Get Rid of Squeaky Crochet Hooks and Sticky Knitting Needles in 7 Easy Steps

Squeak, squeak, squeeaak! Tired of hearing those sharp little peeps as you yarn over a new stitch? Squeaky crochet hooks and sticky knitting needles can be so annoying to deal with. You’re struggling to make new stitches and your yarn just refuses to glide through.

Well, today, we’re giving you some useful tips on how to get rid of the squeaks on your crochet hooks and knitting needles!

Squeaky Crochet Hooks and Sticky Knitting Needles, Begone!

There are quite a number of useful tips to getting rid of squeaky crochet hooks and icky, sticky knitting needles. Another great thing about them is that they’re free — well, mostly!

Tip #1: Clean Your Hooks and Needles Regularly

Oils from your hands will eventually build up and create an icky coating around your crochet hooks or knitting needles causing them to squeak as you make stitches. This build up can even cause discoloration on lighter yarn shades, which is kind of gross when you think about it.

Wash your hooks and needles at least once a week with dish soap to clear out that nasty build up!

Tip #2: Loosen Up Your Tension

The squeakiness could be because your tension is too tight. Try using a hook size larger than recommended for your pattern. For example, if the pattern calls for a size G 4.25 mm crochet hook, go up a size and use a size H 5.00 mm hook instead!

From experience, the more tired my hands are, the tighter my stitches tend to be. So try taking a 5 to 10 minute break after every hour of stitching. You can also look up some useful hand exercises on YouTube.

Caring for your hands will also lower your risk for carpal tunnel. So it’s a win-win!

Tip #3: Go for Wood or Aluminum, Not Plastic

Plastic hooks and knitting needles are notorious for being annoyingly squeaky to use. Choose ones that are made with wood (like bamboo) and aluminum. They are much easier to work with.

Here are some links to my favorite crochet hooks and knitting needles:

• BeKnitting’s Aluminum Crochet Hooks
• BeKnitting’s Aluminum Knitting Needles
• BeKnitting’s Bamboo Knitting Needles

Tip #4: Cool Down Your Hooks and Needles

Your tools warm up the longer they are in contact with your hands. This heat can then make your hands sweaty and lead to squeaky hooks and sticky knitting needles. Try running them under cool water. If you’re using a wooden hook or knitting needles, use a cooling pack instead to avoid water damage.

Tip #5: Sit by a Fan

A hot day can also cause squeaky crochet hooks and sticky knitting needles. If you have a small stand fan, try aiming it towards your hands while you work. This will help keep your hands from getting all clammy.

Though, the yarn flapping about because of the wind can be annoying to work with.

Tip #6: Rub them Against Your Hair

This tip is really weird, but there are some people in the crochet and knitting communities that swear by rubbing these crafting tools in your hair.

The reasoning behind this tip is that the natural oils in your hair provides just the right amount of lubrication to prevent squeaky crochet hooks and sticky knitting needles while you work!

Tip #7: Dry it with Baby Powder

I don’t have sweaty palms, but I know that clammy hands can be frustrating. What I found is that dusting your crochet hooks and knitting needles with baby powder can help a ton in getting rid of the squeaks.

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A Squeak-Free Crocheting and Knitting Experience!

Getting rid of the squeaky crochet hooks and sticky knitting needles makes your crafting so much more enjoyable. Gone are those ear-piercing squeaks every time you yarn over!

Clean tools also mean smoother stitching. There’s less build up of gunk on your crochet hooks or knitting needles for your yarn to get caught on.

Living in a warm and humid country, squeaky hooks are definitely a menace. I find myself using Tip #4 quite often. Sometimes I use Tip #7, but not as often as it can get wasteful if you’re not careful.

I hope you found this article helpful. Drop your questions or additional tips in the comments section below!

Learn more about crochet and knitting!

• Crochet Stitches for Beginners
• Knitting Stitches for Beginners