I've been crocheting with Clover Amour crochet hooks for more than five years. These are my own crochet hooks that I personally bought and used, and they are absolutely my favorite. Before that, I was using ergonomic crochet hooks from Daiso that I purchased individually. And while these worked well, everything changed once I picked up my first Clover crochet hook.
The difference was immediate.
The Amour hooks are incredibly smooth to crochet with; it's almost hard to explain. They slide effortlessly into stitches, pull up loops cleanly, and glide through the yarn without catching, splitting, or squeaking. Crocheting felt easier, faster, and more controlled. Ever since I started using Amour crochet hooks, I have not felt the need to look back at any of my older hooks or even consider buying another brand. They are my go-to crochet hooks.
What many crocheters may not know, though, is that Amour isn't the only line of crochet hooks made by Clover Needlecraft. Clover also offers another popular line called Soft Touch crochet hooks, a slightly different design that I've always been curious about, but never quite curious enough to stray from my beloved Amours.
That is, until Clover reached out to me about an Instagram collaboration and gave me the option to choose a product to showcase or try. I had a decision to make:
- Do I expand my Amour collection with sizes I don't yet own? Or...
- Do I finally satisfy my curiosity about Clover Soft Touch?
I chose curiosity.
Initial Look & Design Differences
I ordered Clover Soft Touch crochet hooks in five different sizes, including a 3.25 mm hook, which is my go-to size for amigurumi.
At first glance, the most noticeable difference between Soft Touch and Clover Amour hooks is the overall length and handle design. Soft Touch hooks have a more neutral, understated design compared to Clover Amour hooks. All Soft Touch handles are the same brown color, while the Amour line uses different colors for each size, making them easier to identify at a glance.
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| Clover Amour crochet hook |
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| Clover Soft Touch crochet hooks |
The Soft Touch hooks are slightly shorter than the Amour hooks. Not only the handle but also the hook's shaft, giving them a more compact look.
Despite the name, the Soft Touch hooks don't actually feel "soft" at all. The handle is made of hard plastic, with a grey matte patch where your thumb naturally rests. That matte provides a bit of a grip, but it isn't cushioned or rubbery. The "soft touch" seems to refer more to the finish than the feel.
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| Close-up of Clover crochet hook thumb rests |
Hook Shape & Performance
While it's hard to see the difference visually, I genuinely feel like the head of the Amour crochet hook is slightly more precise than the Soft Touch hook. It takes less effort to insert the Amour hook into tighter stitches, whereas I find myself needing a bit more pressure when using the Soft Touch hooks. This subtle difference becomes especially noticeable when working on amigurumi or other projects with dense tension.
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I also noticed something interesting while testing both hooks over the first weekend I got them: projects I made with the Soft Touch hook came out slightly larger than the same projects made with Amour hooks. Each stitch likely only differed by a millimeter or less, but over an entire project, those small differences add up.
This could particularly be muscle memory. I've been using Amour hooks for years. However, I also suspect it has to do with the hook's shaft length. The Amour hook has a slightly longer shaft, which allows me to pull my loops just a bit deeper and more consistently, contributing to tighter and more uniform stitches overall.
Comfort & Ergonomics
When it comes down to comfort, speed, and control, I keep reaching for my Amour crochet hooks.
Like I mentioned earlier, the Soft Touch hooks have a shorter handle compared to the Amour hooks. Because I crochet using the knife grip, the end of the Soft Touch hook rests right at the edge of my palm. After crocheting for a while, the edge starts to feel irritating and uncomfortable.
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| Knife grip with the Soft Touch hook |
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| The end of the hook touches the edge of my palm |
With the Amour hooks, the handle extends just a bit further, which makes a noticeable difference for extended crochet sessions. The Amour hooks feel smoother and more intuitive to use. I can move faster, maintain control, and keep my tension even without extra effort.
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| Knife grip with the Amour hook |
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| The end of the hook extends slightly beyond the edge of my palm |
With that said, I don't think the Soft Touch hooks are bad. They're just not my preference.
I also want to point out that how you hold your crochet hook may make your preference different than mine. I use a knife hold, but many crocheters use a pencil hold. If you're a pencil-hold crocheter, the shorter handle on the Soft Touch hooks may actually feel more comfortable, especially if longer handles bother you.
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| Pencil grip with the Amour hook |
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| Pencil grip with the Soft Touch hook |
Durability & Build Quality
Durability is one of the biggest reasons I continue to reach for my Amour crochet hooks. I've been using them for over five years, and they still look fresh! Even my most frequently used 3.25 mm hook has held up exceptionally well.
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| Amour crochet hook sizes are impressed onto the hook handles |
One detail I really appreciate is that the hook size on the Amour line is impressed directly into the hook, so there's no risk of it wearing off over time. On the Clover Soft Touch crochet hooks, the size is printed on the handle. While this isn't an issue when the hooks are new, it does make me wonder how well the printed size will hold up with long-term use.
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| Soft Touch hook sizes are printed onto the hook handles |
So far, I've had no durability issues with my Clover Amour hooks, and based on years of consistent use, they continue to feel like a long-term investment rather than a short-term tool.
Price & Value
When purchased individually, the Soft Touch crochet hooks are slightly cheaper than Amour hooks. If you're only looking to buy a single hook for a specific project or you want to try out Clover hooks for the first time, Soft Touch can be a more budget-friendly entry point while still offering solid quality compared to many off-brand options.
However, the value shifts if you're planning to build a full collection. Amour Clover Amour hooks are available in sets, which often makes them a much better overall investment — especially if you catch them on sale. Soft Touch hooks are typically sold individually, so buying multiple sizes can add up quickly.
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| Clover Amour crochet hooks are sold in a set |
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| Clover Soft Touch crochet hooks are sold separately |
So if you're planning to invest in a complete set of crochet hooks, I would personally recommend Clover Amour over Soft Touch every time.
Final Verdict & Recommendation
After testing both, my conclusion is clear: Clover Amour crochet hooks remain my holy grail. From their smooth, precise hook head to the slightly longer handle and shaft, they provide superior control, comfort, and consistency for someone like me who uses the knife grip. Over years of use, they've held up beautifully, showing excellent durability, making them feel like a long-term investment.
Clover Soft Touch crochet hooks are still a solid option. They're slightly more compact, affordable if purchased individually, and offer decent quality for beginners or for those who only need one hook. Pencil-hold crocheters, in particular, may prefer their shorter, simpler design.
Overall, if you're planning to invest in a full set or want a hook that will serve you reliably for years, I would personally recommend Clover Amour every time. Soft Touch hooks can be a reasonable alternative for single-hook use, but for long-term comfort, performance, and overall value, the Amour line still holds its number one place in my heart.
TL;DR / Quick Comparison
Clover Amour
- Color-coded by size, bright and easy to identify
- Slightly longer handle and shaft, ergonomic for knife-hold crocheters
- Hook head feels slightly more precise, easier to work into tight stitches
- Smooth, intuitive, and comfortable for long sessions
- Embossed size markings and durable handles hold up over the years
- Available in sets, offering better long-term value
Clover Soft Touch
- Neutral brown handles, all sizes look the same
- Slightly shorter handle and shaft, compact and lighter
- Hook head is slightly less precise for tight stitches
- Comfortable for shorter sessions; may suit pencil-hold crocheters better
- Printed size markings on the hook handles may wear over time
- Slightly cheaper individually; sets not available
Verdict:
If you want a hook that combines comfort, performance, and long-term durability, Clover Amour is my personal favorite and the better investment for a full set. Clover Soft Touch hooks are a solid, budget-friendly option if you're only buying a single hook or prefer a shorter, neutral design.
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