what and where for quality hooks?

[pretty monsters]

Hello,

 

I am new to crochet and I am currently using very basic aluminum hooks. I would like as I prgress to treat myself to nicer hooks, such as wooden ones, but I don't have a clue what to look for or where. Any suggestions?

 

Thanks!

[TCarra]

You an get some bamboo hooks, such as those made by Clover. They are not expensive. It will also come down to what you are most comfortable using. I have been crocheting for a few decades and alternate between my aluminum and bamboo.

[Nilliem]

There are so many choices! You can find merely better than aluminum, to really outrageous, heh.

 

When I started looking, I first went to WEBS (yarn.com) and got a look at what they sell. There is a decent range of price and materials. Knitpicks.com has some nice things, as well.

 

From there you could search for handmade crochet hooks, and I know several different makers show up. We have Jimbo, here at the 'ville, who makes beautiful hooks...I don't have the link right at hand but search the site and you will find him!

 

Etsy, maybe, but I haven't really searched there.

 

I've not gotten to being able to justify the cost...yet! :-) I've been modifying my aluminum hooks with polymer clay on the handles to make them fit my hand (big, long and slightly arthritic).

 

If you search here, in the 'hooks and gadgets' area, you'll probably find Jimbo, and recs for other hook types, too.

[ratdog]

Turn of the Century hooks are beautiful hand turned hooks! I received a set for Christmas a few years ago. They are also available individually if that suits your budget better.

[pretty monsters]

Thank you so much for your suggestions! I am going to definately check them all out. And handmade hooks? That thought didn't even cross my mind! But it sounds fantastic! I will totally check that out too. Maybe one day I can make my own! (A girl can dream, right?) Thanks again! You guys are great!

[RoseRed]

You can get bamboo or rosewood hooks through Joanns.com. I actually prefer rosewood to bamboo but it is more expensive by a couple $$s.

 

Me personally, what I've done - is to get the cheaper hooks to see which I prefer and then spend the $40 on a handmade hook.

 

I'm partial to Jimbo's hooks. The man is amazing and he's such a wonderful person - I think that shines thru in his work.

 

http://www.jimbosfrontporch.blogspot.com You can also email him and special order whatever your heart desires.

[Akua]

I made a list for my students of kinds of crochet hooks.... what head type do you prefer -- that is do you prefer a Bates-type or a Boye-type? Even as I look at different materials

my main considerations are head type and length.

 

Materials

Metal

Aluminum

Steel

Plastic/Polymer

Wood

Bamboo

Combined (generally metal heads with plastic, wood or bamboo bodies)

 

Head Styles

Susan Bates

Boye

In between

 

Manufacture

Mass/Commercial

Susan Bates

Addi Turbo (plastic body metal head)

Boye

Clover (polymer body, metal head)

Denise (interchangeable)

Lion Brand

Pony

Prym Soft Handle

(polymer body metal head)

Symphonie (wood and interchangeable)

Tulip/Etimo (polymer body, metal head)

Skacel (ergonomic hook. polymer body, metal head)

 

 

 

Manufacture

Handmade

Brittany (wood)

Chiaogoo (bamboo) and bamboo body with metal head)

Jenkins

Jimbo

Lantern Moon (rosewood, ebony)

Turn of the Century (woods)

Twin Birch (birch)

 

Types

Crochet

Double-ended Crochet

Bullion Hooks

Afghan/Tunisian straight

Afghan/Tunisian cabled

Croknit/Crochetknit/Cro-hook

(double ended)

Croknit/Crochetknit/Cro-hook

(double ended, cabled)

Lighted

Interchangeable

 

Lengths

Commercial 5- 6”

Handmade generally 7+ inches

 

 

 

Where to buy Online

Accessories Unlimited http://www.accessoriesunlimitedinc.com

Ebay http://www.ebay.com

Joann http://www.joann.com

Purple Linda (UK) http://www.purplelindacrafts.co.uk

Surina

http://www.skokist.etsy.com

Turn of the Century

http://www.turn-of-the-century.com/hooks.htm

Chiaogoo

Bargain Yarns http://www.bargainyarns.com

http://www.handicraftcafe.com/shop/Products/Chiao-Goo-Bamboo-Crochet-Hook__T-CG-BH-x.aspx

http://www.colonialneedle.com

[spiritwalker]

It depends on what you are looking to spend and what you find comfortable. There is a company in the United Kingdom which has lovelt

wood hooks which I enjoy using. These are metric, but you can get a conversion chart which compares with American hooks. If you would liek to take a look its: http://www.deramoresus.com They offer free shipping to the

U.S. They offer several brands. I use the knitpro brand. They also offer

speciality hooks. Good luck with your search.

[CrazyHomemaker]

I love Susan Bates hooks because the heads don't get stuck in the yarn as much and they're light aluminum. I've used Boye, starting out. I still have the Boye and use them when I need a specific size that I don't have a Bates for. I prefer the rounded flatish-headed Bates hooks. I even have a Teflon coated Bates hook! It works well, but it feels sluggish and sticky after so much use. (We're talking decades of use.) Try out as many as you can because it's an individual thing. That's half the fun of this whole hobby. Have fun!!!

[Bailey4]

I've been experimenting with different types of hooks. While I was learning I started with standard metal Bates and Boye. I am leaning more towards Bates for the heads. I have picked up a bunch of the Bates Bamboo handles on sale and while I wasn't sure about them at first I am finding they are comfortable. For the more expensive hooks I have been trying them on-sale or with coupons combined with sales. My suggestion would be to try one in a size you commonly use (unless you find a sale you can't resist) and decide if it is a comfortable fit. I got to try out a Clover Soft Touch with a dual sale/coupon. While many like the Clover, they didn't work for me, but I didn't end up with lots of them or spending a good deal of money on it. With the combined sale and coupon it was about the price of a regular hook.

 

I recently picked up some Pym hooks through Mary Maxim and so far I like the feel. I may be looking at picking up a few more as the prices are quite reasonable.

 

I have one solid wood Clover that I love. I would love to experiment more with solid wood.