Once you enter the world of crochet and have an understanding of the basic crochet stitches, it’s time to dive into the beautiful world of Tunisian crochet. Most types of crochet don’t need any supplies beyond your hook and yarn, but with Tunisian crochet, you do need to expand your tools, you need Tunisian crochet hooks.
Tunisian crochet hooks are speciality tools for the Tunisian also known as Afghan crochet. These hooks are different than typical ones and bear a resemblance to knitting needles. They are longer than typical hooks as in Tunisian crochet you need to hold the stitches on the hook. These are available in varieties of single-ended hooks, double-ended hooks and Tunisian hooks with interchangeable cables. Like other crochet hooks, they are made of wood, bamboo, acrylic, aluminium, steel, etc. You can choose a material according to your preference while most patterns will instruct you on crochet hook size. So, if you are just starting, let us guide you through choosing the best Tunisian crochet hooks. You can also refer to our beginner’s guide on crochet hooks.
1. Tunisian crochet hooks with one hook
Resembling the typical one ended crochet hook in designs, this type of hook is a great starter for those just learning Tunisian crochet. They’re a lot longer than typical hooks, around 30cm in length so they can hold many hoops and give more room to work. While there is one hook on end, they also have some type of knob on the other end prevent loops from falling off of that other end.
They are great for all kinds of Tunisian crochet stitches, especially small flat items.
2.Tunisian crochet hooks with two hooks
The other type of Tunisian crochet hooks have a hook head on either end, and are double ended Tunisian crochet. They have same hook sizes on both ends unlike the other double ended hooks that have different size hooks.
This type of crochet hooks are most frequently used when working Tunisian crochet in the round. Both hooks allows to grab stitches from both ends. It also used for color work in crochet as both hooks can work on different colour of yarn at the same time.
3. Tunisian crochet hooks with interchangeable circular cables
A circular Tunisian crochet hook consists of a single-head crochet hooks that are connected at the base which can be attached to a flexible cable of different lengths. This is one of the most versatile types of hooks as it can serve at single ended as well as double ended hooks. The cable can be fitted to an end cap or to another crochet hook.
Essentially, the cable of the hook can hold long lengths of loops when working on large crochet projects. The interchangeable crochet hook systems allows to switch out different cable lengths with the various size crochet hook heads.
This hook can be bought individually or in a set. The different hook sizes and varying cable lengths make it an ultimate choice as one set can be used to work multiple projects and not just Tunisian but almost all kinds of crochet.
So, now that you know the different types available in the market, here’s what you need to know before choosing a Tunisian crochet hook.
- Consider the length of your Tunisian crochet hook before starting any project. The single-head Tunisian crochet hooks come in many different sizes in lengths between 10″ and 14″.
- Pick the right hook size to start with. You can also refer our previous blog on what crochet hook to use with what yarn. As with regular crochet, you’ll use a hook size that corresponds with the weight of your yarn. But, many crcoheters recommend to use a hook that’s 1-2 sizes above the standard given for a yarn for Tunsian crochet. Also, Tunisian crochet tends to have less drape and a denser structure than regular crochet so if you want to create a project with more drape, work with a lightweight yarn.
- Practice using your Tunsian hook with basic Tunisian crochet stitches before trying on to complex ones. It’s best to create some projects with basic stitches so that you get used to the hook.
- Don’t forget about your regular crochet supplies such as stitch markers, a tapestry needle, a row counter and a tape measure.
With the right crochet hooks and accessories from KnitPro, you can begin with Tunisian crochet! Our popular options include beautiful wood range of Symfonie and Ginger, smooth Bamboo and vibrant acrylic of Trendz that work with all kinds of yarn. In Tunisian crochet sets, our range includes - the smooth Symfonie set with popular 8 sizes packed in a clear vinyl case with 3 cables and accessories. The Ginger Tunisian crochet set is ideal for all crochet artists and also makes a beautiful gift. It comes in a beautiful case that doubles as a chartkeeper. The warm crochet hooks are available in 11 sizes with 4 cables of varying lengths, a beautiful pen for record- keeping and accessories. The Bamboo tunisian set is available in 8 popular options with cables and accessories.
Ready to begin? Happy crafting with Tunisian Crochet Hooks!
