Battle of the egg-shaped crochet hook handles!

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I first became aware of egg-shaped, ergonomic crochet hook handles some time last year while visiting the Lion Brand Yarn Studio.  If you knew me in real life, you would know that I’m somewhat… cheap.  I saw this ergonomic crochet hook set and my first thought was, “$24!  But I already have tons of crochet hooks at home!”  The set had a bizarre effect on me though, and after going home my mind kept returning to the hook handles.

I was also teaching crochet and knitting at Micheals during the time, and I discovered that Boye had a similar product, the Ergonomic Aluminum Crochet Hook Handle.  I decided to try it out with my employee discount.

My two best friends were nice enough to hook me up (pun intended) with my very own Eleggant Hook set for my birthday, and I later purchased some additional hook sizes.  (I should mention that it was cheaper to order the specific sizes and parts I wanted and to have it shipped to the U.S. than it was to buy the pre-packaged set with sizes I don’t really use.  This is how I convinced my cheap inner self to order the additional hooks.)

So today I present to you my reviews of both ergonomic, egg shaped hook handles.

Boye vs. Eleggant!

What’s included 

The Boye kit includes a hook handle of indeterminate material (my guess is rubber or plastic) which can twist off to open, as well as 8 “washers” to fit various sizes of crochet hooks.  The retail prices is $7.99.  Hooks are not included.

The Eleggant kit includes a wooden handle with metal adjustor, six modified crochet hooks (steel hooks in sizes 1.25 mm, 1.75 mm, and 2.25 mm, and aluminum hooks in sizes 3.5 mm/E, 5.0 mm/H, and 6.0 mm/J), and o-rings.  The retail price is $24.99CAD.  Alternatively, you can customize your own set by purchasing the handle ($15.00CAD), o-rings ($1.00CAD/10), and modified hooks in your favorite sizes ($1.50CAD – $1.75CAD each).

The verdict: The Boye kit seems less expensive, but it doesn’t include any hooks.  If you add the cost of hooks, then the prices are actually quite similar.

Small, color coded plastic washers are added to the Boye crochet hooks to create a snug fit inside the handle.

How it works

With the Boye kit, you attach plastic washers to each crochet hook.  The washers are a bit tough to get on because they are made to fit quite snug.  The washers are color coded so you have to examine the little color chart to figure out which washer goes onto what size hook.  After the washer is on the hook, you twist the hook handle open, insert the hook, and then twist the handle to close.  It takes some practice to position the washer properly so that the hook isn’t jiggling around in the handle.  A downside to this system was that once I put the washers on to my existing hooks, I didn’t have much interest in removing them.  They were really tough to get off around the point of the hook.  Since I was using my regular crochet hooks with this handle and there are certain types of stitches (e.g., the bullion stitch) that are difficult to work with the egg-shaped handle, the end result was that I have been using my Boye hooks less.

With the Eleggant hooks kit, you attach o-rings to the base of the modified crochet hooks.  Then you use the metal adjustor to tighten the handle around the hook.  I found these easier to use and since I have a dedicated set of modified hooks for the handle, I can pick it up whenever I feel like using an ergonomic egg-shaped hook without any impact on my other crochet tools.

The verdict: The Boye handle often leaves the hook jiggling around inside unless you place the washer very precisely.  The Eleggant hook handle occasionally snags the yarn at the join between the o-rings and the adjustor.  (This may be because I tend to move my stitches further down on the hook than other people when crocheting.)  Overall, I found the Eleggant hook handle easier to use and it feels more sturdy and snug than the Boye hook handle.

The Eleggant hook handle attaches to modified crochet hooks.

Other stuff

Feel: The Eleggant hook handle is made of wood and feels much better on the hands.  The Boye hook handle was almost instantly covered with cat fur and dust, and requires frequent washing.  Also, it tends to get “sweaty” when it is warm.

Durability: Again, I’d have to go with the Eleggant kit.  It looks and feels much more sturdy than the Boye handle and washers.

Ease of use: Honestly, crocheting with an egg-shaped handle takes a bit of getting used to.  With both handles, you would need some practice to get comfortable.

Customer support: The folks at Magique Enterprises are nice enough to share a video explaining how to use the Eleggant hook on YouTube. There’s no such luck over at the Simplicity YouTube channel. (Update: The Magique video is no longer available, so they are equal on this point, too.)

Hook selection: Both sets are made to work with the Boye style hooks.  But what if you prefer the shape of point and throat of another brand of crochet hooks?  According to reviews that I’ve read online, the Boye kit can be used with Susan Bates hooks even though they are not the same length as Boye hooks.  If you want to use a different type of hook with the Eleggant handle, you will definitely need access to tools which can precisely cut metal.  (I didn’t test this out myself because my only aluminum hooks at home are the Boye brand, which I prefer.)

Finding the right size hook: The Boye kit has color coded washers and if your Boye hooks are also color coded, that you can probably easily find the right size.  The washer, when positioned correctly, will probably cover the size information on the hook handle though.  As for the Eleggant kit, supposedly the hook size is etched into each hook.  When looking through mine, however, I’ve found that two don’t have the size etched into the modified hook.

The verdict: Overall, I prefer the Eleggant hook handle.  It feels sturdier, fits the hook more snug, and is smaller to hold in your palm.  In fact, soon after the second time that I washed my Boye hook handle, I gave up on using it.  Since I live with a cat, there is just no way that it can stay clean.  However, if you really need more access to a broader range of hooks, you may want to consider the Boye handle.

11 thoughts on “Battle of the egg-shaped crochet hook handles!”

  1. I love my Boye handle. It’s comfortable and easy to use. If you fit the washer onto the hook then use the top to push the washer in place as you twist the top on it works great. My only issue is that the rounded end of the handle is made of soft rubber allowing the tip of the hook to push right through leaving the working end a bit wobbly and short. Fix that and I’ll gladly buy a new one.

    Reply
    • I have the boy egg handle myself and I love it. When I first got it however I had trouble figuring out what washer to pair up with what hook. I think you probably need to go down a size of washer to keep it from being wobbly. Find the one that you think fits it but then go to the next size smaller. I hope this helps

      Reply
      • I was able to get extras through the manufacturer at no cost to me by contacting customer service. I was inquiring about how to get replacement washers, and they stated you are unable to buy them, but they would send me some. I got them shortly after in the mail. Just go to their website and click contact customer care/service.

        I love my boye ergonomic crochet handle. I also live with a cat, but do not seem to have the same issue with having to clean mine all the time. He sheds a lot. I actually just found a whole tuft of hair stuck into my leggings after taking a nap, litterally STUCK in the pants. haha! The only issue I have with it, is the wobbly sections. I am about to try to modify my hooks somehow so the washers fit nice and snug where they are supposed to fit. I have had to go down a size sometimes (on the washer sz vs. hook sz) to get them to fit snug and not wobble. I am thinking maybe some tape wrapped around the hook a few times (wrap it once, try the washer, wrap it again, try the washer and so forth). Just trying to figure out the best kind of tape to use. Maybe like a medical tape… like the ones that are 1/2 an inch wide.

        I don’t think I would like the wooden one, as it doesn’t have the rest of the handle like the boye one. I like the feel of the boye one mostly because of that, plus it’s rubberized and I don’t know about you, but my hands get really dry, especially when handling yarn. (although, I have super dry skin because of Sjögren’s syndrome.. ugh!)

        Reply
  2. Perfect explaination of all the aspects of hook selection. I have started with KnitPro hooks with grips and still use the same. They are quite comfortable and come in lovely colours.

    Reply
  3. I found that using Susan Bates hooks in the Boye handle does work; however, I was using Jayes method of using the handle to locate the washer on the hook to eliminate the wobble. As a result, between the extra strain on the top and the extra length of the Bates hooks, it didn’t take long (a few months) before there was a hole in the top of the handle. I glued it a few times, and got a little more time out of it, but it is basically garbage once this happens. Since then, I have purchased a set of shaped hooks that work for me… no washers, no bits and pieces to lose, and every hook always ready to go.

    Reply

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