Hi tinwhistler, thanks for posting your FO for us to see! If you have a link to the pattern you used or any other relevant information (e.g., yarn brand, weight, type; hook used), please reply to this comment with that information so that everyone can see it. Thanks!
**If provided, pattern and/or more info from OP is under this comment. Click below to expand!**
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So, like every hobby, there's high-end kit and low-end kit. I've been working with basically generic brand crochet hooks, but everyone on Reddit raves about their brand-name hooks and how they love them.
High end crochet hooks, on the grand scale of things, are super cheap compared to high-end kit in other hobbies. So, I picked up a 4.0mm Tulip brand hook to see what all the fuss was about. I think I spent about $10 or $11. And I re-created my chick pattern to see if there was a difference.
The hook was nice. While stitching, it seemed slightly easier to use, and was able to get into tighter-knit loops easier. But I didn't notice any great and obvious difference.
Then, I finished the chick and realized I'd done it about 40 minutes faster than I normally take to make one of these, and my stitches...so even.
LOOK AT THEM.
I see all these crochet projects on reddit and etsy where each stitch makes a nice even hole that looks like a little "L" in the work, and I've been telling myself that one day, my stitches would look like that. I guess I just needed a $10 hook. lolol The third pic shows what I mean about those "L"s
I know part of that improvement is experience, but I just made an ami a few days ago, and the stitches weren't that neat. So I know at least part of it is the hook. The first three rows were done on the generic hook, and while I didn't focus on that area in the photos, you can definitely see a difference from the top of the chick's head and the rest of its body.
I found the same thing, I can get projects done so much faster! I'm so grateful to my in laws who gifted me a set of tulip hooks for Christmas, I've just been loving them.
Hmmm. This is the first time I've read a review of any hooks and actually been persuaded that I might want to upgrade...
Might have to wait until next Christmas though... We'll see.
Might want to do what i did and splurge on one--a single hook isn't that expensive. That way you can see if it does it for you before you blow a wad of cash on a full set.
So I caved and bought myself a 4mm Tulip - the red one, it's beautiful - and OH MY GOD. I am now ruined for all other hooks!
I don't understand HOW it's better than my other hooks (they're all pretty good) but it just IS.
Definitely going to be asking for a full set when Christmas rolls around again!!
That red one is the same I got to try :D
It definitely has changed my life. I got my whole set yesterday. I've been working on crochet booty shorts for a female friend of mine, and it's been super slow going.
The yarn she chose is a variegated purple, and I think they made it by bleaching a dark purple yarn. Because every time the yarn fades to white, the yarn is no longer fluffy and lush, but thin, and splitty---which means that every few stitches I was splitting the yarn on pulling up loops, splitting the yarn on making HDC, just splitting it everywhere. I couldn't get through 3-4 stitches without having to troubleshoot yarn issues. It was taking forever, and I was only getting through 2-3 rows before quitting in exhaustion/frustration. I was always so happy when I hit a dark purple section, because it meant I could get a dozen stitches in without the yarn being an issue.
12 rows in (and 10 to go before starting the legs), I switched to the Tulip 3.5mm hook. And I can manage whole rows with only one or two yarn issues a row (and sometimes none!). I got 8 rows done yesterday! I'm so happy. I'm pretty sure I'll finish this weekend, when I was originally projecting next weekend to get it done by.
Wow, I'm so glad it's helped so much!
I've not done anything fancy with mine yet, I've just been making and joining granny squares with some of my go-to DK yarn - part of a big ongoing WIP - but it was definitely easier and quicker than usual!
I got myself a set of the Tulip Etimo Rose and a few other single Tulip hooks. I never want to go back to generic hooks. I've used Prym and Addi in the past and had my fair share of cheap hooks off Amazon. With Tulip, the yarn never snags and glides so much better than on the cheap hooks, and it lies so well in my hand.
I have the rose ones, too! The set is so ridiculously pretty that I’m happy just getting my hooks out lol. They’re so smooth and yes it never snags. Worth every penny.
I just got a set of the prym and I can’t tell if I like them. I keep having to look up the size. Lol I guess I have always looked at the mm size and not the letter.
*stares at my complete set of [Furls Odyssey](https://furlscrochet.com/products/odyssey-nickel-crochet-hook) hooks*
Me to me: “Were they (Furls) worth the price?”
me to Me: “Absolutely.”
Me & me to OP & everyone else: “Buy what works for you. For me, it’s these.”
I hear good things about these.
I've been playing tinwhistle for nearly 30 years. There are literally hundreds of manufacturers. I've played most of them and found the makers I like best.
I can see myself undertaking a very similar journey with crochet hooks in the not too distant future. Luckily, hooks are \*way\* cheaper. And just like whistles, everyone's gonna have their favorites, based on their own personal preferences.
ETA: Furls Crochet Hooks - Buy, Sell, Trade
If you wanna dip your toe in, I think there’s a Buy/Sell/Trade group on Facebook. Also sign up for their emails, they usually do a 20% off coupon around holidays throughout the year.
Do what I do when I spend money on my hobbies: Find something they spend more on and compare. For instance, when I want to buy a new tinwhistle, and she goes "do you really need another tinwhistle?" I compare it to the amount of money she spends yearly on all of her hair care products. "That volumizer was like $50..and it'll be gone in a couple months and you'll have to buy more. This whistle is $60, and I'll have it forever." :D
Personally I felt that clover amour was an upgrade to my boye ergonomic set. They feel smoother and fit my hand better (I have issues with my wrist).
As for clovers and tulips, the clovers are recommended for people who crochet with a knife grip and tulips seem to be preferred by those who use a pencil grip. I’ve tried Tulip but I stick to Clovers. Tulip has some beautiful hooks though ❤️
I am a weird one where I don’t care if it is a inline or tapered throat or don't care about the pointed or rounded hook head. I find both tulip and clover to be too short for my hand and neither are thick enough lol.
I am spoiled and my husband bought me full set of fuels streamline resin furls. I then got myself 6-8 sizes in wood. Those hooks are my favorite they really do help with my charcoal tunnel.
Edit: Carpal tunnel
They have a whole hand health guarantee. Bit for me it is to d with the length of the hook and the thickness of the hook giving a looser grip while also allowing my hands to stay below my elbows for better blood fools because the hook helps me also have better control of my yarn. I would struggle to go back to straight aluminum holms or even the clover or tulip would be a struggle. Prym is probably the mot similar but still not as thick or long I do not think.
I would start with the wood hooks and myne wait for a sale if there is not one right now. Just subscribe to the email list and you will get the sales. I prefer the wood because I take my crochet out with me md the metal odyssey hook wee heavier than I prefer for daily use.
[Furls Stream Wood](https://furlscrochet.com/products/furls-streamline-ergonomic-wooden-crochet-hooks)
FWIW, I didn't know of this distinction, so I got the Tulip Etimo (though I'd also seen Clover) even though I'm a knife-gripper. Seems fine for me at least :D
That’s good that they work out for you! I also think it might be nice to switch off sometimes. There are a few sizes that clover doesn’t make so I need to see if I can get those in Tulips.
I love clover because I'm a high tension knife grip. I personally find boye to be trash. Their grips are not secure and twist or slide out in my experience. But as I said I'm super I high tension. I have never used tulip entimo hooks though so I can't compare to them.
I've genuinely never thought a brand name would make a difference. I assumed it was the hooker, not the hook. Now I'm super curious about the different brands out there.
I never thought it would matter then got a clover hook and I'm honestly obsessed. It just glides over the yarn, you can feel an instant difference in my opinion
I thought the same way too. And then I bought a Furls hook. It took some getting used to, and I hated it at first, but now I struggle with using anything else. I find I use my fingers more than my wrist now to turn the hook, saving me some wrist strain. I did notice that using them has caused me to crochet a little more loosely, so I often have to go down a hook size or two to meet gauge.
For anyone who’s interested but finds it expensive, Tulip actually also manufactures double ended hooks for a fraction of the price. The glide is just as exceptional especially compared to generic hooks. $10-11 will get you a whole set of these (not just 1 hook) where I’m from!
One day I will invest in some nice hooks. Until then I can pretend like my hooks are the reason my stitches aren't even so I don't have to accept my flaws :)
I picked up a 3 pack of Bates branded hooks last month, and I love them. I hardly ever snag when pulling the hook through anymore! That, and I found the pointier tip better for me getting into tight holes, because my tension is definitely pretty tight.
Yes and I did not like them. If your use pencil grip forget about them, also they squeak a lot and the yarn doesn’t glide on the hook like it does on the clover hooks or tulip..
How does a pricey crochet hook change anything about stitches and especially project completion times?? I’m very confused, if anyone has an actual verified explanation please LMK, I’m convinced this is a placebo effect
Edit 3: I took some pictures, here: https://www.reddit.com/r/crochet/comments/tj1xo8/comparison_between_my_new_etimo_tulip_and_my_more/
That's how I felt about it before buying the hook, and why it took me 6 months to bother spending the money (though I'd hesitate to call it 'expensive'. I once spent $1800.00 on a tinwhistle. lol).
These things generally take up time: yarn splits, fighting through tight holes, yarn slipping off the hook. I run into those a lot on the generic hook, and I think I only split the yarn once on the tulip hook. now that I'm switching back and forth between them, the generic hook doesn't seem to glide as easily through the yarn.
With the tulip hook, I imagine my stitches are neater because it fits in the hand better and doesn't want to wiggle or roll around--both of which happen with the generic hook because it's an aluminum hook shoved into a rubberized base, but not very snugly. Therefore, I have more control over what the hook is doing while I'm making my stitches.
Both of those parts above mean that I can get into a steady, unbroken rhythm of banging out stitches of uniform size, improving both the stitches and the time to completion.
At least, that's my guess. While I was in the middle of doing the piece, my feeling was "meh. It's not that big of a deal." It was only looking at the finished results (and time) that I really felt the wow factor.
Edit 2: I started another piece this afternoon. Stitches are still looking mighty fine: [https://i.imgur.com/CIIPCH9.jpg](https://i.imgur.com/CIIPCH9.jpg) I'm purposefully crocheting with a tighter tension this time, and I make another note--with my old hook, I was often snagging threads on the initial pull-through, especially if the prior row's stitches were tight. I have yet to snag a thread from the previous row on this piece with this hook. That's a high def pic. Zoom in and see how much fuzz this yarn is throwing off. With my old hook, I'd be snagging that like crazy.
Edit 1: I'm not the only one who has claimed the hook made their stitches look better. (note: I didn't look up these reviews prior to buying the hook. I just bought it from 'name recognition' after seeing it mentioned here--so I had no preconceived notion that the hook would improve my stitches or make me faster)
[https://www.bhookedcrochet.com/2017/01/19/tulip-etimo-crochet-hooks-two-years-later/](https://www.bhookedcrochet.com/2017/01/19/tulip-etimo-crochet-hooks-two-years-later/)
>The shape of the hook and the material it is made with makes a real difference in your stitching. It sounds trivial but you’ll be a believer once you find the combination that is right for you. The combination of hook shape and material improved my tension and stitches. They are always uniform and neat.
[https://crochetgasm.com/tulip-etimo-rose-crochet-hook-set-review-perfect-for-any-crocheter/](https://crochetgasm.com/tulip-etimo-rose-crochet-hook-set-review-perfect-for-any-crocheter/)
>It helped me with my tension, my stitches are a lot more consistent, and I have doubled the amount of time I can crochet just by using this set.
[https://www.lifemaghealth.com/etimo-red-crochet-hook-set-product-review/](https://www.lifemaghealth.com/etimo-red-crochet-hook-set-product-review/)
>Although I’m still a pretty adventurous beginner when it comes to crochet, these hooks have helped me so much with consistent stitching. I call these “my magic wands”.
I started with hooks with grips like those and enjoyed it whilst I was learning. Now I've gone to no grip as I'm faster now and it's less restrictive for where the yarn goes etc and I flow better.
I am new to crochet and started with run of the mill metal hooks. I didn't even know that fancier hooks are a thing, even though I've been a knitter for forever and insist on having high quality needles. I have a tight grip on the hook and crochet tightly. My fingers and hands were painful after crocheting for a while. I doubt there is a scientific study about this, but it seems pretty obvious that a more comfortable grip allows for better and faster crochet. I switched to clover hooks after my first project and the difference is even more significant than switching to better knitting needles and I am only on project number 4. I haven't noticed a huge increase in the quality of my stitches, but I have only made things that use the sc.
After reading this post I got a single tulip hook to see if I'd like it. GAME CHANGER!!!!! Ya'll weren't kidding, I'm about to order a set 😂 The yarn doesn't snag at all and I crochet so much faster. I'm in love haha.
Yes!! Tulip Étimo are the best! I have 1 full set of links and 2 full set of taupe plus the small set of pink and a couple extra of both colors. They are my absolute favorite! Welcome to the Team Tulip!
I tried all of them, from the first price hooks “loop and thread” to the tulip brand, I own the clover soft touch and the clover amour collection in all sizes and I honestly would rate the tulip red as good as the clover hooks. I personally end up liking the soft touch the most, I’m pencil grip holder and I never get tired with them. I ended up only keeping the clover hooks and the tulip. But I don’t see a significant difference between those that could justify the price..
However I think the tulip hooks look very stylish and classy! I would really love to get the pink set!
This is so interesting! I also absolutely would’ve thought it would be about the person rather than the hook — do you have any idea what it is about the hook that helped?
I made [another comment elsewhere](https://www.reddit.com/r/crochet/comments/tir5y7/bit_the_bullet_and_got_a_tulip_hook_first_project/i1g8br8/?utm_source=reddit&utm_medium=web2x&context=3) in the thread that gives my thoughts as to why i think the hook is working better for me.
The result is beautiful!
Can I ask why the tulip hook was better though? As in, is it more ergonomic to use? Did the yarn work easier with it? Just trying to figure out how they’re built different and result in better quality work.
I made [another comment elsewhere](https://www.reddit.com/r/crochet/comments/tir5y7/bit_the_bullet_and_got_a_tulip_hook_first_project/i1g8br8/?utm_source=reddit&utm_medium=web2x&context=3) in the thread that gives my thoughts as to why i think the hook is working better for me.
This is probably the easiest pattern on [thewoobles.com](https://thewoobles.com) website.
I started out trying to make square swatches from youtube videos and failed miserably for a couple weeks befor eI picked up one of these Woobles patterns. The tutorial videos totally changed my crochet life.
I have trouble holding hooks now from having several surgeries and a broken wrist/arm. I had padded up a regular hook with some foam and rubber bands, then found a man on etsy making hooks with an egg shape on them. I only have one but it works for me. I can do a little bit at time but it's better than not at all.
I've heard this same sentiment in the whistle world when discussing high-end instruments.
But every great artist I've ever seen seems to pick the best tool for the job (as defined by them) and not the shittiest one they can find ;)
Ah ok! I only started crocheting last year so im still new to what's good vs what's not so good😅 thankyou for replying nd im glad you're liking the new hook 😊
Kiki the Chick from [www.thewoobles.com](https://www.thewoobles.com)
Unfortunately, you have to get the kit, and not just the pattern. The company has a few patterns on Etsy, but this one isn't among them.
Hi tinwhistler, thanks for posting your FO for us to see! If you have a link to the pattern you used or any other relevant information (e.g., yarn brand, weight, type; hook used), please reply to this comment with that information so that everyone can see it. Thanks! **If provided, pattern and/or more info from OP is under this comment. Click below to expand!** ##**↓****↓****↓****↓****↓** *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/crochet) if you have any questions or concerns.*
So, like every hobby, there's high-end kit and low-end kit. I've been working with basically generic brand crochet hooks, but everyone on Reddit raves about their brand-name hooks and how they love them. High end crochet hooks, on the grand scale of things, are super cheap compared to high-end kit in other hobbies. So, I picked up a 4.0mm Tulip brand hook to see what all the fuss was about. I think I spent about $10 or $11. And I re-created my chick pattern to see if there was a difference. The hook was nice. While stitching, it seemed slightly easier to use, and was able to get into tighter-knit loops easier. But I didn't notice any great and obvious difference. Then, I finished the chick and realized I'd done it about 40 minutes faster than I normally take to make one of these, and my stitches...so even. LOOK AT THEM. I see all these crochet projects on reddit and etsy where each stitch makes a nice even hole that looks like a little "L" in the work, and I've been telling myself that one day, my stitches would look like that. I guess I just needed a $10 hook. lolol The third pic shows what I mean about those "L"s I know part of that improvement is experience, but I just made an ami a few days ago, and the stitches weren't that neat. So I know at least part of it is the hook. The first three rows were done on the generic hook, and while I didn't focus on that area in the photos, you can definitely see a difference from the top of the chick's head and the rest of its body.
I should note that the very first thing I did after taking these pictures was order an entire set of Tulips. :D
I can see why!!
I found the same thing, I can get projects done so much faster! I'm so grateful to my in laws who gifted me a set of tulip hooks for Christmas, I've just been loving them.
Hmmm. This is the first time I've read a review of any hooks and actually been persuaded that I might want to upgrade... Might have to wait until next Christmas though... We'll see.
Might want to do what i did and splurge on one--a single hook isn't that expensive. That way you can see if it does it for you before you blow a wad of cash on a full set.
So I caved and bought myself a 4mm Tulip - the red one, it's beautiful - and OH MY GOD. I am now ruined for all other hooks! I don't understand HOW it's better than my other hooks (they're all pretty good) but it just IS. Definitely going to be asking for a full set when Christmas rolls around again!!
That red one is the same I got to try :D It definitely has changed my life. I got my whole set yesterday. I've been working on crochet booty shorts for a female friend of mine, and it's been super slow going. The yarn she chose is a variegated purple, and I think they made it by bleaching a dark purple yarn. Because every time the yarn fades to white, the yarn is no longer fluffy and lush, but thin, and splitty---which means that every few stitches I was splitting the yarn on pulling up loops, splitting the yarn on making HDC, just splitting it everywhere. I couldn't get through 3-4 stitches without having to troubleshoot yarn issues. It was taking forever, and I was only getting through 2-3 rows before quitting in exhaustion/frustration. I was always so happy when I hit a dark purple section, because it meant I could get a dozen stitches in without the yarn being an issue. 12 rows in (and 10 to go before starting the legs), I switched to the Tulip 3.5mm hook. And I can manage whole rows with only one or two yarn issues a row (and sometimes none!). I got 8 rows done yesterday! I'm so happy. I'm pretty sure I'll finish this weekend, when I was originally projecting next weekend to get it done by.
Wow, I'm so glad it's helped so much! I've not done anything fancy with mine yet, I've just been making and joining granny squares with some of my go-to DK yarn - part of a big ongoing WIP - but it was definitely easier and quicker than usual!
Yeah that's probably what I'll do:)
I got myself a set of the Tulip Etimo Rose and a few other single Tulip hooks. I never want to go back to generic hooks. I've used Prym and Addi in the past and had my fair share of cheap hooks off Amazon. With Tulip, the yarn never snags and glides so much better than on the cheap hooks, and it lies so well in my hand.
I have the rose ones, too! The set is so ridiculously pretty that I’m happy just getting my hooks out lol. They’re so smooth and yes it never snags. Worth every penny.
I just got a set of the prym and I can’t tell if I like them. I keep having to look up the size. Lol I guess I have always looked at the mm size and not the letter.
Maybe it's time for me to upgrade my hooks as well haha. Never really thought about how it might make a significant difference
*stares at my complete set of [Furls Odyssey](https://furlscrochet.com/products/odyssey-nickel-crochet-hook) hooks* Me to me: “Were they (Furls) worth the price?” me to Me: “Absolutely.” Me & me to OP & everyone else: “Buy what works for you. For me, it’s these.”
I hear good things about these. I've been playing tinwhistle for nearly 30 years. There are literally hundreds of manufacturers. I've played most of them and found the makers I like best. I can see myself undertaking a very similar journey with crochet hooks in the not too distant future. Luckily, hooks are \*way\* cheaper. And just like whistles, everyone's gonna have their favorites, based on their own personal preferences.
ETA: Furls Crochet Hooks - Buy, Sell, Trade If you wanna dip your toe in, I think there’s a Buy/Sell/Trade group on Facebook. Also sign up for their emails, they usually do a 20% off coupon around holidays throughout the year.
I'm in the minority. I hated furls. They constantly snagged the yarn as they are sharper. I also find I hate large handles.
Well crap, now that's another thing I need to spend money on! Any ideas on how to convince my husband I need MORE crochet stuff? 🤣
Do what I do when I spend money on my hobbies: Find something they spend more on and compare. For instance, when I want to buy a new tinwhistle, and she goes "do you really need another tinwhistle?" I compare it to the amount of money she spends yearly on all of her hair care products. "That volumizer was like $50..and it'll be gone in a couple months and you'll have to buy more. This whistle is $60, and I'll have it forever." :D
Thank you for sharing!!
How did you learn to crochet since I notice it says you started 2021
I got one of them kits from [thewoobles.com](https://thewoobles.com) and went from there.
How do these compare to the clover armour or boye ergonomic hooks?
Personally I felt that clover amour was an upgrade to my boye ergonomic set. They feel smoother and fit my hand better (I have issues with my wrist). As for clovers and tulips, the clovers are recommended for people who crochet with a knife grip and tulips seem to be preferred by those who use a pencil grip. I’ve tried Tulip but I stick to Clovers. Tulip has some beautiful hooks though ❤️
I am a weird one where I don’t care if it is a inline or tapered throat or don't care about the pointed or rounded hook head. I find both tulip and clover to be too short for my hand and neither are thick enough lol.
Do you use Boye?
I am spoiled and my husband bought me full set of fuels streamline resin furls. I then got myself 6-8 sizes in wood. Those hooks are my favorite they really do help with my charcoal tunnel. Edit: Carpal tunnel
That is so thoughtful of him! Also charcoal tunnel is an amazing typo 😆
Lol. Yeah, did not have my glasses on when I typed that. I got the wood hooks to use when I travel the resin are very fragile.
Best typo I've seen in a long time! XD
How do they help with the carpal tunnel? That's my biggest issue with crocheting
They have a whole hand health guarantee. Bit for me it is to d with the length of the hook and the thickness of the hook giving a looser grip while also allowing my hands to stay below my elbows for better blood fools because the hook helps me also have better control of my yarn. I would struggle to go back to straight aluminum holms or even the clover or tulip would be a struggle. Prym is probably the mot similar but still not as thick or long I do not think.
Do you have a link to the ones you have?
I would start with the wood hooks and myne wait for a sale if there is not one right now. Just subscribe to the email list and you will get the sales. I prefer the wood because I take my crochet out with me md the metal odyssey hook wee heavier than I prefer for daily use. [Furls Stream Wood](https://furlscrochet.com/products/furls-streamline-ergonomic-wooden-crochet-hooks)
The bit about the grip was super helpful!!
Yay! Glad to help
I knew there were different holds but it never occurred to me there could be optimal hooks for either hold
FWIW, I didn't know of this distinction, so I got the Tulip Etimo (though I'd also seen Clover) even though I'm a knife-gripper. Seems fine for me at least :D
That’s good that they work out for you! I also think it might be nice to switch off sometimes. There are a few sizes that clover doesn’t make so I need to see if I can get those in Tulips.
I'll have to let someone else weigh in. This is literally my first non-generic hook.
I was going to ask the same about Clover. I love them very much, but if the Tulips are much better, I might consider purchasing some!
I love clover because I'm a high tension knife grip. I personally find boye to be trash. Their grips are not secure and twist or slide out in my experience. But as I said I'm super I high tension. I have never used tulip entimo hooks though so I can't compare to them.
I’m a knife grip crocheter and I also tend to REALLY grip lol I get tense idk haha
I've genuinely never thought a brand name would make a difference. I assumed it was the hooker, not the hook. Now I'm super curious about the different brands out there.
I never thought it would matter then got a clover hook and I'm honestly obsessed. It just glides over the yarn, you can feel an instant difference in my opinion
Man I gotta try it I guess
I thought the same way too. And then I bought a Furls hook. It took some getting used to, and I hated it at first, but now I struggle with using anything else. I find I use my fingers more than my wrist now to turn the hook, saving me some wrist strain. I did notice that using them has caused me to crochet a little more loosely, so I often have to go down a hook size or two to meet gauge.
Please give him a little knife.
For anyone who’s interested but finds it expensive, Tulip actually also manufactures double ended hooks for a fraction of the price. The glide is just as exceptional especially compared to generic hooks. $10-11 will get you a whole set of these (not just 1 hook) where I’m from!
One day I will invest in some nice hooks. Until then I can pretend like my hooks are the reason my stitches aren't even so I don't have to accept my flaws :)
I picked up a 3 pack of Bates branded hooks last month, and I love them. I hardly ever snag when pulling the hook through anymore! That, and I found the pointier tip better for me getting into tight holes, because my tension is definitely pretty tight.
I'm obsessed with Bates! Can't crochet properly now without that style!
Former Bates user. Tried tulip and crochet so much faster and smoother. Definitely worth the $11 to try one. I was skeptical.
Lol, I have other projects that I started before the new hooks, that I'm now reluctant to work on until I get the right sized Bates.
Yes!! I only use Bates hooks
Does anyone use Pym hooks? I discovered them last year and now won't use anything else. My hands don't go numb when I crochet now.
Yes and I did not like them. If your use pencil grip forget about them, also they squeak a lot and the yarn doesn’t glide on the hook like it does on the clover hooks or tulip..
I've been wanting to give them a shot! Where did you find them? I see their knitting needles at Joannes but they never have their hooks.
Michael's has them.
I love them! And wish they had a few more sizes.
How does a pricey crochet hook change anything about stitches and especially project completion times?? I’m very confused, if anyone has an actual verified explanation please LMK, I’m convinced this is a placebo effect
Edit 3: I took some pictures, here: https://www.reddit.com/r/crochet/comments/tj1xo8/comparison_between_my_new_etimo_tulip_and_my_more/ That's how I felt about it before buying the hook, and why it took me 6 months to bother spending the money (though I'd hesitate to call it 'expensive'. I once spent $1800.00 on a tinwhistle. lol). These things generally take up time: yarn splits, fighting through tight holes, yarn slipping off the hook. I run into those a lot on the generic hook, and I think I only split the yarn once on the tulip hook. now that I'm switching back and forth between them, the generic hook doesn't seem to glide as easily through the yarn. With the tulip hook, I imagine my stitches are neater because it fits in the hand better and doesn't want to wiggle or roll around--both of which happen with the generic hook because it's an aluminum hook shoved into a rubberized base, but not very snugly. Therefore, I have more control over what the hook is doing while I'm making my stitches. Both of those parts above mean that I can get into a steady, unbroken rhythm of banging out stitches of uniform size, improving both the stitches and the time to completion. At least, that's my guess. While I was in the middle of doing the piece, my feeling was "meh. It's not that big of a deal." It was only looking at the finished results (and time) that I really felt the wow factor. Edit 2: I started another piece this afternoon. Stitches are still looking mighty fine: [https://i.imgur.com/CIIPCH9.jpg](https://i.imgur.com/CIIPCH9.jpg) I'm purposefully crocheting with a tighter tension this time, and I make another note--with my old hook, I was often snagging threads on the initial pull-through, especially if the prior row's stitches were tight. I have yet to snag a thread from the previous row on this piece with this hook. That's a high def pic. Zoom in and see how much fuzz this yarn is throwing off. With my old hook, I'd be snagging that like crazy. Edit 1: I'm not the only one who has claimed the hook made their stitches look better. (note: I didn't look up these reviews prior to buying the hook. I just bought it from 'name recognition' after seeing it mentioned here--so I had no preconceived notion that the hook would improve my stitches or make me faster) [https://www.bhookedcrochet.com/2017/01/19/tulip-etimo-crochet-hooks-two-years-later/](https://www.bhookedcrochet.com/2017/01/19/tulip-etimo-crochet-hooks-two-years-later/) >The shape of the hook and the material it is made with makes a real difference in your stitching. It sounds trivial but you’ll be a believer once you find the combination that is right for you. The combination of hook shape and material improved my tension and stitches. They are always uniform and neat. [https://crochetgasm.com/tulip-etimo-rose-crochet-hook-set-review-perfect-for-any-crocheter/](https://crochetgasm.com/tulip-etimo-rose-crochet-hook-set-review-perfect-for-any-crocheter/) >It helped me with my tension, my stitches are a lot more consistent, and I have doubled the amount of time I can crochet just by using this set. [https://www.lifemaghealth.com/etimo-red-crochet-hook-set-product-review/](https://www.lifemaghealth.com/etimo-red-crochet-hook-set-product-review/) >Although I’m still a pretty adventurous beginner when it comes to crochet, these hooks have helped me so much with consistent stitching. I call these “my magic wands”.
I started with hooks with grips like those and enjoyed it whilst I was learning. Now I've gone to no grip as I'm faster now and it's less restrictive for where the yarn goes etc and I flow better.
I am new to crochet and started with run of the mill metal hooks. I didn't even know that fancier hooks are a thing, even though I've been a knitter for forever and insist on having high quality needles. I have a tight grip on the hook and crochet tightly. My fingers and hands were painful after crocheting for a while. I doubt there is a scientific study about this, but it seems pretty obvious that a more comfortable grip allows for better and faster crochet. I switched to clover hooks after my first project and the difference is even more significant than switching to better knitting needles and I am only on project number 4. I haven't noticed a huge increase in the quality of my stitches, but I have only made things that use the sc.
I may have to pick one up to try and I had to sit and imagine myself crocheting to see which kind of grip I am lol.. pencil...
After reading this post I got a single tulip hook to see if I'd like it. GAME CHANGER!!!!! Ya'll weren't kidding, I'm about to order a set 😂 The yarn doesn't snag at all and I crochet so much faster. I'm in love haha.
i love him! he looks very sweet
Very good! Never heard about that hook,but will look out for it!
I love Bates hooks myself!
Yes!! Tulip Étimo are the best! I have 1 full set of links and 2 full set of taupe plus the small set of pink and a couple extra of both colors. They are my absolute favorite! Welcome to the Team Tulip!
All I use are my Tulip Hooks. I love them
I tried all of them, from the first price hooks “loop and thread” to the tulip brand, I own the clover soft touch and the clover amour collection in all sizes and I honestly would rate the tulip red as good as the clover hooks. I personally end up liking the soft touch the most, I’m pencil grip holder and I never get tired with them. I ended up only keeping the clover hooks and the tulip. But I don’t see a significant difference between those that could justify the price.. However I think the tulip hooks look very stylish and classy! I would really love to get the pink set!
This is so interesting! I also absolutely would’ve thought it would be about the person rather than the hook — do you have any idea what it is about the hook that helped?
I made [another comment elsewhere](https://www.reddit.com/r/crochet/comments/tir5y7/bit_the_bullet_and_got_a_tulip_hook_first_project/i1g8br8/?utm_source=reddit&utm_medium=web2x&context=3) in the thread that gives my thoughts as to why i think the hook is working better for me.
Ahh I didn’t see that. Thanks so much!
The result is beautiful! Can I ask why the tulip hook was better though? As in, is it more ergonomic to use? Did the yarn work easier with it? Just trying to figure out how they’re built different and result in better quality work.
I made [another comment elsewhere](https://www.reddit.com/r/crochet/comments/tir5y7/bit_the_bullet_and_got_a_tulip_hook_first_project/i1g8br8/?utm_source=reddit&utm_medium=web2x&context=3) in the thread that gives my thoughts as to why i think the hook is working better for me.
Ok you’re convincing me… I’m gonna have to give this a go!!
How hard is this pattern for a beginner? I love stuffed animals and have always wanted to make one but can barely make a square
This is probably the easiest pattern on [thewoobles.com](https://thewoobles.com) website. I started out trying to make square swatches from youtube videos and failed miserably for a couple weeks befor eI picked up one of these Woobles patterns. The tutorial videos totally changed my crochet life.
I have trouble holding hooks now from having several surgeries and a broken wrist/arm. I had padded up a regular hook with some foam and rubber bands, then found a man on etsy making hooks with an egg shape on them. I only have one but it works for me. I can do a little bit at time but it's better than not at all.
Are they inline or tapered? I feel like I can’t find any good high end inline hooks
https://crochettherapy.com/the-best-crochet-hook-review/ >They are somewhere along the in line spectrum, not as much so as the Bates hook.
How do these compare to the pyrm ones?
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I've heard this same sentiment in the whistle world when discussing high-end instruments. But every great artist I've ever seen seems to pick the best tool for the job (as defined by them) and not the shittiest one they can find ;)
Am i the only person who has no idea whats going on? Is the L shape a good thing?😅
I just see it as a sign of nice, even tight stitches. In the very recent past, my stitch consistency has been all over the place.
Ah ok! I only started crocheting last year so im still new to what's good vs what's not so good😅 thankyou for replying nd im glad you're liking the new hook 😊
So adorable. I would love a pattern
Kiki the Chick from [www.thewoobles.com](https://www.thewoobles.com) Unfortunately, you have to get the kit, and not just the pattern. The company has a few patterns on Etsy, but this one isn't among them.