Comments on: What’s Your Favorite Crochet Hook Material and Brand?

By: Peggy

Peggy — Mon, 02 Jul 2012 17:14:27 +0000

Susan Bates brand is my favorite as well. Boye hooks I find have hooks that are difficult to use; they catch yarn at times when I’m not stitching. I do occasionally use plastic, but for metal hooks Susan Bates is my brand.

By: Janette

Janette — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 17:57:23 +0000

I love the I hook and I love Mary Maxim as a site for yarn…really do not have a favorite….

By: Maryanne Thompson

Maryanne Thompson — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 16:24:30 +0000

interesting site,,,, any help out there for those of us going through meno?,,, my hands sweat and the hook gets sticky… I wash it and my hands frequently, but the problem is almost contant… I have also tried using an antipersperant, antibacterial gel,and baby powder…. same results… thinking of going to glove and cut off the tips.. Anyone else had this problem.? thanks , M

By: Lia

Lia — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 16:48:47 +0000

i love the boye hooks have tried others and do not like them as much. i jsut bought a set on joanns for about $44
i will always use the boye hooks!

By: Kerstin

Kerstin — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 13:38:32 +0000

My favourite hook is a rosewood hook size 3 made by a small company in Germany from wood from sustainable forrestry which is primarily used for producing musical instruments. (So instead of throwing away the leftovers of the instrument-producing, they use the wood to make knitting needles, crochet hooks and other things.)
They offer hooks in ebony, kingwood and rosewood (because these woods are very strong), with or without handle, and for extra money you can ask for longer hooks (e.g. if you have long hands and the normal hook-length would poke your palm if holding the hook like a knife (or in “Rachel-Style”)) or for big sizes as well.

I had a birch tree hook by “knit pro”, but it broke after 20 Minutes of use… (and I am not a tight crocheter and was just crocheting a single stitch into a chain – so nothing “wild” really…).

For “cluster”-stitches [? (I think you call them "puff"-stitches in English)] I prefer steel hooks with a handle made of hard-plastic or soft-touch-synthetics (e.g. “Inox/Prym” – they offer both kinds of handles), because the pulling of the yarn can be “exhausting” for the thin wooden hook. But as soon as these stitches are done, I switch back to the wooden one.

I have not tried bamboo yet, but I am so content with the wooden hook, that I do not feel like trying other material…

I prefer the round hooks (and handles), because [crocheting in the "Rachel-Style"] sometimes I just turn the hook between thumb and index-finger to get the strand instead of turning my wrist; so the wrist can get a rest and I do not have to stop crocheting meanwhile.

Hope the information could inspire you to try rosewood as well,

Kerstin

By: Samantha

Samantha — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 19:19:42 +0000

I am definitely a fan of the aluminum and bamboo hooks. I inherited all of my grandmothers crochet and knit tools when she was moved into a hospice for care and as such have found very little need to buy any other hooks (except when traveling via plane). Due to air port security where I fly out, there are no metal, wood or bamboo hooks & knitting needles allowed so I went and bought some of the Susan Bates plastic ones.

The plastic ones do snap very easily with long use if you are using the hooks that are H or smaller. The hooks larger than that do very well though and have enough give so that my young yet computer tortured hands don’t spasm and ache after a couple of hours.

My grandmothers set of hooks consist of both Boyle and Susan. I have noticed that with the Susan hooks they seem to move more fluidly in my hand and rarely catch. When looking at the hook it appears to have been filed down better (deeper and smoother) than the Boyle hooks until I get down to the very tiny, lace making hooks.

For the lace making hooks, I prefer the Boyle over the Susan hooks so far. The “better filing” becomes a hindrance for me with the Susan hooks at this size and I end up catching too many strands/loops sometimes. With the Boyle hooks I work more smoothly at this level.

By: RedTheHick

RedTheHick — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 14:00:52 +0000

A few years ago, my husband got me the best hook EVER for my birthday. From a couple of people who make them by hand from wood. Greydog Woodworks. They usually sell stuff on ebay, but I think they are on hiatus right now. If you can afford to get 1 of their hooks, you’ll be HOOKED! (Some are quite pricey, but I have simple tastes so the lower end are more than fine for me.) Otherwise, I either use the bamboo or whatever I have handy in the size I am looking for. I tend to avoid the metal ones when I can. I press too hard, so where the “thumb rest” is, leaves and imprint on my thumb.

By: Jean

Jean — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 07:06:25 +0000

I learned to crochet with thread and Boye hooks when 12 years old. As an adult, I prefer Bates for the yarns. I can use Bates for thread, but still prefer Boye, it hooks the thread better. I tried Soft Touch, found the hook is not deep enough to hold my yarn, so gave them up. I now use bamboo handle Bates for my yarn projects. They are 1 inch longer than without the handle, I needed the extra length. Also, I don’t have to grip the hook so tight and I find I crochet looser and more relaxed now.

By: Emily

Emily — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 00:58:10 +0000

I usually use Boye aluminum hooks. I’ve tried other metal ones (I believe I’ve tried Susan Bates) and they just… Didn’t work for me. I have also tried plastic hooks and don’t like them, no matter what brand they are.
I want to try bamboo crochet hooks. I knit more than I crochet and always try to use bamboo needles because they just seem best for me to work with, so I’m curious if it would be the same way with crochet hooks.

By: Cindy

Cindy — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 08:42:21 +0000

I bought a lighted crochet hook the other day in the bargain bin. I think it was $4. I really liked it. It helps to light up the area when you are trying to crochet front or back loops only.
One of my favorites to use is a size F aluminum hook with the knitting needle on the back. I guess I like it because it is longer.
Has anyone ever made clay handles for your hooks? There is a video on you tube showing a lady making different ones. She even squeezed the clay to make one that conformed to her hand. They also have a video about using squishy pencil covers. They look comfortable also.
I am rather new here, so if this has been discussed before, sorry to repeat the idea. I’m just
excited to try the clay thing because my 29 year old daughter works with clay so this gives us something in common.
I love working with plarn. I like to try different thicknesses. I make big tote bags out of wide loops plarn and little barbie purses out of loops I cut to about 1/4 inch.
The other day at Michael’s, I was able to buy a pair of Fiskar spring scissors for half price. I got the $30 scissors for $15. They are so nice for cutting plarn loops.
Finally, I think everyone should try a lighted crochet hook just to see the difference.