Repeat Crafter Me

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All About the Crochet Hooks I Use!

I’ve had a ton of questions lately about where I get my crochet hooks that are seen in my photo and video tutorials. Thank you for asking! I decided that this warranted a whole blog post 🙂 There are many different options when it comes to crochet hooks and basically it comes down to what is most comfortable for you and what always you to create smooth and easy stitches. There is no right or wrong answer. It is 100% a personal preference. I am going to walk you through a few common options and then highlight what I personally prefer.

Let’s start with the basics. There are two types of standard hooks: a tapered hook (Boye brand) and an inline hook (Susan Bates brand). I am mentioning and comparing the Bates and Boye brands because these are the ones that are easily available in craft stores and online. Take a look at the throat of these crochet hooks and you will see a difference. The inline hooks have a head that is in-line with the handle of the hook. It also has a more or a point and the mouth notch is bit deeper. This is helpful for beginners as it grabs the yarn a little easier. The tapered hooks are have a head that extends past the handle of the hook and it’s typically a bit rounder and the notch at the mouth is also not as deep and smoother.

I prefer the Bates (inline) hooks because (for me personally) I am able to catch the yarn easier when I am making my stitches BUT I know PLENTY of crocheters hands down prefer the tapered hook. Try both and see what is right for you!

And no need to limit yourself to aluminum hooks. Crochet hooks also come in plastic, wood, resin, and bamboo. Lots of options!

Keep in mind that these hooks come in different sizes that coordinate with the weight of yarn you are working with. I almost always use a size H hook because I mostly work with worsted weight yarn.

Now let me get to the fun part!

POLYMER CLAY HOOKS

Many years ago, I began purchasing hooks with polymer clay handles. These are aluminum hooks (typically either Bates or Boye) that have polymer clay designs baked onto the handle. Why? Because not only are the designs fun, festive, and cute, but they create an ergonomic handle which is designed to ease pain and tension caused by the motions of crochet.



I have a hard time crocheting without a polymer clay handle. I use the pencil hold (meaning I hold my crochet hook like you would a pencil) and it feels very comfortable with a slightly thicker handle. The weight distribution of the hook in my hand is perfect and helps with the rocking motion when I’m stitching.

All of the polymer clay hooks you see in these photos were handmade by very talented designers. They spend a long time making the clay canes and reducing them. Here are some photos of the process by Jennifer of Day by Day Clay and Crochet

After creating cute character polymer clay canes and reducing and cutting them, they are rolled onto a clay handle and sanded, baked, and glazed. Each one is handmade! I haven’t ever made one myself so I hope I am doing her justice with my explanation! You can see Jennifer’s incredible work and process in her group Day by Day Clay and Crochet. And currently Jennifer and I have a fun gnome-themed collaboration going on! Ever month in 2022 she is creating a gnome crochet hook based on the season/holiday and I am creating a matching corner-to-corner crochet piece. You can purchase her hook each month in her Facebook group and you can find the crochet pattern right here on Repeat Crafter Me! Come see the January Gnome HERE.

So where can you buy these polymer clay hooks?

Many of these hooks I purchase are from Jennifer at Day by Day Clay and Crochet. This includes the gnome, penguin, and my favorite rainbow flower hooks pictured above, among many more. She has a private Facebook group where she lists hooks for sale as she finishes large batches. You can join her group and get all the details HERE.

Some of the hooks in the picture (like the panda that I use in my Ollie the O’Go Owl tutorial, gingerbread house, snow globe, etc) are from The Clay Bean Co. She also sells her hooks on her Facebook page as she creates small batches of finished designs. Find her HERE.

Another favorite designer of mine is The Polymer Clay Shed. She created the owl, cactus, gingerbread man, (among others) and she sells her hooks RIGHT HERE on Etsy.

This is not a sponsored post. I happily and eagerly love to support my fellow makers! I adore polymer clay crochet hooks and there are many more crochet hook designers that you can find just by googling, searching social media, and looking on Pinterest and Etsy.

I hope this helps you decide which hook is best for you!


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  3. I love your blog on the crochet hooks you use. You are absolutely right that it is a personal preference as to what you feel comfortable using. I too prefer Bates & also use H the most. G is a close second, as I use the G for amigurumi, & I love doing amigurumi. The polymer hooks feel good in my hand & I seem to crochet longer when I use them. The only problem I have with polymer hooks is trying to find a case that will hold a whole set of them.

    Reply

    • I found your site on the recommendation of a friend! I am new to knitting, and I want to thank you very much for your hard work and for the clear presentation of the information. Thanks to your advice, I decided to buy Bates hooks. I work as a writer at modiseh and thought that knitting was a very difficult and impossible task for me .But you have inspired me!

      Reply

  4. I inherited all of my crochet hooks from my Mom, who taught me to crochet. I never knew what the difference was between them so thanks for that info!!! I’m looking forward to trying a polymer hook as my fingers tend to cramp!! I’m hoping they will help plus they’re so cute!!!!

    Reply

  5. I found your site on the recommendation of a friend! I am new to knitting, and I want to thank you very much for your hard work and for the clear presentation of the information. Thanks to your advice, I decided to buy Bates hooks.  I work as a writer at studyessay.org, and thought that knitting was a very difficult and impossible task for me .But you have inspired me!

    Reply

  8. Thank you for this. I just come here for this : After creating cute character polymer clay canes and reducing and cutting them, they are rolled onto a clay handle and sanded, baked, and glazed. Each one is handmade! I haven’t ever made one myself so I hope I am doing her justice with my explanation!

    Reply

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  21. Thank you so much for your article about the comfort of polymer clay handles! I rarely find someone reviewing hooks, who prefers the inline hook style (Susan Bates) AND discusses the pencil hold. I’ve often wondered if the typical ergonomic handle would make any difference for someone like me who uses the pencil hold. Based on your recommendation, I will try one out when I have the funds.

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