Ok, yes I know it's a bit strange having a section on my page for another business. But when that 'business' is run by one's husband (Haemish) who wants to remain as low tech and small as possible, but still wants somewhere to have information about what he does, you improvise.
I'm going to put everything we can think of about CATCH on this page so you can see it all at a glance.
Either send Haemish an email or a direct message on Facebook or Instagram.
Email: haemish223 at gmail dot com (I've written it weirdly so he doesn't get spammed by bots).
Payment: Once he's clear on what you want, he will send you a PayPal invoice for payment which will be in Australian dollars. Payment is required up front before he makes your order.
Postage: A postage charge will be added. Standard domestic Australian post is about $12 per order.
He will post anywhere in the world which will be quoted via Australia Post.
These are premium hooks that will last a lifetime. If you're not sure if tc is for you, it is best to start with cheaper hooks before investing in these hooks.
Style options
CATCH does not supply cables.
If you don't already have cables, we recommend the KnitPro option. This is because they are cheaper and easier to source than ChiaoGoo and they have a neater fitting into the hook. Grab yourself cables that 'spin' for best results. Pictured is a standard KnitPro cable that doesn't spin.
3.5mm, 4mm, 4.5mm, 5mm, 5.5mm, 6mm, 6.5mm, 7mm, 8mm, 9mm, 10mm.
Other sizes can be made by special order, depending on material availability.
The hook size will be laser engraved onto the hook.
Anodising is hard. Sometimes there will be imperfections in the anodising such as fading and spots. Haemish does his best to alleviate this but it's not always possible. Remember that this process is being done by hand, not a machine in a factory.
Best kind of hook to use when you first start Tunisian crochet before you invest in premium hooks. These are simple hooks.
Standard double ended hooks pictured.
Style options: Single or double ended.
Standard lengths: Single 25cm/9.8”, double 20cm/7.8”.
Sizes (diameter) available: 6mm, 8mm, 9.5mm, 12.7mm
Price: $15 each
A special order pictured with some larger than normal singled ended diameters and lengths. Any requests outside of those listed above need to be discussed with Haemish.
Haemish first experimented with making tunisian hooks when my Mum was learning about Tunisian Crochet (tc) and couldn't find any tc hooks in her local craft retailers. Being a man with a shed and lots of tools and plenty of skill, he had a crack at making timber ones using dowel and dried sticks. They were rudimentary but they did the job.
Fast forward a couple of years to the time when I discovered tc as my first yarn craft. I started out with some commercial hooks (there was only one brand I could get in Sydney at the time) but they were limited. I couldn't get double ended hooks anywhere. So along came Haemish who made me some pretty decent double enders from timber. He started supplying a couple of local makers and shops just with timber hooks, both single and double ended. And for several years that's all he did. He'd get a little run of orders every time I taught somewhere or when he was recommended by word of mouth.
Fast forward yet another couple of years when I started getting really serious with my tc designing. I started searching for metal hooks to use especially in summer when my commercial timber hooks started getting stuck in my yarn when it was humid. I was told about Dyakcraft hooks by a couple of designer friends. But Dyakcraft stopped making their aluminium hooks before I found out about them. None of the good commercial brands were doing aluminium!
Then along comes Haemish with his milling machine, lathe, files and buffing tools. Metal is more his forte than wood so he was up for the challenge.
First, he perfected the art of shaping my favourite kind of hook tip - nice and pointy, tapered throat, inline shaping, enough lip for my yarn. Next he worked out how he could make them compatible with my cables so I could use the hooks interchangeably.
Next came colour. Raw aluminium is not nice to work with, it needs to be anodised. Haemish learned how to anodise (because it's very expensive to pay someone else to do it). He's enhanced his anodising gear over the years and it's quite a good set up now!
Lastly came the laser engraver. That's a recent addition to the workshop and it actually lives on top of our pool table for now. That allows him to laser etch the size of the hook into the hook itself in a manner that will never rub off. You can even have your name put on your hooks now. Worth the investment.
Haemish has enjoyed experimenting with anodising and making little mini artworks on the hooks with colour.
And lastly, why is this business so low tech? Well, it's a side hustle. Just like me, Haemish has a full time day job and has a rug rat to help look after. One day we might change the way things are but for now it works for us both. And the best bit for me? When I need a new hook all I need to do is ask and usually within a few hours, I have a new one fresh from the laser engraver (with my name on it.....)
