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.

Dee's Dowel-y Crochet Hook

Crochet hook I made in Nancy Nehring's class @ 2006 CGOA ChainLink Conference.

Manufacturer: Me!
Type of Hook: wooden; made from a dowel; size "L"
Own/Covet: Own
On the Hook: nothing at the moment; use mainly for  hand-crocheting chemo caps with bulkier yarns

What I love about the hook:  I love the natural feel of wooden crochet hooks.  There were CGOA conferences where Nancy Nehring taught the class on how to craft your own crochet hook, but they always quickly sold out - so imagine my delight when I got in her 2006 class!

For me, this class was more than about just crafting a crochet hook. It was more about self-discovery of what I like about the crochet hooks I use.  What I discovered in that class is that I like my crochet hook heads to be tapered, with a nicely shaped bowl, and slightly tapered neck that gracefully connects to the body of the crochet hook.  I also discovered Walnut Oil.  Apparently, not only is it good for consumption, but it is also great for conditioning wooden crochet hooks!

If you are interested in learning how to create your own crochet hooks, I have created a page here containing several "how to" links.  Crafting your own crochet hook is a journey well worth taking, even if you only go on the journey once, as I have thus far.  :)