Your Guide To Knitting Needles And Crochet Hooks

Jumpers, scarves, blankets or mittens - with the right tools you can turn yarn into almost anything! But to do that you'll need either knitting needles or crochet hooks, and each comes in a huge range of materials, sizes and shapes.

This buying guide will help you make sense of all the kinds of knitting needles and crochet hooks you can find at Spotlight - we'll dive into what they all are, as well as answer a few commonly asked questions at the end. If you're new to needle art or just need a refresher, this is the guide for you!

Quick Links

• How To Choose Knitting Needles
• How To Choose Crochet Hooks
• Other Knitting And Crochet Accessories
• Knitting Needle And Crochet Hook FAQs

How To Choose Knitting Needles

When choosing your knitting needles, make sure you know what size and type will work for your yarn, your pattern, and your personal taste. Certain brands, such as Pony knitting needles and Addi knitting needles, are well-loved brands known for producing quality needles, so they are a great place to start your needle collection!

Knitting needle materials

Knitting needles can be made from a range of materials, each with its own merits.

• Plastic needles are the most economical variety, so they're great for beginners who are trying knitting for the first time. Often colourful and always found in the widest range of sizes, you can experiment with these needles as you try new ideas and techniques.
• Metal needles, most often made of aluminium, are smooth and light, making the knitting process quicker for experienced knitters.
• Wooden needles are generally more expensive than others but they feel particularly nice in the hand, so prolific knitters often favour them. Yarn doesn't usually slide over them as easily as metal or plastic, so while progress might be slightly slower, you're less likely to drop stitches when using wooden needles.
• Bamboo needles are a cheaper alternative to wooden ones and have similar qualities.

Knitting needle types

Different needle shapes lend themselves to different projects, and it's important to choose the right ones for the job.

• Straight knitting needles have pointed tips and stoppers on the ends to prevent stitches from slipping off. They vary in length, usually from 18 to 40cm, and the larger your project, the longer you will want them to be.
• Circular knitting needles are a pair of needles joined by a flexible cable. These allow for knitting 'in the round', but can also be used for regular knitting. Circular knitting needles are good for holding all the stitches in a particularly wide project like a blanket. The cables of circular knitting needles can vary in length, so you can choose longer ones for larger projects.
• Double-pointed knitting needles are also used for knitting in the round, but they're used when the project you are working on is too small for circular knitting needles. As they don't have stoppers on their ends, many knitters like to use point protectors to ensure stitches don't slip off the ends of double-pointed knitting needles.
• Cable needles have bends in them, usually giving them a 'U' or 'J' shape, and are shorter than double-pointed knitting needles. Cable needles are used in conjunction with other needles in order to create cabled patterns.

Knitting needle sizes

Knitting needle sizes are determined by the diameter of the needle. Small needles create small stitches, and large needles create large ones. In Australia, knitting needle sizes are measured in millimetres, but U.S. and UK needles are assigned size numbers. This knitting needle size conversion table will help you discover which size is which!

Knitting Needle Size Conversion Chart

• The ratio of yarn thickness to needle size will change the gauge of the knitted fabric you produce. For example, fine yarn knitted on large needles will produce a loose knit, and vice versa. When knitting a fitted garment, the gauge will affect the finished measurements. It is recommended to knit a 'gauge swatch' before starting your project to ensure you have the right yarn/needle combination. Gauge measurements are provided in patterns and on most yarn.
• Many knitting projects require a combination of needles. For example, when knitting a hat you may use circular knitting needles for the wider portion and switch to double-pointed knitting needles as you work towards the crown. Make sure you read the pattern carefully to ensure you have everything you need.
• The pattern will indicate the type of needles and yarn required for a project. Similarly, the packaging of most yarns will also suggest a needle size for use as a guide.

How To Choose Crochet Hooks

Just like with knitting needles, there are several important variables to consider when choosing crochet hooks.

Crochet hook materials

• Crochet hooks come in the same range of materials as knitting needles and have the same pros and cons.
• Some crochet hooks have shafts made of one material and handles made of another. For example, the shaft and hook might be made of aluminium for ease and speed of working, while the handle is made of wood for greater comfort in the hand.

Crochet hook shapes

• Some hooks have pointier ends than others. Sharper points make it easier to guide the hook through stitches.
• The depth and sharpness of the crook of the hook will make a difference in how easily the yarn slips over the hook as you work. If you're working with slippery yarn like silk, it's a good idea to work with a sharper and deeper crook.
• The shape of a crochet hooks handle will have an effect on how easy it is to work with. Most of the time this will come down to personal preference. Try holding a hook in your hand, or even having a little practice with it before you buy, so you can decide what feels best for you. Some will be labelled as 'ergonomic crochet hooks', which are designed to be held comfortably for long periods of time.
• The length of the hook's shaft will determine how many stitches you are able to fit on it. If you're working on a particularly large project, consider using a longer hook.

Crochet hook sizes

Just as with knitting needles, the size of the crochet hook required for a project will be indicated on the pattern. The packaging of most yarns will also suggest a hook size for use as a guide. Varying either yarn or hook size will result in a tighter or looser gauge in the fabric you produce. In Australia, crochet hook sizes are measured in millimetres, in the U.S. they are assigned a letter/number combination, and in the UK crochet hook sizes are designated via a number.

Crochet Hook Sizes Chart

Other Knitting And Crochet Accessories

Once you have your needles and hooks, you'll need a few other supplies if you want to start your needle art!

• Knitting and crochet yarn: Our gorgeous yarns come in natural and synthetic materials such as cotton, wool and acrylic. These yarns come in a rainbow of colours and can even have special effects like metallic flakes, eyelash flourishes and fuzzy fibres.
• Extra tools and accessories: Smaller, handy accessories such as stitch markers, knit blockers, row counters and knitting needle cases can be found here.
• Lighting and magnifiers: Make sure you can see your project perfectly with our range of lighting, such as light pads, floor and table lamps, and our magnifiers include hands-free magnifiers and glasses.
• Knitting and crochet patterns: Create clothes, toys and accessories with our step-by-step patterns.

Browse our full range of yarn and needle art supplies for everything you need to use your knitting needles and crochet hooks.

Knitting Needle And Crochet Hook FAQs

How to hold a crochet hook

The most common ways to hold a crochet hook are like a knife and like a pencil.

A knife hold entails holding the crochet tool so the handle rests against the palm of your hand, with your thumb on the thumb rest (the narrower part of the hook), your index finger along the length of the hook and your middle finger gripping the other side of the thumb rest.

A pencil hold involves holding the crochet hook with your thumb and index finger on the thumb holder and your middle finger resting near the tip of the hook.

For both holds, angle the hook slightly towards yourself with a firm (but not tight) grip.

What size crochet hook should I use for 8-ply yarn?

If you are crocheting with 8-ply yarn, use a 3.5mm to 4.00mm / 3 1/2 size crochet hook.

Discover Quality Knitting Needles And Crochet Hooks At Spotlight

As with so many arts and crafts, learning what you like can take time and experimentation. As you go you will most likely build a collection of hooks and needles that will become a fantastic set of tools for your growing yarn crafting skills! Grab your supplies online, safely pay and we'll deliver your order straight to your front door. Otherwise, visit your nearest Spotlight store to shop for knitting and crochet supplies in person.

For more information on the types of yarn used in crochet and knitting have a read of our amazing yarn buying guide, as well as our handy knitting and crochet abbreviations guide. And for even more free ideas, browse our knitting and crochet projects online for clothing, accessories and toy walkthroughs.