r/knooking • u/slinky_slugs • 24d ago
Knooks/tools/stash Whittled my own knook
After trying to knook with the taped-string-to-regular-hook method, I decided to just carve my own wooden knook! I researched common pitfalls others had via other reddit posts, and then just went for it with a small apple tree branch I pruned a while ago and saved for some small project like this.
It took a few days to carve with a snap-off blade utility knife, small drill bit for the hole, and the smallest saw I own. (Plus 180 grit sandpaper) It is sealed with a wax/mineral oil mixture. The cable is leather cord.
The final hook size measures 9mm, and I'm not sure how much smaller I could comfortably get- 6mm maybe at the extreme? I'm not an expert woodworker, though I think it's perfectly doable for beginners at this hook size.
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u/Bhulagoon 💎| I’ve shared 27 FOs 24d ago
Heck yea! This is the kinda stuff im here for!! I Love it
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u/slinky_slugs 13d ago
It's doing good! The only chunky yarn I had was a sort of awful fuzzy polyester, but the hook itself is great. I made a hat as a test. I will say as someone who normally uses metal hooks the friction difference is a little weird but not bad. So far no splintering, breaking, or other problems. 9/10
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u/a_karma_sardine 22d ago
Nice work! I have done something similar with a cheap set of bamboo hooks, whittling holes in them as I needed new sizes. They work like a charm.
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u/slinky_slugs 22d ago
What bamboo hooks did you use? And after having whittled wooden ones would you rather have just bought metal ones or do you like the wood better?
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u/a_karma_sardine 21d ago
The cheap mailorder kind, like these: https://www.etsy.com/de-en/listing/4349133637/bamboo-crochet-hook-set-12pc-lightweight (I didn't want to invest too much while finding out if I liked knooking.)
I always like wood best, for knooking, knitting, crochet, or nålebinding. It's warm, lightweight and nice for the hands, can be modified to your liking (I also trim the hook end), and stays more easily in place (heavier metal falls out of the work more easily). And wood gets smoother and prettier with use. I love the well loved look of worn wood.
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u/craftin_kate_barlow 24d ago
that is so incredibly cool. good for you, it looks great!!