How important is the way you hold your hook?

[Chaychay]

In most tutorial videos (not all of them), the handle of the hook is above the hand (like a pencil), but I tend to hold my hook under my hand (as if I would knit). Does it make a difference?
I tried to hold my hook the other way, but my loops tend to slip off and its totally awkward. So I wonder if it makes sense to go through the trouble of learning it.

[fantasticmio]

I hold my hook like you do. If you are getting tthe results you want, then you're fine.

I believe the pencil hold was seen as more lady-like in the old days.  I tried it, and found that my wrist and hand started to hurt after a short while.

It seems like folks who use the pensil hold complain more often about pain, but I could be suffering from confirmation bias.

As an aside, you do need the knife hold if you want to do tunisian crochet or crochet-on-the-double, I would think.

[Lionne]

When I learned how to crochet I had no clue how to hold hook and yarn. I learned from books and a nurse (i was in hospital then). Both didn't show me how to hold them, so I did it like I was used to from knitting. I wrap the yarn around my finger and hold the hook like a knitting needle, and it work's very well.
Later I've seen the "right" way to hold them and tried it. It didn't work for me.
As long as I get a good result and am comfortable I don't care if it's wrong or right.

[fantasticmio]

I'm not convinced that there is a "right" way to hold the hook. If you get the results you want and are not in pain, then you're doing it right.

It's like the pick vs throw argument in knitting.

[Chaychay]

Thank you very much for your kind answers!
So far my products look (more or less) like intended. I never tried more complicated patterns like doilies or something like that, so I wondered if my technique would give me trouble then. But if you dont have any problems I guess its going to be fine.

[DustyChica]

I've tried the pencil hold, but it feels incredibly awkward when I try to crochet that way. Holding my hook overhand works best for me, and I've done everything from afghans with my giant Q hook to gloves made with thread and my size 7 hook. No problems whatsoever.

[queenofcrows]

The pencil hold is unbearable for me, as well. It's slow, clumsy, and messes with my arthritic thumb even more than the knife hold. I know others who prefer the pencil hold and would say exactly the same thing about the knife hold.

Generally, so long as you're getting the results you want and are comfortable, don't worry too much about how you hold your hooks. Just remember to always take a break every hour or so to rest and stretch your wrists and fingers!

[hellyaellen]

I hold my hook like in knitting, sort of like holding a knife. It doesn't matter how you hold the hook as long as it's comfortable.

[Cherrylime]

I'm relieved to know I'm not the only one that holds my hook this way! I just cannot transition to a pencil hold no matter how many times I try. I really should just make peace with the knife hold since I get great results. It just feels so clumsy, if effective.

[Xecaria]

I learned with the pencil way of holding the hook and that works fine for me.

I'm not showing any signs of pain, but maybe that because I'm a younger crocheter.