How to Hold a Crochet Hook

One of the first things you will do when you are learning about crochet is to work out how to hold a crochet hook. There are a couple of ways to hold one, and the way you start will probably be the way your teacher (the person, video or book you are learning from) holds their crochet hook.

How to Hold a Crochet Hook Like a Pen

I have always held my hook (in my right hand) the same way I hold a pencil or a pen; the hook is gripped between my thumb and forefinger. I support the hook with my middle finger, so it stays relatively steady while I work. That middle finger also helps to steady my work as I manipulate each stitch.

How to Hold a Crochet Hook Like a Knife

With the knife grip method you hold the hook from above rather than below, like you do with the pencil grip.  You also use your index finger and your thumb to hold the hook, but with this method, the index finger is on top of the hook and you use your thumb to hold the hook from the side. Your remaining fingers support the hook on the opposite side from the thumb

Is the Knife Grip or the Pencil Grip Better?

As with many crochet questions, the answer is that it depends.  Neither method is intrinsically better than the other; the best one for you will depend on personal preference and the type of project you are working on.

Many crocheters will switch from one method to another depending on what project they are working on.  Often, you can achieve a tighter tension with the pencil grip than you can with a knife grip.  Another factor in the decision might be whether or not you need to minimise finger movements - for example, if you have arthritis in your finger joints, you may prefer the knife method (less finger movement). On the other hand, if you have issues with your wrists, the pencil method might be better for you. 

I would recommend a bit of experimentation to work out which method is the most comfortable for you and to identify when you might like to switch.  I predominantly use a pencil grip, but I will occasionally use the knife grip when I have tight turns for amigurumi (like during the shaping for feet) or if I am doing decreases in the front loop only.