#CROCHET HOOK SIZES HOW TO#

This is because all of the other measuring systems use millimeters as their base. These naming conventions are fairly arbitrary, and honestly, the metric system is probably more useful than all of them combined for actually figuring out how big of a needle you need. The Japanese convention goes from using a number over zero for smaller sizes and a whole number counting up from seven to measure larger needles. In the United States, we use letters to represent the different sizes, while in the UK they use descending numbers from fifteen to triple zero. The most standardized system of measuring crochet hooks is still the metric system, to and from which it is fairly simple to convert any size. This has also led to some sizes not actually being sold in some countries, such as the 6.50mm in Japan or the 7.00mm in the US.

Naturally, this led to different countries adopting different naming conventions for the sizes of their products. Why Do Different Countries Have Different Names for the Same Hook Sizes?įor most of the history of crochet, there was no standard in the crochet hook manufacturing industry. Japaneseīut really, why are there so many different systems for measuring crochet hooks, and why is converting between them so complicated? There’s got to be some reason behind this complex mess! Let’s break it down. To help you out, check out the master conversion chart below. The chart contains metrics, the US hook size, US number, the US combined method (which is the US hook size and number) and the UK hook sizes.Why are there so many crochet hook size measuring systems? All these different measurement systems can make figuring out what size of crochet hook you need a painful process. The easiest way to convert a hook size is to look at the hook conversion chart. If you have very fine or thin yarn choose a B/1 hook or 2.25mm hook and if you have a thicker bulky yarn you can start with an M/13 or 9mm hook. When you do not have a label for your yarn choose a hook that has a similar thickness to your yarn. Most labels show two symbols one of a crochet hook and one symbol with 1 or 2 knitting needles. The easiest way is to look at the label of your skein and select the hook size that is mentioned on the label. How Do You Know What Size Crochet Hook To Use? When you master the tension it is good to return to the advised hook size for your project. When you start out it is a good practice the increase your hook size so you see bigger gaps and learn not to crochet too tightly. In combination with the yarn weight this can be even bigger. So the bigger the hook, the bigger the gaps between the stitches. You need different hook sizes because every hook size produces different size of stitches. Why Do You Need Different Size Crochet Hooks? When you find a pattern that calls for a hook size you do not have, choose a hook closest to the hook size that you have. To make certain you are able to read a pattern or the description on a skein of yarn no matter where you live and know which hook to use take a look at the hook conversion chart right here.Īs you can see in the crochet hook conversion chart not all methods have a hook size compared to the metric system. Now usually, crochet patterns and skeins of yarn contain an indication of which hook to use but which one do you select when it is in a different convention? Enter the crochet hook conversion chart.

#CROCHET HOOK SIZES HOW TO#

When you learn how to crochet you will see you need all sorts of different crochet hook sizes depending on your yarn and the pattern you are using. Depending on where you live in this world you will find different naming conventions for the size of your crochet hook.

Crochet hook sizes