Comments on: Make your own crochet hook, carve it, whittle it!

By: Catherine Abbott

Catherine Abbott — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 14:08:50 +0000

Great idea, I would like to make a fairly long double ended hook, I have some holly drying out in the back garden, that might do

By: Argeaux

Argeaux — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 15:52:21 +0000

I’m glad to see someone else who enjoys making their own hooks.

I’ve made a couple now and have some suggestions for those who want to try it.

Use a hard wood. I’ve used wood that’s fallen from my eucalyptus tree and it works well. I’ve also found that working the wood while it is still a little bit green helps to stop it from snapping easily.

If you don’t want to use a knife, I’ve found that a small saw or file, combined with coarse then fine sandpaper, can let you make a good shape.

Finally, you don’t need to paint the hook to finish it off. Buff the finished hook with wood oil to create a naturally smooth surface (a wood turner suggested this to me and it works a treat). You can buy this at any major hardware shop.

Regular crochet hooks that are made out of branches look even better when the lower part of the branch is NOT smoothed out, in my opinion. Of course this wouldn’t work so well for Tunisian hooks.

Hope those hints help.

By: Shells

Shells — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 23:23:13 +0000

Just love the hook. Dowel is a very good idea, it will give you a larger range for your hook sizes. Especially if you want to produce a few!!! But your bendy hook is fabulous and would make great presents! Thank you for the hint on the yarn size verses the hook size. I have been crocheting for over 32 years having started when I was around 9. I have tried many forms of crochet and decided to try tunisian when a customer at my shop ordered a hook. I gave up as I had matched the regular yarn size with the traditional hook size. What a pain!!! Will try again now. Thanks heaps! P.s; have you tried free form crochet? It’s soooo creative, no rules. Thanks for telling me about your site. I love it. Going to check out ravelry now. xxx

By: whitewold

whitewold — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 03:52:54 +0000

For the stopper, how about putting a hole in a cork and gluing that on the end?

By: Rebecca

Rebecca — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 05:31:44 +0000

Wow!! I actually prefer the bendy rustic look – don’t use dowel! who needs a straight hook anyway!! Well done for solving your problem so resourcefully!!
beckykate x

By: Sharon

Sharon — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 23:08:26 +0000

hey stra…

I have tagged you with a meme over on my blog, if you are interested in participating

By: Jroberson

Jroberson — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 13:01:43 +0000

easy solution for a stopper that I’ve found – a few rubber bands wrapped tightly around the end. Economical, easy, works! Lovely hook – hello, from Massachusetts!

By: Karen

Karen — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 01:51:32 +0000

My thought to carve myself a hook is still simmering – am wondering did you indeed use that paring knife shown in the photo for the carving? For some reason I am imagining a paring knife fine for whittling (away from you) but the need for a jack knife or ??? for carving where you would have to work toward yourself and use more control. Hmmmm. ???

By: admin

admin — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 11:58:50 +0000

Thank you everyone for your lovely comments !! It is the most amazing experience to carve your own hook – so satisfying ! It really comes down to just looking at a hook you like and following the lines on it. Experiment with twigs. If you get it wrong, just throw it away and start again! I might consider writing up a detailed tutorial soon Sincerely, Stramenda.

By: karenbess

karenbess — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 09:25:02 +0000

Hi Christine,

So that’s what you’ve been up to. Is there no end to your creativity? Did it take you very long? I spent most of today pruning a massive rose in my backyard and have a few pretty thick branches left over – I wonder if those could be whittled down to a good size. I was even saving a big one from a while ago, I thought I’d maybe whittle a walking stick from it one day but then my husband put it out with the garbage! Oh well, it’s one thing to think about, quite another to actually do it. Wow.