Tunisian Crochet Hooks Guide: How To Choose an Afghan Crochet Hook

Watch this Facebook Live video that walks you through choosing a Tunisian crochet hook along with some other tips and advice on doing Tunisian:

Afghan crochet hooks are made in many different materials, including wood, bamboo, aluminum, and plastic. Many crocheters prefer to use a hook made with the same material as their other crochet hooks as it will have a similar feel in their hands.
 

For very small Tunisian crochet projects, you may be able to use a standard crochet hook, but you may find that the thumb rest stretches your stitches as they sit on the hook. Since you have to keep the loops on your hook while Tunisian crocheting, the hook length is important.

Straight Afghan hooks have a fixed length. Common sizes are between 10" and 14" long. If you choose a hook that is too short, your stitches may fall off the hook when you put your work down, or you may struggle to identify which stitches to remove if they are “squished” together as you work your return row.

On the other hand, a straight Afghan hook that is too long may poke out at the sides, annoying the person sitting next to you on the couch, bus, or train as you are making your Tunisian crochet project! Also, large projects, like blankets, can get quite heavy and with straight Afghan hooks, you will be holding the weight of your project in your hands when you use the hook.
 

One way to add length to your Afghan crochet hook without making it heavier is to use a corded hook. Corded hooks have a thinner cord, usually made with plastic, that extends beyond the first 6" or so of the hook. Many crocheters prefer corded hooks because the length of the hook is more similar to a standard crochet hook, so it feels familiar in their hands. Additionally, the project can rest on the cord, so your wrists are not strained as much as you crochet.
 

Another option is an interchangeable crochet hook set. These sets come with several hook sizes, cords of varying lengths, and stoppers. You can assemble your own Afghan hook to be the perfect size for your specific project, and then take it apart when you are finished crocheting. These hooks are very versatile because they can be used for double-ended Tunisian crochet, which is also called double-ended crochet, crochet on the double, or cro-hooking.
 

If you aren't working from a Tunisian crochet pattern that specifies the Afghan hook size, choose a hook that is one to two sizes larger than the crochet hook you would typically use for that weight of yarn. This will create a Tunisian crochet fabric that has better drape and which doesn't curl as much. You can find more tips about choosing the right size crochet hook here.
 

With these tips, you should be able to find the right Afghan crochet hook for your next project. Choose a hook size based on your yarn weight, a material based on your preference, and a length (with or without a cord) based on the length of the widest row of your project. If you love Tunisian crochet, invest in an interchangeable set so you can make the perfect hook for your next project.