Pros and Cons of Popular Brands [Tulip, Furls, Clover] // Craft Diaries Podcast BONUS Episode

Beginner crocheter? Confused about hooks? In this deep dive review I will help you differentiate between the different crochet hooks types and choose the one that is right for you. We will look at a range of crochet hook brands in detail (such as Furls, Clover, Tulip, and more) assessing the pros and cons of each, and then ranking them from complete FAIL to HOLY GRAIL - but do you agree with my ranking? Is there a perfect crochet hook out there?
This is a BONUS episode of my Craft Diaries Podcast.
⭐️ For more podcast episodes check out this playlist: • Craft Diaries Podcast
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🌼 More from Meema Makes: linktr.ee/meemamakes
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Why crochet hook choice is important
00:37 What to look for in a crochet hook
05:48 Pony Brand Review
06:40 Furls Streamline & Furls Odyssey Review
12:33 Ommi Review
13:25 Cheap Metal Hooks (eg Amazon/Hobbycraft)
14:40 Prym Ergonomics Review
16:33 Knitpro Softgrip
17:22 Addi Swing Review
19:59 Clover Soft Touch Review
21:17 Tulip Etimo
24:04 Clover Amour
27:02 Ranking from WORST to BEST
PRODUCT LINKS
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases when you use the links below.
1. Clover Amour Set
US: amzn.to/3tB4NzF
UK: amzn.to/3GSvRh9
2. Clover Soft Touch
US: amzn.to/41CBtpm
UK: amzn.to/48aFCD5
3. Tulip Etimo
US: amzn.to/48tD5Un
UK: amzn.to/3vaiVR9
4. Prym Ergonomics
US: amzn.to/3RTFOAV
UK: amzn.to/3vdGl8d
5. Metal Hook Set
US: amzn.to/3RA6EwH
UK: amzn.to/3tuaRKp
6. Knitpro Softgrip aka Knitter's Pride
US: amzn.to/4arHQjj
UK: amzn.to/48bVBRu
7. NON-AFFILIATE
Furls Hooks in the UK thetightstitch.co/
Furls Hooks in the US furlscrochet.com/
8. Addi Swing
US: amzn.to/3TxELYT
UK: amzn.to/4arIkWF
9. Pony
Don't buy these, I'm not providing links 🤣
10. Ommi Crochet Hooks
US: amzn.to/3RwfvQ9
UK: amzn.to/3ttjF38

[@Tish_Ann77]

I so wish clover amour would make their bigger hooks with the same material as their regular range!

[@meemamakes]

Me too! So annoying

[@wisedakotabear2784]

Me too

[@youllbemytourniquet]

Same!! Although out of all the plastic hooks, they’re definitely the best ones I’ve tried.

[@TheKiwibirder]

Agree!

[@terid3569]

They do make them bigger in 🇺🇸

[@geoffashden2]

You are so right! I have always struggled with even tension but after using the Clover Amour hooks, it has transformed the quality of my crochet.

[@Dont_be_a_Silly_Wombat]

Furls are close to $100 Australian for a single hook. For that much money, they'd want to crochet by themselves. I would never pay that much for a single hook. I just can't see the justification for it. Plastic is a no, too...as you said, the squeak lol I've just started buying vintage steel hooks...tulip & aero. The quality is way better than anything on the market today, though finding larger sizes is harder.

[@preciousbeautyj1043]

I love the Clover Amour and the Prym hooks, I also have Furls which I like also but my absolute favorite hooks are the Ommi, love, love love, have no problem with them whatsoever. Most of their hooks are resin, a few wood but none are plastic. I clean all my hooks b4 using them to get rid of residue from manufacturing. (Alcohol, warm soapy water, an old tshirt or wax paper, any of them work) Good review.

[@meemamakes]

I still haven’t given the ommi ones a try but I definitely will after your comment! Thankyou ❤️

[@tashinamccullough5954]

Wonderful tutorial! Thank you for doing this review on crochet hooks. I also prefer the tapered hook vs inline.

[@rowanhughes8682]

Absolutely agree 🌟 I switched to clover amour and couldn't beleive how much I'd been struggling before. Super glidey ✅ It's strange that the smaller sizes have a smaller handle 🤔 makes no sense at all, but luckily I never use a hook size smaller than 4mm! Thank you for this enjoyable comparison video.

[@meemamakes]

I know, it’s so weird about the handle sizing and defo agree on realising the struggle before using them’

[@natalies9602]

Thank you for finally talking about how some crocheters(me included) roll the hook with your hand to make efficient stitches!!!🎉….flat crochet hooks like the clover soft touch do not work for me…however, I’ve seen many pencil holders that like them.

[@meemamakes]

I find myself rolling more and more recently, it definitely takes the strain off my wrist

[@LeahElisheva]

I cannot believe how different it feels when I crochet with clover amour. It shaved off minutes for each row of my blanket. Far superior- slides into the yarn like butter. Doesn’t snag. Works like a dream! Yes. So comfortable - like an extension of my hand. I find the Furls to be completely overrated - I learned with Susan Bates aluminum- they always hold a special place in my heart- but… they can snag occasionally… - and the drag is noticeable when comparing to clover amour. But they are a Fantastic value and definitely recommend for beginners to see if they even enjoy crocheting. Once you get into it and crochet all the time, then I suggest upgrading to clover amour. - I agree where the tapered part of the hook and the wide spot where you put your thumb is much too close together. What a lovely comprehensive review thank you so much!

[@meemamakes]

Yay another Clover Amour fan and glad you enjoyed the video! I agree with everything you said although I've not tried Susan Bates before

[@retrotrix15]

This is perfect timing, thank you! I've told my husband i would like a new fancy set of crochet hooks for christmas but haven't yet decided which ones to go for. So far I've only worked with the cheap colourful metal ones from Amazon and a set of Aero hooks inherited from my Nan. The aero ones are really smooth and nice but don't have the ergonomic handles and I'll only use those in the house for fear of losing/breaking them if I'm taking projects on the go x

[@meemamakes]

I’m so glad this helps and I’m sure it’s given your hubby some great gift ideas. I see hooks as an investment so makes sense to get the ones that work best!

[@rebeccassmith4640]

I have tried these and a few more and my favorite is hands down the Furls Streamline Resin Hook. I think getting accustomed to them is much like how you learn to bowl with gutter guards in place. And then you learn to bowl without the gutter guards in place. Furls, without the thumb rests and stop guards, are like learning to crochet without the gutter guards in place. When I try to use slimmer hooks my hand starts hurting and then hurts for days. I can use a Furls Streamline Resin all day and they don't hurt at all. I think, because we are all different, that each person has their own favorite and that's okay. It is does keeps more folks in business that way. Thank you for spending the time to review and inform and for all you do for the crochet community.

[@darthlaurel]

Tulip Etimo are the hooks I grab when I am having trouble with a hook on a project. I often start with a different hook, but if I'm struggling at all, I grab my red Etimo hooks. Also from time to time my Clover Soft touch. And then there is my set of Susan Bates Soft Ergonomic....I'll stop now. I find the metal Furls a bit too large for my hand though I like the few I have.

[@carpediem.9]

I am a total clover amour girl too absolutely love them 🤍🤎 in fact I only have an almost full collection of clover amour hooks and several Furls resin hooks, I don't even want to buy any more other brands because I am satisfied with my clovers so much. I almost always go to my clovers and from time to time I use the Furls just because they are pretty to be honest haha I only have several resin ones and one wooden hook from Furls but I would have to agree with you they do catch the yarn compared to my clovers that just fly through ANY yarn. What I found helps with less yarn catching with the Furls, when I crochet with them I use a bit of a different technique than with the clovers, I try to hold only that fat part and I roll and turn the hook if that makes sense :)

[@patpowell6684]

Loved this review and completely agreed with you about the Clover Amour though I recently started to notice that if I crocheted for longer than normal my hand started cramping. I’ve an older hook that I’d tried with a beech wood handle (I love all things wooden) that I loved the handle very much but the hook was not good! I told my husband that if only l could combine the wooden handle with the clover amour hook I’d be in heaven….and I found just that on Etsy 🎉the ones I got have a rose wood handle shaped like the odyssey and the hook is the clover amour and I am in heaven. Custom tax and VAT took me by surprise but I will never have to buy an other hook because I splashed out and bought the full set.

[@meemamakes]

Omg this sounds PERFECT!!! Can you link it for me?

[@squitten.]

I only have 1 clover amour. It’s a 7mm (literally the only 7mm in the store why is this size so hard to find?) and for whatever reason they made this one of plastic instead of metal. However. It is the smoothest plastic I ever ever had the pleasure of using. I used it to make a top out of sugar n cream yarn (100% cotton, very stiff) and it didn’t even squeak. It slid through like butter. It was absolutely magical. Unfortunately I don’t have a lot of applications for a 7mm hook, but every time I do I jump at the chance to use it. My favorite hooks though, are the loops&threads ones from Michaels. I just adore the handle shape, the metal is so smooth, and they are extremely affordable. I love love love them. I may get more clover amours eventually. But I do have a very similar set already from when I first started. They’re fine. I still use them all the time, but they just don’t compare to L&T hooks in the slightest. Maybe the metal will be better from the name brand, but the handle is exactly the same and it’s nowhere near as comfortable as the L&T handles. I don’t know if you have michaels in the UK, but if you do I cannot recommend these hooks enough and I suggest you give them a try. I don’t know if they’ll beat the amours for you, but I don’t think you’ll be disappointed either! Loved this video, very comprehensive. PS: I can’t stand inline hooks either. They snag on everything. I don’t know how anyone can use them!

[@meemamakes]

Unfortunately we don’t have Michaels or any of your craft store chains over here. We just have Hobbycraft and local stores. With the clover amour 2-6mm are brushed aluminium, 6.5 are plastic. I have not tried the plastic ones but I will definitely give them a go on my next chunky project after reading your comment. Thankyou so much!

[@sarahjs]

Thank you for this amazing and comprehensive review of so many type of crochet hooks. I agree on the Clover Amour but for larger gauge, they sadly do not make metal. I'm making a blanket with double strand of 4 worsted and am using a 7mm. It could go L but I've found 7 to be good for this project. I am using a Prym hook at the moment and really like it. However, since the hook is longer so it's starting to irritate the skin at the edge of my palm, about an inch up from my wrist. I think I'm going to have to order a 7mm Clover but it's plastic. Anyhoo, thanks again for a helpful video! 😊

[@lindaallen4288]

I love the Clover Amour hooks as I can crochet longer without pain in my hands

[@meemamakes]

They are amazing hooks

[@Sarah_bagsofhistory]

I bought my clover amour in America and I’m looking at 2.0mm hook (lime green one) and the 5.5mm (dark green like in your video) and I can tell you they are exactly the same length. I checked all the metal hooks I had unfortunately I’ve mislaid the orange one but I have all the rest all the metal hooks are the same length regardless of size. I did not check the micro hooks because well I never use them once you get to 6.5mm though they are plastic which I don’t like and each size goes up in length. So possibly try buying amour hooks from the US and seeing if the handles are different. One other thing I noticed one day I had two lime green hooks exactly the same colour but one is 2.0mm and one is 2.25mm it explained an issue I had once where the hair wig did not fit my dolls head by a very tiny amount. When I went to Amazon to replace my missing orange hook I found the same thing orange comes in 3.0 and 3.25 maybe all of them do I haven’t checked but something to be careful of.

[@fayeanderson5893]

I have clover amore, and Tulip etimo are better than clover. Will try prim ergonomic hooks.

[@lorrifreitas4344]

A very thorough review, thank you! I have to say though, probably much comes down to how you crochet. My absolute favorite is Furls resin and their metal hooks. I love the long fat handle (no hand cramps!) and the long neck. I haven’t tried the Prym hooks though, may give them a try.

[@meemamakes]

I’ve used a furls streamline for a blanket recently and they are my new go to for chunky crochet! I like them much better than the odyssey

[@LeahElisheva]

I was on the Furls website I was looking at their metal hooks. Quite expensive but they look quite nice. I’m thinking about getting one of their blanket kits to try, which comes with a metal hook The blanket I was looking at comes with a 6.5mm hook. They send the yarn and email digital pattern. Have you ever tried them? I was just curious. Thanks 😊 ** I haven’t found a 10mm hook for chunky blankets yet that I like, so I may just splurge and go with the Furls metal and try it out.

[@maggiecritchley7282]

The simple hook of the 70’s. Perfect. Still use today.

[@MsSaka100]

Why did Clover decide to make those flat hooks so ugly? 😂 For me, part of the enjoyment of crochet is the esthetics of the hooks. My favorite Clover Amour and Tulip Etimo hooks not only feel good, they are pretty! 😊

[@meemamakes]

Yes this is so true!

[@Jill703]

My favorite hooks are the Tulip hooks I got last year. They’re charcoal gray with brushed golden aluminum hooks. You wouldn’t like them because there is a dent for the humb.

[@vanessaolinger3901]

I love pony hooks, but I like the Tunisian version.

[@tinasmith9967]

I hold my crochet hook like a pen, and I love my pony soft grip hooks, they have longer shafts from the handle, I do have clover hooks, not the type you have in your video, that hook reminds me of a millward hook, which is way too short for myself. I also have prym hooks, which I can't use. Thank you for showing us the hooks that are out there and that you use ❤😊

[@meemamakes]

I did want to talk about pencil grip but I didn’t feel experienced enough to comment as I can’t crochet with a pencil grip, only knife! I have seen the pony ones with the soft grips, they seem to be made of a different metal so I wonder if they would “glide” better 🤔

[@Mel-sj3sd]

Clover forever. I wanted to love furls, but I don’t think they lived up to the hype. They’re too sharp and the lack of taper was a pain. So it’d split the yarn, then I have to use extra “umph” to pull the yarn through. Hard to explain. And the hook is too deep. They’re beautiful but not worth over $20... and the 4mm odyssey I got was so heavy. Not comfortable at all. Addi no bueno, Boye no bueno, Susan Bates definitely no bueno. For my “flow”, clovers are the Goldilocks of hooks for me. Not too sharp not too deep not too wide. Tulips are close second, but the hooks aren’t quite as deep and I sometimes would drop my loop.

[@meemamakes]

Forever grateful I found clover hooks ❤️

[@hittingthewall]

I just placed an order for a J/6mm Clover Amour hook and am really curious to see how smoothly it glides. I never graduated myself to better hooks, and my fave-size J hook is made of bamboo and sticks something awful, so I think it's about time I started investing in better materials. Thanks for the video, it was very informative. :)

[@meemamakes]

I do hope you like it!

[@hsiaolinwang3606]

Great reviews! I thought I am the only one dislike Furls hook. I am so frustrated as they keep catching the yarn. Tulip is my favorite, but they don't make size above 6.5mm. Do you have recommendation for hook size >= 7mm? Thanks.

[@meemamakes]

I’ve actually given the streamlines a proper go with a blanket recently and I like the ebony ones. It was no where near as “catchy” as the smaller sizes. Other than that I just used the coloured aluminium ones as I don’t do much chunky crochet

[@DOSBoxMom]

The KnitPro Waves hooks remind me a lot of the Clover Soft Touch hooks, but with a softer handle.

[@xyzetc1150]

I would never buy another Knitpro item - they were my first hooks and the coating on the handles started to peel off so quickly - really poor quality. I moved on to Clover Amour and Tulip Etimo Red and have never looked back. I wish I could combine the comfort of the Clover Amour grip (for me) with the amazing silky smoothness of the Etimo Red hook though - that would be my dream crochet tool 😊

[@DOSBoxMom]

I've used the KnitPro/Knitter's Pride Waves hooks, and found that they're too heavy in the larger sizes (pretty much anything beyond 7mm). I love my Laurel Hill wood hooks, and have a LOT of the Furls Streamlines (both wood & resin). For a larger hook (10mm is one size I use a lot), I like the Furls Streamline, Clover Amour (they come with resin hook tips in those sizes), or an inexpensive bamboo hook (lightweight, and it's not that hard to sand any rough bits smooth).

[@darthlaurel]

I have a couple Laurel Hill and do like them.

[@ghellia]

You are showing only one plastic Pony hook and none of their metal teflon coated ones which are quite good in terms of weight, gliding and tapered heads.

[@psjz]

I love my Clover amors. I have also made Fimo handles that echo that shape. The hand made grips are stiffer. Won’t use a plastic hook. I also don’t like the wood hooks, mainly because with out a flat spot, I keep spinning them. I won’t use an inline hook. And I also have hitchhikers thumb. 29:55

[@meemamakes]

Good to know about the grips being stiffer, Thankyou! Did you make them yourself? Was it difficult?

[@psjz]

@@meemamakes Yes. It was easy. Bake flattened side down. I anticipate making more with a silicone blend. I think they will be more comfortable. I will let you know.

[@shahsaeed5993]

Please make Bavarian stitch on crochet

[@normanshadow1]

Please, Clover make a rounded handle. I like to roll my hook rather than twist my wrist so much.

[@PandoraBear357]

Plastic hooks aren't bad. Neither are uncoated wood. If you have a looser tension and use a lot of slippery yarns, they are very good.

[@meemamakes]

Definitely agree with this!

[@bungan7197]

I bought Clover Amour set, but used the G size much longer than the other. Problem is at the beginning of the handle (the one that touch the actual hook) there is white stuff appearing and the surface of the handle becomes not so smooth. Like insect bite marks, but very small in size. Has anyone experienced a similar problem?

[@meemamakes]

I think you may have a faulty or broken crochet hook there. It might be worth sending a photo to the seller and asking for a replacement.

[@Karen-uo3ep]

Do you find the Clover hook shorter than other brands? Does it make a difference for you?

[@dozergetscrafty]

I use regular old boye hooks. I have no issues. Don't see why I would ever pay so much for a hook. I'd rather save my $ for a nice yarn.

[@homovegetarian]

If you already have a clover soft touch and don't like that it doesn't roll, they are the *perfect size for the cheap & round pen/pencil grips.

[@meemamakes]

What a fab tip!!! I might try this