Polymer Clay Crochet Hook Handles
Last Updated on October 19, 2018 by lydiaf1963
I don’t do thread crochet, so I’m not sure where these teeny tiny steel crochet hooks came from, but there they were in my kit. Part of the reason I don’t do thread crochet is because I have carpal tunnel hands which makes holding one of these guys painful after a while. So I figured, why not increase the size of handles to make them a little more comfortable to hold, and maybe I’d do more thread crochet. Of course, I also need to buy one of those magnifying lamps…but that’s a problem for another day.
Now, my experience with clay is limited to play dough, and it doesn’t look nice when it dries. So I went online to buy a multipack of polymer clay. Then I cruised over to Pinterest and YouTube for ideas. There are lots of pins dedicated to polymer clay crochet hooks and even more inspiration for making jewelry, figurines, bowls, etc.
As much as I love the idea of making some complicated design, I kept it simple because I don’t have the tools. To do some of the more elaborate things you’ll want to invest in rollers, extruders, cutters, etc; basically everything that makes play dough so much fun, but better quality.
So I stuck with simple shapes to make my handles. Even the soft polymer clay can be difficult to work with when you have carpal tunnel hands. It was easiest for me to roll the blocks between my palms rather than trying to knead it. The purple and blue hook was ropes of clay that I twisted together candy cane style and wrapped around the hook. Not exactly the look I was going for, but it worked as a proof of concept, I guess.
The green, orange and yellow handle was a little more complicated. I made a cane, following the instructions in this tutorial from Karen Walker. Hers are quite attractive and modern looking. I’ve seen even more complicated canes that look like hard candies, kaleidoscopes, leaves, fun things like sheep, faces, etc. I didn’t aspire to any of those things, but I had fun watching videos (this one, for example is very pretty). I had to improvise because I don’t have a pasta machine to make the thin sheets. By the way, a standard rolling pin doesn’t work well, either. I ended up using a glass jar to roll out my sheets, and while I couldn’t get them super thin without tearing, my cane turned out ok for a first time.
After making the cane, I cut it into slices and kinda squished them together to make a new sheet which I wrapped and formed around the handle.
For the final step, I cured my polymer clay crochet hook handles in a low oven as directed on the packaging. Some polymer clays can be air dried. There are also glazes you can use to add a nice finish, which I imagine you’d want to do for jewelry.
All in all, this was a fun project that I’d like to explore further. With the proper tools, I’m sure I can overcome the difficulties I have with my hands. Now to find a thread crochet project so I can try my new improved hooks!
These polymer clay crochet hook handles were part of a monthly challenge sponsored by the Creative Craft Bloggers Group. We’re exploring crafts made from certain materials. Next month we’ll be working with recycled or repurposed items.
2 Dishing Divas • Air-Dry Clay Jewelry Bowls
Life Beyond the Kitchen • Polymer Clay Crochet Hook Handles
Try it – Like it – Create it • How to Make Cold Porcelain Clay from Household Ingredients
Visit the other blogs to read more about their projects!
Lydia: for years, I’ve used these short, pull on, support gloves, usually by Futuro, which have a little support “stick” that keeps them fairly straight when you wear them. It’s like a little frame or backboard that supports the glove. I sleep in them to keep my fingers and hands from curling up in sleep. You can still use your fingers, somewhat, even when you wear them. Another one wraps around your wrist and the outside top of your hand, above the wrist, a very small bit, a piece wraps around your thumb, like a little round O ring, and “folds over” to attach around one side of your hand with Velcro. Sounds awkward but is very comfortable. Thumb is left completely open, as are other fingers. Makes the wrist stay straight and supported. Let me know if you’d like to try either. Don’t know if they have these in Spain. Completely saved me from the carpal tunnel surgery I needed when I started. I spent 8 hrs/day editing on a computer and got so I couldn’t do it. These gloves really work. Got both from an orthopaedist. You can buy them here in drug stores or grocery stores. Not the long, awkward ones.
Thanks, Robbie Lane. I’ve worn both types off and on for ages. Had CT surgery in my left hand about 8 years ago. So far I’ve avoided surgery in my right. I wear the longer ones at night. Sometimes I wake up with indentations on my face, hahaha.