PLEASE NOTE: THE GIVEAWAY HAS CLOSED AND A WINNER WAS SELECTED. Thanks for reading!

A couple of weeks ago I received an email about a new-to-me crochet hook that’s designed specifically for working borders on flannel blankets and burp cloths. It is called the Sharp Crochet Hook and knew I wanted to try it out myself before recommending it, as I know a lot of people who make crochet edged items and would delight in a product that makes it easier to do.

When I wrote my Crafty Crochet Embellishments curriculum, I designed three lessons detailing the ways to add a crocheted edging to gift items–by starting with an embroidered blanket stitch, pre-perforating holes with the Skip-stitch Blade (which I still highly recommend for fleece) and sewing the trims on with a machine. So it seems like this product has been a long time coming. It’s important to note that this will only work with crochet thread–size 3, 10, or smaller. Fingering weight yarn works great too, since it’s about the same size as crochet thread #3.

The nice folks at Sharp Crochet Hook sent me a free hook to review,and I did a trial run with several swatches of fabric. Here’s what I found.

1) I think the hook works best on flannel. It’s easiest if you  machine sew two pieces of flannel together with a zigzag stitch around the border. You can use the stitch as a spacing guide and insert your hook in the bottom of every second (or third, or etc) zag, this makes it easier for the hook to glide through because the hole is already “started” by the sewing machine needle. I also tried a single layer of flannel with the edge folded over (shown in the multi-colored thread) and while it worked, it wasn’t as relaxing to get the hook through each time.

2) I also tried the hook on a tea towel, without a sewn zig zag edge- and it was harder to space and poke consistent holes, so I definitely think it’s helpful to have a sewing machine in conjunction with this hook (you could also run the towel through the unthreaded machine, just so it could start the holes for you).  I didn’t get a chance to try the machine/hook combo on cotton but have a feeling it would work similarly.

3) I tried it on fleece but it was too hard to comfortably poke through the fleece, so I still love my Skip-stitch blade for that purpose (plus I can use it with thicker yarn, which goes well with the thicker fleece). As for cardstock, it was too hard to punch the holes without wrinkling the paper, so I still think you’d be better off pre-punching holes for paper.

4) I didn’t have a chance to try it on socks and gloves, but I think it would work well on these.

Overall, I think this is a great product for flannel blankets and receiving cloths, and for sewers who don’t want to pay for pre-stitched edges on these items. With the sharp hook, you can use whichever flannel print you want instead of being limited to the available  pre-stitched fabrics. And at $6.99, it’s not much of an investment for something you can use over and over again to make great gifts. If you’re interested in purchasing one, click here– they’re offering free shipping through September.

The Sharp Crochet Hook crew has offered one hook for a Lindamade reader. To enter to win, comment with your answer the following question by Monday, September 26 and noon CST.

What would you make if you had a sharp crochet hook?