Best Crochet Hooks for the Money and Results

Check out these best crochet hooks for the money and the results they provide.

Now, these aren’t just randomly chosen sets. I have reviewed them in detail, tested them all, and conducted some speed tests to find which would allow me to crochet more quickly.

The results were surprising.

I’d known for some time that one style of hook I own worked better for me than some others but I never understood why until I completed these reviews and timed myself performing some routine crochet tasks.

There’s a lot of information here and I’ve tried to organize it in a way that provides the most useful information at the top. That’s where you’ll find individual reviews of the top 5 hooks.

After that you’ll find a side by side comparison, the results of my speed tests and help in choosing the one that will fit your holding style best.

Detailed Reviews of the Top 5 Hooks

In order to make my selection I read many reviews and lists already online, chose those that were most often recommended, purchased any I did not have and then tested each one in order to choose the ones that I thought delivered the best comfort, results, and value for the price.

Below are my reviews of each of top rochet hooks in my list.

#1 – Clover Amour Crochet Hook – Best All Around

Hook style: Tapered
Head Material: Aluminum
Length: 5 1/2″
Handle: Cushioned
Handle Circumference at Base (6mm hook): 1 1/2″
Handle Colors: Assorted
Consistent Handle Circumference at Base: No
Consistent Thumb Rest Width: Yes
Price: $$

Clover Needlecraft Inc has been operating in the US since 1983 and sells a variety of needs, sewing notions, and hooks.

The hooks in this set have handles that are cushioned with a soft, elastomer rubber.  Each size has a different color handle so you can quickly distinguish one from another. 

They are also marked with the letter and mm size but it’s imprinted on the handle rather than done with colored text and is harder to read than some of the other hooks in this list. 

This hook is ideal for either grip style – knife or pencil.  The back of the thumb rest is rounded so those using the pencil grip will find their middle finger rests comfortably on the back and does not have to deal with an edge as you do with the Boye hooks above.

The hook heads are polished aluminum with no burrs so they do not snag your yarn.

The Clover Amour came in 1st in my Chain 50 timed test and 2nd in my 3 Rows of 50 SC test. The performance was nearly identical to the Tulip Etimo hooks and now I know why. The shape of the head and the smoothness of the shaft make all the difference.

As you can see in the image above, the head and the lip are pointed but not sharp. They have some definition but are both rounded. This allowed the hook to insert easily inside a stitch and come back through without snagging or splitting the yarn in either direction.

The shaft is also super smooth with the perfect slope from throat to shaft so yarn glides on and off the hook like a dream.

This combination of head shape and smooth shaft mean you can not only create stitches more quickly but you also spend less time fighting split or snagged yarn which is why it ranked so well on the speed tests.

This hook is as close as you can get to Tulip Etimo hooks without the high price. which might explain why it has outstanding ratings on nearly every retailer’s site.

The set above comes with 10 hooks in consecutive sizes: B (2.25mm), C (2.75mm), Size D (3.25mm), E (3.5mm), F (3.75mm), G (4.0mm), 7 (4.5mm), H (5.0m), I (5.5mm), J (6.0mm). This assortment is good for some lace work, amigurumi, blankets, afghans, clothing and home decor items using yarn that is lace to medium weight.

Hooks larger than 6mm are available for individual purchase if you work with bulky yarns.

#2 – Tulip Etimo Crochet Hooks – Best for Speed

Hook style: Tapered
Head Material: Steel
Length: 5 1/2″
Handle: Cushioned
Handle Circumference at Base (6mm hook): 1 1/8″
Handle Colors: Pink
Consistent Handle Circumference at Base: No
Consistent Thumb Rest Width: No
Price: $$$

Maybe it’s the various shades of pink covering the handles of these hooks or the super-smooth, polished steel heads but these are my absolute favorites.  I bought this set for my mother several years ago and she then bought a set for me and both of us use these almost exclusively.

Tulip is a Japanese company that produces several series of hooks besides the Etimo line.

The handle cushion is made of a rubber that is slightly more firm than others on my list but still extremely comfortable.  The thumb rest is a generous length that will work for nearly everyone. 

The overall length is one of the shortest on my list but it’s nice and light and easy to wield.

This handle length works for me and my short hands but someone with longer hands may find that the end of the hook hits inside their palm when using the knife grip.

This set came in #1 in the 3 Rows of 50 SC speed test and would be first on my list if it weren’t for the price.

The reason these hooks work so well is, like the Clover Amour, the shape of the head and the absolutely smooth shaft.

There’s a gentle slope from the throat to the shaft so that yarn isn’t slowed as you glide through your stitch. The head and shaft are incredibly well polished steel which makes them very sturdy.

The bowl of the hook head is an angle rather than a curve.  I believe that also helps with speed as it requires just the slightest turn of my wrist to manipulate the yarn because the yarn is not held as deeply in the hook.

They’re a bit more expensive than the other sets on the list but they come in a gorgeous, pink, ostrich print case that zips closed with a crystal and thread tassel. I smile every time I open that case to work on a pattern.  I can’t help myself!

Inside the case is a zippered mesh pocket that holds a small pair of gold plated scissors and a set of two metal yarn needles.

Each hook is stamped with the letter and mm size information in large, black font which is very easy to read.

This set comes with 10 hooks in sizes 2.00, 2.20, 2.50, 3.00, 3.50, 4.00, 4.50, 5.00, 5.50, and 6.00. There is a 3 piece set of larger sizes you can buy in order to extend the sizes of yarn with which you can use your beautiful Etimo hooks.

#3 – Athena’s Elements Crochet Hooks – Best Budget Set

Hook style: Tapered
Head Material: Aluminum
Length: 5 3/4″
Handle: Cushioned
Handle Circumference at Base (6mm hook): 1 1/4″
Handle Colors: Assorted
Consistent Handle Circumference at Base: No
Consistent Thumb Rest Width: No
Price: $

This crochet hook set is made by a company owned by a woman who is a military spouse in California. 

The handle length and cushioned grip is extremely comfortable. The letter and mm size is imprinted in the handle so it shows as the same color as the handle which makes it harder, in my opinion, to read than with some of the other options but at least the text won’t rub off over time. 

The aluminum heads are sturdy but NOT as well polished as the other hooks on the list.  There are small burrs on some of the hooks and some reviews found online mention that these seemed to snag your yarn more often.

See the tiny groove marks on the back of this Athena’s Elements hook? That’s what I’m talking about.

You can see them on the hook however I have not had an issue with them snagging my yarn. In fact, this set came out surprisingly well on the speed and performance tests. Maybe they would snag fine or textured yarns but I had no issues with regular, medium weight yarn.

The head has a rounded point and pushes through yarn very easily. The slight curve at the lip did require a little more twist in the wrist to complete a stitch but it was barely noticeable.

These performed just a fraction slower than the first two hooks on my list and I do believe that was only because of the shaft being less smooth. Other than that, they were very comfortable to hold and were a pleasure to use.

Better yet, they are so incredibly affordable (a set of 12 hooks costs less than $20) that they could have made my list for that reason alone.  Sizes in the set include: 2.25mm (B), 2.75mm (C), 3.25mm (D), 3.5mm (E), 3.75mm (F), 4mm (G), 4.5mm (7), 5mm (H), 5.5mm (I), 6mm (J), 6.5mm (K), 8.0mm (L).

This arrangement of hook sizes gives you a bit of everything as you have some small hooks for lacework and amigurumi, some sizes that work with medium weight yarns and a hook or two for some bulky yarn weights.

These hooks cannot be purchased individually – only as a set – and there are no other sizes available so if you like them but need other sizes in your collection you’ll need to look for another brand for those other sizes.

Despite the fact that these are not the smoothest hooks on the list, they are by far the cheapest. Beginners who don’t want to spend a fortune can have a wide variety of hook sizes for less than the cost of two lunches at a fast food restaurant. 

#4 – Clover Soft Touch – Best Flat Handled Option

Hook style: Tapered
Head Material: Aluminum
Length: 5 1/24″
Handle: Not cushioned
Handle Circumference at Base (6mm hook): 1 1/4″
Handle Colors: Caramel
Consistent Handle Circumference at Base: Yes
Consistent Thumb Rest Width: Yes
Price: $$

I had taken some time away from crochet while I was working and raising my children but when I picked it back up this was the set my husband bought for me to replace my Susan Bates Silvalume hooks. 

I absolutely loved them in comparison.  The handles are hard plastic with a cushion only at the thumb rest.  The handles are flat but wide which helps if you have wrist pain like I do.  The bottom of my hand does not have to close as tightly as it does with a thinner hook when I use the knife grip to hold the hook.

The flat handle, though, is not as comfortable when using the pencil grip.  The knuckle of my middle finger falls on the edge of the hook and the plastic is not as soft on my knuckle as the cushioned handles of other hooks. 

Because the handles are flat these do not roll away from you – which I greatly appreciate!  I am forever laying my hook down to switch yarn or turn the page in my pattern and then having to retrieve the hook from the floor because it has rolled off of my end table. 

The letter and mm sizing are stamped on the handle in black lettering and is easy to read.

Like the prior hooks, the rounded point at the head and lip help get the head through your yarn easily but the angled throat somehow resulted in my losing the yarn off the hook more often which is why these didn’t perform as strongly on the speed tests.

One potential issue with this hook is that the plastic handle is actually two pieces joined right in the middle of the thumb rest. 

I’ve had these hooks for about 6 years now and at least one of them is starting to separate a bit where these two plastic pieces are connected.  I’m still able to use the hook just fine – the parts don’t really separate while I’m using it. I only notice if I flex it between two hands but I do question the longevity of this style as compared to the other hooks on the list.

I would swear that I received these as a set because I can’t imagine my husband knew which sizes to purchase but I can’t find them for purchase anywhere as other than individual hooks.

Still, the price is reasonable and buying one at a time allows you to choose only the sizes you’ll actually use. They are available in every size from 2.25mm to 6mm (B-J) which means you can use them with some lace/thread through medium weight yarns.

#5 – Boye Ergonomic Hook – Best Wide Handle

Hook style: Tapered
Head Material: Aluminum
Length: 6″
Handle: Cushioned
Handle Circumference at Base (6mm hook): 2″
Handle Colors: Assorted
Consistent Handle Circumference at Base: No
Consistent Thumb Rest Width: No
Price: $

Boye Needle has been making crochet hooks since 1917.  The company is part of Simplicity Creative Group (owners of the Simplicity sewing pattern brand name). 

This is one of the longest hooks in my list.  The J/5.75mm hook has a total length of 6 inches – ¼ of an inch longer than the next longest in my top 5.  The hook is made of aluminum that is well polished and does not snag your yarn.

The handle is made of soft rubber and is nice and thick. They’re designed to help those with carpal tunnel or arthritis.  The thicker handle means you do not have to close your hand as tightly in order to work the hook. So, if closing your hand is an issue, these are a great option.

However, if rotating your wrist is a problem for you I would avoid these hooks. The shape of the head results in one having to rotate your wrist more in order to a) pull your yarn back through your stitch and b) release the yarn through the final loop of a stitch.  

The head of this hook is more rounded than the others and that made getting through a stitch more challenging than the others.

The point on the lip is also more sharp and that snagged my yarn more often than any of the others. It is these elements of the hook’s design that slowed me down and resulted in the lowest results on the speed test.

If you use the knife grip to hold your hook these are super-comfortable to hold.

But, if you use the pencil grip to hold your hook the square shape of the thumb rest area makes the hook feel awkward in your hand.  I find that my middle finger wants to rest right on the corner of the thumb rest area.  This feels uncomfortable and the hook tends to roll on the knuckle of that finger.

So, with slower results and more wrist action required, why would I keep this hook on the list of the best? I had to remind myself that not everyone cares about speed.

I am starting to develop arthritis in my right hand and I feel it the most when I have to close my fingers. Therefore, a hook with a nice, wide base is sometimes a blessing and may be my only choice some years into the future. This set solves that challenge and at a reasonable price.

The Boye Ergonomic hooks work for any kind of crochet and yarn.  Whether you enjoy making blankets, amigurumi toys and animals, clothing, or home decor items there’s a size that will work for you.

Some reviewers who have bought these in a set have complained of hook heads that were out of sync in the handle when they first opened the set and the heads had to be turned into position.

I purchased mine as separate hooks and not only have I not seen that problem but I can’t even turn the head inside the handle.  They are firmly set into the handle and do not seem to twist.

The handles come in a variety of bright colors. Some of the colors are reused in the set which means you can’t rely on the color of the handle alone to make sure you’re grabbing the right size.

The size of the handle, though thick for every hook, does vary. Smaller hook sizes have smaller handle circumferences and a smaller thumb rest base.

The size of each hook is stamped on the handle in white text showing both the letter and mm information. It’s not as easy to read as it is on the Etimo hooks but not as difficult to see as it is on the Clover Amour hooks.

The set I’ve linked to above comes with 12 hooks: 2.25mm, 2.75mm, 3.25mm, 3.5mm, 3.75mm, 4.25mm, 5mm, 5.25mm, 5.75mm, 6.5mm, 8mm, and 10mm.

This set has a good variety of sizes. There are a few small hooks for use with thread for lace or for amigurumi and some more regularly used hooks for afghans and clothing but pay close attention to the hook sizes.

This set, for example, does NOT include size 5.5mm and 6mm hooks which are popular sizes recommended for many patterns that use medium weight yarns. It does, though, include a couple of hooks that can work with some bulky yarns.

You can buy individual hooks in sizes that are not included in the set but that will add to your overall expense.

If you look around you might find the 9 piece set option which does come with a better selection of hook sizes used for medium weight yarn but it’s not always easy available.

If you like this style handle and love the color pink you might be interested in the Boye Ergonomic 6 piece set with all pink handles. Those come in a pretty case nearly identical to the Etimo Tulip hooks and for a much lower price!

Side by Side Comparison

I compared the 5 hooks side by side in a number of ways. First, I looked at overall dimensions, design, and options and then I conducted two speed tests with each hook.

Dimensions

The image below shows a front view of each of the top 5 hooks in order based on my rating along with my measuring tape so you can gauge the size of each. As you can see, the handles are very different.

The hook head, throat, and shaft are also different from hook to hook. Take a look at the different point shapes and bowl sizes.

• 1 – Clover Amour
• 2 – Tulip Etimo Rose
• 3 – Athena’s Elements
• 4 – Clover Soft Touch
• 5 – Boye Ergonomic

The chart above provides basic details about each hook including measurements, colors and price comparison.

Speed Tests

One hook looks much like another but the differences really stand out when you actually use the hook.

I’d been sure that I was able to crochet more quickly with my Tulip hooks but I’d never really put that to the test….until now.

I conducted two speed tests to see if one crochet hook allowed me to work faster than another and, if so, why that might be. The results were used to help me rank order my top 5.

The first test was to simply do a foundation chain of 50. I conducted each test with all 5 hooks AND with a Bates Silvalume hook. While the Silvalume is an inline hook (and not on my list of the best) and the others are all tapered, so many of us start out with Silvalume that I wanted to compare the speed to something with which many people might have more experience.

I chained 50 with each hook five times, used a stop watch to record my time for each test, and then averaged the speed (in seconds) for each hook.

For the second test, I began with a foundation chain of 51 and then timed myself doing 3 rows of single crochet stitches. I also performed this test five times for each hook, used a stop watch, and averaged the results in seconds.

Since most of our time is spent on the body of a crochet pattern and not on the foundation chain, the results of the second test carried more weight in my overall rankings.

The chart below shows the results of both speed tests for each hook.

As I expected, the Tulip Etimo hooks allowed me to crochet 30% more quickly than the slowest hook on the list, the Boye Ergonomic hook, when I was completing 3 rows of 50 single crochet stitches.

That is a HUGE difference. Consider a blanket made up of 18,000 stitches. Using the results from my test it would take me approximately 19 hours to finish that blanket using the Boye hook but only 13.7 hours with the Etimo hook.

Choosing a hook that allows you to work more efficiently can save you a ton of time over the course of years.

While doing these tests I was able to figure out the reasons each hook performed as it did and have noted those in the individual reviews found at the top of this post.

There are other pros and cons to each choice so reading those reviews will be helpful in choosing the hook that will work best for YOU.

#1 – Clover Amour	#2 – Etimo Tulip	#3 – Athena’s Elements	#4 – Clover Soft Touch	#5 – Boye Ergonomic

How to Choose

I’ve shown you the 5 most reliable, comfortable crochet hooks but it’s a lot to take in. How do you actually choose the ones that will work best for you?

Understanding the job of each part of the crochet hook and the difference between inline vs tapered hooks helps but, more importantly, choosing a hook that will be most comfortable based on how YOU hold your hook will give you the best results.

Once you understand how you, personally, hold and work with your hook you can then look at the thumb rest and handle shape/length to find the one that is going to be most comfortable in your hand.

How You Hold Your Hook

I have used the knife grip since I learned to crochet and (after 30+ years) I doubt I could switch to the pencil grip if you paid me.

I did, though, use both methods to hold each hook on my list of the best and found that some are going to work better with one type of hold than the other.  That’s important to note while you’re making your decision.

Another thing to keep in mind when looking at the crochet hook handle is the size of your hand.  I have tiny hands.  The distance between the base of my palm to the tip of my middle finger is 7 inches.  My fingers are wide, though, and the width from the base of my hand to the other side of my palm is 4 inches. 

As a result, none of the hooks I’ve selected are so short that the ends of the hook poke my palm while I’m crocheting using the knife grip.

If you have longer or wider hands you may find that a shorter hook is not your best option because the end will not extend to the end of your palm.

Measure Your Grip

This extra step matters most to those who use a knife grip to hold the hook. If that’s you, hold either a crochet hook you already own or a knife from your kitchen drawer just as you would while crocheting.

Measure from the tip of your thumb down to the end of your pinky finger.  If that distance is MORE than 4 inches you should choose the longest hook in this list (or any hook that is at least 6 inches long). If your measurement is 4 inches or LESS then any of the hooks in this list should work for you.

Summary

I hope you find the information above has been helpful to you in finding the best crochet hook that you can afford, will be the most comfortable for you, will help you crochet more quickly (if that’s your goal) and that will give you the best finished results for your patterns and projects.

If you have any questions please feel free to use the comment section below.  I’d love to hear from you!