For years, I was the same - it had to be an aluminum tapered hook or nothing. When my carpal tunnel flared up, I switched to the Clover hooks with the grip. I had a lot less pain so never switched back to the regular hooks again. But that was just my experience. Everyone is definitely different in their preference.

Thank you! I finally understand the difference. I can use either one; doesn’t really matter to me. But, I do need the ergonomic handles or the foam slip-ons because my hands are crippled and misshapen and painful with Rheumatoid arthritis. I learned on Susan Bates hooks when I was 15, but like I said, the heads don’t make any difference to me. It’s the handles that matter. Isn’t it great that there are so many to choose from these days so everyone can enjoy this craft? 😃 AND, I’ve learned so very much from you, Crystal. I’m forever grateful! ❤️

For me it totally depends on the yarn. Thank you for this review 😊

When I first started I tried the tapered hook first. I found my hook constantly getting caught on each of the loops as I was pulling my yarn through my stitches. On a whim I tried the inline hook and it just became easier to crochet. Even as I became more practiced with crochet when I tried to use a tapered hook I would end up catching my loops so much more frequently. So I think it just comes down to the movements you make when crocheting. For me, the inline hook is just better for those movements. Definitely worth trying both styles of hooks before buying a full set.

I’ve got both kinds and use all of them. I particularly like the in-line when I’m using 2 strands. Find it easier to catch both at the same time. But the tapered is nice when I’m using one strand the yarn is tight.

I like both . I use the in line more because it helps me control my stitches and tension. It also works better for cotton yarn . I can crotchet faster with it as well. I've only been crotcheting a few years now.

I started with a tapered way back in the 70's. Then one day I tried the inline hook. I feel the inline has a firm grasp as the yarn doesn't fall off. As I got older, my hands can cramp and I find the rubber handles make it easier. I do love the Susan bates with the black handles. Those have helped ease cramping of my hands. Throughout my life my jobs were literally hands on from stocking at a grocery store to being a massage therapist. My hands have taken a beating. I do feel the tapered hooks can be beneficial using fine yarn. I don't like the big round handles as i use the pencil grip. The round handle seems to work better with the knife grip. (Just my opinion) I also have a lighted crochet hook, that really comes in handy when using very dark yarn. Try different options, you may be surprised. 🙂

Thank you Crystal for this comparison and demonstration. When I started crocheting, I always used tapered but after a few years I managed to find an inline hook so I tried it and surprisingly, it felt so much easier, smoother and faster to crochet with, I thought I would hate it but it was quite the contrary. I could use and love both very much but if I only could choose one I will go with an inline hook :)

I prefer the inline, the other type has a "knobby" end which gives me trouble trying to get into a stitch. Also, my Mom was a pen holder grip, and she was able to use Boye hooks, I am a knife grip, and Bates hooks work well for me. Thank you very much for taking the time to explain the differences between the two.

Thanks for explaining the difference. I just started crocheting again after about 40 years, and I was very much a beginner back then.

Thank you for explaining the difference, Crystal.

I have always liked tapered hooks. I have tried those foam hook covers, but have found that they split very quickly. I set out to find some sort of grip that was sturdier. I have tried pencil grips but they're too short. Then I checked on Amazon and found some interesting tubular foam covers that are made to help folks with arthritis hold spoons, etc. They come with different hole sizes in a set and aren't very expensive. As I do battle rheumatoid arthritis, I ordered a set. They were easy to put on my hooks (squirt a bit of dish soap on the hooks first) and they really do make it easier to crochet. They've all got little toofie marks from our puppy and the kitties, but what the heck, they still work!

Wonderful to see your feeling better , thank you for everything possible on your channel for lovely crochet and yarn assistance , bless you

I love my tapered aluminum hooks. Thank you for explaining the differences Crystal 👍💛

Well Crystal you continue to educate me. Thank you for sharing your knowledge. I have been using tapered hooks and didn’t know it! I do like the ones with the cushioned handles as it tends to aggravate my arthritis less.

I'm a tapered girl all the way! I split the yarn more with an inline. Although I can use either, I prefer a tapered ergonomic hook for my arthritis and carpal tunnel!

Hi crystal! I’ve been crocheting for almost 50 years. Honestly, I can’t tell the difference in hooks. I have inline, tapered, aluminum, steel, acrylic, Boye, Bates, clover…if it has a hook at the end, I can use it. Must say, I like the glide of my clover hooks tho. I consider myself fortunate that all hooks are created equal to me and until your demo, in 50 years, I never really noticed a difference! How funny is that! 😊

Hi Crystal. Thank you for this. I heard many times about different hooks but I never knew the difference. I have always used the tapered hook myself. It's what I learned how to crochet with it and it has always been my favorite.

Thank you Crystal. I've gotten some great understanding of why I have issues with my hands hurting and struggling with my crocheting. Now I must relearn and adjust. I love to crochet, it's best when I can enjoy without pain.🥰🥰

Hi Crystal and BOD family. My name is Christie. I am using my dad's old tablet. I learn knitting first. And we used a inline hook to crochet the knit project off the needles. So when I taught myself to crochet I started with my Susan Bates inline hook. That my mom gave me and I still have that hook. That was 1995 when I started to play around with crochet. It was 2007 when I really got in to crochet.

Hi Crystal. I love using the tapered hook. I now have arthritis/fibromyalgia and this actually has aided in me not overworking my wrist. The in-line strangely has made me overwork the wrist and just here in the past years I noticed the hook construction was the reason my wrists were hurting me when I used different hooks. Problem solved. I thank you for this info. Now I know I’m not crazy 😜 💜

I'm so glad you pointed that out to me. I knew I was more comfortable with some of my needles but didn't know why. Now I know.

When I retired I bought a cheap set of aluminum hooks on Amazon. The were tapered. I had learned on Susan Bates back when I was 10. A lot of people talked about Clover Soft Touch so I bought one to try. It really hurt my hand. The handle was short and dug into my hand. I then tried a Susan Bates with the black handle and loved it. It felt good in my hand because the handle was long. I won a set of Clover Amour hooks and I like them too. I find with some yarns the tapered hook works better but most of the time my go to is Susan Bates with the black handles. Thank you Crystal! That was the best explanation I have heard. ❤️

Great video for crochet nerds like me! I choose my hook based on the stitch & yarn I'm working with. But, unlike you, I MUST have a grippy handle. I have very dry skin. I simply cannot keep hold of a plain hook. I feel fortunate we have so many options to choose from 🧶💜

I use the in-line hook most of the time. I hold my hook like a pencil & it grabs the yarn better for me. Also don’t get as many dropped stitches with the in-line. Thanks for the explanation, Crystal, I didn’t know the two types had names besides Susan Bates or Boye!

Thank you Crystal, I was a bit confused on that myself. I now understand the difference. TFS

I use both. What I’ve noticed it’s that my patterns look different. I do love the ergonomic hooks. I’ve been crocheting since I was 10. I’m 61🥴 and crocheting away to making for everyone. Stay safe Crystal. It’s still out there. Hugzzzzz and tons of blessings

I started out with Susan Bates. I used them for years until the Clover Gold hooks (flat tan/brown). Injured my elbow and was told I could not crochet or knit. (Donated all my crochet and knit stuff) I was on the search for ergonomic crochet hooks. I found Clover Amore (tapered) and Furls Streamline wood (in-line) crochet hooks. My elbow rarely flair’s up.

Hello there, thank you for the information, always valuable. Thank you so very much, Crystal

I must admit I’ve never used in line hooks! I use Hero hooks because that’s what you use, and that’s what you recommended. Since losing my only child, 3 years ago, crocheting is my life. I crochet every day and donate most of my items. Thank you Crystal for your wonderful channel!

What a nice education for new hookers - and maybe for some who've been crocheting for years - LOL. My grandmother taught me on her Boye hooks when I learned back in the early 60s, so tapered has always been my preference, and finding ergonomic handles has been a treat for stiff fingers. Thanks so much for sharing this!

Thank you for the comparison Crystal. I was taught using a Boye. After my first paycheck and going to the craft store, I bought the set in the plastic case with about 6 sizes in it. I’ve never used Bates but have a few. I used Boye until I was hyperextending my thumb into soreness making amigurumi. I tried Clover and love them. Then I tried Furls and love them. I’m good on hooks now!

Great explanation, Crystal! I learned on Susan Bates because that's what my grandma used and she taught me. After years of not crocheting, I picked it back up and realized I couldn't crochet for very long without my hand hurting and I was slow. I bought the ergonomic ones the look like Boye and it was solved! But, I still like my Susan Bates for the small, SC stitches because they have a pointy head. If I could get a hook that combined the two, I would be in heaven!!! 😊👍🧶

I was taught with a Susan Bates aluminum. I used that for awhile, but I went the padded grip route when they came out due to arthritis. They were a bit hard to get get used to at first and I thought oh, its just the grip and it will be fine,and kept them. Now, I realize they were tapered and it all makes sense ! Thank you Crystal for your Crystal clear explanation!😎🌹❤🌈

Aluminum tapered hooks are also my favorites - we're "twins"! 😄

Thanks for taking the time to explain the differences!

Hi! I am 64. My Granny taught me to crochet when I was 8 or 10. She taught me the basics, and self taught the rest. I inherited several, several hooks and have bought several over the years. I was just going by the size of the hook, not really knowing the difference between Susan Bates and Boye. But the more I used them I realized that I preferred the tapered hook over the inline (I didn’t know it was called inline until you explained it) . I just knew that in really looking at the two that I did not like using the one that seemed to be square at the head and caught on other stitches and split my yarn therefore slowing me down because of having to redo stitches. The tapered head ( I didn’t know it was called tapered until you explained it) seemed to have (to me) a pointed head so it goes where I want it to. So, for those reasons I love an aluminum tapered hook. Thank you for explaining!

My grandmother taught me to crochet. She was a pencil holder, I’m a knife holder. She was strictly Susan Bates, I can use both. I do need a larger handle grip as the arthritis is bad in both hands. Thank you for this video. You’re amazing!!

I am a complete Clover girl 🤍🤍🤍 and they are tapered I think, I tried a knitPro wooden hook which are inline if I am not mistaken and could not use them. And why I completely fell in love with my Clovers is simple, I was using simple straight tapered aluminum hooks before and before I could even finish a project my wrist would start hurting and it was very annoying, as soon as I tried my first clover I just noticed a HUGE difference in everything, the quality of the hooks, the way they slide through the project and no more pain! So that was a no brainer 😄 I started buying all the sizes I use one by one, the only advise I could give is to buy them in a pack which seems expensive at first but it's cheaper than buying them one by one and believe me they ARE worth it 🥰🥰🥰

Thank you for explaining the difference clearly Crystal. Very interesting and informative video thank you ❤️🌹

I hadn't understood the difference before and this helped a lot! thanks.

welllll thank you, the inline foe me was very difficult, I thought I was crocheting wrong, the yarn was getting caught up and splitting. Now I know the difference I have found the tapered is more for me at this point being a newbie. My mom taught mr to crochet when I was a teenager-in my sixties just getting back to it and loving it!

I use the tapered hooks for the reasons Crystal mentioned. I really like how reasonable she is with saying different techniques work for people. I have watched videos and friends crochet and I’ve also noticed that people have different hand shapes - length of fingers or palms, chubby or lean hands, strength of grip, etc. I wonder if this also makes a difference in how people crochet.🧶

I'm a flat head! The inline hook. It all comes down to how which way you hold your hook, the position your hand holding the hook and how you hold your yarn in the opposite hand. I was taught to hold the hook and yarn in the traditional way, so I have no problem catching the yarn and releasing it because the head of the hook is angled facing me and with the corresponding hold of the yarn in my left hand. No problem. Whereas the round heads i can't maneuver

Interesting that we each are so different in our crafts. I’m a knitter who tried to learn to crochet for years with a straight aluminum hook and couldn’t ‘get’ it..tried Clover Amour hooks and it made a world of difference for me! We like what we like, kind of like people choosing Coke or Pepsi, LOL! 🧶 ❤️

I have my Nana's Hero's and Boyes. I love using them. She wasn't a fan of Susan Bates either. I feel like I over compensate using the inline hooks. I'm a "pencil" holder. Good explanation.👍

Thank you for sharing, I never knew the difference. My Grandma used the tapered but I never knew the names. I have always used the same kind she did. I appreciate you explaining the difference.

I prefer the inline as I seem to have more control with it. The way I taught myself to crochet in 1957 is probably not any official brand of crochet but I enjoy making things to give away and have never had any complaints so far...lol

Thank you for explaining to me! I would have swore in-line was my choice of hook style, but after using a hero hook and not having the pain in my wrist, I found that I prefer the tapered style.

Very good explanation of the differences Crystal! I learned on Susan Bates when I was a kid. For years I never knew any other hooks existed. One time during a class I had to buy a Boye because that’s all they sold. That was about 10 years ago. So I went exploring. And I use both types. With each project I try both types of hooks with the stitch and yarn and see what works best for me. They often vary. I must say that the Clover Amour, in my opinion, has the smoothest shaft and the yarn just glides on them. And now that I am older and do a lot of typing for work, their ergonomic handle really helps. I agree wholeheartedly with you. It’s an individual preference. Thanks for another great video!💕

I am definitely a tapered hook fan. When I use an inline hook I split and misfire on stitch after stitch. Good explanation and I thank you. 😊

You always have videos that help us learn basic things that sometimes we don't understand. I appreciate this video because I learned something I didn't know. I also prefer tapered. I have many tapered hooks and quite a few inline that I rarely use. Thank you for teaching all of us the difference.

Really informative and helpful. I have had arthritis since I was 13 and love crochet. Knowing the difference in hooks is really empowering for me. I will be experimenting. Thanks

Thank you so much for doing this video, Crystal. I guess I wasn't the only one who didn't know the difference between the two types of hooks until now. 🤓🧶

I have never used an inline hook. I had always used Boye until my hand started cramping up as I have some arthritis. Now I use an ergonomic hook that has a tapered end. I can crochet for hours and my hand never bothers me. 🤗

My Mom use Taper hooks she taught me on a taper hook. I been using Boyd's Hooks since I was 9yrs old! I love them!🥰🥰🥰. Thank You Crystal for sharing this ❤️

Hi Crystal, thank you for teaching us. Today I learn something new.

I never really looked at my hooks this closely, I just knew that some worked better for me than others. Now that you’ve pointed out, I can see that I prefer the in-line to tapered. BTW, I have discovered 2 Hero hooks (G and H) hiding in my collection. Crystal, you’re welcome to them if we can figure out a way to get them to you.

I'm so glad that you finally have taught us this. Thank you. You have answered my questions about these different hook styles. I'm going to pay more attention to how my wrist feels after using each kind. I still can't crochet yet due to my sprained wrist, but still love watching you.

OMG... It is so amazing to hear that I am not the only person that can only use the steel aluminum tapered hooks! I can't do the ergonomic grips!

I started out on Susan Bates when I was 8 not knowing a difference. When I picked up later in life and ordered me some hooks and lost all my old stuff they were tapered and that is when I realized there was a difference and I couldn’t use them. I went on a hunt and got me some SB hooks. Now I can use other brands as long as they r inline or a mixture of the two. Thanks for sharing, Crystal because there is someone out there that probably didn’t realize. Have a good night!!!

Thank you! I just asked about this in the comments of your last video and like a true MVP you answered the call. I really enjoyed this video! Thanks again!

Thank you for explaining the difference. I love the clover armour hooks. I definitely didn't like the in line hooks, and when I changed to the ergonomic hooks I can hardly use the aluminum ones any more. I think it would be interesting for you to explore the difference between holding a hook, knife versus pencil.

Thanks Crystal - there was a time when I was confused. But I like them both - right now it depends on the yarn I’m using as to which hook I use.

I am still experimenting with different types. I am still a beginner and will find my go to style. Thank you for explaining the types of heads.

My favorite are the Furls Streamline Resin hooks because the head is much like the inline and the shaft is more similar to the tapered but with the added feature of it being ergonomic. I get cramps in my hands when I try to use a straight hook but with the Furls I can crochet all day without pain. They take some get used to and the analogy I use is like learning how to bowl without the gutter guards but once you find that sweet spot it is easy to keep going back to it. Thanks for this lovely explanation and for your time and interest in sharing your knowledge with your peeps. You are absolutely a top favorite for me and words cannot tell you how much I appreciate your channel. You have taught me so very much and I am very thankful for you. You are a true treasure!

I am still learning what I like best. This was informative, thank you.

I didn’t know there were different types of hooks until a few weeks ago. I was curious as to the difference and now you’ve explained it! I will have to inspect mine and see which one I’ve been using the most. Thanks for the explanation.

Crystal, once again you answer questions that have been with me for a long time. I prefer Boye but my daughter prefers Bates and I could never figure out why we were not satisfied just using any hook we could get; but, now it all makes sense. I have a more relaxed stitch while my daughter has a VERY tight stitch. The hooks make a big difference in how much we enjoy working with yarn. Thank you again for your informative video. I am looking forward to move of your informative videos.

Thanks for explaining this so clear. I prefer the tapered hook too.

Thank you Crystal. . I have heard other people talk about the needles. But it never stuck. But I think I get it now.

Hi Crystal….I wanted to ask u the other day the difference between the hooks when I watched u open the Goodwill box that had a lot of hooks in it. But wasn’t for sure if u would see my question. I’ve always wanted to know the difference between hooks so now I know Thanks to You!! 🙌🙌 I’ve always used Susan Bates hooks but I will start trying the tapered hooks to see if I like them. Sure do appreciate all the information & tips you give us!! Have a blessed day!! 😊😊

I've not really understood the difference until now. I definitely like the tapered hook the best. I have both. Thanks for explaining this. Have a wonderful day!

I love the inline hooks. I learned on the Susan be Bates hooks and I love them.

I am a tapered hook. I learned on the old Hero hooks. My grandmother also used the tapered hook and she taught me to crochet.

I used the in-line hooks when first started crocheting. Now I can use in-line and tapered. Now that the arthritis has set in I prefer the padded hooks. Or the ergonomic hooks. They decrease my wrist and finger pain. You just have give all the hooks a try. Soon one hook will fit right.

I am one that prefer the inline mainly because like you I was taught with the inline from Susan Bates and have stuck with it. Tried a few others including ergonomic and nothing was working so resorted back to good old faithful

I have to admit, I am the same as you, Crystal. I have tried different types, wood, plastic, bamboo, specially designed grips, etc, but I just can't use them, I always go back to the trusty, tapered, metal hook. You are right, about preferring the ones you learned with, I think your hands memorise how to hold and use them. My cousin bought me a set of hooks a good few years ago because they were advertised to be No1 for people with arthritis, but they honestly made my hands worse, so I went right back to the old faithfuls.

Hey Crystal, I only use the tapered hooks too. But I like the ergonomic ones, which are effortless for me to use. Just my personal preference! I have many all metal hooks but rarely use them now. Also plastic big hooks which I sometimes have to use. (P, Q hooks) I have been crocheting (self taught) since I was around 12 or 13 yrs old (I’m 66 now!!) and so I feel I’m close to expert level but could always learn more!! Can’t we all!!! I sometimes learn new things watching your crochet videos. I also really enjoy your yarn unboxing videos so I can see new yarns!! I’m binging on old ones. And of course I love your tutorials! Thanks for all the time you spend teaching and informing us!!

I use the pencil hold technique and no one told me this when I started crocheting, but different hooks will be better for the two different techniques. If you pencil hold like I do, furls hooks are not for you because of the weight. Your wrist movement can be different between the two techniques as well, which will affect wrist pain when using in-line or tapered. However, everyone is different with different preferences, I’ve just found that some heavier hooks are definitely better for knife holders. I’ve tried both in-line and tapered, I learned off of tapered hooks. I do crochet a lot faster with in-line hooks, but I have more wrist movement because of how deep the neck is which begins to make my wrist hurt much sooner than a tapered. I’ve tried Susan bates, boye, and two different clover hooks. The yarnology brand from hobby lobby and other one off unbranded hooks. I finally had to modify the yarnology brand because the grip is just the right size however the hook head did not grab yarn as well as I wanted. Some work with a file and sandpaper had all my yarnology hooks near perfect for me. Everyone will be different, find what you like and if you can’t, modify like I did!

For me, tapered works well for thicker yarn, but I like inline for thinner yarn. Also,in-line works well for Tunisian crochet.

Thank you for the info. Never knew this. I'm new at crocheting and learning. Appreciate the lesson.

I'm glad you went over this. I like inline unless I'm using cotton yarn. Inline does hold the yarn, but any yarn that leans towards splitting really needs tapered.

Omg, I have been crocheting since I was like 9 yrs old, & I never knew this! Good to know. I use the tapered hooks w/ the ergonomic handle.

I began on tapered Boye hooks when I was 10 years old. Being left handed was challenging enough. I now use their ergonomic hooks as I have arthritis in multiple joints all over my body including my hands. I found the inline hooks hurt my hands too much. Thank you for educating us about the differences.

👍💖 Wow didn't know there was a difference. Thanks for this.

I’m definitely in agreement with you ~ tapered hook~ is my choice. I use a lot of different hooks. But I do prefer tapered.

I like tapered too. Aluminum is best for me. Thanks for sharing. Take care. Be safe

Clover amour is my favorite. It’s considered a hybrid hook. In-line is my second fave, then tapered. I also love handmade ergonomic hooks and can crochet longer with them. I collect them from different sellers and love them!

Thank you for taking the time to explain the difference. I like them both just depends on what yarn I’m using. Lighter weight yarns I use the inline and heavier yarns I use tapered hook.

This caused me to check my hooks, sure enough tapered. And, they do make the work just fly. But, now I'm thinking that I should try an in-line to see if there is a difference for me. Thank you so much, Crystal, for this wonderful information, I never knew.

Hi Crystal hope you're having a great day

Well I learnt something new again today thank you 😊 I really appreciate the knowledge you share with us xx

Hi Crystal, I learned to crochet using an in line hook when I was about 5 years old. I'm 56 as I write this. Over the years I've tried many different hooks and found that I like both. It depends on what I'm making and the kind of yarn I'm using, as to which style I'll use. My current favorite hooks are the Clover Amour hooks. They seem to be a nice blend of both styles for me. And, as I'm starting to feel my age more, the comfort grips keep me from dropping my hook. Lol! I think how a stitcher grips their hook can also affect their stitching performance with the different hook styles. I am a pencil grip girl but, I have a tendency to roll my hook. Especially if the hook doesn't have a flat area about where my thumb hits the hook. I picked up a beautiful rosewood hook put out by Boye that didn't have that flat spot and I had no control. I took an Emory board to it and made a little flat spot, it really made a big difference. Thank you, Crystal, for bringing these wonderful informative videos. I always enjoy you, your family and all your crochet/yarn/tutorials. 🤟 💕☮️🧶

Interesting Video. I’ve been crocheting for over 50 years and was taught with Susan Bates In-line hooks. Once I tried using Boye hooks, but I couldn’t get use to them. So I’ve stuck with inline. Thanks for your videos. 😊

Great explanation of the 2 types of hooks Crystal! I have only used tapered hooks, but may have to try an in-line hook just to experience the difference.

I used both and didn't realize there was a difference at first. I changed hooks depending on the yarn once I understood there was one. That was until I got a hold of my Clover Amours. Love them, and I no longer get hand and wrist pains either. Although, my back up set from hobby lobby is awesome as well.

I have always used the tapered hook since I started crocheting. Love you ❤️🧶

Thank you for this! Was trying to work on a Tunisian crochet pattern with an in-line hook and was getting so frustrated. Now I know why❤️

I think hook preference can also depend on your grip. I learned the pencil grip, so the straight shift is best for me. Crocheters who use a knife grip seem to love padded, chubby, ergonomic hooks that are just plain awkward for me.