Best place/brand for newbie buying crochet hooks?

[Penguin13]

Just wondering if anyone had any recommendations for good hook brands. Am only a beginner so not looking to spend a lot but the cheap ones I have seen on amazon have mixed reviews to say the least. Hoping to get a range of sizes to practice with. Actually recommendations for places to buy wool would be good too as I've been using this cheap wool from Wilkinsons and it keeps splitting. It could be my poor technique and not the wool at fault though

[TheWoollybacksWife]

You can't go far wrong with Stylecraft Special Double Knit. It costs about £1.80 for a 100g ball from Woolwarehouse (online) but you will be able to buy it in shops too - but be prepared to pay a bit more. It is acrylic yarn but is lovely and soft and isn't splitty.

I use bamboo hooks as metal ones aggravate my sore joints. I bought a pouch of unbranded hooks with a wide range of sizes from Amazon for less than £10. I found they were pretty smooth to use anyway at the start and have only got better as they have absorbed the oil from my hands.

[DulliDulli]

I use knit pro waves which you can buy in a case. Very comfy handles and have lasted really well.

[Penguin13]

Thanks for the tips Woolly I hadn't thought of using bamboo hooks but will have a look for them.

[PlaymobilPirate]

I use knit pro waves hooks with Stylecraft yarn.

If you're on Facebook look up 'chit, chat and crochet uk' loads of advice and help ☺

[Penguin13]

Two votes for stylectaft. Thanks for the FB page recommendation playability will def have a look. Have had a browse of the knitting/crochet work in progress thread on here and there are some amazing pieces of work. So inspiring though I can only dream of making something like that one day!

[Penguin13]

Argh stupid Auto-correct. I meant playmobil obviously!

[StubbleTurnips]

I think clover hooks are the best, metal / bamboo are too slidey for me and I can not use the grippy ones.

[crookedhooker]

Tulip hooks for me but I did start of with a cheap metal set from eBay in a case. Once I really got the hang I bought a few 4mms in different brands as it's so different for everyone my friend loved Addi Swing but they were not for me as it also depends how you hold your hook. Style craft is the best yarn for me and I always order from wool warehouse as its next day delivery and its packaged in a pretty bag.

[Penguin13]

Hooray my lovely soft style craft yarn arrived today. Went with some generic cheapish aluminium hooks for now - can always upgrade if I make it past beginner status though judging by my practice attempts that won't be anytime soon Need to figure out how to keep my tension a bit more even.

[UnityBlottisaTosser]

I have too tight a grip to use aluminium hooks, it's painful. I have Tulip hooks, but KnitPro are also good, I have some of them in larger sizes than Tulip hooks come in. I also have a set of these as spare hooks. They are great value and similar to more expensive versions, I think the difference between them and the more expensive hooks is that the handles might lose integrity a bit with prolonged use.

Stylecraft is great, I use it a lot for things that need to be robust and washable.

[Chocolateteabag]

Clover amour hooks for me - they have the squishy padded handle which helps keep my hand from aching

[SoupDragon]

I love my generic cheap metal hooks :o

I'm not a big fan of those with a handle other than for the thinner hook sizes.