Review on 4.5-inch Boye Red Knitting Loom Hook by Jennifer Roberts

I am new to loom knitting but have found it to be an easy and enjoyable hobby. I actually bought two sets of Martha Stewart Crafts Lion Brand Yarn Yarn and Weave Loom Kits, but I really don't like the knitting tool that came with them. So I decided to order some alternative crochet hooks/tools available from Revain and compare. Last night I randomly picked a Boye Loom Hook and used it for several hours. Benefits of the Boye Loom Hook: * Works with non-Boye made machines (e.g. Martha Stewart machine). My stitch from last night looks exactly like all MS crochet stitches (as it should). * Thick metal. This hook will not bend. This is very important to me as my main complaint about the MS tool was that the metal part was so thin that it kept bending until it broke. The Boye hook solves this problem. * Inexpensive and available separately (as a spare part) from various dealers. Not to say I did NOT snap a thread with the Boye hook, but much less. I would say it was a little easier to knit with this crochet. Disadvantages of the Boye Loom hook: * The grip is uncomfortable. I don't have arthritis or other limitations that prevent me from using my hands. But after a few hours my hand started to hurt a little. The handle is thin and strong with no padding (the MS hook's handle, by comparison, is made of a rubber material that gives off a bit and is much more comfortable to hold for long periods of time). * There are some tiny grooves on the tip which are actually a bit rough. Because of this, the yarn does not slide very smoothly over the tip of the hook. (Of course I use Red Heart Super Saver, so I'm not expecting much, but I really didn't like the roughness.) Edit 5/29/13: Grooves are less of an issue with higher quality and/or softer yarns. I still have a few hooks to try. One thing I will try to make it more convenient is to wrap the handle with self-adhesive first aid tape. This should provide some cushioning and also thicken the grip. In the end I'm not sure whether I should recommend this hook or not. I rarely see the elements so evenly distributed between pros and cons, and their weight can be different for all users. I hope you find at least something on my list of pros and cons that suits your own needs! Update 6/11/13: I've decided to give another star for this hook. Of all the things I've tried, this is the one that attracted me the most. I think it must mean something! (Also, someone at Ravelry suggested stuffing the handle with cotton and THEN wrapping it in medical tape. That should be even better than the tape itself.) and their weight may be different for all users. I hope you find at least something on my list of pros and cons that suits your own needs! Update 6/11/13: I've decided to give another star for this hook. Of all the things I've tried, this is the one that attracted me the most. I think it must mean something! (Also, someone at Ravelry suggested stuffing the handle with cotton and THEN wrapping it in medical tape. That should be even better than the tape itself.) and their weight may be different for all users. I hope you find at least something on my list of pros and cons that suits your own needs! Update 6/11/13: I've decided to give another star for this hook. Of all the things I've tried, this is the one that attracted me the most. I think it must mean something! (Also, someone at Ravelry suggested stuffing the handle with cotton and THEN wrapping it in medical tape. That should be even better than the tape itself.) what i tried this is the one that attracted me the most. I think it must mean something! (Also, someone at Ravelry suggested stuffing the handle with cotton and THEN wrapping it in medical tape. That should be even better than the tape itself.) what i tried this is the one that attracted me the most. I think it must mean something! (Also, someone at Ravelry suggested stuffing the handle with cotton and THEN wrapping it in medical tape. That should be even better than the tape itself.)