Friday, January 27, 2012

Titanium Crochet Hook


Manufacturer: Molton Gold/London, England
Type of Hook: Titanium
Own/Covet: Own
On the Hook: nothing at the moment

What I love about the hook:  This is one of my prized crochet hooks in my collection. Based upon the eBay listing (I had won back in 2003), the hook came from  a jewelry store that was named "Molton Gold," which was located on South Molton Street in London, nearly 30 years ago.  The eBay listing states it is in the original box; it came with no paperwork or tags from the store. 

I have no idea who the actual hook maker was, but my understanding on how the rainbow colors were created comes from a 3-day-long crochet class I took around the same time I won the eBay auction:  the hook was dipped in a chemical, then electricity was added.  How long the hook sat in the electrified chemical determined the color the titanium took on; to see this process done in person is really cool.  (Google/Bing Joan Dulla to see some really cool creations using this process.)

Other than the hook being from London, being made from titanium, and the array of rainbow colors, I also love the long body.  I think it would be perfect for Tunisian crochet made with fine thread.  The only thing preventing me from actually using the hook is the head; it's kinda funky with it's extremely pointed head and notched out throat. 

I don't know if any others exist; I would love to know more about this hook, and if there are more out there in the world.  :)

Friday, January 20, 2012

Glass "Hot Rod" Crochet Hook

See more images of this hook while being made by visiting:
http://twitter.com/#!/KnitGlassGuy/media/slideshow?url=http%3A%2F%2Fyfrog.com%2Foe50bqrj
Manufacturer: Chris of www.KnittingGlassGuy.com
Type of Hook: glass with dual inner twist colors of yellow & periwinkle, custom heart at the end; size H.
Own/Covet: Own
On the Hook: scarf for donation

What I love about the hook: Back in November 2011, I posted on Twitter that I wanted to treat myself to a new crochet hook.  Within minutes Chris was recommended by Helen of Orlando, and we began tweeting about custom creating a glass hook for me. 

I wanted a glass crochet hook with colors that "popped" so that when I crochet in public the hook will draw attention.  Chris created two hooks and let me pick.  When I asked if he could add a little heart at the end of the hook, he created that too.  Chris said after he made the heart there was a little bit of glass left over, so he surprised me with a matching pendant!

When I first picked up my new glass crochet hook to begin my initial test drive, it did feel a little heavy, but I quickly became accustomed to the weight and my stitches were soon speeding off my new "hot rod" crochet hook flawlessly.  For those concerned about the warmth of the hook, I found it warmed to my hand within moments, almost like crocheting with a wooden hook. 

If you never tried a glass crochet hook, I do recommend it:  Chris sells his for as little as $12 (plus S&H).  His glass hooks, like the one I now enjoy, is more expensive, but well worth it. :)

Friday, January 13, 2012

Harry Potter's Magic Crochet Wand


Manufacturer: Jimbo of  Jimbo's Front Porch
Type of Hook: branch wood collected from somewhere on Jimbo's ranch.
Own/Covet: Covet.  Hook is owned by my daughter, Mini~Dee
On the Hook:  A Harry Potter scarf she is designing.

What I love about the hook:  This was a special request I asked Jimbo for.  My daughter, having read EVERY Harry Potter book -- several times -- and now collecting every DVD of the Harry Potter movie series, was missing something.  This became clear when we were discussing if there are crochet hooks inspired by the books & movies we love.  I had never heard of a "Harry Potter Magic Crochet Wand" before and thought it would make a great birthday gift for her.

Only she didn't get it for her birthday, which will have taken place by the time this entry posts.  Jimbo was so quick in responding to my special request, that when it arrived in the mail, my husband & I both decided the hook was so awesome that we just HAD to give it to her early.  This meant she got it for Christmas.  (We also gave her yarn to crochet her own Harry Potter scarf; pictured above with her HP crochet hook.)

When I hold her Harry Potter hook in my hand, I find the natural crooking of the wood to be perfect for overhand holding.  I love how the crook straightens towards the body and neck, leading to a nicely shaped head.  I can see why she's been so spell-bound to crochet!  Jimbo really did a great job on this "one of a kind" crochet hook!  :)

Mini~Dee thinks the hook is pretty cool; she's been practicing her "flick & swish" technique with some beautiful stitches.  The head & body of the hook is smooth, and the rustic wood end inspires the castings of many spells, such as, "Accio yarn!"


Friday, January 06, 2012

Guest Blogspot: Craft Designs for You

Image used with permission.

 -*-*-  Guest Blogger: Sandie of www.crochetcabana.com   -*-*-

Manufacturer: Craft Designs for You
Type of Hook: hard maple wood in size L
Own/Covet: Own 
On the Hook: a scarf using Deborah Norville Serenity yarn. The color pictured is Stormy.

What I love about the hook:
I love the way the yarn just glides over the wood with hardly any effort. This particular hook is special to me because it was custom made to celebrate the 10th anniversary of my web site, Crochet Cabana in 2007. I have two with the same design - the L hook and a #4 steel hook. Cherie Leck and her husband Ken make the hooks themselves, carving the wood and painting the design. Cherie is a joy to work with.

The lighthouse and dolphins have always been incorporated in my logos on the web site. There is no real reason for this except that I enjoy and collect lighthouses and have a fascination with dolphins. The logos I have had at Crochet Cabana were all designed by my daughter.

You can see similar hooks at their web site.
http://www.craftdesigns4you.com/crochethook/samplecustomhooks.htm

I also own some of the custom made gemstone hooks on the same site. Beautiful hooks!
http://www.craftdesigns4you.com/crochethook/crochethooks.htm