This is the second in a series of weekly posts during (Inter)National Crochet Month where I will feature an artisanal crochet hook maker, share a review of their hooks, and offer up a giveaway where you can win your very own hand crafted crochet hook!
This post contains affiliate links.
Today’s post features NELSONWOOD. Bryan Nelson is the full-time wood turner/woodworker behind this shop. His Etsy shop sells a wide variety of handmade wood items, and features a Hooks & Yarn Bowls section. You can also find Bryan online on the NELSONWOOD website, Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter.
Bryan’s niece is a crocheter, and he started wood turning crochet hooks because “she just had to have a hook!” Bryan’s hooks are truly one of a kind and he doesn’t try to replicate the exact diameter of the handles or the exact length. He does make an effort to keep the grip handle of the hook between 5/8″ (1.5 cm) and 7/8″ (2 cm), unless the crocheter requests a larger custom diameter. This uniqueness is what keeps his customers coming back. He says, differences in grip diameter “hasn’t been an issue thus far and I’ve turned and sold hundreds and a lot of customer order multiple hooks.”
Bryan sent me two US H-8/5 mm crochet hook to sample for a review. You can see the hooks in action and watch my full review in the video below.
NELSONWOOD hooks are inline crochet hooks where the point, throat, and shaft of the hook have the same circumference. The hook then has a lovely shaped grip handle that is composed of a variety of curves.
What I like about this hook:
- It’s very smooth. The finish does’t “grip” the yarn and allows you to crochet quickly.
- The wood includes beautiful and detailed grain.
- The large grip diameter allows a comfortable, relaxed grip.
- The handles come in multiple lengths so you could choose the option that works best for you to avoid any abrasion against the side of your hand that sometimes happens when you use the knife grip to hold your hook.
- It has a beautiful design and is a great conversation starter!
What might take some getting used to about this hook:
- Neither the company name nor the hook size are indicated on the hook, so you may not remember where to order from again. Similarly, you will need a Susan Bates Knit-Chek (or something similar)
to check the hook size if you have multiple NELSONWOOD hooks.
- The shorter shaft of the hook may make it challenging to quickly create stitches with multiple yarn overs, like bullions or puffs.
- Crocheters who prefer hooks with tapered throats to inline hooks may find it harder to pull the yarn through their loops with this hook. (Though I generally prefer tapered hooks, I found this one easy to use.)
NELSONWOOD hooks currently sell for $37.50 – $125, depending on the size and wood used. You can find more of Bryan’s wood turned hooks and his other products, including yarn bowls, bowls, birdhouses, pepper mills, and more in the Etsy shop here.
Full disclosure: Free review and giveaway samples were provided by NELSONWOOD. Although I accept free products for review, I do not accept additional compensation, nor do I guarantee a positive review. My reviews are based entirely on my honest opinions.
Giveaway
Bryan has been kind enough to offer a great giveaway to one lucky reader! Follow the instructions in the Rafflecopter widget below to enter for your chance to win one of these two delightful NELSONWOOD crochet hooks by Tuesday, March 24, 2015. Leave a comment letting me know which crochet hook currently on sale in the NELSONWOOD Etsy shop is your favorite. Only entries logged through the Rafflecopter widget will be eligible to win. Good luck!
I have expensive tastes. lol My favorite hook is the Exotic Rare Snakewood hook. All of them are gorgeous, but the pattern on this hook just jumped out at me. So amazing!
The Exotic Kingwood Hand Turned Wooden Crochet Hook is definitely my favorite though all of them are gorgeous!!
The Exotic Purplheart Hand Turned Wooden Crochet Hook is just beautiful!
I would love a tulipwood size H hook. Such a pretty wood!
Exotic Redheart hand turned hook
It is a hard decision. They all are so beautiful. I like the Exotic Redheart and the Exotic Purpleheart the most.
The purpleheart exotic is gorgeous!
The Exotic Cocobolo Hand Turned Wooden Crochet Hook Size H is my favorite, though all of the Cocobolo hooks are beautiful.
I love all three of my hooks that I’ve purchased, as well as my bowl! He is an amazing artist, and I will definitely buy more!
I’d love a Purple Heart hook!
All of the hooks look amazing! I especially like the rare exotic snake wood size J hook! It’s absolutely gorgeous!!
Thank you so much for once again offering such a wonderful giveaway. The hooks are beautiful and I especially like the Exotic Tulipwood hand turned crochet hook size I.
Pink Circle scarf pinned: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/251849804137765227/
Another lovely stitch pattern!
I love the Exotic Bocote Hand Turned Wooden Crochet Hook.
The Exotic Tulipwood Hand Turned Wooden Crochet Hook is my favorite. Well, they’re all gorgeous.
They are all nice, but that snakewood hook wins.
I love the Cocobolo Hand Turned Wooden Crochet Hook Size P…I’m in need of a BIG one. 🙂
I love the redheart hook. It is so rich looking
I’d Love to win this hook! My limited, fixed income prevents me buying ‘luxury’ items like this – even if they would make crochet easier for some fibers!
Thank you for offering this opportunity!
I learn so many things just by visiting this blog. I’m so glad I found you….
My fave by far is: Exotic Cocobolo Hand Turned Wooden Crochet Hook. Really beautiful!
Tulip wood h of course
I liked the light color, fine grain and hook size of the Exotic Yellowheart Hand Turned Wooden Crochet Hook Size J. The workmanship of all the hooks is beautiful.
I love the Exotic Tulipwood hook, very pretty!
“knittylucia” on Ravelry
I like the Cocobolo Hand Turned Wooden hook
I pinned it! https://www.pinterest.com/pin/219972763026134794/
Oh, I would really love the shawl pin!
https://www.etsy.com/listing/219210874/exotic-cocobolo-hand-turned-wooden-shawl
These hooks are just stunning. The snakwood is my favorite of the current selection.
The Purplheart hook looks to be what I need! It’s not too big and not too small, just perfect!
I love all the cocobolo hooks!
Exotic Tulipwood Hand Turned Wooden Crochet Hook size I
I love cocobolo everything, but can’t justify spending $45 on a crochet hook. 🙁
Loved your review.
These are very nice looking! Thank you for sharing. 🙂
Love this one! https://www.etsy.com/listing/216996758/exotic-tulipwood-hand-turned-wooden?ref=shop_home_active_20.
they are all very beautiful!!!
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/271623421251995490/
I love the purplewood hook. The color is so rich.
They are all gorgeous, but the Snakewood jumped out at me!
I like the Exotic Tulipwood Hand Turned Wooden Crochet Hook size I
I like the Exotic Tulipwood Hand Turned wooden Crochet Hook. It’s so lovely. Oh…but the beautiful yarn Bowls!
They are all pretty, but I think I like the grain patterns of the Exotic Kingwood hook the best.
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/271623421252000846/
I love the Exotic Cocobolo Hand Turned Wooden Crochet Hook Size H, the two tone look is beautiful and I find I use an H hook most often.
If I win one I’ll be glad to give you my review on it.
I love this one too! I’m getting into thicker yarns, so this size is great! Thank you!!!
Exotic Tulipwood Hand Turned Wooden Crochet Hook size L
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/271623421252005683/
I think that the Exotic Rare Snakewood Hand Turned Wooden Crochet Hook size J is very cool. The wood has a really interesting look.