Written by Madeline from @ofbooksandhooks
If you’re anything like me, you’ll be super overwhelmed by the hoards of options available to us crocheters. Hey, I’m not complaining! I love being in a space where so many amazing brands work diligently to provide the best possible solutions to our crafting needs. But choosing between so many excellent options is hard! Among all of these eye-candy hooks, how do you figure out what really is the best solution for you and your project?
If you’re thinking along the same lines as I am, you’ve come to the right place. Total disclaimer: the best crochet hook for you might not be the same one as everyone else. BUT I’ve rallied up a list of some diverse options and I’m pretty sure that you’ll find that glass-slipper type hook for you in this list. Below are the pros, cons, and pairings of some of the most popular brands and hidden gems in the crochet hook world. Let’s dive in!
Clover: America’s Lucky Charm
This brand is popular among crocheters because of the wide selection available. There have been multiple times that I’ve surveyed other crocheters for their favorite hooks. “Clover!” they all say. It was time for me to find out why this massive brand has such a following, so I tested out two of their hooks.
P.S. Cute little fact about Clover is that it was named after the clovers that founder Okada used as bookmarks during his studies. A true crafter’s heart, I swear!
Clover Soft Touch Crochet Hook (4 mm)
Pros: This Clover hook features some subtle design that makes for wonderful execution in crafting. While the handle is flat and grooved at the base, the addition of a black grip spot for your thumb makes working with this hook beautifully silky. The hook is light and sturdy and despite there being a join from metal to plastic, there’s no risk that it will wear and break down over time. It’s well-made and elegant.
Cons: This hook is a bit shorter in length than some others. The actual metal hook itself doesn’t have much depth and if you’re working with a yarn that requires more leverage, it might not be the best.
Yarn Pairing: This hook is great with Lollipop Melange yarn. The acrylic fiber pairs well with the metal hook, allowing for smooth motion and reducing overall wrist fatigue.
Clover Crochet Amour (6 mm)
Pros: Clover hooks just glide like no other! The aluminum hook is perfectly constructed to accommodate yarn sliding smoothly on and off, which makes this a great hook for people who like to crochet quickly. No snags, no problems! Just a perfectly decadent crochet experience. The grip is comfortable allowing it to fit perfectly in your hand so you can get that project on the way!
Cons: The grip is truly comfortable, but there’s also nothing special about the shape; it’s a pretty standard hook. Therefore, it doesn’t necessarily compete with some of the cheaper, more basic packages on the market.
Yarn Pairing: The glide of this hook made it perfect for the Hobbii Soft Starlight yarn which contains reflective material so it can catch on the hook if it’s not completely smooth. If you have a fiddly yarn, you might want to give this hook a go.
Prym: Family Business of Renowned Quality
If you’re in Europe, you’ll know Prym. They’re a family business that’s been around for quite some time and their reach stretches far beyond crochet hooks (or even crafting for that matter). Prym hooks are sturdy and reliable, or so I had heard before I got my hands on one! All in all, it didn’t disappoint.
Prym Ergonomic Hook (12 mm)
Pros: This hook has a nice, comfortable grip and a unibody structure. This makes it sturdy for thicker yarns that require strength from the hook. The length of the hook also allows for a lot of support to your hand when working with tougher material. Another thing I love about this hook is that the ergonomic shape isn’t oppressive and doesn’t control how you hold it; it merely provides a bit of extra oomph.
Cons: This hook is made out of plastic, and that material can sometimes be less smooth to work with. While the hook itself is smooth, the body has a grip, which means that yarns that don’t glide easily or projects that require complex stitches might be difficult in the larger sized hooks.
Yarn Pairing: This is perfect for textile yarns and chunky yarns like Hobbii Bungee Mini in its larger hook sizes. It’s great if you love home decor projects and thick fibers.
KnitPro: Not Just for the Knitters
Don’t be fooled by the name! KnitPro is for us crocheters, too. They carry a variety of hooks and cover most of the “basic” bases when it comes to crochet. I was able to try out three of their simple hooks in a variety of sizes to see how they measured up against my other favorite brands.
KnitPro Basix Birch Crochet Hook (15 mm)
Pros: If you’re thinking about getting some natural wood hooks, this is a great one to start with. Silky and simple, there’s really not much to complain about. And there’s something really nice about having a natural material in your hands while you work. This hook is also a great asset for anyone who has an Instagram for their work. With its clean, bright wood, it photographs like a basic birch should. Maybe this isn’t everyone’s priority, but you gotta do it for the ‘gram!
Cons: You’ll learn quickly (if you haven’t already) that the material of a hook matters. Wooden hooks are great for most yarns but sometimes they don’t work well with fibers that split easily or are less than perfect to work with.
Yarn Pairing: It’s called basic for a reason! Most yarns will pair beautifully with this selection, but I had a lot of fun playing with chunky yarns like Hobbii Ribbon and Hobbii Bungee Mini.
KnitPro Aluminum Crochet Hook (3 mm)
Pros: Simple is beautiful. Not only do I love working with this hook, but I love using it to improve my Instagram photography as well. This hook is flat-handled, which is nice because it feels rather sleek compared to bulky, chunky alternatives. The black look is great for you minimalist crocheters who like a simple and mature look in your hook collections.
Cons: KnitPro basics are truly basic. There’s no flair here, just practical function. It gets the job done and so I can’t complain much, but this hook isn’t for someone who is looking to see a perfectly ergonomic, cutting-edge hook shape.
Yarn Pairing: This one was fun to use with my Hobbii Alpaca Silk. I fell in LOVE with this yarn and so I was happy to pair it with a hook that it deserved.
KnitPro Waves Crochet Hook (5 mm)
Pros: Like the basic Aluminum Hook, the Waves hook has a soft but grippy handle and a flat body. There’s not really much fuss about it, but the simple structure works. If you’re looking for something basic, but part of a larger more colorful collection, this would be a great fit for you. Can’t really go wrong with KnitPro.
Cons: This hook is not much different from the basic aluminum hook, and I much prefer the clean, black look of the other if I’m honest.
Yarn Pairing: This worked really smoothly with my Happy Sheep Simple Wool yarn and I enjoyed the glide of the shiny aluminum hook tip for my project.
addi: The German Company We All Love
Before even touching my first addi product, I knew about its quality. Germany is a country that is often equated with steady and reliable craftsmanship, and addi is–you guessed it–German! Whether you’re considering needles, hooks, or a knitting machine, addi has it all. Their products tend to come with a higher price tag, but that’s only because when you buy something from addi, it’s not going to need replacing for quite some time (if ever). Knowing this, I was really excited to give the notorious Swings hooks a go in two sizes!
addi Swings Crochet Hook (2.5 mm and 8 mm)
Pros: There’s a reason that most crocheters will tell you addi hooks are some of the best on the market. Nothing says “quality crafting” quite like a German company (this is something I’ve learned since moving here). This quality factor is also why the hooks are a bit pricier. As a company, addi focuses a lot on quality and function. These hooks are very popular, and their swing shape is unlike most other ones available. The unique ergonomic grip truly does help to relieve the stress placed on your wrist making these hooks great options for amigurumi lovers (a type of crochet notorious for causing discomfort).
Cons: The shape (or price) is not for everyone. Some people really don’t like ergonomic hooks. If you’re buying your first hook, I’d recommend starting with a more universal and basic model such as the Hobbii brand hooks. But if you’re looking to try out some unique styles and get a good fit, it might be time to pick one of these up!
Yarn Pairing: As this hook is great for amigurumi, cotton makes for a lovely pairing. You can try out the different Rainbow cotton selection that Hobbii carries in a variety of thicknesses (8/4. 8/6. 8/8) with this hook.
Hobbii: Basic, Affordable Hooks to Cover All of Your Bases
Have you thought about giving Hobbii hooks a try? I really love my Hobbii hooks and they’re a great go-to for my basic crochet needs. Sturdy and simple, the design is perfect for anyone wanting to stretch beyond a unibody metal or wooden hook, or crocheters who are just starting out.
The price point is also great because it’s not going to cost you an arm and a leg only to leave you disappointed like some of the luxury brand hooks that might not be a good fit for you. I’d recommend these hooks if you’re looking for something to get you started or to provide consistency (it can be really annoying to switch hook brands just because you don’t have the right size in your favorite brand).
Hobbii Crochet Hook Set (11 Sizes)
Pros: This is a great purchase for beginners and advanced crocheters alike. Why? It covers a lot of ground with the size range, especially for lace or detailed crochet projects. The grip is soft and squishy, a great handle for people who aren’t quite sure what type of hook they like best. It’s shaped nicely so that it’s comfortable in your hand but doesn’t impose a certain grip as some other ergonomic hooks might.
Cons: If you’re looking for a precise hook style, these ones are very basic. You might want to explore some other types of grips, shapes, and materials, but in the meantime, these are basic and solid hooks that will cover you while you search.
Searching For Your Perfect Hook
Sometimes you’re lucky and you’ll find your favorite brand or hook right off the bat when you start to crochet. But for most of us, it takes a lot of time and experimentation to find a good fit. Hopefully, this list has helped you find some guidance in exploring new and exciting hook brands. Comment below if you have any other recommendations of hooks you can buy on Hobbii or if you enjoy any of the ones from above. Happy hooking! :)
Madeline from @ofbooksandhooks is a crafter who loves pairing her two passions: crochet and books! You can see her latest work on her Instagram, and find some free patterns on her website.
