What crochet hook did I use?

Let's face it... we've all been there - thinking we'll remember what size crochet hook we used for a project we left half-finished. Or, perhaps you're like me - you leave your hook with the project (foolproof, right?!)... but your pesky cat manages to bat it under the couch, never to be seen again... And then you're left guessing what size crochet hook you used. It can be a total pain!

There are many ways that you can keep track of what crochet hook you used - you just need to find a method that works for you (or maybe a combination of several methods?)

Note: This post may contain affiliate links. This means if you make a purchase, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support!

Here are several ways you can remember what crochet hook you used for a project...

Use printable project sheets.

This method works well if you like to have all of your projects organized in one place. You can use this free printable, which has space for recording your hook size, gauge, modifications, and more. You can keep a sheet for each of your crochet projects and organize them into a binder.

Weave a ribbon through your first several stitches or tie the ribbon around a stitch.

Use a colorful set of thin ribbon and determine what color represents each hook size (for example: 5.5 mm hook = blue ribbon, 6 mm hook = pink ribbon, 6.5 mm hook = yellow ribbon, 7 mm hook = green ribbon). You just need to remember which ribbon color corresponds to which hook size, so you might want to keep this written down somewhere safe, just in case.

Or, match colored ribbon to the color of your crochet hooks!

This method, of course, only works if your hooks are all the same brand/type. Otherwise, you may have three different colored 5 mm hooks!

Use stitch markers to represent your hook sizes.

You can add stitch markers to the corner (or beginning) of your project to help you to remember what size hook you're using for your project.

Just don't forget which color goes with what size... you may want to write a cheat sheet so that you don't forget! Knowing my luck, I wouldn't remember which hook goes with the yellow stitch marker unless I wrote it down! :)

Take a picture of your project with the hook.

This method works well if you've got your phone on you all the time. Snap a picture, save it in a place that's easy to find (either on your phone or your laptop), and you can look back at your picture for reference.

Tie knots in your starting 'tail' that correspond to your hook size.

Using a 5 mm hook? Tie 5 distinct knots into your starting tail. The benefit of this method, compared to the options above? Your hook size stays with your project (and is unlikely to come undone), so you'll always know what hook size you used. Just make sure your knots are large enough so that you can see them. One flaw with this method: You can't make "half" a knot, so this method only works well if you're using a full number hook (5 mm, 6 mm). It doesn't work if you're using a hook with a fraction (5.5 mm, 6.5 mm).

Write the hook size for all of your projects in a small notebook.

Writing down all of your hook sizes means that you'll have all of your crochet project information in one place. And it's portable, too - so if you start a scarf or blanket (or something else!) while you're "on the go", you can keep your notebook in your handbag so that you can track your new project. If you're using this method, you can either write a description of your project, or you can print a picture of the project and tape/glue it into the notebook next to the hook size.

Attach an alphabet bead to the start of your project.

Alphabet beads like these ones are great to have on hand for all sorts of things (did you see our snowmen greeting cards that use them? Take a look!) Lately, I've been tying them to my crochet projects so that I remember the letter size of the hook that I used for the project. This is my personal favorite way... just because I think the beads are so cute!

Use a crochet app.

There are so many apps available for phones that can help you with your crocheting! This method works well if you're a phone person... I personally hate having my phone near me when I'm crocheting, unless it's to listen to an audiobook through Audible, so I certainly don't use this method - although some crocheters swear by it!

Create a bullet journal (or a page in your bullet journal) for crochet projects.

Bullet journaling is a great way to track your crochet projects or your hook sizes because you can do exactly what works for you. Want to have one page for all of your projects? Great! Want to have a page for EACH project? Go for it! You have full control to customize your bullet journal. This is the brand that I like to use for bullet journaling. If you haven't tried bullet journaling before, you can learn more here.

Label your crochet projects using blank gift tags.

Gift tags are a great option for keeping track of your crochet projects as you can purchase new ones and decorate them, or recycle ones you received at Christmas time. If you're buying new, they often come in large quantities, meaning you can use them and not have to worry about whether they get torn or a little beat up by the time you finish your project... or if you have so many projects going on! Just whip out a new one for your next project!

You can also add what kind of yarn you're using for the project so that you don't forget - just like I did in the picture below!

---

These are just some of the ways to remember what hook you used for a project. What way is your favorite? Do you do something else to remember your hook size? Or do you just guess and hope you get it right? :)

Let us know in the comments below!

Happy crocheting!

- Eirinn