I remember I wanted to learn how to crochet because I kept seeing all these granny squares tutorials pop up (mostly on whip-up) and I thought they were pretty darling. It was the day before my birthday and I had got some mad money in the mail from my inlaws, so I went to Hobby Lobby and bought five balls of yarn and one crochet hook. It was a Clover Soft Touch hook size H. Once I learned my basic stitches on that, it was impossible for me to pick up those cheap-o aluminum hooks and use them. I was completely spoiled.

I've done quite a few projects since then (which I unfortunately can't show you till next month because they're surprises for swaps) and once I realized that I was totally obsessed with crochet, it became necessary to get more hooks. Well Hobby Lobby only sells them in two sizes, G and H. So I ordered a full-set of 8 (C-J) on eBay for around $20. GOOD DEAL.

Well then I won a give-away on the whip-up blog -- a $50 gift certificate to mwendas.etsy.com. I have to say, I really love this shop. Fridah, the owner, is very helpful and friendly. I have ordered from her previously and she even helped me track down some Japanese patterns I had been searching all over the internet for! I had been intrigued by the Hamanaka double-ended crochet hooks she sold. So I figured I'd try them out since I wouldn't be losing anything.

I got them a few days ago and I've been using them exclusively ever since! They are super comfortable to hold -- I would say better than the Soft Touch. They're pretty smooth too, although they have a shiny finish and are slicker than the Soft Touch, so it took me awhile to get used it it. I really like how the hooks are pointier than the Soft Touch too.

Now I wouldn't say that they will completely replace my Clover Hooks. The Hamanaka set is five hooks with two different sizes on each one -- so I have ten sizes to my eight Clover sizes. The Hamanaka set was also expensive. I don't remember how much exactly she had them listed for, but it was right around or at $50 and you'll find that pretty even across the board if you do an etsy search for the hooks. Now I guess $5/hook isn't too bad, but these aren't something I would have bought for myself -- especially since I already have a Clover set. I'm scared to lose one of the Hamanaka hooks too because it'll be expensive and inconvenient to replace.

But they are really nice and the more I crochet with them, the more I like them -- so maybe if I did lose them, I would replace them! Or at least cry a lot.

The hooks came in a little plastic box, but it wasn't very cute so today I made a felt case to slip them in. I appliqued and hand-embroidered the bee and machine-embroidered (my first attempt) the rest. I put some fabric yoyos on the front. I think it turned out pretty cute!

I've got three (yes three!) amigurumi in the works -- but they're all for swaps, so no pics till next month! Other than that, I've been working on some hand-sewing projects and cutting fabric for pouches and bags for an upcoming craft show. School starts a week from Monday, so I've got to get my butt in gear! I've got a cute little pouch tutorial that I'm going to post on Sunday!

Happy Friday!