Jun
Okay so about buying crochet hooks on Amazon
The thing nobody tells you is that hook size matters way more than you think but also the material makes a huge difference and honestly I didn’t figure this out until like summer 2023 when I was making this blanket and my hands were literally cramping after 20 minutes because I bought the cheapest aluminum hooks thinking they were all the same.
So first thing – you’re gonna see hooks in different materials and they all feel completely different. Aluminum ones are super common and they’re fine I guess but they can get slippery if your hands sweat at all. I was using these Boye aluminum hooks for the longest time because that’s what was at the craft store and they work but there’s better options now.
Ergonomic hooks changed everything for me though. I got a set of Clover Amour hooks in spring 2022 and the difference was insane. They have this rubber grip part that’s actually comfortable and you don’t get that weird indent in your thumb after working for an hour. They’re more expensive yeah but if you’re making anything bigger than like a dishcloth it’s worth it. The colors are pretty too which doesn’t matter functionally but somehow makes me actually want to pick them up.
Different materials and why they matter
Bamboo hooks are another option and they’re actually really nice for certain yarns. They have more grip than metal so if you’re working with slippery yarn like some of that Red Heart Super Saver in the really shiny colors, bamboo helps. But they can break if you’re not careful. I snapped a 5mm bamboo hook right in half once because I was crocheting too tight and just… crack. My cat freaked out from the sound.
Plastic hooks are what usually come in those cheap beginner sets and honestly they’re not great. They feel flimsy and the tips aren’t always smooth so your yarn can catch. But if you’re just starting and don’t wanna spend money yet they’ll work for practicing basic stitches I guess.
Then there’s wood hooks which are similar to bamboo but heavier usually. I have a couple of Furls hooks which are these fancy wooden ones that people rave about and okay yes they’re beautiful and feel nice but they’re like $30 for ONE hook so unless you’re really committed or have money to spend maybe start with something else.
Hook sizes and what you actually need
This is where it gets confusing because there’s different measurement systems. You’ve got metric (in mm), US letter sizes, and UK sizes and they don’t always line up perfectly. Most patterns will list the size in mm and the US letter so like “5mm (H)” or whatever.
For starting out you probably want a range from like 3.5mm to 6mm because that covers most worsted weight yarns which is what most beginner patterns use. I use 5mm and 5.5mm the most by far. The 3.5mm is good for thinner yarn like if you’re making something with Caron Simply Soft which is a really nice yarn actually – it’s acrylic but soft and comes in tons of colors.
The really small hooks like 2mm or smaller are for thread crochet which is a whole different thing and honestly my eyes aren’t good enough for that anymore. And the giant hooks like 10mm or 12mm are for chunky blankets with that really thick yarn.
Sets vs individual hooks
You’ll see both hook sets and individual hooks on Amazon. The sets seem like a better deal because you get like 10-12 hooks for $15 or whatever but here’s the thing – you won’t use all the sizes equally. I have three different 5mm hooks because I use that size constantly but I’ve literally never touched the 2.5mm hook from my set.
That said when you’re starting a set makes sense because you don’t know what size you’ll prefer yet. Just don’t get the sets with like 100 pieces that include stitch markers and scissors and a tape measure because all that extra stuff is usually junk quality. Get a basic hook set and buy the accessories separately if you need them.
The Clover Amour set is expensive (like $60-70 for 10 hooks) but it’s genuinely worth it if you’re gonna crochet regularly. There’s also brands like Athena’s Elements or LitJoy that make ergonomic sets for less money and I’ve heard good things but haven’t tried them myself.
Inline vs tapered hooks
Okay this is something that annoyed me SO MUCH when I was trying to figure out why my stitches looked different than tutorial videos. Hooks come in two basic styles – inline and tapered – and they create slightly different stitches.
Inline hooks have a pointier tip and the throat (that’s the part that catches the yarn) is more pronounced. Boye hooks are inline. Tapered hooks have a rounder tip and the throat is more gradual. Susan Bates hooks are tapered. Most people prefer one or the other but nobody tells you this when you’re buying hooks so you just get whatever and then wonder why your tension is off or—
I personally like inline better because the stitches seem more defined but plenty of people swear by tapered. You kinda have to try both to see what works for you.
What to look for on Amazon specifically
Amazon has a million hook options and a lot of them are cheap knockoffs that look identical to the name brands. Sometimes the knockoffs are fine and sometimes they’re garbage. Read the reviews but also look at WHO is reviewing – if someone says “great for beginners!” but they only started last week that doesn’t tell you much about durability.
Watch out for sets that have weird size gaps. Some cheap sets will have like 2mm, 3mm, 4mm, 6mm, 8mm and you’re like wait where’s the 5mm that’s the most common size. They do that to cut costs.
Also check if the ergonomic hooks are actually ergonomic or if they just stuck a thin piece of rubber on a regular hook. Real ergonomic hooks have a substantial grip area that’s shaped to fit your hand. The cheap ones just have like a rubber sleeve that slides around.
Brands I actually use and trust
Clover Amour – already mentioned these but they’re my go-to. The hook tips are smooth and sharp enough to get into stitches easily but not so sharp they split the yarn.
Furls – expensive but beautiful if you want to treat yourself. They have different shapes too like the Odyssey vs the Streamline.
Boye – basic aluminum hooks that work fine. Nothing special but reliable and cheap.
Susan Bates – the other main basic brand. These are tapered if that’s your preference.
Tulip Etimo – these are Japanese hooks with cushion grips and they’re really nice. Similar price range to Clover but slightly different grip shape.
There’s also a brand called Knitter’s Pride that makes sets at decent prices. I haven’t used them extensively but friends have recommended them.
Things that don’t matter as much as you think
The case it comes in – lots of sets advertise their fancy case but you’re probably gonna store your hooks in a cup or a drawer anyway. I mean the case is nice for travel I guess but it’s not a reason to buy one set over another.
Extra accessories included – like I said before the stitch markers and yarn needles that come with beginner sets are usually cheap. Better to get hooks you like and buy good stitch markers separately.
Brand name for basic hooks – if you’re just getting aluminum hooks the cheap Amazon basics ones work pretty much the same as Boye or Susan Bates. It’s the ergonomic hooks where brand quality matters more.
Specific things that drive me crazy
Hooks with rough tips that catch on the yarn. This happened with a cheap set I got and every single stitch would snag slightly and it made everything take twice as long. You can sometimes smooth them with an emery board but like why should you have to do that.
Grips that are too thick. Some ergonomic hooks have grips so fat that they’re actually harder to control. Your hand should rest comfortably not stretch around it.
Inconsistent sizing. I have two hooks that both say 5mm and they’re definitely not the same size. This seems to happen more with off-brand sets.
Hooks that are too light – sounds weird but some aluminum hooks are so lightweight they feel insubstantial and I can’t get a good rhythm going. I like a little bit of weight for momentum.
What I wish I’d known earlier
You don’t need every size immediately. Start with 5mm and 5.5mm and add others as you need them for specific projects.
The hook matters more than you think for your finished product. When I made that blanket in summer 2023 with the wrong hooks my gauge was all over the place because my hand kept cramping and I’d crochet tighter when it hurt. Switched to Clover hooks and suddenly my tension was way more consistent.
Invest in at least one good hook in your most-used size even if you use cheap hooks for everything else. That one good hook will make projects you work on for hours so much more pleasant.
Try before you commit if possible – some craft stores let you hold the hooks even if you can’t test them. Feel the weight and grip. Amazon’s return policy is pretty good too so if you get a set and hate the feel you can usually send it back.
Specific recommendations for different situations
If you’re completely new and not sure you’ll stick with it – get a basic Boye or Susan Bates aluminum set for like $12. Don’t spend a lot until you know you like crocheting.
If you know you want to crochet regularly – Clover Amour set or similar ergonomic set. Your hands will thank you.
If you have hand pain or arthritis – definitely ergonomic hooks and maybe try the fatter grips. Furls has some with really substantial handles.
If you mostly make amigurumi or small projects – you’ll use smaller hooks more so maybe get a set that goes down to 2mm or 2.5mm. And inline hooks might work better for tight stitches.
If you make blankets or big projects – focus on the medium to larger sizes and definitely get comfortable grips because you’ll be holding that hook for hours.
Random tips that might help
Some people hold their hook like a pencil and some like a knife and different hook shapes work better for different grips. The ergonomic hooks usually work for both though.
If you buy individual hooks on Amazon instead of sets watch out for third-party sellers charging way more than retail. A single Clover Amour hook should be like $6-8 not $15.
Light colored hooks are easier to see when you’re working with dark yarn. Sounds obvious but I was making this black scarf in like winter 2023 while watching Succession and could barely see what I was doing because my hook was also dark gray.
The throat depth affects how much yarn you catch – deeper throat means you grab more yarn which some people like and others don’t. This is another inline vs tapered thing.
Steel hooks are for thread crochet and they’re numbered backwards from regular hooks – higher numbers are smaller sizes. Don’t accidentally buy steel hooks thinking they’re regular hooks.
If you see “tunisian crochet hooks” those are different – they’re longer like knitting needles. You might want them eventually but they’re not for regular crochet.
Sometimes hooks are sold with the wrong size listed on Amazon especially from random brands. Check reviews to see if anyone mentions the sizing being off.
My current setup
I have the Clover Amour set for most stuff, a couple cheap aluminum hooks as backups, and one Furls hook in 5mm that I use when I’m making something special as a gift. Also randomly have like three different 4mm hooks from various sets over the years that are just floating around.
For yarn I usually use Lion Brand Wool-Ease for blankets because it’s soft and machine washable, Red Heart Super Saver when I need cheap yarn for practice or stuff that needs to be really durable, and Caron Simply Soft for wearables because it doesn’t feel as plasticky as some acrylics. But that’s a whole other topic.
The main thing is just get started with something – even cheap hooks work for learning – and upgrade as you figure out what you like. Don’t let perfect be the enemy of good enough or whatever that saying is. I made plenty of stuff with terrible hooks before I knew better and it was fine.
