Crochet Hooks?

Gord Rock

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Location
Red Deer, Alberta, Canada
I haven't been doing any turning for a few months as my lathe broke down and I've been too busy with other things to get around to fixing it. Now, I finally have it ready to go and a lady has asked me if I would turn some crochet hooks for her. I've seen a few pictures of them online but have no idea of the size of the things. Can anyone tell me what the measurements are: length, thickness, etc.? Or are there are more than one size?
Also, any advice re: how to turn them or any tricks that may be involved as far as type of wood, how to finish them, and so forth.
Thanks, I do appreciate any information I can get. :thumb:
.....Gord
 
there are many differnt sizes, but the ones made outa wood are usually rather large the one i used wheni ws younger was approx 3/8" diamter and
12" long. that was used for making rag rugs.
here is a link to what you might looking at gord////http://shop.ebay.com/_W0QQ_nkwZcrochetQ20hooks
 
Crochet hooks are usually measured by letter and mm. "standard sizes", if there is such a thing, are
G6/ 4mm
H8/ 5mm
I9/5.5mm
J10/6mm
k10.5/6.5mm

There are a good deal many more sizes that, both larger and smaller. Really it all depends on what size the woman wants. Also you should look at pictures of the hooks themselves..... I personally can't see turning them because of the hook on the end.... but I am just starting woodworking really.
Here is a good photo example of pretty ones that appear to be turned... http://www.turn2001.com/hooks.htm

*one more thing..... on the what to make them out of. I would use a wood that feels nice in the hand, has some weight but not too much and is attractive but also easy to work with. For me the choice would likely be cocobolo or lilac..... of course they are two of my favorites anyhow =)
 
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a couple more sites
turned hooks in various woodshttp://www.dewberryridge.com/collections/hand-turned-crochet-hooks
conversion chart for size reference http://www.frugalhaus.com/scripts/Charts.asp
now on my wish list http://www.shangri-lacrafts.com/crochet_hook.html
they just keep getting prettier! http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=10741866
and well..... holy cows... http://www.brainsbarn.com/
...anyways you get the picture... on a side note, I am pretty handy with google and weeding through to find the good stuff... if anyone ever needs info on something ;)
 
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If I were to make the hook, I'd set me RAS to, oh, say an 80 degree bevel. Need to make a jig to hold it, cause I'd not have my hand holding it for this kind of cut.

Maybe rout a few different sized core boxes into a flat / at least one square edge piece of wood. Hinge another piece and then on the other side I personally would have countersunk 1/4"-20 bolts though both pieces (maybe dril a couple holes / slot for the top piece) to clamp the thing tight. The top piece would just be flat - should be enough friction to hold it in place. The bottom might need to be much taller than one would think to give the motor clearance from the fence for such an extreme bevel.

Then carefully place the jig so the the part of the turned wood rod that needs a hook is free floating, and is in a proper blade path / blade height, clamp the jig to the fence and make the cut. Since this will likely be a cross-grain cut, an ATB blade is called for. Clean up the bottom of the kerf with a file to flat and there you go. As I recall, a 1/8" kerf should be about perfect for the hook.

Maybe a few holding blocks could be made, each with pairs of core box routings, do two at a time. Although, am I confusing knitting with crochet now? Maybe crochet uses only one hook at a time.

Hope this helps - thought just came to me when I looked at one of Kalea's links.
 
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