!), and other items I enjoy or are on my wish list!
The ergonomic Clover Soft Touch Crochet Hooks are wonderful! I can crochet for hours and hours without discomfort or pain or numbness! It's amazing! It took a few weeks for my wrists to get better from the preexisting twinges of soreness caused by the regular crochet hook handle style, but after using the Clover Soft Touch Crochet Hooks since September (4 months now), my wrists/hands/fingers are not sore even after hours and hours and hours of crocheting. One exception: My wrists will get a little sore after hours of using a smaller crochet hook (such as a D) with a thick, tacky type of yarn (such as Caron Perfect Match) - but if I use the appropriate size hook for the type of yarn, all is well!
[Update: March 8, 2007] Clover also has the Soft Touch style in thread sizes, but they are difficult to find. Lone Star Yarns used to offer them but their website is now closed. I just found Clover Soft Touch Thread Crochet Hooks in Clover sizes 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 (estimated US sizes 4, 7, 10, 11, 13, 14) (1.75 mm to .6mm) at Karp Styles.
[Update March 23, 2008] Maggie Weldon is now selling Clover Soft Touch Thread Crochet Hooks for $6.75 each in 8 sizes: 0 (1.75mm), 2 (1.50mm), 4 (1.25mm), 6 (1.00mm), 8 (0.90mm), 10 (0.75mm), 12 (0.60mm), and 14 (0.50mm).
Why can't you find smaller sizes of Clover crochet hooks in the states. I have only found them in Canada to order.
Thanks
Hi - A Google search just now showed that the Clover Soft Touch Thread Crochet Hooks are also available at Angelika's Yarn Store in Oregon at:
http://www.yarn-store.com/crochet-hooks.html
scroll down the page - look for the hooks with a protective cap). Sizes listed are 0 (1.75mm), 2 (1.5mm), 4 (1.25mm), 6 (1.0mm), 8 (.90mm), 10 (.75mm), 12 (.60mm). Price is $6.50 each.
The clover soft touch hooks are the best hooks I have ever used.I love them. I have been crocheting for 45 years and I will only use the clover soft touch hooks. I have just ordered the steel hooks in the soft touch.