Clover Hooks Set of 9

Product Information

Beginners, I want you to know that having an expensive or “fancy” hook is not going to help you nearly as much as practice and gaining muscle memory. Don’t buy into the hype that you have to have the prettiest or most expensive hook to create beautiful pieces. It’s just not true. So which is better depending on the grip you use? I personally think the Amour hook would be a bit better for the pencil grip. Keep in mind, I hold my hook like a knife, so I’m no expert on the pencil hold. However, I personally found it easier to use the pencil grip with the Amour hook. I can’t speak to the longevity of the Amour hooks, as I’ve only been using them for a couple of weeks, however Clover is known for making quality hooks. There isn’t anything that immediately stands out to me as an area of concern. I also haven’t heard of any complaints in the crochet community about the quality. Materials

Another little note, the aluminum shaft of the Amour does not go all the way to the end of the handle. The tip has a small amount of flex to it, but it’s not floppy. I’m applying some pressure in the photo below. To be completely honest, I don’t know if there is a particular advantage/disadvantage to this, or if it’s simply to save on weight or cost. Pencil Grip vs. Knife Grip I bought this from a knitting store that carries only Addi hooks so I was kind of forced into buying it but I quite like it. It’s a 2mm so I use it for amigurumi and it’s a top notch little hook. I prefer these to the Addi Swing so if you’re going to budget for an Addi hook, try this one first, especially if you’re a pencil grip crocheter. I can’t quite imagine how a pencil grip crocheter would hold and Addi Swing. If anyone can point me to a video of it being done, I’d love to see it! The handle isn’t ergonomic per se, it’s just built up with polymer clay to give it a handle. I think this is a plus though because it’s inclusive of all crocheters. Both pen and knife grips can use them. Very smooth metal shaft and throat – I have a cheap ergo hook and the metal is kind of bubbly which is endlessly annoying when my yarn snags on itWill I be switching? Truthfully, I’m not sure yet. There is still much playing to be done, and I encourage you to do the same. Video Review Consider the different materials; for smooth crocheting choose Aluminium; for finer stitches steel is a better choice; for a lightweight hook choose bamboo or plastic. Understanding your project and equipping yourself with the best-suited Clover crochet hooks is a key element to successful crocheting.

The length of the Clover Amour is longer than the Soft Touch, both in handle and overall length. I can’t say which is better. It really comes down to personal preference. I will say the longer handle on the Amour felt strange at first, but that’s likely because I’m just used to a shorter hook. After using them a bit, I don’t notice it nearly as much. They’re better for wrist pain as the inline hooks require more movement to get yarn loops on and off them. The taper in tapered hooks means slightly less yarn wrangling because it’s meeting you half way. The Amour hook has an elastomer handle. It’s basically a nice smooth rubber that feels very soft in your hand, but still provides excellent grip and control. Side note: I actually think it’s kind of ironic that the Amour isn’t called the Soft Touch. I personally think the handles are the biggest difference between these hooks, and for lots of reasons! They look like toothbrushes to me. I know I’m fussy but I look at crochet hooks for about 8 hours a day and I like them to look nice. I don’t think these are the worst looking ergonomic crochet hooks by a long shot (the earwax coloured Clover Soft Touches are pretty hard on the eye) but there’s something very medical about the way they look.

Clover Amour Promises Comfort & Reliability

That being said, if you’re considering upgrading from a standard plastic or steel hook, these are absolutely worth the investment. The ergonomic handles will save you so much hand and wrist pain in the future. Not to mention, they will both last a very long time. I’ve been using the same Soft Touch hooks for a literal decade, and they show almost no signs of wear.

I personally don’t rotate my hook very much, so I have no issues with the shallower bowl of the Soft Touch. One caveat though: I do find I drop more stitches with the Soft Touch than the Amour when I’m using a chunkier weight yarn. I’ll admit it – I’m a bonafide crochet hook addict. I’m constantly on the search for the best ergonomic crochet hooks which means I buy A LOT of hooks. At last count I had about seven 4mm hooks alone. Seems like overkill right? If I see a hook I’ve never tried before, I buy it immediately – it’s my achilles heel. I think I’m one of the only yarn crafters who buys more hooks than yarn! I’ve had a few people asking what my go to hooks are and the truth is, I use so many different styles of hooks I can’t even count, but I do have a few favourites. I’m a knife grip crocheter and found it fine to use the Addi Swing but I’m pretty sure a pen grip crocheter would struggle – they look to me like they’re designed for knife grippers.

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I really like cheap little Birch hooks. They’re better than the full metal ones (for some reason those ones just don’t mesh with me) and they’re really affordable. I have several because I like to keep my hook with the project so I don’t forget which hook I was using so I actually have 2 size 4 Birch hooks. No complaints. For purely aesthetic purposes, the Amour wins hands down. If you haven’t noticed, I really love color, and these are just so much more fun to look at. Plus, like I mentioned, each hook size has a different colored handle. I didn’t take very well to using the Addi Swing . I’m very glad I tried it and after a while it was quite comfortable but it took some practice. For both beginners and experts, Clover crochet hooks are a popular choice. Known for their quality, affordability and bright colours, it is easy to see why Clover has many loyal fans around the world. For a selection of Clover hooks, look no further than Knitting Co.

The Soft touch handle is made from ABS resin, which is a strong plastic. The handle has a very slight texture to it, but not something you will noticeably feel in your hand. It just provides a bit more grip than a smooth plastic. While the Soft Touch is less grippy than the Amour, I still find they have excellent control. Top: Clover Amour, Bottom: Clover Soft Touch Markings Having said that, I know some crocheters who swear by Addi Swings – I’d recommend giving them a go just in case they’re your perfect hook. That’s not to say the Soft Touch is by any means uncomfortable, or should only be used if you’re a more experienced crocheter. I learned on the Soft Touch, and there’s a reason I’ve used them for so long. Since the Soft Touch are all the same color, you have to pull them all out of your bag to find the right hook. However since they’re clearly marked, you can easily see what size they are.For beginners, try Clover amour. With a non-slip, comfortable design and a deeper throat, stitches don’t slip off the hook, ensuring smooth crocheting. More experienced crocheters may want to try the soft touch range. This offers smaller, lightweight hooks which are often a trusted ally for small, tight stitches I’m naturally a very twitchy person – I don’t sit still for very long – and this behaviour translates with crochet hooks as well. If I’ve been using a Clover Amour all day designing something in the Crochet Coach studio and I want to switch to another project, I’ll often change to a different style of hook too just to mix it up. It’s like exercise – if you run 5km every day your body eventually gets used to it and you need to change your exercise routine to incorporate something different. Clover is known for its quality, affordability and vibrant colours and their hooks are designed with comfort in mind. A reliable, trusted brand - it is easy to see why Clover has many loyal fans in Australia and around the world. You’ve probably noticed I keep saying “It depends”, or “It comes down to personal preference”. And that’s because it does. Only you can truly decide which hook is best for your specific style of crochet. If you’re able, I would encourage you to try one of each before you jump in to purchasing a whole set. Many experienced crocheters will agree that choosing the best-suited hook is essential. With a variety of sizes, shapes and materials available, there is something to suit everyone - you just have to find it.