Best Crochet Hooks for Beginners (2026): First Hooks and Starter Sets

Our verdict

Top Picks

Below are seven beginner picks from five brands: one single hook, five sets covering the everyday sizes and one fuller set to grow into, compared on size range, handle type, material, head shape, pieces in the set and case. Three choices shape the pick: one hook or a set, soft grip or plain metal, and an inline or tapered head.

Price tier legend: $ = entry level, $$ = mid-range, $$$ = premium, per item as sold (one hook or one set) and relative to the products in this guide.

Compare the picks

Compare the beginner crochet hooks

Each row is the exact item we link; head shapes are as the listing or a named reviewer gives them.

How We Picked Hooks for a First Project

What decided the picks

• Size range: a 5 mm (H) hook in every pick.
• Handle type and material: from the maker or listing.
• Head shape: only as the listing or a named reviewer states it.
• Pieces in set and case: from the listing or the maker.
• Availability: in stock on Amazon, new, when we checked on 10 November 2026.

Where the information comes from and what r/crochet beginners were told

Where the information comes from

Sizes, materials and contents come from the linked listings, the makers (Clover, Knit Picks) and dealers (Blick, Mary Maxim). Hands-on reports come from crochet bloggers: TL Yarn Crafts scored eight hooks out of 25 on one scarf project (its author co-designed one of the eight with Hobbii); Sweet Bee Crochet bought the Dots set and checked its sizes; PlanetJune compared Susan Bates hooks in 2018, partly with samples from Red Heart; Elise Rose Crochet ranked 14 hooks; Briana K Designs, Just Be Crafty and Yay For Yarn describe their own hooks; Look At What I Made, Thoresby Cottage and Underground Crafter are quoted on single points. Most earn affiliate commissions. We found no Wirecutter or WIRED test of crochet hooks, and TechGearLab’s crochet kit test covers none of these picks.

What r/crochet beginners were told

In the top-ranking r/crochet thread, a beginner asked which of two pictured designs was better; replies describe them as a silicone-handled hook and a skinny metal one. The top answer says crocheters in their group are “about half and half for both types”. Another top reply: “Don’t buy a set. Buy a single hook in the size you need for your project.” Owners split on Susan Bates against Boye too: one finds “the bates hooks have a pointier end and hook which is better for grabbing yarn without splitting it”, another that “my yarn always gets stuck in the groove on the Susan Bates style”. In an r/CrochetHelp thread on hook size, a beginner who had only a 6.5 mm hook and a tiny steel thread hook was told by most replies to learn on the 6.5 mm; one reply puts it as “5-6.5 mm is easiest.”

Detailed Reviews

Clover Amour Crochet Hook, Size H (5.0 mm), Best First Hook

Evidence: Independently reviewed, same series. TL Yarn Crafts: Clover Amour set, sizes not stated.

Clover makes the handle of “elastomer rubber” on an aluminum hook, “Latex Free”, and lists 13 aluminum Amour sizes from 2.0 to 6.0 mm, sold singly; this is the H, 5.0 mm. Grab A Find sold it when we checked on 11 November 2026. TL Yarn Crafts scored a Clover Amour set 22 of 25 (including a bonus point for personal significance) and wrote: “I will always recommend these to beginners because they’re consistent, comfortable, and easy to learn with.” Just Be Crafty: “I always recommend Clover Amour or Susan Bates Bamboo for beginners”. Elise Rose Crochet ranked the Amour first of 14 hooks. The head is “a true hybrid” to TL Yarn Crafts, “tapered” to Just Be Crafty and “slightly tapered” to Yay For Yarn. The trade-off is size: TL Yarn Crafts found “the shaft feels short and the hook head feels small”, and Look At What I Made measured an Amour hook (size not stated) at 14 cm, among the shortest it compared, yet “hands-down the most comfortable to use (at least for me and Jenny)”.

Specs (linked: Amour 1047/H, one hook, 5.0 mm)

• Sizes: one hook, H 5.0 mm (listing and Clover)
• Handle: elastomer rubber with a thumb rest (Clover; thumb rest per Look At What I Made)
• Hook: aluminum (Clover); head hybrid per TL Yarn Crafts, tapered per Just Be Crafty
• Length: 14 cm, handle 10 cm (Look At What I Made, an Amour hook of unstated size)
• Case: none (single hook)

Knit Picks Dots Crochet Hook Set, Best Starter Set

Evidence: Independently reviewed, exact model. Sweet Bee Crochet: WeCrochet Dots set, 9 hooks, 2-6 mm (same item as Knit Picks Dots).

Knit Picks sells the same set as its sister brand WeCrochet, under one item number (85438). Knit Picks gives nine hooks from 2.0 to 6.0 mm, each 6.5 in long with a 4.75 in handle, a “smooth slightly triangular thumb pad” and a stitch-marker hole; the 2.0 and 2.5 mm hooks are nickel-plated metal, and the set comes in a box, not a case. Knit Picks’ own storefront sold it, shipped by Amazon, when we checked on 10 November 2026. Sweet Bee Crochet, which bought the set, checked the sizes “using a needle/hook measuring tool and they were accurate”. TL Yarn Crafts scored it 22 of 25: “I’ve gifted these to beginner crocheters, and I’ll keep doing it.” Briana K Designs names Dots its top beginner pick, though it suggests starting with one 5 mm Dots hook before the full set. The listing calls the heads “semi rounded tapered” and Sweet Bee “a tapered design”; TL Yarn Crafts calls them hybrid, Briana K “an easy inline head”. TL Yarn Crafts found “the dots and bottom section are hard plastic. That texture irritates my hand after a while”, and one reviewer on Knit Picks’ site reports “roughness or drag”.

Specs (linked: Dots set, 9 hooks, 2.0-6.0 mm)

• Sizes: 9, 2.0 to 6.0 mm, including 4.5 and 5.0 mm (listing and Knit Picks)
• Handle: plastic with a triangular thumb pad and a stitch-marker hole (Knit Picks)
• Hook: aluminum tip moulded into the handle (listing); 2.0 and 2.5 mm nickel-plated (Knit Picks)
• Length: 6.5 in, handle 4.75 in (Knit Picks)
• Case: none; packaged in a box (Knit Picks)

Susan Bates Silvalume Soft Ergonomic Crochet Hook Set, G-K, Best Inline Soft-Grip Set

Evidence: Independently reviewed, same series. TL Yarn Crafts: Silvalume Soft Touch, E4-K10.5 set.

The listing gives five sizes from “G/6 (4 mm)” to “K/10.5 (6.5 mm)”, with “U.S. and metric measurements” printed on the handles and an “IN-LINE HEAD DESIGN”; it mentions no case. Amazon.com sold it when we checked on 10 November 2026. TL Yarn Crafts tested “the Soft Touch version, which has a long silicone handle, lightweight aluminum body, and that familiar inline hook head” (it links the E-K set of this line), scored it 23 of 25, tied for top, and named it the winner: “The yarn glide is the standout.” But “my thumb kept sliding into an awkward spot between the hook and handle.” PlanetJune, with samples from Red Heart, found the Soft Ergonomic handle “a definite improvement in comfort to the all-metal hooks”, and finds the in-line shape “makes it much easier to make perfectly uniform stitches”. Underground Crafter, a crochet teacher, notes that “many students find it more comfortable to use an in-line crochet hook.”

Specs (linked: Silvalume Soft set, 5 hooks, G-K)

• Sizes: 5, G 4 to K 6.5 mm (listing)
• Handle: soft handle, colour coded, US and metric sizes printed (listing)
• Hook: anodized aluminum, inline head (listing)
• Length: not published
• Case: not stated

Prym Ergonomics Crochet Hook Set, Small (E, G, 7, H, J), Light Plastic Set

Evidence: Independently reviewed, same series. TL Yarn Crafts: Prym Ergonomics hooks, sizes not stated.

The listing gives “E (3.5 mm), G (4 mm), 7 (4.5 mm), H (5 mm), and J (6 mm)” in “Plastic, Rubber”, “lightweight, flexible hooks”; neither Prym nor the listing states a head shape or a case. Amazon.com sold it when we checked on 10 November 2026. TL Yarn Crafts, which links this five-pack, wrote “These felt great before I even made a stitch”, then: “Yarn glide is where these fell apart for me. They are so, so grippy.” Elise Rose Crochet found “a little drag” that it expects to “smooth out with repeated use”. Two bloggers describe Prym’s hooks as inline: Thoresby Cottage, which bought a 4 mm G and found “the head is quite pointed and sharp” and its yarn “kept splitting”, and Elise Rose Crochet.

Specs (linked: Ergonomics Small 5-pack, E-J)

• Sizes: 5, E 3.5 to J 6 mm (listing)
• Handle: rubber (listing)
• Hook: plastic (listing); inline per Thoresby Cottage and Elise Rose Crochet
• Length: not published
• Case: not stated

Susan Bates Silvalume Crochet Hook Set in Pouch, F-K, Budget Inline Metal Set

Evidence: Independently reviewed, same series. PlanetJune: Silvalume starter set F-K, bought before its 2018 post.

The listing gives six sizes from “F/5 (3.75 mm)” to “K/10.5 (6.5 mm)”, each 5.5 inches, anodized aluminum with an “IN-LINE HEAD DESIGN”, in a vinyl pouch. Amazon.com sold it when we checked on 10 November 2026. PlanetJune moved from Quicksilver to Silvalumes, starting with “the starter set (sizes F-K US, 3.75-6.5mm)” but notes “the handle is narrow, so not ideal if you crochet with a knife grip.” Just Be Crafty, which links this set, calls bare metal hooks “great for beginners who don’t want to invest in a more expensive hook/set just yet”, though “They have no grip and are super slippery”. Briana K Designs tells new crocheters to “spend a few extra dollars and skip this category entirely”, though its FAQ calls an inexpensive basic hook “completely reasonable” while you decide whether crochet will stick. Elise Rose Crochet called a Susan Bates hook (line not named) “the worst crochet hook I have ever used for amigurumi”. Commenters under PlanetJune’s review report changes in newer hooks; we could not confirm which batches.

Specs (linked: Silvalume set, 6 hooks, F-K, vinyl pouch)

• Sizes: 6, F 3.75 to K 6.5 mm (listing)
• Handle: none; bare anodized aluminum, colour coded (listing)
• Hook: aluminum, inline head (listing)
• Length: 5.5 in (listing)
• Case: vinyl pouch (listing)

Boye Aluminum Crochet Hook Set, 8 Hooks, US D-K, Budget Tapered Metal Set

Evidence: Independently reviewed, same series. Yay For Yarn: Boye aluminum hooks, set and sizes not stated.

The listing gives “(8) assorted crochet hooks”, colour coded, and its title adds “Tapered Throat” and the sizes “3.125, 3.5, 3.75, 4.25, 5, 5.25, 5.75, 6.5mm”; it states no case. Amazon.com sold it when we checked on 10 November 2026. Briana K Designs links this set as “Boye (tapered)” and pairs it with Susan Bates: “Since these basic metal hooks are inexpensive, it’s great to try each one and see which type of crochet hook head you prefer.” Yay For Yarn also finds “the Boye hook is more tapered”, though the blogger’s hands cramped on Boye aluminum hooks. The listing and Blick put this set’s G, I and J at 4.25, 5.25 and 5.75 mm, so follow a pattern’s millimetres. Just Be Crafty: “My first crochet hook was a Boye metal hook and served me well for a very long time.” Elise Rose Crochet, testing one Boye hook, wrote “I cannot recommend this hook at all”, citing “Cheap, rough metal”.

Specs (linked: Boye aluminum set, 8 hooks, D-K)

• Sizes: 8, D 3.125 to K 6.5 mm (listing)
• Handle: none; bare aluminum, colour coded (listing)
• Hook: anodized aluminum, tapered throat (listing title)
• Length: not published
• Case: not stated

Clover Amour Crochet Hook Set 3672, Set to Grow Into

Evidence: Independently reviewed, same series. TL Yarn Crafts: Clover Amour set (it links a 9-size 2-6 mm set).

Clover lists ten sizes from B (2.25 mm) to J (6.0 mm), aluminum with elastomer handles, latex free; neither Clover nor the listing mentions a case. Third-party sellers rotated in the buy box when we checked on 10 November 2026: KIVOX STORE (shipped by Amazon), then Hour Loop and Diamond Prime. It is pick #1’s Amour line. Briana K Designs, which links this set, calls it “One of my favorite starter sets”; Just Be Crafty, which also links it, finds “An entire set can be a bit pricey”. In the r/crochet thread, some owners now crochet only with Clover Amour and others prefer skinny hooks, so Briana K’s advice fits: “Start with one or two individual hooks, then buy a set once you know you like the brand.”

Specs (linked: 3672 set, 10 hooks, B-J)

• Sizes: 10, B 2.25 to J 6.0 mm (Clover)
• Handle: elastomer rubber with a thumb rest (Clover; thumb rest per Look At What I Made)
• Hook: aluminum (Clover); head hybrid per TL Yarn Crafts, tapered per Just Be Crafty
• Length: 14 cm, handle 10 cm (Look At What I Made, an Amour hook of unstated size)
• Case: not stated

Choosing Your First Crochet Hook

One hook or a set

Briana K Designs, Mary Maxim and a top r/crochet reply suggest starting with one hook; Briana K and the Reddit reply add a set once you know what you like. Mary Maxim, which sells hooks, calls a set “the smarter buy” if you already plan several kinds of project.

Start with 5 mm and worsted yarn

Briana K Designs: “A 5mm hook, also called a US size H-8, is what I’d tell almost every beginner to start with.” Mary Maxim: “For those just starting out, we always point people toward a worsted weight yarn paired with a 5mm hook.” Just Be Crafty names 5 mm (H) or 5.5 mm (I). Every pick here includes a 5 mm hook. More in our guide to the best size crochet hook for beginners.

Inline or tapered head

Just Be Crafty: “Inline hooks have a hook that sits in line with the shaft, while tapered hooks have a more pointed, gradual taper.” Yay For Yarn: “From the back, the Boye hook is more tapered, the Susan Bates is straight, and the Clover is slightly tapered.” Briana K Designs calls it “The Single Most Important Choice” but says it “really comes down to preference”. An entry-level way to find out is a Susan Bates set (#5, inline) and a Boye set (#6, tapered).

Soft grip or plain metal

PlanetJune finds narrow bare Silvalume handles (#5) less comfortable in a knife grip and says built-up handles are “unlikely to provide you with much benefit” in a pencil grip, though it finds the Soft Ergonomic handle may suit a pencil grip. Briana K Designs finds a basic aluminum hook “works fine in short bursts” but prefers a cushioned handle for longer sessions; some r/crochet owners find fat handles cramp their hands. We can’t say whether any hook helps a hand condition. See also our ergonomic crochet hook guide and lighted crochet hook guide.

Letters vs millimetres

The Boye listing and Blick put Boye’s G, I and J at 4.25, 5.25 and 5.75 mm; the Susan Bates sets list 4, 5.5 and 6 mm. Briana K Designs’ rule: “go by the millimeters”. More in Crochet Hooks & Kits.

Left out: Yarniss kits, whose yarn glide TL Yarn Crafts found “gritty from the first stitch” and of which Elise Rose Crochet wrote “It drags…and it squeaks”; and the Susan Bates Bamboo Handle hook, which the Amazon listing we found priced well above a dealer’s price on 10 November 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

A single 5 mm hook you find comfortable, such as the Clover Amour H, from the line TL Yarn Crafts and Just Be Crafty recommend to beginners.

5 mm (US H-8) with worsted-weight yarn, per Briana K Designs and Mary Maxim; one r/CrochetHelp reply calls 5-6.5 mm easiest.

Knit Picks Dots, from the line Briana K Designs names its top beginner pick (it suggests one 5 mm hook before the set), which TL Yarn Crafts gifts to beginners; for an inline head, the Susan Bates Silvalume Soft G-K set. The bare-metal Susan Bates (inline) and Boye (tapered) sets are the entry-level options.

TL Yarn Crafts and Just Be Crafty recommend them to beginners, and Elise Rose Crochet ranks them first of 14 hooks.

The bottom line

Final Verdict

First hook: Clover Amour H, 5.0 mm (check price) (short shaft for one tester; sold by Grab A Find when we checked on 11 November 2026). Starter set: Knit Picks Dots (check price) (hard plastic end bothered one tester; Knit Picks’ storefront, 10 November 2026). Inline, soft handle: Susan Bates Silvalume Soft G-K (check price) (thumb slip for one tester; Amazon.com, 10 November 2026). Light and grippy: Prym Ergonomics Small (check price) (drag for two testers; Amazon.com, 10 November 2026). Budget inline: Susan Bates Silvalume pouch set (check price) (thin bare handles; Amazon.com, 10 November 2026). Budget tapered: Boye D-K (check price) (reviewers split; Amazon.com, 10 November 2026). Set to grow into: Clover Amour 3672 (check price) (priciest here; rotating third-party sellers on 10 November 2026).

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.