By hook or by crook we'll find you the best out there

What's the best type of hook? Should you be asking for aluminium or plumping for plastic? There are almost as many styles out there as there are crochet stitches, and it can feel daunting to choose.
We take an in-depth look at all the hook varieties on offer and advise you on the best tools for the project you have in mind.
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1. Cheap and cheerful?
One of my first acts as a newbie crocheter was to rush online and order a bargain basement set of hooks in all sizes, I was so excited about getting started. I've barely used them since. I found that I much preferred a hook with a bit more weight to it, and wasn't keen on the cold metal in my hand. The moral of the story? Complete at least one project before investing in every hook under the sun, and, as always, cheap is not always best.
2. What is an ergonomic hook?
If you're going to be doing a lot of crochet - and, let's face it, most of us get hopelessly addicted - you may well need a hook that's shaped to your hand, with a soft grip. It's possible that long hours of work with metal hooks can cause hand cramps, and ergonomic styles are said to help avoid this. There are plenty of ergonomic hooks out there, at various prices, but two which many crocheters swear by are Clover Soft Touch hooks, which are a good combination of aluminium for a sturdy hook, paired with rubber for a bit of give in the handle, or Haven for Hands, which have ridged grips on the soft handles and come in a useful storage case.
3. Why choose a metal hook?
Although metal hooks can be cold in the hand, they are great for some types of crochet as they tend to be made with long, straight stems. These are really useful if you are interested in trying out Tunisian crochet stitches or Intarsia work, without committing to speciality hooks, or want to make other intricate patterns where you need to hold a large number of loops on your hook. Other pluses of metal hooks like this one from Susan Bates is that they tend to be very smooth (as long as they are not too cheaply made) so that the yarn glides over the hook easily and they are virtually impossible to break.
4. The benefits of bamboo
Bamboo hooks are super-light - 60 per cent lighter than aluminium - and less slippery than metal hooks, so they can be a great choice for a beginner. They are made of a sustainable material, which has natural anti-bacterial properties. They can work particularly well with very sheeny or fibrous yarns as the work is less likely to slip, and they feel warmer in your hand. You can also find hooks combining an aluminium hook with a bamboo handle, which can work well. Make sure you source hooks which are nice and smooth, so the yarn glides properly. Bamboo hooks from ChiaoGoo come with a Chinese blessing on the handle.
5. Wood is good
Wood, like bamboo, is a sustainable hook choice, warm in the hand, with enough weight to perform effectively. You'll need to look carefully for well-finished hooks that have been polished smooth, so that no fibres get snagged as you are working. Wood is breakable and can warp or splinter, so you'll need to be careful when storing your hooks. There are loads of small suppliers out there making wooden hooks, or try your local haberdashery store.
6. Light-up hooks
These light-up hooks are a fascinating novelty product, maybe for those dark evenings when you just can't stop crocheting, or for those with sight
problems.
7. Special hooks
And finally, there are hooks out there which are a real treat for your yarn, beautiful creations made by those who really appreciate the art of crochet and manage to tempt gorgeous shapes out of unlikely materials. They may be out of reach of many pockets, but we can all enjoy looking at the pictures.
How about these delicate glass crochet hooks, with their elaborate curlicues and twists?
This bountiful blooms set from Happy Crochet Hooks is like a bouquet for your WIP:
Beautiful and rare handcarved woods make wonderful hooks, like this exotic cocobolo example:
For a truly deluxe crocheting experience, you'll adore this Candy Shop set of themed brightly colored carved hooks. Crochet aficionados will love the carefully weighted handles, while the eye-catching shades make an irresistibly sweet display.
8. DIY hooks
And finally, if you can't find anything that quite suits ... why not customise a hook yourself and make it truly unique? Here's a lovely idea from The Perfect Hiding Place that you can easily make at home.
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