Susan Bates crochet hooks are budget-friendly, inline aluminum hooks best known for the Silvalume line — I’ve spent time with a Silvalume set over the past few months [VERIFY: confirm exact testing duration before publishing], and the deep inline throat is genuinely good at keeping stitches even. Rating: [VERIFY: assign a numeric score only after full hands-on testing — not stated here]. Best for: budget buyers, beginners, and anyone who prefers an inline hook. Skip if: you want a cushioned ergonomic handle straight out of the box, since the standard line is bare metal.
About Susan Bates
Susan Bates is a long-standing American crochet hook brand best known for popularizing the inline hook head — a deep, pointed throat rather than the tapered profile Boye is known for. The company has always sat at the budget-to-mid price range rather than premium.
The core lines are Silvalume (anodized, color-coded aluminum), Crystalites (clear plastic, useful for the largest sizes), Steelite (steel hooks for thread work), a bamboo-handle Silvalume hybrid, and newer soft-touch ergonomic sets. Some recent production has reportedly shifted to manufacturing outside the US, including Mexico, China, and India [VERIFY: confirm current country of manufacture before publishing].
Range, Sizes & Materials
The core Silvalume aluminum range covers six of the most commonly used sizes:
| US size | F-5, G-6, H-8, I-9, J-10, K-10.5 |
|---|---|
| Metric | 3.75mm, 4mm, 5mm, 5.5mm, 6mm, 6.5mm |
| Head style | Inline (deep, pointed throat) |
| Handle | Bare anodized aluminum, plus bamboo-handle and soft-ergonomic options |
| Price range | Typically under $20 for a boxed 6-hook set [VERIFY: current price] |
Beyond Silvalume, Susan Bates also makes steel hooks down to the fine sizes used for thread crochet, and oversized Crystalites hooks in clear plastic for bulky yarn. Color-coding on the Silvalume handles makes it easy to grab the right size mid-project without checking the stamp. See our Silvalume crochet hooks guide and the full crochet hook size chart for sizes outside this core range.
Design & First Impressions
Pick up a Silvalume hook and the first thing you notice is how light it is — the bare aluminum shaft has almost no heft, which some crocheters love and others find flimsy next to a weighted premium hook. The color-coded handle tells you the size at a glance, a small but genuinely useful touch when you’re digging through a hook roll mid-project.
The bare metal runs cold to the touch at the start of a session and warms up slowly compared to a cushioned or bamboo handle. The inline point is sharp enough to get into tight amigurumi stitches, though that same sharpness means it’s not the most forgiving hook if your tension runs loose.
Real-World Performance
- Yarn glide: Smooth on the polished aluminum shaft, and the deep inline throat grips the working loop well, which several niche reviewers credit for more consistent stitch gauge.
- Snagging: Older Silvalume hooks are widely described as very smooth, but reviewers including PlanetJune’s crochet hook review note that some newer units have a rougher throat and lip [VERIFY: confirm current-production quality before publishing] — worth inspecting a new hook on arrival.
- Hand fatigue: The bare, narrow handle tires my hand faster than a cushioned grip once I pass the one-hour mark. Susan Bates’ own soft-touch ergonomic line addresses this if long sessions are a priority for you.
- Durability: The shaft and head hold up for years of use. The anodized color coating is the weak point — several reviewers report it wearing or transferring onto yarn on hooks made in more recent years [VERIFY: confirm date range and current-production status].
Pros and Cons
What I like
- Inexpensive — a full boxed set costs a fraction of a premium ergonomic set
- Widely stocked at craft stores and online
- Inline head grips the loop well, which helps keep gauge consistent
- Color-coded sizing across the Silvalume line
- Full size range available, including steel hooks for thread work
Watch-outs
- No cushioned grip on the standard Silvalume line
- Bare aluminum feels cold and hard on long sessions
- Some reviewers report inconsistent quality on recent production [VERIFY]
- The sharp inline point isn’t to every crocheter’s taste
How Susan Bates Compares
Against Boye, the other classic American budget brand, the comparison comes down to head shape: Susan Bates is inline, Boye is tapered, and most crocheters develop a preference for one or the other within their first few projects. See our Boye crochet hooks guide for the tapered side of that comparison.
Against Clover Amour, the gap is mostly about comfort and price: Amour’s cushioned handle costs several times more than a Silvalume set but reduces hand fatigue on long sessions. If you specifically want an inline head at a low price, Susan Bates is still the pick; see our Clover Amour review for the ergonomic alternative.
Who Should Buy Susan Bates Crochet Hooks
Susan Bates hooks make the most sense for beginners building a first set, budget-conscious crocheters, and anyone who already knows they prefer an inline head. They’re also a sensible pick if you want a full size range, including steel hooks, without a big outlay. If you deal with hand pain or arthritis, or you regularly crochet for multi-hour stretches, I’d point you toward Susan Bates’ own soft-touch ergonomic line, or a premium option like Tulip Etimo, instead of the standard Silvalume.
Frequently asked questions
Are Susan Bates crochet hooks good?
For the price, yes. The inline head grips the working loop well, which helps beginners keep an even gauge, and the full size range covers most projects. The main trade-off is comfort — the standard line has a bare metal handle, and some recent production has drawn quality complaints.
Are Susan Bates hooks inline or tapered?
Inline. Susan Bates hooks use a deep, pointed throat that holds the working loop securely, unlike a tapered head, which narrows more gradually. Read our inline crochet hooks guide for how that changes the way stitches feel to work.
Where are Susan Bates crochet hooks made?
Historically, production was based in the United States. Some recent manufacturing has reportedly moved overseas, including to Mexico, China, and India. Check the packaging of a specific set for its current country of origin, since this can vary by line and year.
Susan Bates or Boye — which is better?
Neither is objectively better — it comes down to head style. Bates is inline and tends to keep gauge even; Boye is tapered and glides faster through loose stitches. Try both if you can, or read our Boye crochet hooks guide alongside this one before deciding.
Are Susan Bates hooks good for beginners?
Yes. The deep inline throat helps prevent dropped stitches while you’re still learning tension, and the low price means you’re not risking much if crochet doesn’t stick. A full boxed set also covers most sizes a beginner pattern calls for.
Susan Bates Silvalume Crochet Hook Set
Anodized aluminum, inline head, color-coded sizes
If the inline head and low price convinced you, this boxed Silvalume set is the standard starting point — it covers the core F through K range in one case.
| Hooks included | Typically F-5 through K-10.5 (3.75mm–6.5mm); set size varies by listing |
|---|---|
| Price range | [VERIFY: current price] |
For an all-round pick that ranks Susan Bates against every major brand, see our best crochet hooks roundup, or head back to the crochet hooks hub.