Tunisian Crochet Hooks: What They Are and How to Choose One

If you have started exploring Tunisian crochet, you will quickly discover that your regular hooks do not work for it. Tunisian crochet uses a special long or cabled hook, because the technique keeps a whole row of loops on the hook at once, much like knitting. Choosing the right Tunisian hook makes this beautiful, dense style of crochet far easier and more enjoyable. This guide explains what Tunisian hooks are, the types available, and how to pick one. It pairs with the technique itself, which you can learn about in what is Tunisian crochet, and with the main crochet hooks guide.

Why Tunisian Needs a Special Hook

In regular crochet, only one loop stays on your hook at a time, which is why standard hooks are short. Tunisian crochet works differently: on the forward pass you pick up and keep a loop for every stitch across the row, so you end up with a whole row of loops sitting on the hook at once, then work them off on the return pass. To hold all those loops, the hook needs to be long, or have a flexible cable, and it usually has a stopper at the end so the loops do not slide off. This is the defining feature of a Tunisian hook.

Straight Tunisian Hooks

The simplest type is a straight Tunisian hook, sometimes called an afghan hook, which looks like a long knitting needle with a hook on one end and a stopper or knob on the other. The stopper keeps your row of loops from sliding off the back. These rigid hooks are ideal for narrower projects like scarves, dishcloths, and panels, where the row is not too wide to fit along the length of the hook. They are inexpensive and a great way to try Tunisian crochet without much investment, so they suit beginners to the technique well.

Cabled and Interchangeable Hooks

For wider projects like blankets, a straight hook runs out of room, so you need a cabled Tunisian hook. This has a hook head attached to a long flexible cord, which holds the many loops of a wide row comfortably, just as a circular knitting needle does. Some come as interchangeable sets, where you attach different hook sizes to cords of various lengths, which is excellent value if you plan to do a lot of Tunisian crochet. If you want to make anything wide, a cabled hook is the practical choice.

Double Ended Hooks

A third type is the double ended Tunisian hook, which has a hook at both ends, either on a straight length or on a cord. This design is used for special Tunisian techniques, particularly working with two colors, where you slide the work back and forth and use each end in turn. Double ended hooks are more specialized and not needed for basic Tunisian crochet, but they open up beautiful two color effects once you are comfortable with the fundamentals. Most people start with a straight or cabled hook and add a double ended one later if they want to explore colorwork.

Choosing the Right Size

Sizing a Tunisian hook works a little differently than for regular crochet. Because Tunisian fabric is dense and naturally tends to be tight and to curl, most patterns call for a hook one or two sizes larger than you would use for the same yarn in regular crochet. This larger hook keeps the fabric flexible and helps reduce curling. As always, the yarn label and your pattern give a starting point, and a swatch confirms it. For general sizing knowledge, see crochet hook sizes and which hook for your yarn.

Materials for Tunisian Hooks

Just like regular hooks, Tunisian hooks come in aluminum, bamboo, wood, and plastic, and the same trade offs apply. Aluminum is smooth and lets the many loops slide easily, which is helpful when you are working a full row on and off the hook. Bamboo and wood have more grip, which can stop loops sliding off the end too readily, though the stopper handles that too. Plastic keeps large hooks light. Pick the material you find most comfortable, using the guidance in crochet hook materials to decide.

Getting Started With Tunisian

To begin Tunisian crochet, a single straight hook in a size to suit your yarn, chosen a little larger than usual, is all you need for a first scarf or dishcloth. As you take on wider projects, add a cabled hook, and if you fall in love with the technique, an interchangeable set is a worthwhile investment. With the right hook in hand, this dense, woven looking style of crochet becomes very approachable. Learn the technique itself in what is Tunisian crochet, and return to the crochet hooks guide for more on tools.