This ergonomic crochet hook is more fragile than your hand
10/6/2026
Translation: machine translated
I’d bought them to protect my hand from developing long-term tendonitis. But it never got that far. The crochet hooks gave up first.
Injuries from crocheting? Yes, they do happen. It starts with pain in the forearms and hands caused by the repetitive motion. If you ignore it, it can lead to tendonitis.
So: if you start to feel a twinge in your forearm, you should take a break and stretch your arms and hands. Or, to prevent it from getting that far in the first place, opt for ergonomic crochet hooks. According to the manufacturer Prym, these crochet hooks fit more comfortably in the hand thanks to their wide grip and help prevent your fingers from cramping up as quickly. This way, you can enjoy crocheting for longer.
As an enthusiastic crocheter, I naturally wanted to give them a go. Little did I know that the pleasure of crocheting would by no means last any longer. And that my fingers weren’t the problem after all …
Attractive design to combat inflammation
Prym, in any case, claims to have recognised the concerns of the hobby community and offers crochet hooks for anyone who wants to protect their tendons. And with hook colours that match the packaging. Well-thought-out design always wins me over.
Each set contains several hooks of different diameters. The moment I try one, I notice straight away how light the plastic hook feels in my hand. It does make it look a bit cheap – but it’s comfortable. I usually hold my crochet hook very tensely, but with the Prym model it feels much more relaxed. What’s more, the rubber grip gives slightly, preventing my hand from slipping off the hook whilst crocheting.
So far, so good.
After two hours, my forearm starts to ache. A sign that I need to adjust my hand position slightly. A short break, loosen my grip, and off I go again. This way, I get through a four-hour train journey – pain-free. For a moment, I think I’ve stumbled upon the crocheting woolly sow (who, unfortunately, doesn’t lay eggs).
A swift end to ergonomics
I’m so enthusiastic that I’m even taking the 3.5-millimetre crochet hook with me on holiday. It’s set to be my faithful companion for the next two weeks. For ten days, everything goes perfectly. Pain-free and smoothly, I work stitch after stitch. The bandana grows, the ball of wool shrinks. Just before I finish, I put the headwear on my head and decide, contrary to the instructions, to skip the last few rows of stitches.
A wise decision, because the moment I try to pull through the last stitch, the crochet hook snaps in two.
A glance at the product ratings on Galaxus shows me that I’m not alone in this. Other amateur crocheters, such as MelinaF499, also report that the crochet hook with the smallest diameter is unstable and breaks easily. This doesn’t seem to be a problem with the larger diameters.
Source: Screenshot Galaxus
If this mishap had happened earlier in the holidays, I would have been terribly annoyed. This has taught me an important lesson and provides a helpful tip for you, in case you’re currently tempted to buy the set: don’t do it.
The Prym crochet hooks do take the strain off your hands and forearms. But – and this is an important «But» – the smaller ones break far too easily. Instead of the set, you’re better off buying ergonomic crochet hooks individually, with a diameter of at least five millimetres. One like this, for example:
With the smaller diameters, you risk getting frustrated. I’ll find out whether there are unbreakable alternatives to the plastic hooks.
In a nutshell
Comfortable crochet hooks - but the smallest ones break quickly
Compared to conventional crochet hooks, I notice a clear difference when crocheting. It takes much longer before I feel a pull in my arm because the handle sits comfortably in my hand.
The only drawback is that the smaller diameters are less stable and break after just two weeks of moderate use. With larger diameters of five millimetres or more, on the other hand, they are much more resistant to breakage - so it makes more sense to buy the needles you need individually.
Pro
- Comfortable grip in the hand
- Less pain when crocheting
- beautiful colours
Contra
- Thinner crochet hooks break quickly
Header image: Stefanie Lechthaler
Painting the walls just before handing over the flat? Making your own kimchi? Soldering a broken raclette oven? There's nothing you can't do yourself. Well, perhaps sometimes, but I'll definitely give it a try.
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