Plastic crochet hooks are sometimes a harsh reality of our lives! For many years, when we needed any hook larger than a K, we had to find a plastic hook. Plastic hooks are cost effective, as in inexpensive, but they aren’t typically wonderful hooks. Some of them are prettier than others, but they all share a couple of inherent problems.
The good old Q hook.
Problem #1 – finish. Most plastic hooks have mold marks. This is the line that runs around the length of each hook and can be especially problematic at the head of the hook. Fortunately, there is usually a quick fix for this problem – an emery board! I have used an emery board on every plastic hook I’ve ever purchased new. I ran across an older set of inline plastic hooks at a thrift store years ago and jumped at them since they had a silky smooth finish. No idea of brand!
Crystallite hooks.
Problem #2 – drag. Yarns don’t like these hooks. The old Q and S hooks were easier to use because we weren’t trying to create a closely gauged fabric. Smaller plastic hooks were more problematic. Newer plastic hooks like the Crystallites have a slicker finish that solves some of this problem. But, I still have issues with drag on any plastic hook. In those super large sizes, like Q, R, S, and T, I will spend the money for a finely finished Jenkins hook since I know they’ll last my entire lifetime and I’ll get my money’s worth out of them over time.
Lion Brand Plastic Hook.
There are plenty of other plastic hooks available at the mass marketers. They’re cheap, colorful, and have their place in your hook holder, but they’ll never replace those great metal and wood hooks that we can purchase for our tool kits.
I was having the exact conversation with my friend yesterday. If I lose any of my treasured ancient hooks I find it so hard to replace them.I bought a set of crystalite hooks and gave them away as I could not use them. I struggle with some wooden hooks as the hooks aren’t properly finished off and drag on the yarn and so do not hook cleanly. I don’t expect to pay lots of money for a hook I have to emery board before I can use it plus I don’t like the over long handles with the fancy carvings on them. Come on manufacturers – make us a good hook!
I wondered if rubbing the plastic hook with wax paper would help as much as it does for the metal hooks?
Glenda
GLENDA, what a great idea. Why didn’t I think of this??? Will have to give it a try. Thanks for the hint. jd
I used to work at Super Yarn Mart(I think I just dated myself) and 80% of the plastic hooks we sold were returned due to wear and tear. The necks would start thinning out from the friction of the yarn rubbing across the neck.