If you have already checked out my latest pattern, you noticed the doll is made with a tiny crochet hook. But how to crochet with a small crochet hook you ask? It isn’t that different than regular needles, but I still want to share some tips. To help you out if needed. Especially if you never crocheted with a hook smaller than 2mm. So today 5 tips for crocheting with a small hook.

Creating dolls is my favorite. Their sweet faces, the dress up. It reminds me of when I was a little girl playing with my Barbies. And yes, I am above 30 but I still like dolls. Not to play with them but to crochet them! My latest collection is the Tiny Dolls Collection. Dolls crocheted with hooks starting from 0.6 mm up to 1.50 mm. And let me tell you, that is small! But not if you have the correct yarn for it. Below I share 5 tips on how to handle those small crochet hooks.

Tip 1: Yarn is everything

The smaller the yarn, the smaller the hook right? That is true to some point. On a regular ball of cotton yarn, the range is between 2.5 mm and 3.5 mm. But a 2 mm hook works also just fine. It depends on how tight you crochet and how you keep your yarn, to be honest. The tighter you crochet, the bigger the hook for the same measurements.

For small projects with thin yarn, a smaller hook will do. The dolls are created with special embroidery yarn. This type of yarn is normally to embroider items on jeans, canvas, or blouses. I use it for crocheting tiny dolls. The yarn fits perfectly around a 0.6 mm hook up to a 1mm to keep it tightened. When using it for a hook 1.5 mm the work becomes less stiff which is perfect for the clothes of the dolls. Look for yarn in the category ‘lace’, ‘Embroidery’, and such. Like Durable Embroidery, Rico Essentials, Scheepjes Maxi Sweet Treat, Scheepjes Candyfloss and Rhapsody Embroidery.

Tip 2: Don’t let small crochet hooks lying around

Ok, weird tip you might think but let me explain. The smaller the tip of the hook, the easier it can be trapped inside your cushions. And not only your cushions… If the needle comes with a cap; use it! Bit of a dirty story, but once I used the back of a small crochet hook to push some stuffing into a doll’s arm. I slipped and the needle hooked into the palm of my hand. I kept my ease and with a little bit of wiggling for some time, I got it out. It could have been much worse and for a moment I was certain I had to go to the hospital to have it removed.

So please, please use the gap to cover up the tip. Or place them in a special little bag. You don’t want to harm yourself, your kids, or animals with these small crochet hooks. They sting like needles so PLEASE BE CAREFUL!

Tip 3: Too tight is stiff work

The ‘downside’ of working with small thread and crochet hooks, is that your work can become very stiff. Keep your wrist a bit loose to avoid pulling the yarn too tight when making stitches. For some parts of a doll’s body, this isn’t a big deal, for example, the shoes. But when it comes to the head, don’t make it that stiff. Otherwise, you can’t shape the head in a round form. Because of the stiffness, the head will remain weird and not natural. So don’t tighten your work up more than the small yarn is already doing for you.

Tip 4: First project? Buy small portions

When you are used to large projects that need at least 2 or 3 balls of yarn? Don’t do this for projects with small hooks. You don’t need that much of yarn! The only colors I buy in big skeins are skin colors, such as nude, Latina brown, and Sunkissed brown. For clothes, you don’t need much. I always buy a package with 5gr balls in different colors. This is more than enough for multiple projects. When you are sure to create like 10 of the same doll, a large skein will do. Otherwise, buy small portions 🙂 Saves you money for other beautiful colors.

My tip is to look for Rhapsody or Scheepjes Candyfloss. They come in boxes with multiple colors. A rainbow will do, and some boxes with a couple of shades from dark to pastel. This will be enough for your first dolls in multiple colors. And one large skein of Rico Essentials or Scheepjes Maxi Treat for the skin color.

Tip 5: Don’t buy just one size…

My final tip; don’t buy just one size of a small hook. For the dolls, you can use multiple small-sized hooks. The tiniest is 0.6 mm up to 1.50 mm. And YES that is 0.7 mm, 0.8 mm, and so on. And let me promise you; I almost used them all. I bought the simple ones, just metal hooks with no rubber grip. Why? With a grip, the tip of the hook is so small. With the metal hook, it makes it easier to crochet. At least for me. See the photo below of the difference. With a metal hook, it gives me more the feeling with the tiny stitches and it is easier to place your fingertip on the yarn. I don’t have that feeling with a rubber grip, to be honest.

My metal hooks came from ‘Uncle AliExpress’ for just a few euros. And I love them! As you can see in the picture, both hooks are 0.6 mm but the Clover looks smaller than the cheap one from Ali. But the one from Ali crochets the best because of the shape from tip to grip. The one from Clover is so thin that it’s all bent down. Same size, the same result in crochet work but Ali is my favorite. It is more robust, doesn’t bend, and the yarn slides on and off so easily. So don’t get yourself fooled that expensive hooks are better!

Those were my tips on crocheting with a small hook. If you have questions or need help with small projects? You know where to find me!

Loves,

Adinda