the use of metal tools as opposed to wood, plastic, casein, and the like, will increase the rate of work hardening.
I have a question for all the wire crocheters on Orchid: have you
personally used wood, plastic, or casein crochet hooks with wire?
What do you prefer to use? Is there a particular brand that you’re
happy with?
I’ve been using Boye metal (steel or aluminum) hooks, because that’s
what I already owned. I don’t really like how the metal-on-metal
feels in my hands while I’m working and I would like to decrease the
work-hardening, but I’m concerned that the wood, plastic, or casein
hooks would not hold up – that the hooks would tend to break off.
– Constance