This is not a new idea, but I’m giving more thought to making my own hook handles and thought others might want to make their own also.
Jamey Elkins has this excellent tutorial on her blog to guide us through the process. I’ve worked with polymer clay before – and it’s a breeze to work with. No special skills or equipment needed. A single block of the polymer clay is pretty inexpensive. For the marbled effect shown in the picture above, you’d need several colors. But, a single color is easy and cheap, especially for a first attempt.
If you chose to use add the handle to an aluminum hook, you can bake the handle right onto the hook. If you have a hook of another material, you will need to make the handle separately and glue the hook into it.
I’m thinking this might be a nice alternative way for me to create handles similar to those of my favorite Etimo Tulip hooks as those hooks are not made in a sizes larger than an I or J. So, I am thinking of taking some of my older Susan Bates hooks with the head I prefer and using Jamey’s tutorial to fashion my own handle for my K hook since that’s the one I want to use the most now, it seems. The photos on Jamey’s blog are of much better quality so you can get a better idea of this nifty DIY project.
UPDATE***********************
Please take note of this helpful information sent to me by Judy Fergusen. Judy wrote:
JD, A crochet group friend made hooks for us members using this polymer clay about 15 yrs ago & selling us the set [f-k] for $20. They are great for me as I have lost some circulation in my hands and this helps me hang onto the hooks.
Having said that, on the tutorial, the clay covered up most of the hook BUT mine only cover ‘up-to’ the size listed on each hook– that still gives me plenty of grip and I can still identify the hook’s size…. just an FYI in case you try making them. And if you drop a hook on tile, the ‘cover’ will break off — as it did when my dog was a puppy and thought it might be tasty. hugs, judy fergusen
That’ll work! I used to watch the Carol Duval show on DIY TV when Zane left for work. LOTS of polymer clay shown. Never made any projects. No room! Hugs!
I made handles like this for my steel hooks many years ago because they were painful for me to hold on their own. For my first one I just grabbed a block of the polymer clay and rolled in into a big fat roll and stuck the end of the steel hook in it – never paying any attention to color or size. I worked a few stitches with it to make sure that the diameter was right and then I baked it. It didn’t occur to me at the time that this big, fat roll should probably not have been made in dark green. I can’t tell you how many people have told me that they thought I was crocheting with a zucchini!
Mamie,
What a great story. Made me laugh!
jd
jD,
If you cover up the size with the clay, how about if with a needle tip prior to baking the handle to the hook you scratch the letter size on the handle? Think that might work? After the holidays and if there is any time left for making me something – I definitely want to try this.
Merry
Meredith,
That’s a great idea. I’d also consider using an indelible maker to note the size on the distal end of the hook handle where it won’t receive much handling. But, your idea is better!
jd