I had complained recently on Twitter that I couldn’t crochet for very long because I would start getting a sore spot or blister on my pinky. I then wrap it up in a bandaid for padding, but the Bandaid Method just seemed ridiculous.
Elisha suggested I try out the Hamanaka crochet hooks, which you can find on eBay and Etsy. They are a bit pricey: $50 for a full set, so I opted to purchase just one hook off eBay. They sure are cute, tho!
Pic taken from this Etsy shop.
They are double ended, so you actually get 10 hooks altogether. I was hesitant to try out the Hamanaka because the hook itself is very different than what I am used to. I use a cheapo aluminum Susan Bates set. It’s what Grandma Wendleton started me on back in the day, and I have never strayed. The Susan Bates hook has kind more of a wedgey area for the yarn to get lodged into. The Hamanaka and Clover hooks have more a swoopy curvey area.
This blog has a really good comparison photo, with my favorite Susan Bates style on the right, and the swoopier curvier kind on the left.
I have tried using the Hamanaka on a few small things here and there…and my yarn keeps slipping off the hook! I will give it a little more time, but I wonder how difficult or important it is for me to change my crochet style to adjust to the hook.
I have also seen crochet hooks covered in polymer clay, like this:
So I wonder how much that helps in avoiding blisters as well.
I actually bought a bunch of polymer clay for another secret project, so I might experiment. I’ll letcha know if I do, unless it turns out super ugly and I have to go hide.
