What is it?
A crochet hook.
Why is it an example of good design?
The hook's head is thick and solid, making it easy to push through tighter yarn weaves. It is also rounded, making it difficult to snag on the yarn and damage it. Its curve is also relatively open, making it easy to catch the yarn on the first try. Immediately after the hook's head, the neck is quite narrow, meaning that that the user can avoid stretching out the yarnwork if necessary by not pushing the hook through too far.
"Design can be art. Design can be aesthetics. Design is so simple, that's why it is so complicated."
Paul Rand
The hook itself is separate from the handle, which is thicker than the hook. Its thickness prevents the hook from slipping through the work by accident when put down. The soft, almost rubber quality of the plastic makes it comfortable to hold for long periods of time. Its matte texture also makes it non-slip, and can be gripped well while working on projects.
The measurement of the hook is also printed on the handle towards the base, where the user is less likely to grip it and therefore rub it off over time. The colour of the handle is also vibrant, making it easy to spot if lost, perhaps under a skein of yarn. The colour also makes the hook easy to identify if bought as part of a multicoloured set, with each colour identifying a different hook size.