How do you hold the hook??

[twouglyducks]

I am reading parts of "Crocheting in Plain English" and she says you must NEVER hold your hook from the top. Why? I tried her way and feel about as coordinated as a pig would w/ a crochet hook. :LOL :pig I hold the hook about like I hold a knitting needle, I think. Could this be why I crochet so tightly and can't seem to get tension right? Or is that b/c I'm a newb?

[cozystitches]

No clue as far as she holds it...

I hold mine like I'm holding a knife :) Some people hold theirs like they'd hold a pencil. Maybe try both ways? I say whatever way is most comfortable to YOU is how you should hold it. ;) It's one of those things that there isn't a wrong way to do it. :)

Hugs,
tammy

[twouglyducks]

Good. Was thinking it was fine, but didn't know if it would cause problems later or something weird. I think I hold mine like a knife, too. My thumb on the thumb rest, forefinger on top of needle.

[earthwhisper]

I hold it like a toothbrush or like I am going to shake your hand, but instead am holding the crochet hook. My thumb is on top and the rest of the fingers are wrapped around it.

[dandelions2]

i hold mine just like you'd hold a knitting needle too. that lady is full of crap. lol

[dandelions2]

you prob crochet too tightly because you are a newb and worried about doing it right. as you get better, you'll relax and loosen up. :)

[juliec]

I hold mine like a knife. I tried the pen way, and i think it would have been easier to crochet with my feet. My crocheting was really tight when I first started too. It helped me to just practice making chains, and not moving fingers that were holding my work and the yarn for 5 stitches. When i got that down, i'd try 10. When you're not holding your work right up close to the hook, it tends to get looser all on it's own. That will help you practice getting your tension even as well.

[cozystitches]

Another thing to try if you're worried about tight stitches:

Sit back in your chair, with your arms relaxed and down; rather than hunched over with your yarn/hook 2" from your face.... ;) This will help too. :D

I'm teaching a 75+ woman how to crochet, and each time she'd start working, and I'd pull it down so it was closer to her lap (she doesn't have that bad of a vision prob ;) ) :D She does much better now. :)

Hugs,
tammy

[Linnyhb]

I hold mine sort of like I do my pen. If you've send Lily Chin crochet ,I hold my hook just like her. I find it minimizes finger cramping and forearm fatigue.

[twouglyducks]

That is how this book shows it done, but I feel So uncoordinated trying that. I find that I slowly move my hand back to the top of the hook w/out noticing.