Crochet blanket: DK yarn using 8mm or 10mm hook?

[ButtfaceMiscreant]

I am wanting to make a new blanket for each of my three smalls, and was wondering what your experiences of using DK yarn with a larger than 4mm hook (preferably 8 or 10mm)? I am hoping it is slightly quicker to work up and still have a nice, snuggly drape. I will probably just do a granny stripe or ripple/wave pattern if that helps.

If you have any photos that would be fab to see: Google seems to ignore what I am actually asking to see and just showing me photos of yarn and blankets (pretty but not what I wanted to see!).

[Batteriesallgone]

Ooooh I'm interested in this. I was thinking of knitting up DK with a larger needle to get a 'holey' blanket but MIL insists twill be a DISASTER so haven't been brace enough to attempt yet.

I think if the needles (and assume same for crochet hooks) are too big the blanket starts to unravel? But I don't know at what point it changes from being loose to having no structural integrity.

[NannyR]

I've just had a fiddle about with a 9mm hook and some spare yarn and a granny square. It looks very holey and stretchy, but not in a nice, lacey sort of way. Personally I don't like it, it doesn't look very neat.
The best thing to do is to work up some sample squares with different size hooks to see what works for you.
Crochet grows so quickly anyway, I would just stick with a 4mm or 5mm hook.

[NannyR]

Photo of the sample I just did, compared to a square I did on a 4mm hook.

[ButtfaceMiscreant]

Thanks NannyR. I think I will have a play about when I get the chance; I am hoping if I did a stripe, rather than a square, it may not look as dishevelled

I know it grows quickly anyway, but I was hoping for even more of a shortcut

[SoupDragon]

I wouldn't go up higher than a 6mm I don't think. It very much depends on the yarn I've found. I've used larger hooks for things like scarves and it's worked ok.

[isambardo]

I think it would look a bit too holey. I do like that loose, drapey look though, so if you do make it look good please let us know!

[SoupDragon]

It works up OK in solid trebles with DK yarn and a 6mm hook. It's very drapey but feels thin. I don't think it would do it as a blanket for me. Perhaps a 5mm but that's not going to make much difference time wise.

[SoupDragon]

A shell pattern works up better. The way there are multiple TC on one stitch and the way the shells "nest" seems to make it less thin and flimsy.

[ButtfaceMiscreant]

I may try it with 6mm hook then, or see if Stylecraft do the colours I am after in chunky yarn.

I only have a 4mm or less hook to hand, otherwise I would have given it a go myself! Thank you Soupdragon for the photos

[RiaOverTheRainbow]

You could try using a large hook and two strands of dk at once to approximate chunky. At least that works with knitting, I've never tried it with crochet.