May
Getting Started with 9mm Hooks and Bulky Yarn
So you grabbed a 9mm hook and now you’re staring at it wondering what to actually make right? I went through this exact thing back in spring 2022 when I decided to make a blanket because my apartment was freezing and I was too cheap to turn up the heat. The 9mm hook is like the sweet spot for bulky yarn projects that work up fast but still look decent.
First thing you gotta know is that 9mm is technically a size M/N-13 in US terms which is confusing because why can’t they just pick one system. But whatever. This size works best with yarn labeled as bulky (weight 5) or super bulky (weight 6). I’ve used both and honestly the difference isn’t that huge when you’re working with a hook this big.
Yarn Brands That Actually Work
Okay so for actual yarn brands I remember using Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick for that blanket I mentioned. It comes in these massive skeins which is nice because you’re not joining new yarn every five seconds. Bernat Blanket yarn is another one that people love but I found it kind of squeaky? Like it made this weird noise while I was crocheting and my cat absolutely hated it. She kept leaving the room.
Lion Brand Hometown USA is another option and it’s acrylic so it’s cheaper. The texture is a bit stiff at first but it softens up after you wash it. I made a scarf with it once during a road trip where I wasn’t even driving just sitting in the passenger seat for like 8 hours. Worked up so fast I finished it before we even got there.
Red Heart Grande is thicker than most and works better with like a 10mm or 11mm hook but you can make it work with 9mm if you crochet loosely. I’m naturally a tight crocheter though so this was annoying for me to use because my stitches kept getting too dense and the fabric was like… stiff cardboard instead of drapey.
Basic Patterns for 9mm Hooks
The easiest thing you can make is obviously a scarf. Chain like 12-15 stitches depending on how wide you want it then just single crochet or half double crochet back and forth until it’s long enough. That’s it. You don’t need a pattern for this just crochet until you run out of yarn or get bored.
Blankets are the next step up. For a throw blanket I usually chain about 60-70 stitches with bulky yarn on a 9mm hook. Then you can do simple rows of double crochet or half double crochet. The one thing that really annoyed me about making that blanket in 2022 was how heavy it got as I went along. Like by the time I was halfway done my wrists were actually sore from holding all that weight while I worked. Had to take breaks every 20 minutes or so which made the whole thing take way longer than I planned.
Here’s a basic blanket approach:
- Chain 60 stitches with bulky yarn
- Row 1: Half double crochet in 3rd chain from hook and in each chain across
- Row 2 and beyond: Chain 2, turn, half double crochet in each stitch across
- Keep going until it’s like 50-60 inches long or whatever size you want
Baskets and Home Stuff
Baskets work up really well with 9mm hooks because the bulky yarn gives them structure. You basically crochet in the round starting with a magic ring. Make a flat circle for the base then stop increasing and just go straight up for the sides. I made one in summer 2024 while watching that show The Bear which was probably a mistake because I kept getting distracted during the stressful kitchen scenes and losing count of my stitches.
For a basic basket:
- Magic ring with 8 single crochet
- Round 2: increase in each stitch (16 stitches)
- Round 3: single crochet, increase, repeat around (24 stitches)
- Round 4: single crochet in 2, increase, repeat around (32 stitches)
- Keep increasing like this until your base is the size you want maybe 6-8 inches across
- Then just single crochet around without increasing for like 6-10 rounds depending on how tall you want it
The fabric gets really stiff with bulky yarn so it holds its shape without any wire or anything. I use mine for holding remote controls and it’s held up fine.
Gauge and Tension Things
So gauge matters more than you’d think even with bulky yarn. With a 9mm hook and bulky weight yarn you’re usually looking at like 8-10 stitches per 4 inches in single crochet. But this varies SO much depending on how tight you crochet and what yarn you’re using.
I never actually check gauge for like scarves or blankets because who cares if it’s a bit bigger or smaller. But for wearables you kinda have to or you’ll end up with a sweater that fits like a tent. Which I learned the hard way making a cardigan that I can’t even wear now because it’s enormous.
Cowls and Infinity Scarves
These are stupidly easy with bulky yarn. Chain like 60-80 stitches, join into a circle being careful not to twist it, then just go around and around in half double crochet or whatever stitch you want until it’s wide enough to fold over. Usually like 12-15 inches wide works.
I made one of these in like 2 hours once using Loops & Threads Cozy Wool which I got from Michaels. It’s actually wool blend so it’s warmer than acrylic but also more expensive and you have to hand wash it which is annoying. But it looked really nice and professional somehow even though I literally just crocheted in circles.
Hats with Bulky Yarn
Hats are tricky with 9mm hooks because the fabric ends up pretty open and not super warm. You can make slouchy beanies work though. Start with a magic ring and increase like you’re making a circle until it’s about 9-10 inches across for an adult sized hat. Then crochet straight without increasing for like 6-8 inches.
The annoying part is that bulky yarn hats tend to be really thick and sometimes look kind of… cartoonish? Like the stitches are so big and visible that it doesn’t have that polished look. But they work up in like an hour so there’s that.
What Stitches Work Best
With a 9mm hook you’re pretty limited to basic stitches. Single crochet, half double crochet, and double crochet all work fine. I wouldn’t try anything too complicated like cables or really intricate lace patterns because the yarn is so thick that detail just gets lost.
Half double crochet is probably my favorite with bulky yarn because it’s not too tight like single crochet but not too open and drapey like double crochet. It’s just right for most projects. Single crochet makes really dense fabric that’s good for baskets or coasters but takes forever and uses more yarn.
Double crochet works up the fastest but the fabric can be a bit loose and holey looking. Good for lightweight blankets or shawls where you want drape but maybe not for winter scarves where you want warmth.
Joining Yarn and Weaving in Ends
One thing about bulky yarn is that the ends are THICK so weaving them in is kind of a pain. I usually just tie a knot when I’m joining new yarn which I know isn’t technically the right way but honestly with yarn this thick nobody’s gonna notice. Then I weave the ends in for like 2-3 inches and trim.
Some people do the Russian join or spit splice but with acrylic bulky yarn that doesn’t really work. And with wool blends I’m always worried I’m gonna felt it by accident if I try to splice it so I just don’t bother.
Pillow Covers
These are another good beginner project. Measure your pillow insert and chain enough stitches to match the width. Then crochet back and forth in rows until you have two rectangles the same size. I usually make them slightly smaller than the actual pillow so the cover fits snug.
You can either sew three sides together and add buttons or a zipper on the fourth side, or you can crochet them together which is what I usually do because I hate sewing. Just put the two pieces together with wrong sides facing and single crochet around three edges through both layers.
I made a couple of these for my couch using Bernat Blanket yarn in like gray or cream or… actually I don’t remember the exact color but it was neutral. They looked decent for like six months but then started pilling really bad where people lean against them. So maybe bulky acrylic isn’t the best choice for high-traffic items.
Tension Issues and Hand Cramping
Working with a 9mm hook for extended periods can make your hands tired because the hook itself is thick and heavy. I’ve found that taking breaks every 15-20 minutes helps. Also using a hook with an ergonomic handle makes a huge difference. I have a Clover Amour hook in 9mm and it’s way more comfortable than the cheap aluminum ones.
If you’re a tight crocheter like me you might need to consciously loosen up when working with bulky yarn or your fabric will be stiff and hard. I sometimes go up to a 10mm hook even with bulky yarn just to keep things loose and drapey.
Quick Gift Ideas
Since everything works up so fast with 9mm hooks and bulky yarn these are all good last-minute gift options. A scarf takes like 2-3 hours. A cowl takes 2 hours. A basket takes maybe 3-4 hours if you’re going slow. Even a small blanket only takes like 10-12 hours which you can spread over a few days.
I made a bunch of cowls as gifts one year and honestly people seemed to really like them even though they were super simple. Used different colors of Wool-Ease Thick & Quick and just did basic half double crochet in the round. Took me a weekend to make like five of them while binging some show I can’t even remember now.
Washing and Care
Most bulky acrylic yarns can go in the washing machine which is nice. I usually wash on cold and lay flat to dry or tumble dry low. The fabric does tend to stretch out a bit after washing especially if you crocheted loosely so keep that in mind.
Wool blend bulky yarns need hand washing usually which is why I don’t use them as much. Too much work and I’m gonna forget and throw it in the washer anyway and then it’ll be ruined.
Common Problems
The biggest issue I run into with 9mm hooks and bulky yarn is running out of yarn before finishing a project. Those big skeins seem like a lot but they go faster than you think especially if you’re making a blanket. Always buy an extra skein or two. You can return it if you don’t need it or just make something else with the leftovers.
Another problem is that the stitches can look really uneven when you’re starting out because each stitch is so visible. With thinner yarn small inconsistencies don’t show as much but with bulky yarn every weird stitch stands out. This gets better with practice though so don’t worry about it too much on your first few projects.
Sometimes the yarn splits on the hook which is super annoying. This happens more with cheaper acrylic yarns that aren’t twisted as tightly. Not much you can do about it except go slowly and try not to stab through the yarn with your hook. Or switch to a better quality yarn but that costs more so…
Pattern Reading with Bulky Yarn
If you’re following a pattern make sure it actually specifies bulky yarn and a 9mm hook. You can’t just take any pattern and use bulky yarn because the gauge will be completely different and your finished item will be way bigger than intended. Or if the pattern calls for worsted weight yarn and you substitute bulky you’ll need to adjust the starting chain and probably the whole pattern which is more trouble than it’s worth usually.
Free patterns online are hit or miss. Some are great and some are written really confusingly or have mistakes. I usually skim through the comments if there are any to see if other people had issues before I start.
