Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Another Rare Boye Hook

World War II involved most countries around the world and lasted from 1939 to 1945. The United States entered the war after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941.

In May of 1942 an order by the United States Government impacted the manufacture of crochet hooks by stopping nickel plating. In an attempt to keep manufacturing needlework tools, Boye developed a black plating process using hot oxide to coat steel needlework tools, including crochet hooks, and used this method to continue manufacturing from June 1942 until the United States Government halted production of all steel products in August 1942. Due to the short time of manufacture, “black” Boye crochet hooks are prized by crochet hook collectors in general and Boye hook collectors in particular.


"Black" Boye crochet hook in removeable vintage hook handle.

5 comments:

  1. Anonymous12:36 PM

    What is the value of a Black Boye hook no 00.

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  2. Thanks for the info. I inherited a black Boye hook and always wondered why it was different than the rest. Very good info. Thank you.

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  3. I just sorted thru an ebay assortment, and there are 3 of the black Boye hooks in the mix, sizes 6, 8, and 9. I'm relatively new to crocheting, and would like to know more about them. Any info would be fabulous! Thanks so much!

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  4. Anonymous10:14 PM

    I have a complete set of 16 black hooks in a bright red and white case. It holds a special place in my hook collection.

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  5. Barbara Behringer7:50 AM

    I inherited my mother's crochet hooks and books when she passed away 15 years ago. There is one size 11 black Boye hook in the bunch but also a dull gray hook (probably from use) that has no markings is 5 5/8 inches in length (abt. 5/8 inch longer than the others) and looks to be about a size 11??? It also has a metal cap on the opposite end of the hook that is about 1 1/2 inches long. Do any of you know anthing about such a hook?

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