Tuesday, April 10, 2012

FAQ: my crochet hooks

I get a lot of emails and comments asking me questions about the supplies that I use when I crochet. I decided to finally write a post about this stuff because sometimes there's no way to reply to a person to give them their answers.

hooks I use

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.



17 comments:

  1. 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.

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  2. well, 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..

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  3. Susan Bates are my fave, too! I'm a 5.0mm girl ;)

    I can't deal with Boye (or tapered throat) hooks... just never worked with my style!

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  4. 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?!

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  5. I have only ever used Boye hooks but the inline hook sounds great. Is there a store you can buy them at or do you get your online?

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  6. I 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 :)

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  7. I only have Boye hooks....in all different sizes...my favorite seems to be the 4.25mm.

    Thanks for posting about your hooks...can't wait to hear about your favorite yarns!

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  8. 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.

    I 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.

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  9. I'm still just beginning my crochet adventure, but the few hooks I have are Bates, too. I like the feel of them.

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  10. I don't think we have those hooks in Oz.

    The ones I use have the fat handles - I love that.

    cheers

    fi

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  11. 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.

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  12. I 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!

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  13. I 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...
    My 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.

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  14. 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.

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  15. I 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.

    I 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.

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  16. 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? :)

    Goodness, I didn't know I was this opinionated about it until you asked!

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