Amazon’s best-selling crochet hooks are not what you’d expect.
Out of the top 20, only four were familiar names—which led Elise Rose Crochet down a rabbit hole (armed with yarn, a hook, and a very patient husband with a profilometer).
She tested the top 12 hooks, measured their smoothness, and crocheted her heart out to find out which ones are truly worth your money.
The results? Sometimes surprising, occasionally confusing—but always honest.
Contents
- 1 How the Testing Worked (AKA: A Crafty Science Experiment)
- 2 12. Vodi Hook Set
- 3 11. Schwok Hook
- 4 10. Coopay “Grandmother” Hooks
- 5 9. Big Blue Hook (YoJob)
- 6 8. Yarnish Hook Set
- 7 7. Hot Pink Hook (QMN Store)
- 8 6. I’m Z 54-Piece Crochet Kit
- 9 5. Prim Hook
- 10 4. HSYMQ Hook Set
- 11 3. Meet Your Store Hook Set (Aqua Case)
- 12 2. Clover Amour
- 13 1. Clover Soft Touch
- 14 Final Rankings Recap:
- 15 The Takeaway
How the Testing Worked (AKA: A Crafty Science Experiment)
Each hook was tested on how it felt in hand, how it moved through yarn, and how much “drag” it created. To get geeky about it, Elise used a profilometer, a tool that measures surface roughness. (Yes, we’re bringing lab tech to the craft table.)
The “roughness average” (RA) gives a number for how bumpy or smooth a surface is, but—as it turns out—that number doesn’t always match what your hands actually feel.
With that in mind, here’s how all 12 crochet hooks stacked up.
12. Vodi Hook Set
- Price: $6.89
- Rating: 4.7 stars (13,000+ reviews)
- RA: 23
Let’s just say… it’s not ideal. Right away, Elise felt dragging and yarn catching—confirmed by a high roughness score. The metal is soft, which means the smaller hooks bend too easily. Good intentions, poor execution. The only thing this hook is hooking is last place.
11. Schwok Hook
- Price: $4.17
- Rating: 4.7 stars (900+ reviews)
- RA: 29
This hook looks like a Clover Amour… but don’t be fooled. It made a scratchy, dragging sound that made Elise cringe, even though the roughness average matched the Clover. Turns out, it’s not about the number—it’s the texture pattern. Same score, totally different experience.
10. Coopay “Grandmother” Hooks
- Price: $7.99 (set of 9)
- Rating: 4.4 stars (3,000+ reviews)
- RA: 10 (the lowest!)
These hooks are adorable, with pretty polymer clay handles and vibrant colors. On paper, they should be perfect. But the short handle and super long neck made crocheting feel awkward—like trying to write with a feather quill. Gorgeous? Yes. Practical? Not so much.
9. Big Blue Hook (YoJob)
- Price: $4.68
- Rating: 4.7 stars (2,000+ reviews)
- RA: 25
Smooth metal? Check. Comfy grip? Check. A crochet hook neck so short it might disappear while you’re working? Unfortunately, also check. This hook is smooth (finally, a name that lives up to its claim!), but the short neck makes it tricky to use for longer stitches or quick-moving patterns.
8. Yarnish Hook Set
- Price: $14.99 (set of 14)
- Rating: 4.7 stars (26,000+ reviews)
- RA: 14
Visually? Beautiful. Color-coded ergonomic handles, a cute zippered pouch… the whole deal. But while Elise wanted to love them, the surface just wasn’t smooth enough. Draggy and inconsistent, even with a decent RA score. Sometimes the numbers don’t lie—sometimes they kinda do.
7. Hot Pink Hook (QMN Store)
- Price: $3.99
- Rating: 4.4 stars (2,800+ reviews)
- RA: 33 (highest score of all!)
Despite the scary-high roughness average, this hook didn’t feel the roughest. In fact, it felt smoother than the Vodi set. Elise was confused. Her profilometer was confused. We’re all confused. Bottom line: smoothness is about more than numbers. And this hook proves it.
6. I’m Z 54-Piece Crochet Kit
- Price: $8.54
- Rating: 4.8 stars (4,000+ reviews)
- RA: 51 (yes, seriously)
Elise was ready to hate this one… and then it surprised her. Despite having the highest RA, the hook felt way smoother than many others. It glided through yarn with no drag. Science said one thing, her hands said another. Sometimes you just have to trust the vibes.
5. Prim Hook
- Price: $8.99
- Rating: 4.5 stars (1,600+ reviews)
- RA: 17
A plastic inline hook with a soft, rubbery handle and sharp tapered head—this one stands out. Elise didn’t like it in the past, but after testing the others, it felt like a breath of fresh air. It’s ergonomic, surprisingly smooth, and easy to control. A true frog-turned-prince moment.
4. HSYMQ Hook Set
- Price: $6.99
- Rating: 4.8 stars (3,000+ reviews)
- RA: 36
Here’s where things get wild. This set looks exactly like the Vodi set (yes, same colors, same shape), but felt way smoother. The RA was even worse than Vodi’s, yet it crocheted like a dream. Elise questioned reality—but ultimately loved how it performed. The yarn didn’t lie.
3. Meet Your Store Hook Set (Aqua Case)
- Price: $9.48
- Rating: 4.8 stars (3,000+ reviews)
- RA: 11
Smooth, comfy, and super affordable—this set checks all the boxes. The ergonomic handles feel great, the metal is slick, and there’s zero yarn drag. Elise was impressed. Bonus: it comes in a cute aqua waterproof pouch. A great set for beginners and budget-conscious crafters alike.
2. Clover Amour
- Price: $9.72
- Rating: 4.9 stars (9,000+ reviews)
- RA: 29
The longtime fan-favorite lives up to the hype. Even though the RA was a bit higher than expected, it never felt rough. The tapered head, comfy grip, and perfect neck make this a top-tier tool. Elise has loved it for years—and this test only confirmed why.
1. Clover Soft Touch
- Price: $6.95
- Rating: 4.7 stars (9,000+ reviews)
- RA: 18
Surprise, surprise! The flat, hard plastic handle had once scared Elise off, but this time? Total redemption arc. It was one of the smoothest, most efficient hooks she tested. With great glide, no drag, and a uniquely shaped grip that works for both knife and pencil holders, this hook earned the top spot fair and square.
Final Rankings Recap:
- Clover Soft Touch
- Clover Amour
- Meet Your Store (Aqua Case)
- HSYMQ Hook Set
- Prim Hook
- I’m Z 54-Piece Kit
- Hot Pink Hook
- Yarnish Set
- Big Blue Hook
- Coopay Hooks
- Schwok Hook
- Vodi Hook Set
The Takeaway
After all the testing, twisting, dragging, and profilometer science-ing, Elise learned one thing: the feel of a crochet hook matters more than the numbers. Yes, roughness averages can give you clues, but they don’t tell the whole story. Shape, texture, and balance play a huge role—and what works for one person may not work for another.
So if a popular hook isn’t clicking with you? That’s okay. You’re not alone. Keep experimenting. Your perfect match is out there somewhere… probably in your Amazon cart.
