These are the hooks I use regularly. Susan Bates makes my favorite hooks, which is why I have so many of them and a couple multiples. The purple to green in the middle are all Susan Bates. When I start a new project, I will almost always grab a Bates hook. I'm really happy when I can use the 5.5mm size, not sure why but it is my favorite!
The big one on the end is a size 9mm but I'm not sure what brand it is. I bought it last year when I was making this cowl. It's plastic but I found it really easy to use.
The hook with the fat base is a Clover hook, I don't remember when I got this one but I do remember that I thought it would be my favorite brand after trying it. It's not my favorite hook but I do like to use it for potholders sometimes, it's a good size.
The hook on the end is one I never use, so I'm not sure how it ended up in the picture! It's a Boye hook, I bought it when I was still very new to crochet and couldn't find a Bates hook in the size I wanted. Using it was the most frustrating experience ever! It was probably because I was so new to crochet that it was frustrating but I've never gone back to using it again and I never look at it in the stores. The hooks are most likely a good brand but the experience defintely turned me off from them! Is it normal to hate a crochet hook so much?? Maybe it's just me.
Anyway, what are your favorite hooks? Any that you hate?
Next post, I'll share my favorite yarns! That's the question I get asked the most often.
Yay! A fellow Susan Bates lover. ;-) I'm loyal to Bates hooks as well. I only use Boye (size F) for weaving in the ends of my projects because for the longest time, I didn't even own a needle. It's become habit to use that little guy. But other than that, it's Susan Bates (and Bates shaped hooks like your plastic one) all the way for me.
ReplyDeletewell, I must be different..I love the Boye hooks. I have noticed though the shaft on the newer ones appear to be shorter than the older ones (which is what I have). I use Susan Bates hooks when I need an inline hook for a certain look. Funny how we all have personal preferences and for different reasons..
ReplyDeleteSusan Bates are my fave, too! I'm a 5.0mm girl ;)
ReplyDeleteI can't deal with Boye (or tapered throat) hooks... just never worked with my style!
See I taught myself using Boye hooks and they are the only hooks I've ever used. I've inherited and brought them and I don't think I'd swap. I personally can't see a difference between the two types in the photograph - what am I missing out on?!
ReplyDeleteI do not like Boye hooks. I prefer Susan Bates. I can't get the hang of the Boye hooks. If that were the only hook available, I guess I wouldn't be able to crochet! Say it ain't so! Have a great day :)
ReplyDeleteI'm a Boye girl! Hee, hee!
ReplyDeleteI only have Boye hooks....in all different sizes...my favorite seems to be the 4.25mm.
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting about your hooks...can't wait to hear about your favorite yarns!
I only use Boye hooks. I have tried the Susan Bates hooks but I just don't like the way the hook is shaped. It always was getting caught in my yarn. Love your blog, and I just got your book.
ReplyDeleteI am looking forward to the post on yarn. I have been crocheting for 10 years and have never used anything but acrylic worst weight. I think I am ready to jump into some different yarns.
I'm still just beginning my crochet adventure, but the few hooks I have are Bates, too. I like the feel of them.
ReplyDeleteI don't think we have those hooks in Oz.
ReplyDeleteThe ones I use have the fat handles - I love that.
cheers
fi
I prefer Susan Bates, the flatter head slips through my stitches better, although I started / learned with a Boye. I have two set of the big plastic ones and bought a set of those sizes in aluminum, but don't like those. Nothing I 'hate' though.
ReplyDeleteI also use Susan Bates! I don't really have a favorite size, but the one I use the most (making hats that I sell) is the 5.00!
ReplyDeleteI own both Bates ad Boye and since I am not at home a the moment can not remember which one I do not like to use that said - My favorite brand is CLover Etimo Tulip soft touch though its not the gold one you show in your collection... I originally purchased they H I J and one called a #7 (no letter). After using these I loved them so much I bought an entire set beginning with F G H I J and the 7. It comes in a great little trifold case with a tape measure really sharp small scissor and a yarn needle...
ReplyDeleteMy favorite yarn needle is the Clover Chibi (chibi refers to the small case it comes in) the needle is plastic with a bent tip...what a difference the bent tip makes ~ it was purchased separately. Now I won't use any other hook... they have a soft grey handle the best when doing lots of work each day... I too and self taught - learned 9/08 Looking forward to hearing about your fav yarn.
I love the colors on the Boye hooks, but to use I love the Susan Bates aluminum ones the best (their colors are also nice). I bought one hook with a fatter handle to try, but I didn't like it. The way I hold my hook -- knife hold, I don't really grip it hard, it's mostly pinched between my thumb and middle finger -- the fat handle just got in my way and added weight to it.
ReplyDeleteI only buy the Boye hooks....I'm kind of "hooked" on them. In my 40 years of crocheting its really the only thing I have every used. Recently purchased a size J Susan Bates and found them to short for my large hands. Also the hook seems to short for me.
ReplyDeleteI have ran through several of you blog posts and find them very interesting. I also love to cross stitch and I am going to get back into it again. Took a hiatus from it after making "The Last Supper" for my mother-in-law.
So interesting, this. I am a Boye girl, too. I have the Bates hooks and I hate them, all of them. I'd only use them in moments of extreme crochet desperation! That little slot just doesn't grab the yarn for me. I don't like my fat-handled Clover, either--the handle is too short. I guess it's a good thing they make all kinds, right? :)
ReplyDeleteGoodness, I didn't know I was this opinionated about it until you asked!