Japanese precision applied to crochet
Specialized crochet hooks and sets developed around one simple idea: that crochet should feel precise, smooth and natural in the hand.
Tulip is a Japanese company specializing in precision tools for needlework and textile crafts.
Within its product universe, the family that has become an international reference in crochet is ETIMO: carefully finished metal crochet hooks combined with cushioned grips and a geometry designed for smooth, fluid work.
Tulip manufactures its crochet hooks in Hiroshima, Japan, and pays particular attention to three details that may seem small but can be felt in every stitch:
A crochet hook may look like a simple tool, but small differences in the head, throat, shaft and handle can significantly change the working experience.
The ETIMO family incorporates a handle designed to reduce the amount of finger pressure needed to hold the tool.
PRECISE HEAD : La geometría del gancho facilita entrar en el punto, capturar el hilado y retirarlo con control.
CONTROL : La combinación entre cabeza, eje y apoyo del handle permite mantener movimientos precisos durante proyectos largos.
SMOOTH SURFACE : Una terminación cuidada ayuda a que el hilado deslice sin enganchar innecesariamente sus fibras.
CUSHIONED HANDLE : La familia ETIMO incorpora un silicone handle diseñado para sujetar la herramienta con menos presión de los dedos.
The experience is still personal. There is no single perfect crochet hook for every hand, but Tulip’s attention to these details helps explain why ETIMO is often considered by crocheters looking for a premium tool for frequent use.
At Budetex, we aim to build a broad selection from each brand and maintain continuity over time, with regular restocking for both retail and wholesale.
Our selection of Tulip in Argentina is especially focused on crochet hooks, including different ETIMO and Classic lines, sets and accessories. Tulip’s international catalog is much broader, so every year we review new releases and additional product families for possible inclusion.
Is there a Tulip product we do not currently carry that you would like to find in Argentina? Contact us. We take these requests into account when planning future imports.
For wholesale sales to specialty retailers, we can also evaluate products from the Tulip catalog that are not part of our regular selection and source them on request.
The ETIMO philosophy remains consistent, while each collection introduces different finishes, size ranges or specific uses.
The classic, understated interpretation of ETIMO.
This is the version we refer to at Budetex as ETIMO Gold: a dark-gray handle with a gold-finished hook. It retains the family’s signature cushioned handle and smooth-gliding surface.
Budetex currently carries a broad range of sizes from 2.00 to 6.50 mm.
The line we would choose to discover Tulip.
Matte-red hook, cushioned handle and a broad range of sizes. The current range spans diameters from 1.80 to 6.50 mm.
We especially recommend it for everyday crochet, amigurumi, garments, cotton, natural fibers and work with dark-colored yarns.
The most recognizable visual identity in the ETIMO family.
It combines handles in different shades of pink with a light-colored metal hook. It shares the same general concept of ergonomics and control, but offers a visual experience distinct from Red and Gold.
If you prefer a traditional metal finish and Tulip’s characteristic pink identity, Rose is a particularly appealing option.
A new Japanese expression of the ETIMO family.
Introduced by Tulip in 2025, Murasaki brings the ETIMO family into a palette of violet tones inspired by a traditional Japanese color.
The line retains ETIMO’s ergonomic architecture and currently includes sizes from 1.80 to 6.50 mm.
Precision hooks for bulky yarns.
GrandHook was developed for bulky yarns. The head is proportionally compact and pointed, the throat is deep and the handle is longer, helping manage bulky materials more effectively. Available in sizes from 8 to 15 mm
Practical double-ended crochet hooks.
MIND is Tulip’s double-ended aluminum crochet line.
Unlike ETIMO, it does not use a cushioned silicone handle, resulting in a simpler, more compact tool.
Each hook combines two sizes in one tool, within a diameter range of 2 to 6 mm
| If you are looking for... | Start with... |
|---|---|
| Your first Tulip crochet hook | ETIMO Red |
| Everyday use | ETIMO Red / Gold |
| Amigurumi | ETIMO Red |
| Dark yarns | ETIMO Red |
| Minimalist aesthetics | ETIMO Gold |
| Very bulky yarns | ETIMO GrandHook |
| Practicality | MIND |
| Bead crochet | Sucre Bead |
This table reflects Budetex’s editorial recommendation. The final choice depends on the yarn, project, gauge and especially how each person holds the hook.
The four lines share far more than what separates them. All are built around the same ETIMO philosophy: cushioned handle + precise geometry + smooth glide.
Matte red.
Less glare and good contrast with dark yarns. Our first overall choice.
Gray + gold.
The most classic and understated expression of ETIMO.
Pink + light metal.
The most delicate and recognizable visual identity in the family.
Violet tones.
The most recent addition and an interpretation with a strong Japanese identity.
We do not consider any one version universally superior. The main practical difference lies in the hook finish and visual experience; after that, personal preference comes into play.
In addition to crochet hooks, Tulip develops small accessories to accompany knitting and crochet. At Budetex, we select some of those that combine functionality with the attention to detail characteristic of the Japanese brand.
Small, practical and easy to identify.
Tulip stitch markers can indicate the beginning of a round, increases, decreases, repeats and other important reference points in a project.
A simple accessory that tends to end up in almost every project bag.
Functional, with the unmistakable tulip shape.
They are placed on knitting-needle tips to help prevent stitches from slipping off when a project is stored or transported.
Their tulip-shaped design has also made them one of those small accessories especially appreciated by people who know the brand.
A set starts to make much more sense once we know the hook geometry works well with our hand.
Tulip develops different configurations, from complete ETIMO collections to compact cases designed to carry several tools.
8 ETIMO crochet hooks + accessories
A selection of eight ETIMO Gold sizes, presented in an elegant case with accessories for your projects.
Sizes: 2,00 · 2,20 · 2,50 · 3,00 · 3,50 · 4,00 · 5,00 · 6,00 mm
Includes scissors, tapestry needles, ruler and case.
A selection of eight ETIMO Red sizes in a practical roll-up textile case that keeps the hooks organized and easy to carry.
Sizes: 1,80 · 2,00 · 2,20 · 2,50 · 3,00 · 3,50 · 4,00 · 5,00 mm
Includes tapestry needles, ruler and roll-up textile case.
Available in 3-hook and 10-hook versions + accessories.
The ETIMO Rose collection offers two alternatives: a compact 3-hook set and a complete 10-hook set, both featuring the collection’s characteristic pink aesthetic.
10-hook set: 2,00 · 2,20 · 2,50 · 3,00 · 3,50 · 4,00 · 4,50 · 5,00 · 5,50 · 6,00 mm
The complete version also includes two tapestry needles, scissors with cover and a rigid pink case.
8 ETIMO crochet hooks + accessories
A selection of eight ETIMO Murasaki sizes, presented in an elegant case with accessories for your projects.
Medidas: 2,00 · 2,20 · 2,50 · 3,00 · 3,50 · 4,00 · 5,00 · 6,00 mm
Includes tapestry needles, stitch markers and case.
5 fine crochet hooks for bead crochet and precision work.
Crochet hooks with silicone handles and extra-fine tips, especially suited to beads, bead crochet and finishing work with very fine thread.
Medidas: 0,90 · 1,00 · 1,25 · 1,50 · 1,75 mm
Includes a semi-rigid zippered case.
The Classic family brings together different crochet-hook configurations in compact cases, from an essential selection to sets combining traditional hooks, double-ended hooks and steel hooks for finer work.
5 crochet sizes in an especially compact set.
The smallest Classic configuration combines one double-ended hook with three traditional hooks, offering five different sizes in very little space.
Medidas:
1,80 · 2,00 · 2,50 · 3,50 · 5,00 mm
Also includes two tapestry needles, ruler and case. A particularly practical option for travel or keeping a small selection of sizes close at hand.
9 crochet hooks in the most commonly used sizes.
A very versatile selection for anyone who wants a broad range of sizes in a compact, easy-to-carry format.
Medidas:
1,80 · 2,00 · 2,20 · 2,50 · 3,00 · 3,50 · 4,00 · 5,00 · 6,00 mm
Also includes two tapestry needles, ruler, scissors and case. A very complete configuration for everyday crochet across different yarn weights.
Double-ended hooks and steel crochet hooks in one set.
A particularly versatile configuration combining double-ended crochet hooks for regular yarns with steel hooks for finer threads.
Crochet doble punta:
1,80–2,00 · 2,20–2,50 · 3,00–3,50 · 4,00–5,00 mm
Steel crochet hooks:
Nº 2 · Nº 4 · Nº 6 · Nº 8 · Nº 10 · Nº 12
Also includes three tapestry needles, ruler, scissors and case. An interesting option for working different techniques and yarn weights with one set.
The broadest configuration in the Classic family.
Combines eight traditional hooks with five steel hooks, allowing work from standard yarn weights down to considerably finer threads.
Crochet tradicional:
2,00 · 2,20 · 2,50 · 3,00 · 3,50 · 4,00 · 5,00 · 6,00 mm
Steel crochet hooks:
Nº 0 · Nº 2 · Nº 4 · Nº 6 · Nº 8
Also includes three tapestry needles, ruler, scissors and case. It is the most complete Classic option in our current selection.
Within the Tulip collection, ETIMO Red is our first recommendation for anyone who wants to discover the ETIMO experience.
It keeps the family’s characteristic cushioned handle and geometry, but adds a matte-red finish to the hook. Tulip developed this finish to reduce glare under lighting and make the hook easier on the eyes. The brand specifically highlights this combination of smooth surface, cushioned handle and matte-red tip.
The red color also creates particularly useful contrast when working with dark yarns.
If you have never used a premium ergonomic crochet hook: we would first choose a size you use regularly, try it through an entire project and only then consider moving to a set.
Amigurumi often combines firm stitches, relatively small hook sizes and a great deal of repetition.
That is why we especially value a precise hook head, a throat that holds the yarn well, a surface that does not split strands and a handle that remains comfortable through hundreds of single crochet stitches.
Within Tulip, our first choice for this use would be ETIMO Red.
With garments, another priority emerges: fluidity. When hundreds or thousands of stitches are repeated, a small amount of friction can turn into a lot of unnecessary movement.
Here we would choose the diameter based on gauge, then choose between Red, Gold, Rose or Murasaki mainly according to finish and feel.
For chunky, super bulky, T-shirt yarn or roving, we would look first at ETIMO GrandHook, because its geometry was developed specifically for large hook sizes.
For lace crochet, bead crochet and highly precise work, we move into another range of diameters.
Here, ETIMO Steel and Sucre Bead.
It depends on how much we crochet.
For occasional crochet, a simple tool can work perfectly well. But when we crochet for many hours, small differences begin to add up:
It is one of the most common comparisons in premium ergonomic crochet, and we believe looking for an absolute winner is a mistake.
Both are very good systems, but the hook-head geometry and handle shape differ. That means one person may clearly prefer one over the other.
Our recommendation is simple: start with one hook in the size you use most often.
A crochet hook is one of those tools that should also be chosen by feel, not only from a technical specification sheet.
Although Budetex currently focuses mainly on Tulip crochet, the brand also develops an interesting family of bamboo knitting needles.
Its main systems include: CarryC, CarryC Long, CarryS y CarryTas well as Fine Gauge versions for small diameters.
Tulip interchangeable systems use tool-free threaded connections and swivel cables designed to reduce twist. CarryC is designed for interchangeable circulars, CarryS offers an especially compact system for small circumferences, and CarryT is intended for Tunisian crochet.
These needles are currently not part of our regular selection, but we are evaluating the possibility of adding some Tulip systems in the future.
LEARN ABOUT TULIP CIRCULAR NEEDLES →
Tulip develops and manufactures needlework tools in Hiroshima, Japan.
Beyond the aesthetics of each collection, what interests us most is the brand’s attention to small details: surface finishing, transitions between materials, throat shape or the exact point where the fingers rest.
These are details that are barely visible in a photograph.
But after hundreds of stitches, they begin to matter a great deal.
Our first choice would be ETIMO Red in a size you use regularly.
No. They share the overall ETIMO philosophy: cushioned handle, precise metal head and a geometry designed for smooth work. The main differences are finishes, colors and certain available sizes.
Tulip uses a matte-red finish designed to reduce glare under lighting and make the hook easier on the eyes.
Yes. Its combination of precise hook head, smooth surface and cushioned handle makes it especially suitable for firm, repetitive stitches.
Yes. A smooth finish is particularly useful with multi-ply yarns because it reduces the chance of catching or splitting strands.
ETIMO GrandHook.
ETIMO Steel. For bead crochet, we would also consider the Sucre Bead set.
If you have never used ETIMO, we recommend starting with one individual hook. If the geometry feels comfortable after a full project, a set becomes a much more logical investment.
ETIMO sets bring together several sizes within the same ergonomic family. The sets we refer to at Budetex as “travel sets” are compact Classic configurations designed to be easy to carry.
It is a Tulip crochet set developed specifically for bead crochet and very small diameters, with five sizes from 0.90 to 1.75 mm.
Yes. Tulip develops bamboo needle systems such as CarryC, CarryC Long and CarryS. They are not currently part of our regular selection, although we are evaluating them for the future.
In crochet, a few tenths of a millimeter can matter. But so does how a tool feels after the thousandth stitch.
Before choosing, consider: what you make · which material you use · which size you repeat most often · how you hold the hook · how much time you spend crocheting.
Then choose the tool.
