come up with a fresh, new threader for pulling in thick yarn into needles. For starters, the embroidery threader from Clover has a chic and bright design (not the one with the stamped face on it).
Next, the actual metal for threading has a revamped design, a flat one that will fit perfectly into a needle. The trouble with the thin metal for threading is, most of the time, it can’t handle thicker yarns. It would simply break away from the handle and that’ll be that.
The Clover embroidery threader is specifically for thicker threads. it also comes with a cover so the metal for threading will not get smushed up in your crafting box or kit.
Having Crochet Needle Options
Crocheting is a great hobby that many people enjoy. It can be very relaxing and it’s also a great way to spend time with friends and family. The one thing that makes crochet different than other crafts, however, is the tools required for it. There are many different types of crochet needles out there and choosing the right one can sometimes be difficult if you don’t know what to look for or where to start looking.
It’s okay to play favorites but having a wide variety of options for crochet needles can actually be helpful. You can have different kinds of hooks for different jobs.
The most important thing to remember when you’re choosing a crochet needle is that the size of the hook will determine the gauge, or thickness, of your stitches. If you want to make a garment or afghan that has a specific finished size, you’ll need to use a hook that’s the right size for your project.
There are also different types of needles for different kinds of yarns. If you’re using a very slippery yarn, like silk, you might want to use a steel hook. They have a very sharp point, which helps keep slippery yarns from slipping off the hook. Bamboo hooks are good for natural fibers like wool because they help grip the yarn better. And plastic hooks are good for beginners because they’re very lightweight and easy to hold.
No matter what type of hook you choose, it’s important to have a variety of hooks on hand so that you can match the right one with the right project. That way, you’ll always be able to get the perfect gauge and create beautiful crochet stitches.
Tips for Beginners: The Best Crochet Needles
There are a few things to keep in mind when choosing crochet hooks. The most important thing is to find a comfortable size hook. This will be different for everyone, so it’s important to experiment with different sizes before settling on one.
Another thing to consider is the type of material the needle is made from. Crochet hooks can be made from metal, plastic, or wood, and each has its own benefits and drawbacks. Metal hooks are typically the cheapest option, but they can be slippery and difficult to use for beginners. Plastic hooks are usually a bit more expensive than metal ones, but they’re often easier to use since they have a grippier surface. Wood hooks are the most expensive option, but they’re also the most comfortable to use.
Finally, you’ll need to decide what type of needle you want. The two most common types are inline and tapered. Inline hooks have a straight shaft, while tapered hooks have a slightly curved shaft. Beginners usually find inline hooks easier to use since they’re less likely to snag on the yarn. However, more experienced crocheters often prefer tapered hooks because they provide a better grip on the yarn and allow for more precise stitching.
No matter what size, material, or type of hook you choose, make sure it feels comfortable in your hand and is easy for you to use. With a little practice, you’ll be able to master any crochet project in no time.
When to Get Crochet Needle Sets
Maybe you have a hard time creating your crafting kit as there are so many options in the market. It can be a good idea to purchase a crochet needle set if this is your dilemma. You might be surprised that there are crafters who have a specific crochet needle set that best works with whatever project they are working on.
There are crochet needle sets that are on the plus-size and this can be used for equally large projects—think rugs and blankets or oversized sweaters. Then at the opposite end of that are crochet needle sets that are tiny and these are designed specifically for delicate projects, such as lacework.
So, when should you be getting your very own crochet needle set?
- Starting out
If you are a beginner, you definitely might want to start with a crochet needle set. The best crochet needles are those that are beginner-friendly. So, do think about the material of the needles. While you are at it, check out the other inclusions of the sets, such as scissors, sewing needles, tape measures, and of course, yarn! Yes, there are crochet needle sets that already include yarn and pretty much any other item you’ll need to get you started.
- Expanding a collection
Who says crocheters can’t be collectors? You might be surprised at the number of crafters who have special needle sets or even luxury crochet hooks. It’s just a thing and if you find that you like a set and you want to expand your crochet tools collection, have at it.
- When it has a specific tool you need
Sometimes for crafters, life is easy, you need a specific tool and you just buy it. However, there are times when a specific crochet needle size or style is only available as part of a set. You need it, so what is there to do? You buy the entire set. Not everyone may understand it, but if you do, go get that crochet needle set!
Final Thoughts
Whether you are looking for the perfect crochet needle or a sewing needle for your project, always remember your preferences. Do check out what other crafters have to say but remember that the best crochet needles for them might not be the best for you.
Are you ready for another craft or hobby? Why not try pottery? It’s time to trade in your crochet hooks and yarns for clay and pottery glazes. Happy crafting!