Knowing your tools is the first step to true mastery of the craft, so make sure you read tosay’s article thoroughly! This guide will help you understand the sizing standards, how to match the yarn with hook size, and what happens when the match isn’t quite right.
Sit back, relax and let’s dive in!
If you want to learn more, read my articles, check out my Recommendation Series, or try my Free Crochet Patterns and Stitch Tutorials!
◉
Start here
Everything You Need to Know About Crochet Hooks
◉
How to choose the right size of crochet hook for my yarn?
The choice of the right size of hook depends on the thickness of the yarn (yarn weight) with which we want to use in making our crochet project. We will find recommended hook size on yarn label, or in the crochet pattern we’re following.
Yarn manufacturers often recommend a range of hook sizes for the yarn, so you can choose the perfect size for your project within it.
If you know how your yarn is called, but you don’t have yarn label, simply look for this yarn online! Search through Ravelry catalogues, online yarn stores, or go straight to the manufacturers’ site. All of these places might have the informations about recommended size of tools to use with it.
Remember that the lighter the yarn, the thinner the crochet hook we use (and vice-versa!), because its thickness influences the size of the stitches.
Below you can see how the size of a simple granny square changes depending on the size of the hook.
- photo by SophiePuffs from reddit.com
Additionally, yarn type might affect crochet hook sizes – for example, superwash wool is more squishy and stretchy than cotton, so the stitches should be tighter.
◉
What are the effects of choosing the wrong hook size?
If your hook size is too small…
- you will end up with tight stitches and very dense fabric.
- you may have problems with catching the yarn with your hook.
- drawing the hook through the loop may be difficult.
- your work will be smaller than intended.
If your hook size is too big…
- the stitches will be distorted and look very “loose”, almost “see-through”.
- your work will be too stretchy.
- your work will be bigger than intended.
Crochet Hook Sizes
As with many other sizing standards, they differ from one corner of the world to the next. When it comes to crochet hooks, there are four basic standards:
- US crochet hooks
- Metric (European) crochet hooks
- UK crochet hooks
- Steel crochet hooks
Standard Crochet Hook Size Chart
| EU Metric Size | US Size | UK Size |
| 2 mm | 14 | |
| 2.25 mm | B/1 | 13 |
| 2.5 mm | ||
| 2.75 mm | C/2 | 12 |
| 3 mm | 11 | |
| 3.25 mm | D/3 | 10 |
| 3.5 mm | E/4 | 9 |
| 3.75 mm | F/5 | |
| 4 mm | G/6 | 8 |
| 4.5 mm | 7 | 7 |
| 5 mm | H/8 | 6 |
| 5.5 mm | I/9 | 5 |
| 6 mm | J/10 | 4 |
| 6.5 mm | K/10.5 | 3 |
| 7 mm | 2 | |
| 8 mm | L/11 | 0 |
| 9 mm | M/13 | 00 |
| 10 mm | N/15 | 000 |
| 12 mm | P | |
| 15 mm | ||
| 16 mm | Q | |
| 20 mm | S (19 mm) |
pin it!
◉
Steel Crochet Hook Size Chart
| EU Metric Size | US Size |
| 3.50 mm | 00 |
| 3.25 mm | 0 |
| 2.75 mm | 1 |
| 2.70 mm | 00 |
| 2.55 mm | 0 |
| 2.35 mm | 1 |
| 2.25 mm | 2 |
| 2.20 mm | 2 |
| 2.10 mm | 3 |
| 2 mm | 4 |
| 1.90 mm | 5 |
| 1.80 mm | 6 |
| 1.75 mm | 4/0 |
| 1.70 mm | 5 |
| 1.65 mm | 7 |
| EU Metric Size | US Size |
| 1.60 mm | 6 |
| 1.50 mm | 8/7/2 |
| 1.40 mm | 9/8 |
| 1.30 mm | 10 |
| 1.25 mm | 9/4 |
| 1.15 mm | 10 |
| 1.10 mm | 11 |
| 1.05 mm | 11 |
| 1 mm | 12/6 |
| 0.95 mm | 13 |
| 0.90 mm | 14/8 |
| 0.85 mm | 13 |
| 0.75 mm | 14/10 |
| 0.60 mm | 12 |
pin it!
◉
Yarn weights and crochet hook sizes
There’s no limit on the thickness of the tools or yarn you can crochet with, but some of them are more popular than others. Below you can see general hook size ranges for specific yarn weights, but remember that these may differ among manufacturers.
- 1.4 – 2.2 mm – Lace Weight Yarn
- 2.25 – 3.5 mm – Super Fine Yarn
- 3.5 – 4.5 mm – Fine Yarn
- 4.5 – 5.5 mm – Light Yarn
- 5.5 – 6.5 mm – Medium Yarn
- 6.5 – 9 mm – Bulky Yarn
- 9 – 15 mm – Super Bulky Yarn
That’s it!
Now hopefully you’ll be able to choose crochet hook sizes with ease, because it’s very important. Read more about crochet accessories in my other articles, so you can be sure you know your tools!
◉
That’s all for today, but I’ll be back with much more inspiring projects and free patterns. Like, share, and subscribe if you like what you see. Stay tuned!
↔
You may also like: Spectacular Larksfoot Stitch Ideas
