Crochet Hook Review and Giveaway: Susan Bates Bamboo Handle Hooks
Every Sunday during National Crochet Month 2013, I’ll be reviewing crochet hooks. Today’s post features the Susan Bates Bamboo Handle hooks, along with a giveaway for 2 hooks, courtesy of Susan Bates.
I mentioned last week that I don’t personally prefer in-line crochet hooks. But as a crochet teacher, I know that many students find it more comfortable to use an in-line crochet hook. Susan Bates seems to be the brand most associated with an in-line hook, and I wanted to make sure to review one of their offerings during National Crochet Month.
I first discovered the Susan Bates Bamboo Handle Silvalume Hooks in 2011, when I taught crochet to children at the Queens Library. The central office ordered these hooks for the children to use in class. I immediately noticed how helpful the large, bamboo handle was, especially for the younger children who hadn’t yet developed the fine motor skills required for using a smaller hook.
For people who regularly use Susan Bates Silvalume hooks or other in-line hooks with a sharp throat, the bamboo handle is a great option to provide more comfort when crocheting. The handle only covers the lower half of the shaft below the thumb rest, so the throat and neck are the same length as other Susan Bates hooks. This allows you to crochet any type of stitch (including bobbles and bullions) without adjustment. The handle is solid, but the bamboo stays cool to the touch. For those who find the temperature changes that pass through metal hooks too difficult for their hands, this would be a wonderful alternative. Similarly, this hook is also great for crocheters who need a larger handle to prevent or reduce hand cramping.
And, for all you threadies out there, the Susan Bates Bamboo Handle hooks are also available in Steelite thread crochet sizes. There aren’t as many comfort hooks for thread crocheters, so kudos to Susan Bates for offering an affordable option.
The Susan Bates Bamboo Handle hooks come in two variations:
- Silvalume (aluminum for yarn) hooks have the size etched on the thumb rest and also come in different colors for each size. These are available in US sizes B through N, including the elusive size 7 (4.5 mm). The retail price is $2.75 per hook.
- Steelite (steel for thread) hooks have the sized etched on the thumb rest but and are available in silver. These hooks are sized from 0.9 mm through 2.7 mm. The retail price is $5 per hook.
If you prefer an in-line hook with a sharp throat for yarn crocheting, or if you are looking for an affordable comfort hook for thread crochet, I recommend the Susan Bates Bamboo Handle hooks.
Giveaway
When I contacted the nice folks at Susan Bates to tell them about my plans for reviewing the hooks during NatCroMo13, they were generous enough to send along a prize pack of 2 different Susan Bates Bamboo Handle Hooks (one Silvalume in US Size I-9/5.5 mm and one Steelite in US Size 5/1.7 mm) for me to share with one lucky reader.
This giveaway is open internationally. Enter by 11:59 p.m. Eastern time on Saturday, March 16, 2013.
To enter:
Leave a comment telling me about what you would crochet with a Steelite thread crochet comfort hook.For additional entries, like Underground Crafter on Facebook, follow Underground Crafter on Twitter, join the Underground Crafter group on Ravelry, and/or share a link to this giveaway on Facebook, Twitter, or your blog. (And then, leave a comment here, on Facebook, on Twitter, or in the Ravelry group letting me know what you did!)One winner will be chosen at random.
Good luck!
I would use them to make one of the million things I have in my queue on Ravelry.
I usually work with fine threads- be they laceweight wool or alpaca or the wonderful cotton/baby alpaca thread custom made for my producer group. I also have arthritis in my hands and LOVE the big bamboo handles on the steelite hooks.
I am crocheting potholders right now, so that is what I would make.
I like you on facebook
Doilies! I love doilies but they are difficult to make since I have a hard time holding those steel hooks.
If it was a size 5 I would make flowers with some floss, juggling balls, and a multi-colored thread beret.
K
I would be crocheting baby afghans the thought of my hands not cramping pure bliss!
I would make the next pattern that comes up when I log into Ravelry that rings my bell.
I work in a community library so I would make scores of bookmarks.
Try my hand at a market bag, or finish my dd’s flower rug!
Liked on FB. I have no idea what I would do with the Steelite hook. I don’t usually work with anything thinner than fingering, but I am also still a newbie. Maybe I would make an amigurumi, a really small amigurumi.
I would use it to make the tiny doilies I keep wanting to start but it hurts too much to use the steelite hooks I already own and my hands sweat when making the tiny little patterns so a bamboo handled one would be great! I have susan bates hooks with bamboo handles and that is pretty much all I love to use!
I also liked on facebook and shared this to my facebook page!
I am wanting to work my way thru the 100 Snowflakes to Crochet book.
I follow you on twitter.
I’m a member of your rav group.
I would crochet afghan squares for charity.
I have been lusting after these hooks for ages, I have a little pile of patterns that all contain bullions, that I could happily work on with these hooks
)
tweeted shared on fb & G+1
hihi marie,
greetings from Singapore,
this is an interesting hook which is not available in my home country. i’m new in crochet, i think i can use this for the many projects that i am inspire by you and many other creative crochter teachers later.. regards, angela
Granny square blanket
My right hand cramps up when I crochet. If I had these, I might be able to make more baby things.
(Liked on FB, joined Ravelry group)
I will make my very first sweater… which will be the very first article of clothing I have ever made for myself.
I would crochet the garter for my niece’s wedding with a thread crochet hook from Susan Bates. Thanks!
I have a new niece on the way, and am frantically crocheting for the bambino! I also liked you guys on facebook!
And joined the group on ravelry! I think this group is not going to be good for my time management skills . . . .
I would crochet a nice lace collar to wear to re-enactments
I’d probably use them to make a blanket/afghan. Followed on twitter, facebook, and rav!
Great hook! I just saw a crochet button necklace that I could make using the steelite hook.
Not sure what I would make. ive always wanted to make those little flowers. I follow you on your rav group and facebook.
I would love to design my princess set with these beautiful hooks.
liked on facebook crochet addictuk
follower on twitter @crochetaddictuk
I’m a member of the ravelry group Crochet Addictuk
I think I would try to make a snowflake. I’ve not made one of those yet.
I would crochet a fillet crochet piece for my mother-in-law who wants one with her married last name to match one she commissioned for her maiden name. I’ve seen the piece and know I can do one in the same style. I really like fillet crochet
I like you on Facebook, follow you on Twitter (@Meanderinghome) and am in the Ravelry group (Meanderinghome)
I would make jewelry with the thread hook. I love the look of the hand made earrings the best though.
I “like” you on Facebook
I am a member of your Ravelry group
I shared this on Facebook
I would like to crochet a skirt and an embellishment for it.
These would be great for working on larger projects like afghans!
I follow you on Facebook
I follow @UCrafter (@cmouse01)
I would use the larger hook to make shawls and afghans to give away and the steel one to make more snowflakes and doilies.
I would use it to do some of the new patterns that I am looking at to learn how to crochet