Boye began selling crochet hooks in 1917. Early hooks were imported from Abel Morrall, Redditch, England. In 1921 Boye patented a crochet hook making machine, US patent 1391365, and began making their own hooks.

During WWII Boye was the only US manufacturer to continue making crochet hooks and this was on a limited scale. Nickel was reserved for military use so a black oxide finish was used on hooks from June 1942 – May 1945.