Granny squares are forgiving of a lot of things, but hook choice still affects how even your corners come out and how comfortable a multi-square project feels by square number thirty. Here’s what actually matters for this specific project type.
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Match hook size to your yarn weight, then adjust for gauge
Start with the hook size on your yarn’s label as a baseline: medium/worsted weight (category 4) yarn generally pairs with a 5.5–6.5 mm hook. But granny squares are worked at a slightly looser gauge than a lot of other crochet, since the fabric needs to lie flat and drape rather than being dense. Many crocheters go up half a size from the label’s suggestion for a softer, flatter square. Make one test square first and check that your corners lie flat before committing to a hook size across a whole blanket’s worth of squares.
Inline vs. tapered hooks
Inline hooks have a head that’s the same width as the shaft, with a sharper, more defined hook lip. They tend to grab yarn more precisely, which some crocheters find speeds up repetitive stitches like the double crochet clusters in a granny square. Tapered hooks narrow gradually from shaft to head, giving a smoother, rounder pull that others find gentler on the hands over a long session. Neither is objectively better; the difference matters most if you’re already getting hand fatigue and haven’t tried the other style. Susan Bates Silvalume hooks are a common inline option, while Clover Amour hooks are a common tapered one, worth trying both if you’re not sure which you prefer.
When an ergonomic handle is worth it
Ergonomic hooks add a molded, often rubberized grip over the shaft, designed to reduce the hand strain that comes from gripping a bare metal or plastic hook for long stretches. Granny square projects are exactly the kind of repetitive, high-stitch-count work where that strain adds up. If you’re making a full blanket’s worth of squares and start noticing hand or wrist discomfort partway through, switching to an ergonomic hook is a reasonable fix, not an overreaction.
Material affects grip and speed, not just comfort
Aluminum and steel hooks are smooth and let yarn slide quickly, which is useful once you’re comfortable with the motion, but can feel slippery for a beginner still learning consistent tension. Wood and bamboo hooks have more grip and drag on the yarn, which can actually help a new crocheter maintain even tension while learning, at the cost of being slightly slower to work with.
A practical starting point
If you’re choosing one hook to start a granny square project with no other constraints, a 5.5 mm aluminum or ergonomic hook paired with worsted-weight yarn is a reasonable default. It’s a common size, easy to find, and works with the widest range of granny square patterns. The Susan Bates Silvalume ergonomic set (G6/4mm to K10.5/6.5mm) includes the 5.5 mm size along with the half-sizes up and down, so you can test a few without buying each individually. Adjust up or down half a size after your first test square if your corners are curling or your motif isn’t lying flat.