I’ve seen Furls Crochet around for a while, but when I saw their new Furls Streamline hooks a few months ago, I knew I had to get my hands on one! I bought my first hook and quickly realized I needed to buy more… But before we get into why I love them so much, I want to give you a little background:
I consider myself to be pretty picky when it comes to crochet hooks. I’ve mentioned some of my favorite hooks here on the blog before, but these are my preferences when it comes to a good hook:
- I don’t like to spend a lot of money on hooks.
- My favorite material for hooks is wood. I love the warmth and comfort of a wood hook, but it has to have a quality finish so the yarn glides as effortlessly as it does on metal or plastic hooks.
- It has to be pretty. This might be insignificant to some, but I want hooks that are as beautiful as the things I want to create with them. I love hooks that are elegant and make me want to pick them up and use them.
To give even more context, I am a right-handed crocheter that uses the knife grip. I can’t really speak to other grips, but for me these are PERFECTION. They feel like they were absolutely made for me! One other thing I want to mention is that I have only used the streamlines, so this entire post is based on my personal experience with the wood streamline hooks. Now, let’s get to the good stuff!
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Physical Characteristics
Material
The majority of my hooks are wood, so the streamline hooks were the obvious choice for me. All four of my Furls hooks are the Rosewood option, but they also offer these hooks in other woods! The wood type doesn’t change the overall function of the hook – it’s just a different aesthetic.
2021 Update: Furls has added a new streamline hook to the collection… the Streamline Swirl! They are absolutely incredible to work with and come in some gorgeous colors!
Weight
These hooks are super lightweight! I can’t believe how light they are, it makes working with them an absolute breeze!
Length
I found that these are slightly longer than some of my other crochet hooks and it is really nice to have that extra length!
Teardrop Shape
The handle of the hook is specifically designed for your hands. The teardrop shape is made to fit your hand in a way that reduces the tension and effort of your hand as you crochet. I really didn’t understand what this meant until I started using them, and I can only describe my experience as effortless. It’s truly amazing how the shape can take stress off your hand and make crochet so effortless.
Appearance & Finish
The grain of each hook is unique and it makes them even more beautiful. They also have a very smooth lacquer that allows the yarn to glide smoothly on and off of your hook. They are also engraved with the hook size, which is both beautiful and ensures you won’t forget which is which!
Sustainability
I love when I can find products that are sustainable, and I was so excited to find out that Furls donates money toward reforestation of the rainforest. I love that wood hooks are biodegradable by nature, but I also love trees so it’s a win-win to use a natural material but also make sure that we aren’t depleting natural resources.
Hook Type (In-line vs. Tapered)
If you’ve been crocheting for a while, you’re probably familiar with the difference between in-line and tapered crochet hooks. Tapered crochet hooks are similar to a Boye crochet hook, while in-line is like a Susan Bates hook. These Furls hooks are the best of both worlds. The tip is rounded, yet has a really precise point that makes it easy to control and get right into your stitches.
The neck of the hook is nice and long, so it doesn’t get wide too quickly if you’re working a stitch that requires you to slide the yarn down farther on the hook. (If you’ve ever worked with a hook that doesn’t have a long neck, you know what a pain it can be!)
Using the Hooks
Do you have to get used to it?
These felt completely natural from the get-go. My first impression was that I really liked the hooks and then the more I used them, the more I loved them. I didn’t have to adjust anything or change my style at all.
Gauge
My gauge was the same. I didn’t have to make any adjustments to my crochet technique to use these hooks or get the same gauge. If you used worsted weight yarn a lot, I love that they offer a standard G size hook (4.0mm) AND a G+ size (4.5mm). It might seem like a minor detail, but it makes a huge difference to have both options when you’re trying to find the perfect gauge for a project.
Speed
I haven’t actually timed myself, but I feel like the effortlessness of these hooks does help me crochet faster. It’s not that I am zooming through my projects now, but I find that it just makes it a more smooth experience which speeds things up a little. It also helps that they help me crochet for longer periods of time.
Control
I feel like I have more control when using these hooks. As I mentioned earlier, this is the best of both worlds when it comes to hook style and I feel that it gives me more precision to get into the exact loop I need to when crocheting.
Comfort
This is the absolute best part. I can’t say how much I’m enjoying these hooks and how wonderful they feel for my hands. It’s hard to describe until you try them, but I find it makes me fall even more in love with crochet (which is saying a lot since I’m already obsessed).
The Bottom Line: Are they worth it?
They are SO worth it.
YES, these are absolutely worth it. The streamline hooks are the most affordable line of Furls hooks and they are absolutely incredible.
You won’t be disappointed.
Since beginning to use these hooks, I use them for all my Glacier Beanies and I find they’ve made a huge difference for me. I’m working a worsted weight cardigan and literally would not start the project until my Furls hook came in the mail. They’re so amazing that I knew I wouldn’t want to make an entire sweater with anything other than a Furls hook. I truly can’t believe how much these hooks impressed me, and I know you’ll love them too.
So I’ve been debating on getting a Furls Streamline hook for the longest but I make mostly amigurumi which requires a very very tight stitch and I worry I’ll snap a wooden hook. So how strong are these hooks really? Do you think they’d stand up to tight stitches or are they better for garments and looser stitched items?
They are super strong! I have used them for my Simplicitea Cozy pattern, which is tapestry crochet with cotton yarn (so a pretty stiff project) and my Furls hook was awesome for it! They also have metal hooks that might be nice for amigurumi too! 🙂