Ergonomic crochet device

Abstract

Crochet devices of the type commonly referred to as a crochet “hook” are disclosed comprising a twist portion in the handle that provides ergonomic support to a user.

1 . A crochet device comprising an elongated body having a hook at one end thereof and a handle comprising a top portion and a bottom portion which generally fall along a longitudinal axis, wherein said top portion and said bottom portion are united by a twist portion along said longitudinal axis and said twist portion comprises two twist surfaces connecting said top and said bottom and said twist portion is flattened in an area to accommodate a thumb and index finger of a user on opposite sides thereof such that rotation of said handle with respect to said thumb and said index finger is limited during use. 
     
     
         2 . The crochet device of  claim 1 , wherein said twist surfaces are separated from another at their closest point by an amount sufficient to allow a user to hold the device between said user's fingers without rotation of said device. 
     
     
         3 . The crochet device of  claim 1 , wherein said twist surfaces are separated from another by about 0.1-1 cm at their closest point. 
     
     
         4 . The crochet device of  claim 1 , wherein said twist surface is oriented to permit a user to pinch said crochet device at a pinch angle which differs from the angle that said hook extends from said longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         5 . The crochet device of  claim 1 , wherein the dimension of said twist surface perpendicular to said longitudinal axis is from about 0.5-3 cm. 
     
     
         6 . The crochet device of  claim 1 , wherein the cross section of said bottom is rectangular, rectangular with rounded corners, square, or square with rounded corners. 
     
     
         7 . The crochet device of  claim 1 , wherein said twist portion is about 4-8 cm along said longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         8 . The crochet device of  claim 1 , wherein said twist portion is clockwise if viewed from the hook with the bottom position facing downward and hook facing upward. 
     
     
         9 . The crochet device of  claim 1 , wherein said twist portion is counter clockwise if viewed from the hook with the bottom position facing downward and hook facing upward. 
     
     
         10 . The crochet device of  claim 1 , wherein said crochet device is a unitary piece of molded plastic. 
     
     
         11 . The crochet device of  claim 1 , wherein said handle and said hook are detachable from one another. 
     
     
         12 . In a crochet hook having an elongated handle for gripping and a hook at one end of said handle, the improvement comprising providing said crochet hook as a unitary piece of molded plastic, having a twist about said elongated handle, such that the cross section of said handle is flattened in an area of said twist to accommodate the thumb and index finger of a user on opposite sides thereof such that rotation of said handle with respect to said thumb and said index finger is limited during use.