Jimbo’s Handmade Wooden Crochet Hooks

Handmade wooden crochet hooks

Introducing my collection of Jimbo handmade wooden crochet hooks.  This is a complete set from F through K, including a size 7. These are handmade by Jim Price of Washington state, who not only makes beautiful hooks, but is a really nice person!  He stands behind his work like no one I know.

The first hook I ever bought from him was the size 7, third from the left. When I opened the box, while standing in my kitchen, my kids were jumping up and down to see what was in the package. They bumped my arm as I took it out and it hit the ceramic tile floor, hook down. The hook broke off because, as Jim explained to me, this wood is very hard, but that means that it won’t bend at all, so it broke. I emailed to thank him for the hook but to tell of my disappointment. I didn’t ask for a replacement, given that it was my own (or my kids’) fault. He insisted on replacing it anyway. I was amazed! I’ve learned to be more cautious with them since then.

He auctions off these beautiful hooks on his blog, Jimbo’s Front Porch. I have seen individual hooks go for $20 all the way up to $60.  It really is exciting to win the auction and get to have one!

Unique stories for each one

I actually love finding what kind of wood these are made from every time he posts an auction for another hook, so I will tell you about these hooks.  From left to right, smallest to largest.

The F hook is made of canary wood, the G is made from apple wood from Jim’s ranch. The 7 is made from Panamanian rosewood — beautiful grain in this wood.  The H is extra special.  It came from the wood of a pecan tree that was felled by the May 20th tornado in Moore, OK.  My husband was helping clear fallen trees to be hauled off and saved a pecan log that we cut into 10 in. lengths and shipped to Jim.  He is making other hooks out of this wood and auctioning them on his blog.  He is donating the proceeds to the relief effort.  The I is made of zebra wood, the J of zircote.  The K is made of canary wood, just like the F.

What makes them so great?

I LOVE working with these hooks!  They are my very favorites to use.  I like the larger grip size — more comfortable for loooooong crocheting sessions.  I love the pointed, in-line hook heads.  They make it so much easier to work into chains and tight stitches.  The wood is SO smooth and comfortable to hold.  I love that they are longer than your standard crochet hook, so the end of it does not rub in the heel of my hand while I work.  The natural beauty of the wood is so enjoyable and I like that there is not any kind of intricate decoration on the handle that might rub in my hand and be irritating.  I just like the plain, natural, smooth, beautiful wood.

This set of hooks makes me so happy!  These are the sizes I use most.  I can work with fingering weight yarn all the way up to worsted weight yarn with this set.  He doesn’t make them much smaller than this, although I did see an E up for auction once. He does make them bigger though, so I may eventually try to snag and L, M or N for bulky yarns.

Aren’t these beautiful?!  Do you have a Jimbo hook?  Tell me about it — what size and what wood?  What do you love about them?

Where can I get a handmade wooden crochet hook?

Since writing this post several years ago, Jimbo’s Front Porch blog has gone quiet, so I believe that Jim is no longer making handmade wooden crochet hooks. I have come across a few other crochet hook makers that I’ll share below, but I also suggest visiting your local yarn and fiber shows to find crochet hook artisans!

Brittany Needles & Crochet Hooks. These you can actually buy at local yarn shops, but I’ve met the owner/maker at an industry show and talked over crochet hook design with him myself. I have two of his hooks and love them! He turns them himself on a lathe.

Knitbrooks makes beautiful wooden crochet hooks with extra chunky handles as well. Some are made from driftwood and really unique looking!

Handcarved Hooks makes hooks out of sticks that aren’t always straight, so you get some interesting shapes! Some are also handpainted with beautiful designs!

Nelsonwood makes a lot of hooks that are a combination of wood and resin. The resin sections are often beautiful swirls of colors or filled with additions like flowers or pinecones. The handles are also very chunky, so can be good for those with hand or wrist pain.

Of the makers above, I’ve only personally worked with Brittany crochet hooks, but have admired all the others. Hope you find some that you love!

Happy crocheting!