Expert: Marla - 3/4/2008

Question
Please help! I have been crocheting for 20 years and have been accustomed to using medium worsted weight yarn and larger hooks but can't seem to get the hang of using the no. 10 bedspread weight thread and the smaller hooks. I would appreciate any tips or advice you could give that would help me get the hang of it.

Answer
Hi Nia!
Thanks for asking. You're not alone. The transition to a much smaller hook can be difficult. When I haven't been using crochet thread for a while and have been using larger hooks, it takes a little time for me to get back in the swing of using smaller hooks, too. And I have been doing it for a lot of years.
What size hook are you trying for the bedspread weight thread? I recommend a size 7. For that weight, a size 6 or 8 would be OK, too. Like with the larger hooks, as you know, using a too small hook for the thickness of yarn can cause difficulty in crocheting.
The brand of hook I use too, is "Boye". But this is just a personal preference. Susan Bates brand has a "sharp" hook to it, which I don't like, and "Boye" has a smooth hook. Now, some people prefer Bates over Boye. I am not sure about other brands. Maybe a different style of hook may help.
Since I learned to crochet using an instruction book (nobody taught me) I hold the hook sort of like you would a screwdriver. Most people, seem to hold it almost like they would a pencil I tried that way once, and it was uncomfortable for me. Perhaps holding the hook differently may help (it doesn't for me, though)
Another suggestion is to just practice with a long chain and then crochet the various stitches until you are comfortable with it, instead of starting out and trying a pattern.
I hope this helps. If I can think of any more suggestions, I will let you know. I know you will do fine, since you have been crocheting so long. It may just take a little time to get used to the smaller stuff.
Good luck! Let me know how it goes.

Marla