Clover Amour Crochet Hooks VS. Boye & Susan Bates - Product Review | Yay For Yarn

I used to use Boye aluminum crochet hooks, but my hands would quickly start cramping and aching after short crochet sessions. I then tried Susan Bates hooks, and that didn't help much. So I switched to Clover Amour crochet hooks, and they eliminated the pain in my hands while crocheting! I can now crochet comfortably and pain-free for hours.
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00:00 Introduction
01:32 Hook Styles
04:39 Grip
06:38 Handles
07:12 Conclusion

[@kristineflores7998]

I have no problems with grip hence I still prefer Susan Bates, I can crochet with my eyes closed and no snugging. SB with its inlike hooks makes pulling up through so smooth and easy. All other hooks Ive tried always have this problem that force me to rework stitches, I didn't have that issue with Susan Bates hooks.

[@sylviabryant9433]

When I started crocheting 3 years ago, all I knew were aluminum hooks, i.e. Bates and Boye. I liked the tapered style of the Boye hooks and bought a full set. I was happy but my hands hurt. I then found some reviews on KZbin regarding the Clover Amour sets. I purchased a set on Amazon and was totally pleased with the outcome. The Clover's have allowed me faster and more accurate crocheting. I then heard some talk about the Tulip Etimo set, I found them at a good price at Walmart and purchased them and found they are comparable to the Clover's. Fast, light and no hand cramps. I use both sets interchangeably, they both glide thru yarn like a warm knife thru butter. I enjoy crocheting with both sets.

[@YayForYarn]

Hi Sylvia! Thanks for sharing your experience with these hooks!

[@xena91388]

I crochet in the "pencil grip" style rather than the more popular "knife grip" style because for some magical reason, when I was learning, it didn't trigger my tendinitis or carpal tunnel like "knife grip" did. As I started to upgrade to better hooks, I've noticed that most ergonomic hooks like the Clover Amour are not very friendly to "pencil grip" hookers. The grips are too far from the hook, making it harder to control with only moving my fingers. The Bates hooks on the other hand are VERY friendly to "pencil" hooking, with the thumb rest closer to the hook than other types and you can put a pencil grip on them to make them better with some tubing to fill in the smaller hooks. My absolute most favorite hooks to work with are the Bryson (Bryspun?) palmwood hooks. They are a bit pricey so I only have two but they are soooo nice. They are very light and unlike bamboo hooks, they're carved with a wide flat thumb rest and fat body that tapers so they're a little ergonomic. Plus the wood feels "softer" than aluminum and they have the Bates style heads which I love. Boye hooks on the other hand are the worst. The. Worst. They are not only uncomfortable, the very tapered head they have causes my stitches to tighten up like crazy.

[@heritage.home.crochet]

Oh wow I have to try that Bryson style. I am also a pencil grip person but learned on Boye hooks as a child (that's all my family used) and I have only learned about Susan Bates hooks within the last year or so lol. Personally I prefer the Boye because I feel like the Susan Bates hooks make me have to extend my finger in ways that aren't natural for me because of the way I hold my working yarn. I almost feel like I have to twist my whole wrist to work with the Bates hooks, which flares up my carpel tunnel. Also I think because I learned on Boye which naturally tend to make a more closed stitch, I love the look of a more closed stich naturally. I get really unnerved when my work is too lose or I have big stitches.

[@joyholloway9469]

I also crochet with the pencil grip. Have you tried the Boye ergonomic hooks? The grip is further up the hook than the clover hooks in this video. I love them.

[@oscara8454]

I am also an elusive penciler. Boye hooks made my hand cramp. Amour hooks are all i use now. They're so comfortable.

[@karenf7531]

After trying various hooks, I'm back to the Boye hooks. They work the best for me. It just depends on which one is more comfortable for you...☺😊

[@Siddah58]

Susan Bates have ergonomic hooks also, I have the Bamboo and the rubbers ones too.

[@trinejensen1707]

I’m totally ‘hooked’ 😜 on Susan Bate’s crochet hooks, and luckily i don’t have problems with my hands which calls for hooks with a ergonomic handle. I love the good grip Susan bates crochet hooks has on the masks 👍🏻

[@iristrevino650]

I've been crocheting since i was 7 when i learned with my grandmother and back then only metal hooks existed not even aluminum hooks were available so now i keep using aluminium susan bates my favorite i just make my handlers with cold porcelain and dip them in plastidip they work perfect

[@maryelisabethquackenbush8741]

Boye has the rubber handles also I love Susan bates and I put my own handles on them with polymer clay

[@theMermaidRhonda]

For years I was a strictly Susan Bates girl. Then I tried a Clover hook, and OMG! These are the best hooks ever! I still prefer SB for doing smaller amigurumi, but for everything else I use my Clovers.

[@paulmcwhite5388]

Mermaid Rhonda would you recommend the clover as a gift. They are more than a beginner I would say intermediate.

[@annholden7504]

I got my 1st clover hook a couple of weeks ago. I love it. Will probably switch most of my hooks to clover. Can't believe the difference.

[@shonmroe7092]

I love Susan Bates.but I just won the clover set and decided to look at a review. Big help Thank You.

[@sandygrogg1203]

I was a Susan Bates girl for years...many years. However... Ince I tried the ClivervAmours I was ...shall we say...hooked..Totally. I have child sized hands, so avoided anythung with a handle fir a long time. Happily, the Clovers feel perfect in my hands...light, snd well balanced. I have vision issues, so I appreciate that each size has its own color... And...Athenaeum sizes are actually a part of the handles...cut into the rubber...The letters and numbers will never go away...

[@sandygrogg1203]

I have had my Clovers for almost two years, now’ and love them. I especially like that each size has its own color. Very helpful to me, as I am visually impaired. Edited Maty q2, 2021... Excellent review. I still love my Clovers... However, I have added three Furls Odyssey s to my collection of hooks, and I have to say that after a short learning curve experience, I have come to love them, as well. My hands are child sized, so I was surprised thst I coukd use the Odyssy at all. In the end, I thunk I will always love my Clovers..

[@g.nypaver734]

I have been crocheting for 40 years and have used all kind of hooks. I have to say that the best for me are the Clover hooks. My stitches are more uniform and the hooks slide beautifully through any kind of yarn. Love them

[@heleng484]

I suffer from both arthritis and carpal tunnel, and have found the clover armour hooks are the best for my hands.

[@susancolangelo3592]

I also love the clover hooks for all of the same reasons you have stated. I bought some for other people who were having hand pain and they love them too.

[@queenoftheworld1]

I used to be a knife grip holder but am now a pencil grip the majority of the time. So I prefer the Bates or some wooden ones I have. I wish I remembered their name. I do have a few hook I made polymer handles for, when I used the passed grip. I may take them off. Thanks for all your videos. You explain thing very thoroughly.

[@wandakruise2105]

I love and appreciate all the comments all the advice. I love your video thank you very much. I have been crocheting for 50 years and I started out with a boy hook back in the day boy had a smooth head like the Susan Bates does now. And the Susan Bates hooks had a odd shape head like the boy does now. So they have swapped their heads. LOL I have always used that type of head the inline use so I've been to Susan Bates person for at least 40 years. About 8 years ago while crocheting a tablecloth I needed something to help with the pain in my fingers. I found the blue neoprene slip on covers for the hooks and I've added them to all of the hooks except for the larger ones. I did buy a clover or more when they came out to give it a try but I have large hands and these do not fit my large hands I found them very small to work with that would be my only complaint with them I couldn't use it cuz it felt too small. Happy hooking y'all

[@myturkishangoracatmeonkitty]

It's like comparing Apples to Oranges ... they're both fruit but different. You can always buy a grip for the Aluminum Hooks. Hobby Lobby sells them. There are vids that show you how to make an Aluminum Hook Ergonomic with Polymer Clay. Not everyone is the same, not every hook is the same, nor is the yarn. It's whatever you are comfortable with.

[@saraprince7491]

I have the Boye ergonomic hooks. They are nice.

[@sandygrogg1203]

I have been a Susan Bates user forever... I can use the Boye hooks, but prefer SB. My hands never hurt...Probably because my hands are very small. So... Today I broke down and bought a Clover Amour, in my fav size,,, To my surprise, I like it a lot. I plan to buy 2-3 more, in the sizes I use the most.

[@YayForYarn]

Thanks for sharing, Sandy! I'm glad you are enjoying your new hook!

[@kmpage333]

I really like the Susan Bates "sharp" hook. Definitely better for front loop two rows below type stitches. The top does not seem round to me, but rather sharp at the very tip, which makes it better for getting in small spaces. I think the sharp taper with a full side to side width makes it easier to keep your stitches the right size, especially for beginners. You can always get a hook snuggy to give you a soft or larger grip. Not trying to critique, because I really like this video. Otherwise I wouldn't be commenting years later! Cheers!

[@drbettyschueler3235]

Nice review of the hooks. It was well organized and informative.

[@impunitythebagpuss]

I like Boye metal hooks, but the thumb grip has raised lettering that bothers my thumb after a bit! Clovers are my favourites! Thanks for the video info!

[@SilentTrip]

I actually have the opposite problem, non-grip aluminum hooks are lighter on my hand therefore I don't put a lot of pressure when crocheting on the hook or my hand. While the Clover has been causing me wrist pain no matter how I hold it (knife, pen) which is really weird!!! They are designed to be ergonomic but I suffered with them lol

[@jeanmay1413]

I’m definitely a inline (susan bates) crochet hook user. Have tried many tapered hooks and just don’t find them as user friendly. I have a problem with splitting the yarn with the tapered hooks, possibly because of the way I hold my hook (pencil style), but they just don’t work as well.

[@matildarei]

I’ve really enjoyed Boye hooks for the majority of my crochet career. My little brother enjoys Bates hooks. I bought the steel collection of Clover Amour hooks last month and I love them. I have the ergonomic Knit Picks hooks, and also a collection of ergonomic Boye hooks that I have found to be especially pleasant to work with, particularly with larger projects. Thanks for your review! It’s interesting to me that there are so many options now! 💕

[@YayForYarn]

You are welcome, Matilda! I'm glad it was helpful to you!

[@sunshine9016]

This was helpful. Thank you!

[@YayForYarn]

You're welcome!

[@aminayusuf5509]

The Clover Amour Crochet Hooks are really great to work with. I also love the Prym Metal Crochet Hooks though they don't have much size options 2mm to 5mm. However they are really smooth and well...grey is my favorite colour

[@mariakristinahawl1640]

I also love Prym!!

[@theastewart6721]

I prefer having some of both the inline hooks like the Susan Bates and the tapered like the Boye and Clover. Depending on the project one style can definitely work better. I have some of all of these hooks and am pleased with all of them. I’m not concerned with having an ergonomic handle although I probably should be lol! Thanks for sharing your thoughts and a great review.

[@YayForYarn]

You're welcome, Thea! I'm so glad you enjoyed it!

[@zoniatayba8822]

About to shop for my first ever hooks. Please may there be clover styled ones in our country🙏. I fear the aluminum ones

[@darthnegativehunter8659]

before even buying my first i realized the hand cramp issue. the other two grips just don't make sense.

[@MC4K]

I use a knife grip because I results in less cramping for me and it think it give me better leverage. That being said, I have very large hands and need the hook to at least be as long as my palm otherwise I get cramps. This is why I like boye style hooks. I’m worried that the amours being a little bit shorter that they might cramp my hands. Doesn’t anyone know If they are long enough to extend beyond their palm? Sorry for the oddly specific question.

[@YayForYarn]

Hi! The rubber handle sections of the Amour hooks are about 4 inches long. I don't know whether this will be long enough to fit your hand the way you like. But if you prefer longer hooks and get hand cramps from crochet, have you tried Furls crochet hooks? They have several different styles of hooks, at different price points, but they all have long, thick ergonomic handles that I find very comfortable. They tend to be more expensive than your average crochet hook, but they are very comfortable for me and help me crochet faster without my hands getting tired. I have several videos about the Furls hooks on my channel if you think that might be helpful. Here's one of them: kzbin.info/www/bejne/f3SZk4mKlLKooZI I hope this helps!

[@silverfeigner]

I had ordered a set of ergonomic crochet hooks that advertised to be the best. It was a full set minus the F hook. I bought a Clover Amour F hook and the bigger ones and I love how smooth it crochets. The set I bought can be a bit grabby with some yarns. I'm planning on ordering the set of Clover Amour hooks from Amazon because I love how smooth they are to crochet with. I have the Boye crochet hooks and will still use them, but I plan on using the ergonomic ones more often. The ergonomic ones I bought first are in a case which is nice for traveling. Thank you for your review.

[@YayForYarn]

You're welcome! I'm glad it was helpful to you!

[@emilypresleysee]

Boye makes hooks with an ergonomic, silicone/rubber handle. They're my favorite.

[@charlotte6154]

Same :D

[@LAmes-eq3fk]

I use Susan Bates hooks but my hands hurt. I’m thinking of buying the Clover hooks but I prefer the in-line hooks. Since Clover may be an in between choice with a more comfortable handle. I’m definitely considering them. Thank you for the review.

[@YayForYarn]

You're welcome, Kia! I am so glad it was helpful. I hope you find some hooks that work well for you!

[@sandygrogg1203]

Kia kcames88 Susan Bates makes an ergonomic set of hooks that has gotten good reviews..

[@mctron22rd]

I know that some of my hooks cause my skin to peel when I crochet a lot. I have heard other people say the same with their hooks. There has got to be something mixed in the aluminum hooks that cause this to happen. I have allergies to metals like and maybe that's a factor. I will still use my Boye hooks and my amour hooks still love them both and i don't want to have to choose between them. I have note hooks that I have that are sentimental to me.

[@YayForYarn]

Hi! I'm sorry to hear that the hooks cause your skin to peel. Have you tried wooden hooks? They don't have any metals in them, so maybe you wouldn't have a reaction to those. I like these handmade wooden hooks kzbin.info/www/bejne/aZCQpJ2DjLWtitk and the wooden Furls Streamline hooks kzbin.info/www/bejne/f3SZk4mKlLKooZI Perhaps one of those would work better for you. Hope this helps!

[@memesmith0811]

Crystal, yes I would recommend some type of wooden ones as I don't mind them, but I must be hard on them as after much use over a year or so they have broken. Yes I do crochet that much and a lot goes for presents, for the rspca and old age care. One day I will make my own especially as I have a pattern I want to do for myself. Keep crocheting it keeps us sane even if the money goes into yarn to help different projects.

[@GeeBackhouse]

Thanks for this clear and helpful review. I have question about the material used to make the handle of the Clover hooks. I have a very inexpensive set of hooks (Luxebell 11 piece set) and the hooks are really comfortable to use BUT the handle seems to get very sticky when I use it in hot weather. Even after rinsing and drying both the handle and my hands, the rubber feels sticky. Do you think the handles of the Clover hooks would be made of a different - and better - material that wouldn't get so sticky? Thanks in advance for answers from anyone who might know :-)

[@YayForYarn]

Hi! I have also owned a less-expensive set that looks like the Clover hooks, and the rubber is definitely different. The Clover rubber has a softer, smoother feel to it. Although I have not experienced the stickiness you described on my inexpensive hooks (I have not used them much), I have never had any issues at all with my Clover hooks. I think the handles on the Clover hooks are much better quality, and so is the hook shape and finish on the metal hook shaft. I hope this helps!

[@cindyw6621]

I am totally Susan Bates Hook, Girl, but with the Bamboo Handle, yes, I do need a thicker handle, I even have some of her soft grips, that I have added to my, non-bamboo handles hooks, I just find they have a much more pronounced hook and I don't have anywhere near the amount of yarn splitting as I used to with any other hooks. we are all different. :) I get the heeby jeebys from the grips on the clover type hooks and find they are too fat, unfortunately.

[@collettemckee]

Susan Bates now offers some hook sizes with larger vinyl handles. Have you tried these? I’d love to know your thoughts on them.

[@YayForYarn]

Hi Collette! I have not tried those hooks yet. If I do, I'll definitely do a video and/or blog post about it. Thanks!

[@camper14]

I like Susan Bates but have carptunnel and arthritis. I think I need to go to a larger handle but I tried Boye and hated their large handles ends. I hear they are similar to clover type of hooks. Because of costs I have not tried them as of yet. I've been trying to hear opinions before investing a lot of money in something that will not work for me. I wish Susan Bates made a big handle hook. The only ones in that brand are not big enough around to help. I learned on them over 50 years ago and now they are the only ones comfortable for me to use. I like the pointy type in line hook I guess its called. Any other I have tried seems so thick and big getting in and out of stitches. I'm not a real tight crocheter either, so that shouldn't be the issue. I don't know what to choose. I ordered another cheaper type. I hope they work.

[@YayForYarn]

Hi! Another option that may work well for you is to add a grip to your existing Susan Bates hooks, like this one: amzn.to/3sQVVBF (Those foam type grips can be a bit tricky to get them on the hook handles, and they may not fit all hook sizes, but they are more budget-friendly than buying ergonomic hooks. These handmade silicone grips may also work well for you, as they are SUPER thick: tidd.ly/3JHDTZB With those, you only have to buy a couple of grips that can be interchanged with your existing hooks rather than buying a whole set of hooks. I hope this helps!

[@kittylevee4662]

Nights review. Thank you

[@oli4084]

This is an older video but is 80 dollars expensive for a 10 pack of the clover hooks?

[@YayForYarn]

Hi! Yes, I personally think $80 is a bit expensive. The set is currently $89 on Amazon, but the same set with a case is currently $63. amzn.to/3bVuM8q I hope this helps!

[@oli4084]

@@YayForYarn thanks. I ended up going to my local michaels and got a yarn and a hook for that yarn.

[@kengendron1796]

Hello does anybody out there know how to put a button hole into a tube made on my addi machine

[@YayForYarn]

Hello! You can put a hole in a tube, but for the button to go through both layers, you will need to put another hole directly across from the first. To make each hole, you will need to decrease a stitch by picking up one stitch with your loom pick and placing it on the needle next to it. You will have an empty needle, and a needle with two stitches on it. Let the machine knit across the empty needle as normal. Then knit at least a few more rounds before binding off. Hope this helps! Thanks!

[@kengendron1796]

Yay For Yarn thank you, I’m really new to the addi, have you done a video on how to do this, if so could you point me to it ?

[@YayForYarn]

I don't currently have a video on this, but I can add that to my list of possible future videos. Thanks!

[@adogwithinternetaccess5334]

Where is the clover 7 and 10 and 12 mm?

[@YayForYarn]

Hi! The larger Clover hooks are sold separately from the set. They are available individually here: www.amazon.com/shop/yayforyarnbymgg I hope this helps!

[@shellyaubey7347]

I recently bought these after watching this review and seeing all the positive reviews on Amazon. When I opened the package, I was shocked and disappointed at the smell of the handles. It's like moth balls? I haven't heard anybody else mention this.

[@YayForYarn]

Hi Michelle. I have not heard of anyone having these hooks smell like mothballs. When I got mine, they didn't really have a smell. If they do have a slight smell, I would think it should only smell like rubber. Perhaps the seller had them stored in a room or area where they also used mothballs?

[@shellyaubey7347]

@@YayForYarn Thanks for your reply. I will be sending them back, as the smell doesn't seem to be easing up at all. Weirdness! LOL On the bright side, I absolutely love the hooks themselves. Super slick and smooth. The perfect cross between the SB/B hooks!