I test different crochet hooks to see which perform best with cotton and cotton blend yarns.
Testing Information
Tapered aluminium hooks have always been my favoured hooks, so each new hook I test will be compared against these.
I have a collection of Boyes, Semco and generic aluminium hooks.
- The performance of the different materials that crochet hooks are made of are the main focus of this test. The style of hook (inline or tapered) did not make a noticeable difference to me during the test.
- To guage the difference, I also crocheted a swatch using acrylic yarn .
- I tried bamboo, wooden, plastic and acrylic hooks.
- Brand, style and size are specified.
Bamboo - unbranded from Amazon - inline - 4.5mm
- The bamboo hook did slightly better than the plastic hook, but I really dislike how you can sort of hear and feel the hook going through the yarn.
- To be fair, this was a very cheap hook and maybe that makes a difference.
Wooden - KnitPro Symfonie - inline - 4.5mm
- The wooden KnitPro hook was my favourite, but still does not move as freely through cotton and cotton blend yarn as the aluminium.
- That being said, it is a lovely smooth hook and the head is a nice shape and goes through stitches really nicely.
Plastic - Pony Colour - tapered - 6.5mm
- The plastic hook was my least favourite.
- The cotton and blended yarn grabs onto the plastic and does not go through smoothly.
- The labelling on this hook is raised and i imagine would catch on some yarns.
Acrylic - KnitPro Trendz - inline - size 5.5mm
- The acrylic hook is an ok hook but still not the most efficient with cotton and cotton blend yarns.
- I also found the actual hook catching a little as I crocheted.
In Summary
- Each of the hooks I tried perform marginally better with acrylic yarn than they do with cotton and cotton blends.
- I think the inline or tapered style does not really make much difference, so this would just be a matter of personal preference.
- My preferences in order:
- Aluminium – I am now loving Knitpro Waves hooks!!
- Wooden
- Acrylic
- Bamboo
- Plastic
- If I had no other hook to crochet with, I would use the wooden one and possibly the acrylic, but I would just find something else to do if I had to use the plastic or bamboo.
- In overall summary, I think aluminium hooks are the best and will continue using them for crocheting both with cotton, cotton blends and acrylic yarn.😊
I would love to know your experiences with the different hooks in the comments below.
Bonus Tip
- Just as a matter of interest to those crocheters out there who use the finer yarns and crochet hooks, the cheap bamboo set I bought from Amazon have a range of hooks from 1mm to 2.75mm. The actual hooks look like steel, but I can’t be sure. The bamboo handles are quite flat and I really enjoyed the feel of them compared to the more cylindrical handles of ergonomic crochet hooks. Once again, personal choice, but may be worth trying for $10.99 AUD.
Since writing this blog post I have discovered Knitpro Waves ergonomic crochet hooks!! Still an aluminium hook, but they have a flatish style handle similar to the bamboo ones above.
I love these hooks and find I’m able to use them for longer periods of time than the hooks without the handle.
I love them so much that you can now purchase them in my store as well as yarn.
Summary
Article Name
Best Crochet Hooks to use with Cotton Yarn
Description
A short article about the different material crochet hooks are made with and how they perform with cotton and blended yarns.
Author
Wendy Serrao
Publisher Name
Cotton Crochet Forever
Publisher Logo
Hi. My name is Nita Grover.
I agree about the crochet hooks. I have always used the aluminum hooks and small steel hooks. I started when I was 18, back in the 70’s. The only hooks available were the aluminum ones.
My sister bought me some of the ergonomic ones. I am in a nursing home and all my craft stuff is in storage.
I don’t like these hooks as well; too much in my palm, I guess.
Hi Nita!!
I’m happy to see that even though you’re not crafting at the moment, you’re still reading the craft blogs. I have just recently been using the Knitpro ergonomic hooks, and because my hands are starting to ache a little with the standard hooks, I’ve been enjoying the new ones. There’s not a lot to hold onto and 2 sides of the handle are flatish, so they are really nice to hold. I haven’t seen others like this. As with the yarn I’ve been selling, I like the crochet hooks so much, I’ve started selling those as well.
Hopefully you’re liking the more peaceful time a nursing home can offer and you’ll be able to enjoy some crochet or other crafting some time soon.
Thank you for leaving a comment and I hope and pray you are doing well.😊
Wendy