Most crocheters hold the hook one of two ways: like a pencil, resting on top of the hand, or like a knife, gripped from above. I use the pencil grip myself, since it gave me more control when I was first learning tension.
The two common hook grips
- Pencil grip: hold the hook like a pencil, between thumb and forefinger, resting against the middle finger.
- Knife grip: hold the hook from above like gripping a knife handle, giving more grip strength for tight stitches.
Neither grip is objectively correct. I recommend trying both for ten minutes each and sticking with whichever feels less tiring in your wrist.
Tensioning the yarn
Weave the yarn through the fingers of your non-hook hand, typically over the index finger and under the middle, to control how tightly it feeds. I adjust this weave slightly depending on the yarn’s thickness, looser for bulky and tighter for thin yarns.
Frequently asked questions
Is the pencil grip or knife grip better?
Neither is better overall. I find the pencil grip gives more fine control, while the knife grip gives more strength for tight, dense stitching.
Why does my yarn tension keep changing?
Inconsistent finger tension is the most common cause. Practice weaving the yarn through the same finger path every time until it becomes automatic.
Ready to pick your first hook?
See our full guide to choosing the right hook size to practice with.