When Life is a Zoo: Giraffe in a Tree Crochet Hook

Giraffe "Hanging On" crochet hook, inspired
by the image created for the Wellington Zoo's
"Celebrate Chimp Week" promotion

Manufacturer: LemonadeShop (on Etsy)
Type of Hook: wooden hook cleverly adorned with clay giraffe, size "H"
Own/Covet: Own
On the Hook: Nothing at the moment.

What I love about the hook: During a time in my life when I feel life is a zoo, I have found humor to be, aside from crocheting, one of the greatest stress relievers life has to offer.  So I thought, why not combine both humor and crochet -- combined with my fascination with giraffes --  to lift my spirits?  For this, I turned to Heather of The Lemonade Shop and asked if she could take the 2006 Wellington Zoo's promotion image that has been floating around the Internet and custom create a clay rendition.  Since I use my fingertips to "twist & jut" crochet hooks to create my stitches, as with the metal/Boye Capt Jack Sparrow hook, I also needed the hook's thumb rest covered so I could comfortably crochet.  Heather did not disappoint!

For the record, giraffes cannot climb trees.  Neither can hippos or zebras.  However, you can see all three images that were created for the zoo's celebration here.  Funny, right? 

Along with the fantastic hand work Heather put into creating my little "chimp" giraffe, she also cleverly distributed the bulk of the weight on the "bottom" of the hook.  As I practice my "twist & jut" motions with the hook, the weight rotates nicely -- and it is absolutely hysterical to watch this giraffe "hold on" for dear life!  :)

2008 Limited Edition CGOA (Brainsbarn) Commemorative Hook

2008 CGOA Limited Edition Commemorative Hook by Brainsbarn.com

Manufacturer: Brian & Anne of Brainsbarn.com
Type of Hook: 2008 limited-edition, CGOA Commemorative hook, carved from the exotic fine-grained, lightweight hardwood, chakte kok (Sickingia salvadorensis) with a cloisonne bead; size I.
Own/Covet: Own
On the Hook: a pullover that will be featured at the 2012 Stitches East show for KnitShopGirls.com

What I like about the hook:  Part of the fun in attending the Crochet Guild of America's Conferences (formerly known as ChainLink, now part of the Knit and Crochet Show), is in collecting the limited edition crochet hooks, such as the one pictured above, crafted by Brian of Brainsbarn.com.  This hook is very-much like the other Brainsbarn hooks I have featured here: they are light-weight, with a nice long neck (great for making tall stitches, or short rows of Tunisian crochet), and have a nice, smooth finish.  I find this hook a joy to work with.

Sistermaide Crochet Hook

Dynamo pint-sized crochet hook by Sistermaide.

Manufacturer: Sistermaide (on Etsy)
Type of Hook: hackberry wood, size "J"
Own/Covet: Own
On the Hook: scarf for donation using short-rows of Tunisian stitching (original pattern)

What I love about the hook:  The hook was recommended by a participant on Ravelry in the Crochet Liberation Group.  I had never heard of this hook maker before, so being a fan of collecting crochet hooks I decided to give one a try.  Even though the length (5 1/4") was listed when I purchased it from the Sistermaide Etsy shop, I didn't give it much thought until it arrived in the mail.

Wow; this is one of the shortest crochet hooks (aside from steel hooks) that I own.  I wasn't sure how I would like it until I took it out for an official test drive.  What I've found is that this little hook is like a sports car -- it wants to go! Go! GO!  lol

Even with its slight taper, I am enjoying creating short-rows of Tunisian stitches with it; the head shape is perfect for "bar hopping," and the length fits comfortably in my palm.  Did I mention that it is lightweight too?  I like that!  And I'm looking forward to hand-crocheting more projects in the future with this pint-size dynamo crochet hook!  Thanks for the recommendation "OGirl."  :)

T. Buettner & Co. Inc Crochet Hook

Nun's Crochet Hook; photo by Marcia. Hook belonged to her grandmother.

Manufacturer: T. Buettner & Co. Inc (aka "Nun's" crochet hooks)
Type of Hook: wooden, size "K"
Own/Covet: Covet
On the Hook: nothing; the hook is owned by Marcia.  Originally blogged about this hook here.

What I love about the hook:  The company T. Buettner & Company was located in Chicago, Illinois, and specialized in the importing and manufacturing of goods for crocheting, embroidery, knitting, spool knitting and the likes for 100 years. Many companies at the time published their own patterns to help support the sales of their thread & yarn lines, so it is no surprise they also offered their own line of crochet hooks.

While it is possible that the Nun's line of crochet hooks could have been produced in Germany, it is in knowing that this hook is stamped with the letter "K" that it was created for American use.  I covet the hook because it is a part of crochet history.

Susanne's Ebony Crochet Hook

Manufacturer: Susanne's Häkelnadel aus Edelholz (translation: crochet needle precious wood)
Type of Hook: Ebony recycled from piano wood
Own/Covet: Own (several!) 
On the Hook: nothing at the moment

What I love about the hook:  A few years ago I purchased several of these crochet hooks from Webs yarn store, located in Northampton, MA.  (I have of yet to see them offered in other US stores.)  The hooks are created out of wood salvaged from a piano manufacturer in Germany -- I love this!

The hooks are light weight, and very smooth.  I love that the hooks don't have a thumb rest making it a great tool for creating narrow strips of Tunisian, or really tall linked crochet stitches.

I was unsuccessful in locating information about the hook creator, so I am unsure if Susanne is the company's name/crochet hook line (such as with Susan Bates' crochet hooks), or if Susanne is an actual person.  Regardless, the hooks feel nice, come from recycled material, have a nicely shaped head, and are reasonably priced.  Recommended?  Yep.  :)

Brainsbarn RAK Crochet Hook

Manufacturer: Brian & Anne of www.Brainsbarn.com

Type of Hook:   Indonesian Rosewood Crochet Hook, complete with a captive ring and a glass Pink Ribbon Bead with silver insert
Own/Covet: Own (RAK'd: blogged about it here.)
On the Hook: At the original time of this blog post, there was nothing on this hook.  On 9/15/12 I replaced the original picture with the picture above.  Current project is be used as a store sample at Stitches East.

What I love about the hook: This hook was RAK'd (Random Act of Kindness) to me by Brian & Anne in recognition of all the charity projects I crochet, thus the hook has a pink ribbon on the bead between the two wooden sections.  I use this beautiful hook exclusively for charity projects as I believe it is filled with "good vibrations & intentions."  I love how the wooden hook warms to the touch and executes my stitches flawlessly.