Boye – My Complete Guide – History, Facts And The Future

By Jodie Morgan

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Boye is a well known and popular brand of crochet hooks. They have a long history of product development, ensuring crocheters needs are met.

Read the history of Boye and their most popular crocheting tools.

Boye Crochet - Blue Aluminum hook with blue yarn and crochet project

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Table of Contents

Company History

The Boye company began in 1906 with the introduction of a sewing caddy called the Rotary Case. 

They expanded in the sewing business with sewing machine parts and accessories. It wasn’t until 1917 that they put out Boye steel crochet hooks made in the U.S.A.

Through years of development, Boye became recognized as the premier supplier of crochet hooks and Boye knitting needles. In 1989 Boye Needle company merged into Wrights.



The Boye brand is now part of the Simplicity Creative Group when that company acquired Wrights in 2000.

Boye Crochet Hooks

For a complete guide to the range of their hooks, read my article.

Boye Crochet Master Steel and Aluminum Set

Boye Crochet Master Steel and Aluminum Set

The Boye Crochet Master hook set is perfect for the beginner crocheter. This set includes 24 different sized crochet hooks and a zippered case to keep them neat and organized.

With this many hook options, you’ll be able to complete nearly any crochet project you want. You’ll have all the hook sizes you need!

The smaller crochet hooks are made of steel. They are great for crocheting with thread. The larger crochet hooks are made of aluminum and used with various types of yarn.



The hooks have a tapered head, which allows for easy crocheting.

Pros

  • The set comes within a compact case
  • Different colors denote different sizes
  • No splitting of yarn due to the rounded head

Cons

  • Some people find their wrists ache when using steel or aluminum hooks for extended periods.
Click to Learn More / Buy from Amazon

Boye Aluminum Hooks

Boye Aluminum Hooks at YarnShop4U Etsy store
Marlene and Dave from YarnShop4U have 5 star reviews

Boye Anodized Aluminum hooks come in a range of sizes. They are color-coded, and the size is embossed on the thumb rest. They’re 6 inches long. 

Sizes in U.S. and metric:



  • B1/2.25mm
  • C2/2.75mm
  • D3/3.25mm
  • E4/3.5mm
  • F5/3.75mm
  • G6/4.25mm
  • H8/5mm
  • I9/5.25m
  • J10/5.75mm
  • K10.5/6.5mm
  • L11/8mm
  • N15/10mm

Pros

  • Smooth surface
  • The yarn doesn’t get caught
  • Lightweight
  • Durable

Cons

  • Like any metal hook, when using for long periods, you may experience hand fatigue.

Boye Tunisian Crochet Hooks

Boye Tunisian Crochet Hooks
  • Sizes Available – H
  • Style Of Hook – Afghan/Tunisian
  • Length – 14 Inches
  • Made From – Aluminum

Pros

  • Doesn’t split the yarn
  • Knob at the end to stop stitches coming off the hook
  • Smooth anodized aluminum surface

Cons

  • Some found the hook too small

Boye Ergonomic Crochet Hook Set 

Boye Ergonomic Crochet Hook Set

The soft rubber handle is easy to hold and makes long periods of crochet more comfortable. The surface is smooth with indentations where you can rest your thumb. The hook is aluminum.



Sizes Available –

  • B- 2.25mm
  • C-2.75mm
  • D-3.25mm
  • E- 3.5mm
  • F-3.75mm
  • G -4.25mm
  • H-5mm
  • I-5.25mm
  • J-5.75mm
  • K-6.5mm
  • L-8mm
  • N-10mm
  • Style Of Hook – Aluminum hook with a soft plastic colored handle

Pros

  • Letter and mm sizing printed on the handle
  • Ergonomic handle
  • Helpful for people with arthritis

Cons

  • There visible seams where the two sides of the rubber handle come together.
  • Some customers were not impressed with the quality.
Click to Learn More / Buy from Amazon

Boye Aluminum Crochet Hook Crochet Hook Set

Boye Aluminum Crochet Hook Crochet Hook Set, 8pc, Sizes D-K

This crochet hook set includes (8) assorted crochet hooks in different colors depending on the size.

Hook sizes: 3.25-6.5 mm, US D-K.



Pros

  • You can easily glide your hook through the yarn 
  • Durable
  • Lightweight
  • Affordable

Cons

  • Some customers experienced one hook missing in the pack.
Click to Learn More / Buy from Amazon

Boye Plastic Crochet Hook Set, Sizes L11 to P16 

Boye Plastic Crochet Hook Set, Sizes L11 to P16

4 Jumbo Boye Crochet hooks included in this set. 

Hook Sizes: L-11 (8mm) through P-16 (11.5mm)

Pros



  • Lightweight
  • Each size is in a different pastel color
  • Great for beginners

Cons

  • Plastic hooks create friction
Click to Learn More / Buy from Amazon

Boye Steel Vintage Hooks

Boye Steel Crochet Hooks DiVintageBlessings Etsy Store

These Boye Steel Vintage Hooks are from the 1940s. Being one of the older styles, they remain the most abundant. 

These hooks show wear appropriate for their age. Some are stained, a few are a bit less than straight. The seller is a crocheter, too, so be confident that she won’t send you anything that she wouldn’t use.

Sizes available

  • 0.85mm-13
  • 1.0mm-12
  • 1.1mm-11
  • 1.3mm-10
  • 1.4mm-9
  • 1.5mm-8
  • 1.65mm-7
  • 1.8mm-6
  • 1.9mm-5
  • 2mm-4
  • 2.1mm-3
  • 2.25mm – 2 
  • 2.75mm – 1
  • 3.25mm – 0
  • 3.5mm – 00

Pros



  • If you love Boye steel hooks made in the U.S.A. these are for you.

Cons

  • The size 14 is not available

There seems to be some debate about whether the Boye Crochet Hooks’ quality has declined since moving the manufacturing overseas.

People rave about the older versions of Boye Hooks with the stamp U.S.A. 

There are still many current version Boye Hook crocheters who love the tapered shape and the position of the thumb rest. The Boye brand is still strong, having been in the craft industry for over 114 years!

Do you crochet with a Boye Crochet hook? Please share with us what you enjoy the most about crocheting with one.



Leave a comment below or drop me a line here

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About The Author

Jodie Morgan From Crochet Penguin

Jodie Morgan (Author & Founder)

[email protected] | Lives In: Regional Australia

Author: Jodie Morgan is a passionate crocheter and blogger with 17+ years of experience currently living in regional Australia. Taught by her mother, she fell in love with crocheting after her first child was born. When she’s not crocheting, you’ll find her enjoying a cup of coffee with cream, or sharing helpful resources and tips with the online crochet community. Please say hello, or see what she's making on socials.

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Comments

  1. My ergonomic hooks seem to be softening and twisting as I am using them. Is there a solution other than replacement?

    Reply
    • Hi Judith. That must be very frustrating. I’ll check with my readers if there is a solution other than replacement and get back to you. Cheers Jodie

      Reply
      • Here a few suggestions I’ve found for you. Hope this helps!

        – Some suggested hairspray to make the handle stay in place. Others suggested glue, or double-sided sticky tape.
        – Using an ergonomic crochet hook handle may help, though they aren’t exactly great quality.
        – You could also use polymer clay to make a handle. They last a long time after setting and you can shape it to fit your hand exactly.

        Reply
    • Hi Toni. That’s a good question. There is a good article on Boye History by Sylvia Ourada on the site Lace Buttons. As to the value, you might try looking on second hand sites/auction sites and see if any of your hooks have been sold before. Cheers Jodie

      Reply
    • Hi Yolanda. I realize this is difficult to see and it does look like the number one but it is the letter I as in Indigo. Cheers Jodie

      Reply

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