Thursday, January 31, 2013

Tools of the Trade

Many years ago we were at the beach, visiting some shops in Cannon Beach, and I was in a little yarn shop hidden way back in a little burrow of shops and was looking around and on the counter was a little display of hand-wrought bronze crochet hooks.  I decided then and there that I needed one of them.  :-)  Years later I had nearly worn the hook end off my little C sized hook so decided to try to find the makers to get another one and maybe a few more sizes.  After extensive and frustrating internet searching I finally found the makers!  Molly & John of Celtic Swan Forge.  Click HERE to see their website. I've become friends with them over the years - they used to do their work on board their sailboat, but now live on a farm on Lopez Island in the San Juan Islands of Washington State, USA.
They were so nice, and invited me to send my hook back and made a brand new hook tip on it for me and it's still going strong.  I also ordered a bronze hook size H.  Then they began using sterling silver and I began to collect those over the years.  Below is my current collection of silver hooks.  The biggest on top is a "I" hook and I asked them if they could put a stone on top for further embellishment and they did, it's a carnelian.  I just received my newest hook, the 2nd from the top, an H hook.  I also have a D, F, & G plus the little silver yarn needle.  OK, I actually have 2 D hooks as I lost one and ordered a replacement and then found the one I'd lost.  :-D  I've thought of selling the duplicate, but what if I lost one again?  LOL!
A close-up of the carnelian top of the I hook.
Each hook has the size, stamped sterling and the logo SS for Swan-Sheeran, the makers.
I have also added a set of bronze #1 sized double pointed knitting needles for making socks.  And those are my 2 bronze hooks on the bottom. 
All of my collection, which includes a pair of #10 knitting needles topped with garnets. 
They heat the bronze and silver and then twist the hot metal to get these wonderful designs. 
So pretty.
I saw some fabulous vintage knitting needles on another blog a few years ago and fell in love with them - they are "Shellonite", imitation tortoise shell, and found these on eBay. I bought the ones on top, and the seller included the other set with original label for free!
Aren't these neat? 
 I also have quite a collection of turned wood crochet hooks and knitting needles.  I guess I should have shown those, but maybe another time.  
What is your favorite crochet hook or knitting needle?  Do you have any vintage or handmade ones?  

27 comments:

  1. I don't have any 'special' hooks yet, but have heard the silver ones are fantastic.

    I lost my fave 4mm hook recently, hope it shows up! It was a freebie I got with a how-to-crochet set and I haven't been able to find it's match in smoothness!

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  2. Nunca ví nada igual.
    Bela coleção de agulhas.
    Beijo.

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  3. Wow, really pretty. My favourite is one of the first ones I got - it's just so familiar. I've just got a couple of polymer ones but don't want to try them out mid-blanket! Lovely pics, thanks for sharing. x

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  4. Absolutely beautiful, and so unique. My hooks and needles are just your standard ones. I don't knit much so I have no preference in needles. My crochet hooks are Susan Bates Silvalume and I've been very happy with them. I like them better than the Boye ones. Thank you for sharing your collection, it's stunning.

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  5. Teresa, What a lovely collection of beautiful crochet hooks, also unique . Love SS anything! The imitation tortoise shell needles are fun. I would love to knit with them. My favorite hook is my 4mm red and white polka dot, which I am making my granny blanket with now. Happy almost FEb 1st
    xoRobin❤

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  6. I've been drooling over the silver hooks like you have but I just can't justify the cost. Maybe for a Christmas gift sometime? I do have lots of the tiny silver hooks that belonged to my Grandma. I use those to make doilies. But my favorite hook is my plain old blue Susan Bates "H" hook. It's the one I learned to crochet with 46 years ago and I still use it more than any other hook.

    Blessings,
    Betsy

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  7. Lovely hooks and needles Teresa! I have some of my nanna's old hooks
    and treasure those, must be at least 50yrs old now ☺

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  8. Beautiful, and so interesting, Teresa! I have never seen any hooks or needles like yours...they are wonderful works of art. After trying the common aluminum and acrylic hooks and needles I tried wooden ones and fell in love with them. I bought some of the KnitPicks laminated birch wood Harmony hooks and needles and have been enjoying using them. Thanks for another great post! See you soon :-)
    xx,
    Gracie

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  9. These are all so cool! You have the neatest things!

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  10. Mrs. Teresa your hooks are gorgeous!! I can't justify buying anything that grand with our budget! I did order a complete hook set from a catalog I get...It was only $20 and it had the teeny tiny steel hooks up to the bigger aluminum hooks..I thought it was a good find.

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  11. All I could say the whole time I was reading this wonderful post was .......WOW!
    I just use the plain old ones you get from Wal-Mart....I am really jealous, I would L O V E to have some like that! Very nice....very nice indeed!
    Hugs, Shari!

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  12. That is so neat Teresa!!!! They are beautiful!!! I don't have any true vintage needles or hooks, but I have purchased some from thrift shops that I keep on display in my sewing room.
    I have been way behind...hope I didn't miss too much.
    xo Kris

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  13. These are wonderful Teresa! It's so great to have such a big n fun collection!

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  14. Nice collection of needles and hooks! Very pretty and I bet they are nice to work with too.

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  15. Those are so unusual and beautiful. Nicky xx

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  16. Ah, my favourite subject ... hooks !! I have a couple of the Celtic Swan hooks but don't use them much as I prefer the comfort style hooks. My first choice is the Etimo hooks - just beautiful to use. I've also tried the KnitPro ones and they're lovely to use too. Clover Arthritic hooks are another that are a dream to use. I'm ashamed to say that I have a few pairs of knitting needles that are actually tortoise shell --- and there's no way I'd ever part with them. Poor tortoise and I do agree with the ban to use their shells for knitting needles but they are nice to use and I've had mine forever and .... I'm just trying to think up excuses aren't I ? xoxox

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  17. Nothing that fancy in my tool box, unfortunatelly. Your hooks and needles are beauties! Have a nice weekend. Regula

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  18. Gosh, even your crochet hooks and knitting needles are works of art. :) When I think of you, I always think of the word "artist" afterwards. You always inspire me with your lovely photos and beautiful projects.

    How are the double points for making socks? I have wooden ones and like those better than the metal, only because the yarn won't slip as easily off...do you have the issue, too?

    Sending hugs and many blessings to you dear friend.

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  19. Those silver hooks look so nice. I just can't seem to justify the price. I have some hooks that have been passed down from the generations of women in my family. I found one hook..a size K that is so freaking heavy I doubt if it got used much at all. I wouldn't be surprised to find it is made with steel...like the small steel hooks. I enjoy Bates hooks best and if I need a buillion stitch..I use a Susan bates for that..her hooks are all inline. I enjoy your blog by the way

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  20. Those are so gorgeous! You know that they make your work that much prettier.

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  21. Oh my goodness, what treasures! I'm afraid all my needles and hooks are just ordinary ones.

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  22. I love your collection. You have such beautiful tools to work with. Hugs to you,
    Meredith

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  23. WOW. That is quite the collection of Crochet hooks... and I'm totally jealous! I just finished a project (on my website) and I just use plain jane hooks!

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  24. Love these..... I prefer bamboo hooks. But these sterling silver ones are gorgeous. Do they weigh more than regular hooks?

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  25. Hello Teresa your hooks and needles are amazing. I have nothing as grand. I do have some hooks and knitting needles that belonged to my grandmother so they are very precious to me. Also a lot of knitting needles that belonged to my M.I.L. so DH was pleased they were able to be used again. Love Anne x

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  26. Hi Teresa those hooks are to die for......definitely a want lol luck you. Off to take a look at the web site and drop a few hints for my birthday lol
    Hugs xx

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  27. I found what looks to be one of these hooks in my local op shop it's old looking and rather neglected, it is marked as 3 1/2 but is very fine so I'll probably never use it but had to have it as it caught my eye

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