Crochet Hook Showdown: 8 Community Favorites, Yarn Snob Tested
You asked, I answered. Then I put the 8 most-mentioned crochet hooks to the test.
A while back, I asked the crochet community a simple question: what are your go-to crochet hooks? I expected to see a few familiar names pop up. Some did. Others genuinely surprised me.
So I gathered the top mentions, grabbed the same yarn, started the same project, and tested each hook under the same conditions. No favorites. No free passes. Just honest stitching time, real scores, and plenty of opinions.
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If you’ve ever wondered which crochet hooks are actually worth buying, which ones are beginner-friendly, and which ones might not live up to the hype, this review is for you.
How I Tested Each Crochet Hook
To keep the comparison fair, I tested every hook on the same project: a clawfoot stitch scarf using yarn from Made by Hailey Bailey.
I wanted a project that would give me a full picture of how each hook performed. Simple stitches are one thing, but cluster stitches? That’s where a hook starts telling on itself.
Each hook was scored across five categories, with up to 5 points per category for a total possible score of 25.
- Grip & Comfort: Does the hook feel good in my hand? Could I stitch with it for hours without thinking about it too much?
- Hook Head: Does the hook catch yarn cleanly? Can it move in and out of stitches without snagging or splitting?
- Yarn Glide: Does the yarn move smoothly over the hook, or am I fighting drag the whole time?
- Handle Design: How are the ergonomics, shape, feel, and overall look? Because a hook can be functional and cute.
- Value: Is this hook worth the price? Is it easy to find? In this economy, we are absolutely talking about value.
I also reserved the right to add a bonus point when a hook earned a little extra credit.
1 // Susan Bates Silvalume Soft Touch
The Classic That Still Has It.
The Susan Bates Silvalume has been part of crochet collections since the 1960s, and for good reason. For this review, I tested the Soft Touch version, which has a long silicone handle, lightweight aluminum body, and that familiar inline hook head.
These were my everyday hooks for years before another set bumped them out of regular rotation. Picking one up again felt like getting back on a bike.
Best for: Crocheters who love inline hooks, smooth glide, reliable quality, and an easy-to-find price point.
Score Breakdown:
Grip & Comfort: 4/5
Hook Head: 4/5
Yarn Glide: 5/5
Handle Design: 4/5
Value: 5/5
Final Score: 23/25
What I loved: The yarn glide is the standout. Not a single moment of friction. Every stitch felt smooth and easy, and this hook still gives me that flow-state feeling after all these years.
What gave me pause: I love the broad thumbrest and the length, especially for bigger hands, but my thumb kept sliding into an awkward spot between the hook and handle. The sharper chin also caught slightly on my half double crochet clusters.
My take: Susan Bates earned its place at the top. It’s affordable, accessible, consistent, and genuinely well-made. A lot of brands have changed over the years, but Susan Bates still feels like Susan Bates. That matters.
2 // Boye + Yarniss
This section was supposed to be a Boye review, but things took a turn.
I bought a brand-new pack of Boye hooks for this video, and the first hook I pulled out had a visibly misaligned hook head. I tried to crochet with it, but I couldn’t get a fair test. Since I still needed a tapered hook in the lineup, I reached for a set of Yarniss hooks I had on hand.
Best for: Crocheters who want a very affordable set and don’t mind the possibility of quality-control variation.
Score Breakdown for the Yarniss Hooks:
Grip & Comfort: 5/5
Hook Head: 2/5
Yarn Glide: 2/5
Handle Design: 4/5
Value: 5/5
Final Score: 18/25
What I loved: The handle surprised me in a good way. It felt sturdy, comfortable, and beginner-friendly. The broad thumbrest and color coding were both nice touches.
What gave me pause: The hook head was misaligned from the handle, and the neck was too shallow to hold onto yarn comfortably. I had trouble with both cluster stitches and single crochets, so this wasn’t just a fussy-stitch issue. The yarn glide also felt gritty from the first stitch.
My take: Plenty of crocheters love Yarniss, so I’m open to the possibility that I got a rough set. But based on my test, the price is the best thing about them. The quality and consistency need work.
Shop Yarniss Hooks Set
3 // Tulip Etimo Red
The Tulip Etimo Reds debuted in 2020 and have been on crochet wishlists ever since. They’re made by Tulip, a Japanese needle-making company known for high-quality tools, and they’re especially loved for their cushiony handles.
And listen, they are beautiful. Let’s just say that up front.
Best for: Crocheters who want a premium-feeling hook with a cushiony grip and don’t mind paying more.
Score Breakdown:
Grip & Comfort: 4/5
Hook Head: 4/5
Yarn Glide: 4/5
Handle Design: 3/5
Value: 3/5
Final Score: 19/25
What I loved: The grip feels thoughtful and comfortable, and the shank length gives a nice range of motion. Pulling through clusters was satisfying, and the overall feel is polished. Also, that carmine red color is stunning. I need it in a lipstick immediately.
What gave me pause: The handle is shorter than I prefer, and the bump above the thumbrest kept interrupting my natural grip. The hook head is also on the smaller side, which means the yarn doesn’t have as deep a well to settle into.
My take: These are lovely hooks, but the price makes me picky. One hook around $17 is a stretch, and the set price can vary wildly depending on where you buy it. If they work for your hands, I understand the hype. For me, they’re beautiful but not perfect.
4 // Furls Odyssey 2
The Furls Odyssey 2 hooks dropped in early 2025, and the crochet community was buzzing. Furls made a big deal about the updates from the original Odyssey, so I wanted to see if the new version lived up to the hype.
Best for: Crocheters who love luxury ergonomic hooks, a longer shaft, and a dreamy pull-through.
Score Breakdown:
Grip & Comfort: 3/5
Hook Head: 4/5
Yarn Glide: 5/5
Handle Design: 4/5
Value: 2/5
Final Score: 19/25
What I loved: The hook head is delicious. The long shaft works well with my stitching style, and the tip has a great balance between pointy and rounded. The yarn glide was excellent, especially on clusters. The loops practically jumped off the hook.
What gave me pause: The balance felt off to me. The hook head feels heavier than the handle, which made stitching feel a little wobbly. The hook is also slippery, and without a thumbrest, my well-moisturized hands had a hard time staying put.
My take: I liked these more than I expected to, and I can feel the intentional upgrades. But at $38 per hook, the value has to make sense. For me, the stitching experience was good, but not $38-per-hook perfect.
5 // Hobbii Happy Place Crochet Hook Set
In November 2025, I launched my own crochet hooks: Happy Place Crochet Hooks, created in collaboration with Hobbii.
The set includes 10 inline hooks ranging from 3.5mm to 10mm, and every feature was designed for makers who care about comfort, function, and style. I tried my best to be objective here, even though my name is on the box.
Best for: Crocheters who love inline hooks, a sturdy handle, smooth glide, and a little style in their toolkit.
Score Breakdown:
Grip & Comfort: 5/5
Hook Head: 5/5
Yarn Glide: 5/5
Handle Design: 4/5
Value: 3/5
Final Score: 23/25
What I loved: No notes on grip and comfort. These hooks are long, sturdy, and rigid enough that the hook head goes exactly where you send it. The front of the hook is flat, so your thumb has options. The hook head is inline, slightly pointed, and has a deep bowl that holds onto yarn beautifully.
What gave me pause: The handle is long and flat, with a slightly oblong curve toward the bottom. Depending on where it sits in my hand, that curve can get a little irritating after a while. I have to remind myself to hold it closer to the knuckle.
My take: I’m proud of these hooks. The yarn glide hits the sweet spot: not too slippery, not too grippy. The rose copper hook and bottle green handle make my color-loving heart happy, and the level of customization that went into them deserves a bonus point. I reach for these constantly, and I’d recommend them even if they didn’t have my name on them. But it doesn’t hurt that they do.
6 // Prym Ergonomic Hooks
Most of the hooks you recommended leaned metal, but Prym showed up as the lone plastic representative. Prym ergonomic hooks have a devoted following, and I understood why as soon as I picked one up.
Best for: Crocheters who prefer plastic hooks, ergonomic handles, and an affordable hook you can buy individually.
Score Breakdown:
Grip & Comfort: 5/5
Hook Head: 4/5
Yarn Glide: 2/5
Handle Design: 5/5
Value: 5/5
Final Score: 21/25
What I loved: These felt great before I even made a stitch. The ergonomic shape is comfortable and interesting, and the handle feels sturdy for plastic. The rubberized texture keeps the hook planted in your hand, and the design feels like a cross between a rounded Furls-style handle and a flatter traditional hook.
What gave me pause: Yarn glide is where these fell apart for me. They are so, so grippy. My yarn fought the hook texture the whole time, especially once I got into cluster stitches with multiple loops on the hook.
My take: Prym has so many good pieces: comfort, value, availability, and smart ergonomics. But for my stitching style, the hook-to-yarn experience didn’t hit. If you love plastic hooks or prefer a grippier feel, these may be perfect for you.
Shop Prym Ergonomic Crochet Hooks
7 // Clover Amour
This list would not be complete without Clover Amour hooks. They launched in 2012 and have been living rent-free in the crochet community’s heart ever since.
Is it the brushed aluminum hook head? The colorful handles? The squishy grip? Yes. Yes to all of it.
Best for: Beginners, long-time crocheters, and anyone who wants a reliable hook with an easy learning curve.
Score Breakdown:
Grip & Comfort: 5/5
Hook Head: 3/5
Yarn Glide: 5/5
Handle Design: 4/5
Value: 4/5
Final Score: 21/25 + a bonus point earning them 22/25
What I loved: The handle is soft, squishy, and comfortable in a way that feels tailored to your grip. My favorite feature is the thumbrest. It’s wide, flat, and tall, giving you a consistent place for your thumb to land. The yarn glide is also excellent across animal, plant, and synthetic fibers.
What gave me pause: The hook head is a true hybrid, but the shaft feels short and the hook head feels small. For me, that combination tightens my tension. These hooks are also on the shorter side, which can tire my hands after a few hours.
My take: Clover Amours earned 21 points on the scorecard, but I gave them a bonus point for personal significance. The 6mm Amour is the hook that showed me what the right tool can do for your crochet. I will always recommend these to beginners because they’re consistent, comfortable, and easy to learn with.
Shop the Clover Amour Set
8 // Dots Crochet Hook Set
Last but absolutely not least, we have WeCrochet Dots.
I tested these right after Clover Amour because they feel like direct competitors: similar features, similar hybrid hook head, lower price point. The question is whether WeCrochet sacrificed too much to make that price happen.
Best for: Crocheters who want a smooth, affordable hook set that performs well above its price.
Score Breakdown:
Grip & Comfort: 5/5
Hook Head: 4/5
Yarn Glide: 5/5
Handle Design: 3/5
Value: 5/5
Final Score: 22/25
What I loved: These were immediately comfortable. Every finger knew where to go, and I appreciate that the handle isn’t too thick in the middle. The hook head feels very Clover-inspired, but Dots made some smart adjustments. The shaft and taper are slightly longer, giving the yarn more room to settle before completing the stitch.
What gave me pause: The handle design is where things get tricky. Most of the handle has a nice velvety rubberized coating, but the dots and bottom section are hard plastic. That texture irritates my hand after a while. The plastic color also reads more sickly pink than white in person, which is a strange design choice.
My take: For the price, these are hard to beat. The set runs around $30, which puts each hook just over $3. I’ve gifted these to beginner crocheters, and I’ll keep doing it. If WeCrochet ever makes a Dots 2 with rubberized material all the way down the handle and a deeper throat, they’ll be dang near perfect.
The Final Leaderboard
After testing all 8 hooks, Susan Bates Silvalume Soft Touch and Happy Place Crochet Hooks tied with 23/25. But when I stepped back and looked at the whole picture, I had to give Susan Bates the crown.
Here’s why:
Consistency: Susan Bates is a legacy brand, and the quality has stayed reliable over time.
Size range: From tiny steel hooks to oversized plastic hooks, Susan Bates shows up for almost every kind of project.
Evolution: Silvalumes now come in original, Soft Touch, Bamboo, plastic, lightweight, and interchangeable versions.
Accessibility: This hook is everywhere. Big box stores, local yarn shops, thrift stores, your grandma’s craft bag. You can find one without needing a treasure map.
Susan Bates earned the top spot by being exactly what a great crochet hook should be: consistent, accessible, affordable, and easy to use across experience levels.
Happy Place takes number two, and honestly? I’m very proud of that. They’ve earned their spot in the top position.
Quick Hook Match: Which Crochet Hook Should You Try?
Need the fast answer? Start here:
Best overall: Susan Bates Silvalume Soft Touch
Best beginner-friendly hook: Clover Amour
Best budget set: WeCrochet Dots
Best inline hook with style: Happy Place Crochet Hooks
Best plastic ergonomic hook: Prym Ergonomic
Best cushiony handle: Tulip Etimo Red
Best luxury splurge: Furls Odyssey 2
Most inconsistent testing experience: Yarniss Hooks
The Takeaway
This review reminded me what a wonderful time it is to be a crocheter.
We are spoiled for choice. Not just with hooks, but with yarn, notions, patterns, tools, bags, gadgets, all of it. There was once a time when you had two hooks to choose from at the five-and-dime, and that was your hook forever.
Now we have options in every shape, material, color, grip style, and price point.
But here’s the real takeaway: The perfect hook doesn’t exist. What does exist is the perfect hook for you.
Your grip, your tension, your yarn preferences, and the way your hand moves all change which hook feels like magic and which one has you fighting every stitch.
So try the hooks that make you curious. Borrow from a friend. Buy that weird one you saw on Etsy. Test different shapes, materials, and handle styles. You never know what might shoot straight to the top of your list.
Now it’s your turn. Drop down to the comments and tell me your most and least favorite crochet hooks, whether they made my list or not. And don’t just tell me what you love or hate. Tell me why. That’s the good stuff.
