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HOOK REVIEW – BOYE HOOKS

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BOYE CROCHET HOOKS NEW SET COATS AND CLARK

Who hasn’t seen these hooks hanging in every yarn and craft store in America?

Step Back! Don’t reach for them! Don’t be taken in by their shiny package or their nice colors!

Boye hooks, produced by Wright’s Products, are terrible crochet hooks. OK! Don’t throw rotten tomatoes at me or condemn me to cyberhell. I promise that not ALL Boye hooks are bad. Just the new ones!

If you can find an older set of Boye hooks, buy them! They’re great – smooth, well finished, sleek, and useful. The newer ones – not so much. Sadly.

By now, you know I prefer inline hooks. But, I can crochet with any old hook. Right – OLD hook. I can’t crochet with poorly finished hooks that snag the yarn and put a lot of ‘drag’ on the yarn.

Sadly, Wright’s is continuing to market a hook with an excellent brand name but that is a truly inferior product. I urge you to purchase Susan Bates or Clover hooks which are in the same price range and offer superior products.

Comments

  1. I’ve noticed my newer Boye hooks are sharp at the top of the head. If it doesn’t catch the yarn, than it’s finding some other way to annoy me.

    Unfortunately, I am very anti-Bates as I don’t like the shape of the head/hook.

    I need to get a hold of some Clover or Addi Turbo hooks for comparison.

    BRIANNA, you may well LOVE the Clover Soft Touch hooks.  I don’t like the plastic handle on the Addi hooks and they have MM sizes only – which is not a bad thing, but they have no F hook, for instance.  You use only the numeric size which sometimes throws me, although it’s more accurate.  Not all F hooks are the same size!!  jd

  2. I recently bought a package of assorted Boye hooks and notice the rough edges. So I got some sand paper and sanded the heck out of them. I still ened up with a crummy hook. What I use them for is window props to keep my kitchen windows open!!!!!!!!

    ALL THAT WORK for window props.  No Way!!  At least you found a use for those dratted hooks! jd

  3. You’re absolutely right! I have some old Boye hooks which I love but the newer ones – forget it!
    So anytime I see older Boyer hooks, I snatch them up…

    SO YOU’RE THE ONE GETTING THEM ALL!  LOL.  jd

  4. You said it, the Boyes are EVERYWHERE! Every store, individually, in packs, in cute packages with yarn and patterns included, there is almost
    no way to avoid them as a newbie.

    When someone suggested Susan Bates hooks, I took off! I may not be the fastest hook in the west yet, but at least I’m enjoying it a lot more!

    MIMI, thanks for validating my viewpoint.  It’s a shame that Boye isn’t producing a superior product since they certainly do seem to support their product.  I fear that many potential crocheters will not progress – and may well simply throw down their hooks in frustration – if a newer Boye hook is their only experience with crochet hooks.  Susan Bates hooks are widely available, and a much better choice for beginners IMO.

    Thanks, jd

  5. I’m a newbie in the knitting and crochetting scene.. I need some circular kntting needles. I think I might get some interchangeble ones. So, what say you about the Boye circular needles?

    CLAUDIA – sorry, I don’t knit so I don’t have an opinion about Boye knitting needles.  I will say that knitting needles are of simpler design than crochet hooks so Boye needles might be just fine.  I hope readers who knit will put in their two cents (two dollars???) worth here.  jd

  6. Thank you so much for this review and also the comments! I’m new to crochet and luckily I made the right choice in buying Susan Bates’ hook instead of Boyes’. I just ordered a set of 6 Bate’s Silvalume hooks from Ebay two days ago!

Have you read?

Vintage Crochet Baby Dress Pattern Review

There is something especially charming about a vintage baby dress pattern, and this Crocheted Cutie Dress #3112 has all the details that make older crochet designs so appealing.

The dress features a neatly shaped bodice, short sleeves, contrast stripes and a full lace skirt with a scalloped finish. It has that classic heirloom look without feeling overly formal, which makes it suitable for birthdays, family photos, baby showers or simply as a special handmade outfit.

One of the nicest things about this design is the balance between the structured upper section and the much softer, more decorative skirt. The bodice is worked in a simple repeating texture, while the skirt opens into a detailed lace pattern that gives the dress plenty of movement and fullness. The white trim around the neckline, sleeves and hem also helps define the shape beautifully.

The pattern includes instructions for sizes 1 and 2, with the second size shown in parentheses throughout. As with many vintage patterns, the sizing does not line up neatly with modern age labels, so it is important to check the gauge and finished proportions rather than relying on the size number alone.

This would be best suited to an intermediate crocheter, or a confident beginner who is comfortable reading traditional pattern instructions. The design uses chain stitches, single crochet, double crochet, treble crochet, colour changes, shaping, repeated lace sections and separate pieces that are sewn together during finishing.

The sleeves and collar are made separately and attached to the completed bodice. The back is finished with three buttons, giving the dress a practical opening while keeping the front clean and decorative.

The original version uses pink and white mercerized crochet cotton, but the design works beautifully in more modern combinations too. Sage and cream give it a soft botanical feel, lemon and white make it fresh and summery, while orange and ivory create a much warmer retro look.

Because the pattern was originally written for vintage crochet cotton and a steel hook, I would strongly recommend making a gauge swatch before beginning. Modern threads and hook-sizing systems can vary, and the bodice needs to fit correctly before the lace skirt is added.

The professionally reformatted PDF is much easier to follow than an unedited scan. It keeps the original stitch counts and construction while improving spacing and readability. It also includes a modern mockup and the original vintage reference image, which is helpful when visualising the finished shape.

Overall, this is a lovely pattern for anyone who enjoys making vintage-inspired baby clothes. The lace skirt is the real highlight, but the striped bodice and matching collar give the finished dress a polished, complete look.