Learn about Harrison Richards Furls Crochet
Learn about Harrison Richards Furls Crochet. The man behind the sexy and sleek hooks was the guest on the Yarn Thing Podcast with Marly Bird today and told us the story about his amazing crochet hook. Harrison’s first visit of what we hope will be many more.
(image from @Crochet Savvy Magazine)
We don’t often visit with folks who have British accents (Northampton, England), so listening to his background story was lovely to hear. He attended St Andrews in Austin, Texas, which teaches K-12. While there he decided he wanted have a creative business where he would travel worldwide and provide a really cool product. He crocheted and knit, and in high school he made crochet hooks for his high school sweetheart, and sold a few to other friends. In college, he began tons of crochet hooks and sold them on Etsy. In two days he had a LARGE order for Loop (shop in the UK) and Furls Crochet was born.
At first, he made all kinds of shapes and dimensions, to explore what was effective, about 1,500 were made by hand. After about 8 months, he needed help with customer service among other things, which was hard to do, because he feels very strongly about the quality of his product. He brought on Chris Baker as a wood worker, later others to continue the Alpha Wood series (see also the Limited Edition) then Harrison began explore other materials, like the Candy Shop line.
Harrison studied how we use our hands, the MCP joint and it’s function when we crochet. Preventing arthritis, tendonitis, carpal tunnel and the damage that is very hard to heal or repair, many times irreparable, leading to having to give up handcrafts. Using a bigger hook or the ergonomic hooks can help. Harrison strives to make his hooks more comfortable for our hands as well as beautifully unique shapes!
The Furls Odyssey line is a nickel plated hook, heavier at that end for productivity, and, as the website says: unique center of balance creates a weight differential, driving hand energy into crocheting momentum rather than hand strain, with streamlined shape is extremely comfortable and relieves acute tension in knuckles, hands, and wrists.
Harrison says his someday have his hooks as easy to find and as affordable as what we might find at the big box stores. Plus he is working toward organizing our tools and streamlining our process. In the meantime, he has teamed up with friends in the crochet world for projects like Crochet-Alongs, which is where Lorene Eppolite of Cre8tion Crochet comes into the story. Each month on the Furls Blog, a pattern will be released and the designer will guide the Crochet-Along, last month was Crocodile-stitch fingerless gloves that friends of the participants noticed and asked for!
I love when he said ‘Life is too short, to work with ugly crochet Hooks’, and I believe I heard you cheering!
Furls Crochet can be found at the website: www.FurlsCrochet.com (look for wholesale if you are a LYS owners) and followed in social media at their Facebook page, Twitter, YouTube (or Vimeo), Pinterest and Tumbler.
If you missed getting to hear this LIVE, you can watch the behind-the-scenes video from her Facebook page.
Categories: Podcast
It was obvious within minutes that Furls loves Marly! Such a great show and we all learned that Furls hooks are good for pencil grippers as well as other types of holds. Super prizes as well!
Such an amazing man. I loved hearing why the hooks are designed the way they are; he so obviously cares about more than esthetics and has done his homework about the human hand. So generous to give Tammy and Marly hooks. It’s quite obvious that Furls Loves Marly! I mean really, how can he not!!
Enjoyed the Furls podcast today. LOve that Furls loves Marley! Thank you for sharing.
Wonderful show today. Interesting learning about why they are made the way they are. You can see that Furls Loves Marly, both her and Tammy are gifted with hooks. Very generous. Now to shop and make a wish list.
Enjoyed the podcast and how wonderful that Furls loves Marley!
Furls loves Marly !! Well of course they do ! Everyone Loves Marly ! What gorgeous hooks ! Thank you so much <3
Furls loves Marly! And I love furls. Would love to win one. Thank you!!!
I really enjoyed today’s show….and seeing Marley speechless was great!
For sure Furls loves Marley!
I’m a younger crocheter who already experiences some hand pain from using cheap hooks! I’d love to get to use a hook that would help me continue crocheting for a long time to come! Thankful that Furls loves Marly and us, too!
Furls loves Marly and I totally get why! The show was awesome! First time watching and listening! Great show and interview! <3
Loved hearing all about Furls. Marly and Harrison did a great job of explaining how Furls are different from everyday crochet hooks. Furls loves Marly, and so do we!
Furls loves Marly and I would like a Furls Crochet hook! I have been admiring these hooks since I started crocheting 4 years ago!
First time joining in for a podcast, and absolutely enjoyed it! Furls Loves Marly and so do I! Harrison let his personality shine thru, and that accent, ohmygosh! I’ve now added the hook pendant to my Christmas List 🙂
Love the quality of these hooks! Wonderful podcast, Furls Loves Marly and we love Furls ♡
I’m not surprised that Furls loves Marly- everybody does. I have not purchased a furls hook for the same reason Marly didn’t. Now I definitely will buy one! Thanks for another great show!
WOW Marly without her voice
Hope you are better today 🙂
Furls loves Marly – and so do I
Marly you are my favorit podcaster 2016
Furls loves Marly!!! And so do I!! Loved the show today! Thanks for sharing all that yummy, “sexy” info with us!!
Glad to be able to catch up with the podcast after it aired; so sad I’m at work during those times. Furls loves Marly – but of course. Marly is bubbly and fun~!
The hooks look really nice. That is cute Furls Loves Marly. 🙂 Marly you are such a delight to watch. 🙂
I goes without saying that” Furls loves Marly” great show, I have lived in the US approximately twice as long as I lived in GB but guess what I still sound like a Brit,
A little homesick to hear you Harrison
Harrison was adorable! So glad Furls loves Marly so he’ll be back again!
Furls loves Marly. So interesting that I saw the crochet hook organizer just yesterday with those gorgeous hooks and didn’t know who made them. Now, thanks to this podcast, I do.
I enjoyed hearing about the crochet hook process. Furls loves Marley for sure. I am not a big crocheter but maybe I will try these out.
I loved the podcast and the story of Furls. I love that Furls loves Marly. They aren’t the only ones.
So pretty!!! I’ve not really tried any ergonomic hooks yet. I’ve only been crocheting about a year. Furls’ accent was hypnotic!
I know that Furls loves Marly, but I fell in love a little with such a well spoken, charismatic young man. wishing him many years of success!!
Furls loves Marly! Lol what a great podcast. I loved listening to how much you both love your craft. Thanks for the opportunity to win a cool hook.
I was feeling that ‘Furls love Marly’ vibe and enjoyed hearing Harrison speak so eloquently & intelligently about the design of his products. I am ‘hooked’ :). I so covet a lovely crochet hook… on my wishlist for sure!
I can see why Furls loves Marly because how could you not?!!
Loved learning more about Furls.
Furls loves Marly
It is easy to see why Furls Loves Marly and why Marly Loves Furls. I so enjoyed yesterday’s podcast and visiting the Furls Crochet website. Those hooks are stunning and I have a seriously long list for Santa! The ergonomic design of the hooks and their beauty combine to make a must have hook….hooks!
What an amazing podcast, it was educational and so much fun! Furls loves Marly and so do I!
I love hearing the story of how Furls came about. He is so generous and giving, of course Furls loves Marly. But we all love Furls.
Furls loves Marly and SO DO I!!!! Great show! I’ve been wanting one of these hooks for YEARS!!!
Furls loves Marly and so do I!! Great podcast. Could listen to Harrison talk all day. Wonderful product.
Furls loves Marly……and so do I. What fun beautiful energy. I look forward to learning more. Keep up the great work and I definitely need a Furls hook or five!!!!
Great podcast! Furls loves Marly, for sure! These hooks look awesome – thanks for the chance to win one!
These hooks are amazing. I’m so happy to hear that Furls loves Marly!
This might jump start my crocheting. Marly loves Furls and Furls loves Marly. Can’t wait for the second date.
I love Furls crochet hooks. What an awesome story behind them. Furls loves Marly and so do I.
I love my Furls Candy hook, Furls Loves Marly !
Of course Furls loves Marly. Who in their right mind wouldn’t? Great, fun interview. Keep up the wonderful work ladies.
What a fun & informative show about Furls. I love that Furls loves Marley .
I think a Furls hook would jump start my crocheting. Thank you, Harrison.
So happy ” Furls Loves Marly”, we love her too! Great interview, loved the story of how Harrison got started making the crochel hooks. I”m definitely considering purchasing one in the near future. Recently picked up crocheting again & have some arthritis going on in my hands, hoping these hooks will help. After the Holidays I want to start making some charity projects for dementia patients in memory of my Mom-In-Love who passed away from dementia three years ago. Would be great to have a special hook that didn’t tire my hands out once I get going on them.
Furls loves Marly and so does my wife! I overheard the interview my wife was streaming 🙂
I wish I could crochet like my daughter. Furls loves Marly and so does my daughter. Got to listen to this podcast while I was at my daughter’s place. Good job!
Furls Loves Marly ! And furls hooks are gorgeous !!! Thank you for a great pod cast the other day <3 (hope you are feeling better marly!) (not sure if my comment made it – I didn't see it posted)
Loving crochet more and more these days and am noticing pain in my wrists after I do it awhile. The ergonomic hooks that Furls has sound both beautiful and functional. It is so nice that Furls loves Marly ( and Tammy) enough to give them hooks as well. Thanks again for sharing such great information again.
Furls loves Marly sitting in a tree crocheting stitches ergonomically
First came love then came a plan next came Harrison with Furls in hand
Changing the world one stitch at a time making things beautiful with a special hook in mind!
Hi Marly, hope you are feeling better. Love your pod cast. Remember, Furls Loves Marly and so do I. You have brought back my love of yarn and trying new things. Thanks Marly.
I had never heard of Furls before, and great enjoyed learning about the crochet hooks and about Harrison. The hooks are beautiful, and I would love to try some of them out in person. I can understand why Furls loves Marly.
Who knew that such beautiful hooks were out there. Furls loves Marly and so do I
Furls loves Marly and it was thrilling that Marly and Tammy both get to choose their own wonderful hooks. It was another great interview. It was fun to hear this wonderful young entrepreneur’s story.
I’ve been struggling with wrist pain (I suspect it is in part due to online shopping–whoops!), so I’ve had to limit my computer/iphone/crochet/knitting time. A Furls hook in my hand might actually get me hooking again. Whooshing one to my wish list. Winning one would be completely awesome! Furls loves Marly, and so do I!
Awesome podcast – what a way to spread the love of crochet 🙂 I’m totally in love with my Furls and great to see that Furls loves Marley!
I enjoyed this episode so much! I have been wishing for Marly to interview Harrison for awhile; it was awesome hearing his backstory (his voice is so soothing!) and learning more about Furls crochet hooks. I am happy to hear that Furls loves Marly, because I would love to hear them back on the podcast again. I have had a Furls hook on my wishlist for a while, they are truly gorgeous. I agree with Harrison that the wood crochet hooks are the best, they are so full of personality. Thanks Marly for another great interview!
Well now Furls loves Marly like the rest of us. I’ve been drooling over his hooks for so long and I loved hearing the whole story of how he got started. Sounds like he’s got great business sense. I think the addition of the monthly CAL is a great marketing idea.
Loved the Furls Loves Marly episode! I crochet for hours almost every day, so its probably time to try one of these fabulous hooks!
I really enjoyed the show today. I have a furls crochet hook and I love it!! Not only is it wonderful to use but I just love looking at the beautiful hook!! So happy that Furls loves Marly and he was on the show.
I have NEVER responded to any podcast in my life but I just had to because this podcast was such fun (and informative) to listen to. My mind did not wander at all, which it usually does whenever I have tried to listen to an audio book. I can understand why Furls Loves Marly because I do to!
I am a novice crocheter and I really enjoyed listening to the history behind the design of these hooks. I am grateful that Furls loves Marly!!
This was a wonderful podcast Harrison’s hooks are to die for! What a wonderful phrase “Furls Love Marly”! Thank you for another wonderful podcast!!
This was a GREAT show!! I’ve admired Furls hooks for awhile and it’s awesome to hear his back story & how he got started. It’s also glaringly obvious that Furls LOVES Marly!! 🙂
Love your podcast Marly!! I have several of the furls hooks…love them!! Furls loves Marly!
Crochet is not my first love but these hooks makes me want to try more crochet! We are luck that Furls loves Marly!
It was really cool to hear about Furls and how Furls loves Marly! The hooks are beautiful!
P.S. I thought it was St. Andrews in Scotland?
Marly, I always love your podcasts, the guests that you have are so fun to listen to and I always learn something new. However, this podcast took it up a new level of love. Just as you said in your interview, “I’m in love with Harrison Richards!” His voice, his accent, and such an awesome way of expressing himself. Please have him back as I want to hear about the exciting new things coming up in his business that he could not share at this time. Last but not least.it is no wonder, ‘Furls Loves Marly” because we all love Marly! lol
It is always so fun to listen to Marly and to learn about someone who is doing what they love. It was so cool to learn about furls hooks, and about how Furls loves Marly.
floridakelly on Ravelry
I’m so glad Furls loves Marly. It was great to hear the story of your company and that you gifted both Marly and Tammy a hook from your collections to try. I can’t wait to hear them share their experience of working with them.
How fun to hear that Furls loves Marly- and what I would love: my husband placing an order… I mean like tonight!! Been wanting them all for Christmas!
So much love, Furls Loves Marly and so does the world. This was one of my favorite shows! Such thought and attention to so many details. I know these hooks would be amazing to work with!
Well, of course Furls loves Marly! Doesn’t everybody?!?!?! Great show Marly!
Great podcast. Love the hooks. Good to know that Furls loves Marley.
I am a long time knitter, and a new to crochet….so glad Furls loves Marley!
It was fun to see a friendship being born. Furls loves Marly and marly loves Furls. I love beautiful wood and elegant, but functional woodworking. Furls achieves this.
Very interesting interview. Harrison is quite an artisan and entrepreneur. I wish his company continued success. Furls loves Marly and so do I. Keep up the good work Marly, look forward to your podcasts and tutorial videos, you rock!
What a great episode! I loved every aspect of it and thing that Harrison has a great entrepreneurial mind. The hooks themselves are simply beautiful. So glad that Furls loves Marly!
Aww Furls luvs Marly! What’s knot to love! These hooks are a work of art. Beautiful.
Furls loves Marly and so do we all! Great show! Thanks for sharing your story.
This was a fabulous podcast and I loved learning about the Furls hooks and the story behind them. It was fun to hear how Furls loves Marly and hear Tammy and Marly speechless with their gifts!
I have had my eye on a Furls crochet hook for awhile. If I don’t win one then I’m definitely putting it on my birthday list. Furls loves Marly and so do I.
What a delightful episode!I crochet with plain crochet hooks, but now I want to try a Furls hook to see what I have been missing! So glad that Furls loves Marley so much to give her and her winners a gorgeous selection from their hooks!
Of course Furls loves Marly! We all do! Thanks for the podcast to introduce us to these hooks.
I really enjoyed listening to this episode, we could all tell that Furls loves Mary! I would love to win one of these beautiful hooks.
Just bought my first Furls crochet hook. I know Furls loves Marly…I hope I love Furls crochet hooks!
I’ve never been one to enjoy using an ergonomic crochet hook, but now I’m intrigued and want to try a Furls hook. AI love that Furls loves Marly and the podcast!
Furls loves Marly, and so do I. And now I love Furls for giving Marly and Tammy free hooks.
Furls loves Marly, and I love Furls! I have been eyeing these crochet hooks for years, but after hearing Harrison speak to Marly about them, I’m just going to have to take the plunge. I wish they made smaller sizes of the Candy Shop hooks, though, and have contacted Furls to find out if this is something they might consider in the future. Fingers crossed!
Furls love Marly and so do I! I need these hooks in my life with the nerve damage I have in my right hand, and will be saving up for some of these beautiful hooks 🙂 I actually had to look up what Harrison looked like because I needed to know the face behind the voice 🙂
Was interested to hear about Furls, and of course Furls loves Marly – doesn’t everybody. Another great show.
Obviously Furls loves Marly! I was interested to learn about their more economical hooks and lifetime warranties. I can’t wait to try them.
Very interesting podcast and beautiful crochet hooks. Not surprised to hear Furls loves Marly. Glad to hear he is working with designers to get the word out about his hooks.
What beautiful tools! Furls love Marly 🙂
I’m glad Furls loves Marly because I now love Furls. The products look amazing.
How exciting that Furls loves Marly!!
What a great pod cast. I couldn’t believe the colors when I checked out the website. I’m glad that Furls Loves Marly and I think he loves Tammy too!
Learning about the Harrison’s whole process was so interesting. It’s nice the hear the Furls loves Marley just like us!
Furls loves Marly and so does everyone else. These hooks are beautiful.