Learning the detailed crochet hook sizes will be considered among the very first steps to your crochet journey as a beginner. Check out our crochet hook size conversion chart and guide down below.
As a novice crocheter, it is essential that you comprehend what crochet hooks actually are and the various hook sizes available on the market. So, if you’ve ever wanted to understand how to pick the right size crochet hook or the dimensions of crochet hooks, this blog post will come in handy!
With our detailed and easy-to-understand crochet hook sizes chart and buying guide down below, you can learn everything about different available crochet hook sizes, various kinds of crochet hooks, and how to identify patterns that use a specific hook size.
So, What Is A Crochet Hook, Actually?
To begin, if you are fresh from crossing stitches, a crochet hook is basically a handheld device that assists in the creation of stitches (also known as thread loops). Crochet hooks, generally speaking, are available in a variety of sizes as well as materials and different types. Hooks, together with yarn or thread, are among the very first crochet resources you should purchase.
Almost all hooks on the market right now have the size mentioned on the thumb area, which would be truly the radius of the hook’s shaft that is usually measured in mm. They are sometimes referred to as crochet needles, although they are literally named crochet hooks.
A crochet hook is a long, thin instrument with a hook on one end used to create various crochet patterns and techniques. For curly crochet braids, use a smaller sized hook to create tighter, more defined curls.
The Anatomy of a Crochet Hook:
Below is some common anatomy that you will come across when discovering crochet hooks.
Throat: This is basically the part of the hook that directs the thread into the project’s production line.
Point: Input this portion of the crochet hook into rings and seams.
Grip: Generally speaking, this section contains the thumb rest and the tag denoting the size of the hook.
Shaft: In general, the shaft of the crochet hook defines the hook size. The dimension of the thread loops is determined by the diameter of the shaft.
Handle: Literally, this is where you keep the hook while crocheting.
Details about Crochet Needles
As previously stated, crochet hooks are often mistakenly referred to as needles. Needles, on the other hand, have a spot in crochet.
On the flip side, crochet needles are utilized to stitch in thread ends once you have finished a project, arrived at the final of a skein, or changed colors. These needles are, in fact, bigger and chunkier than traditional knitting needles.
Moreover, while still not crochet-linked, crocheting needles are occasionally misled with their crochet hook comparable.
Knitting needles are typically 10 inches long and typically constructed of different materials, such as plastic, wood, or aluminum. In addition, knitting needles are often available in various sizes with basic millimeter categorizations, just the same as crochet hooks.
To achieve those stunning crochet hairstyles, selecting the right crochet needle size is crucial. Different sizes of crochet hooks are available to suit different yarns or threads. Refer to the crochet hook sizes conversion chart for a comprehensive guide on the sizes of crochet hooks and their conversion.
Different Designs of Crochet Hooks
Crochet hooks come in two varieties. One with a contoured point and the other with a straight juncture with a size that is similar to the shaft.
- Inline Crochet Hooks: In general, these types of hooks usually feature a more profound throat, with a tip that is far pointier and a thumb rest typically coming in a flatter design, which some claim could really assist in strain and measure in styles.
- Tapered Crochet Hooks: They often have a rounded point and a trimmed throat, with the shaft coming in a longer length.
The design of the hook that you utilize would be determined by your individual opinions, and since most knitters would try both designs to see which they favor.
These hook styles, in the face, might also have a neoprene grip or a bigger handle, making them more ergonomic. Intuitive crochet hooks allow knitters with joint pain and sore hands to crochet for longer periods of time and with greater strain.
Besides, you can also find a Tunisian crochet hook, which has the same parts as defined above though it is made up of two hooks linked by a cord or wire.
What Are the Different Sizes of Available Crochet Hooks?
Haven’t you ever interpreted a crochet pattern and wondered why that crochet hook is marked in 3 different sizes? We completely understand – crochet hook sizing could really be perplexing initially.
Crochet hook size classification differs by region and nation. The United States of America, for instance, employs a letter-and-number system. The United Kingdom and Canada, on the other hand, often use various numbering systems, while New Zealand and Australia often use metric units.
Different Sizes of Crochet Hooks
The radius of a crochet hook’s shaft determines its dimension. The dimension of the thread loops in the crochet textile is determined by the dimensions of the shaft.
Nowadays, almost all crochet hook producers classify their hooks with both letters or figures and metric dimensioning.
The detailed crochet hook size charts provided down below could really assist you in converting one system of measurement to the other. For instance, if you possess a 6mm crochet hook, you could utilize the conversion charts to find out that it is also known as a J/10 hook in the US sizing system or a size 4 hook in the old UK sizing system.
When selecting a crochet hook, it’s important to consider the size for your specific project. The size of the hook affects the overall look and feel of the final product. If you’re looking for inspiration for a crochet project, check out these effortlessly soft locs hairstyles ideas that can inspire your work with their unique and intricate patterns.
So, What Crochet Hook Size Do You Require?
Generally speaking, crochet hooks are available in a broad variety of sizes and shapes. In addition, crochet hooks are typically size-labeled. They are always referred to in either Metric or US measurements, which you could gain knowledge more about in our crochet hook conversion chart down below.
Knowing about crochet hooks would then assist you as a crocheter in determining what size crochet hook is ideal for a style, in addition to what kind of hook to use. In addition, you could use the techniques listed below to help you determine which hook size is most appropriate for the task at hand.
- Yarn Label: In general, the yarn label will normally tell you what hook size to be used along with the fiber content. In fact, almost all tags include a section that specifies the hook size, either in US or metric sizes, in addition to the indicator.
- Gauge Swatch: Basically, a gauge swatch can also be employed to figure out the best hook size. Besides, the gauge swatch is classified on almost all tags, as discussed above. You could also make a swatch with the suggested stitches and hook to determine whether the hook size is right for you. If it is too large, try a smaller one. On the other hand, if it is too small, try a larger one.
- Pattern: The hook size for the pattern you want to work on would be specified. If it doesn’t, you should actually get in touch with the designer.
In fact, we have made a convenient crochet comparison chart below that enumerates different available crochet hooks in both metric and US sizes, as well as how to transfer from one to the other. Simply scroll down to view that detailed crochet hook size conversion chart.
Different Types and Materials of Crochet Hooks
Generally speaking, crochet hooks are often constructed from a wide range of materials. As such, the best hook for you is, in fact, a personal choice that will constantly differ from crocheter to crocheter.
Let’s take a look at the various crochet substances and hooks currently offered down below.
Crochet Hooks Made of Steel
Steel crochet hooks, also known as lace hooks, are ideal for working with thread or really fine thread. Consider the lacey thread used to create doilies or tea towels. Steel hooks, accordingly, have the smallest hook sizes available on the market.
Plastic Crochet Hooks Made of Plastic
Plastic hooks (also known as resin crochet hooks) are typically available in sizes ranging from B-S (between 2.25 mm and 20 mm). These types of hooks, generally speaking, are the least expensive to purchase, but they might not last as long as other available hook types.
Crochet Hooks Made of Aluminum
Aluminum crochet hooks, as some of you might know, are readily accessible in exactly the same sizes as their plastic counterparts, are commonly accessible, and are extremely cheap. These types of aluminum hooks are ideal for newcomers. Susan Bates and Boye are examples of brands.
Crochet Hooks Made of Wood
Crochet hooks manufactured of hardwood (often maple), softwood (typically pine), or bamboo can really be sculpted and/or colored by hand. Even though smaller sizes are readily accessible, they are more commonly found as supersized size hooks, usually 16mm or bigger.
Hook from Tunisia
Tunisian crochet hooks, widely recognized as Afghan hooks, are typically being used by maintaining the thread on the hook throughout the crocheting process. Tunisian hooks, as some of you might know, are usually longer than standard crochet hooks and therefore could hold more stitches. The hook, in addition, could also be straight as well as double ended, or it may have an adaptable cord at the finish with a blocker or the other hook.
Crochet Hooks That Are Ergonomic
Ergonomic hooks, generally speaking, are available in the most prevalent sizes and are intended to alleviate hand tension when crocheting due to their bigger and shaped handles. Tulip, Furls, and Clover are some of the brands available.
Common Crochet Hook Manufacturers
There are simply too numerous crochet hook makers to mention here. Specific brands, on the other hand, are recognized for their strong points or components, so we would like to give you a complete overview of a few of the best hook sets currently available.
Best Crochet Hook Manufacturer: Tulip
As some of you might know, Tulip crochet hooks are our go-to crochet brand. The ETIMO line of products includes a comfortable rubber handle and a top notch aluminum hook. In addition, the hook has a glossy coating that will not allow slough or chip.
In addition, this set even includes a case and a pair of scissors. Even though mildly more costly than most crochet hooks, we believe this brand and their product lines are indeed worth the investment.
Average Range Crochet Hook Manufacturer: Clover
In fact, Clover hooks are another one of our favorite crochet hook brands. The luminously colored intuitive handles make crocheting more enjoyable and comfortable.
This specific crochet hook set includes ten various sizes varying between 2.25 mm and 6mm.
Best Budget Crochet Hook Manufacturer: Susan Bates
In general, Susan Bates produces high-quality, no-frills aluminum hooks at a reasonable price. Such traditional crochet hooks, in fact, are ideal for beginning crocheters.
Their luminously colored hook set comes in six various sizes, ranging between F and K. The cost of these basic hooks is impossible to beat, and Susan Bates is a reputable brand. In reality, Susan Bates has been in operation for decades and was recently obtained by Yarnspirations’ parent corporation.
Various Available Crochet Hook Dimensions
As previously stated, the radius of a hook shaft defines the size of the hook as well as the dimension of the stitches created. Hook sizes, as some of you might know, are defined in millimeters and range between 2 mm and 20 mm or greater!
The general rule is that the larger or chunkier the thread, the larger the hook size required. Hooks could also be classified with either metric or US sizes, so the conversion chart down below is useful for comparison.
As you can see, the conversion chart down below includes both the far more popular EU Metric size and the older UK size. In fact, the UK sizes are being discontinued and are mostly used within older crochet styles.
Kindly verify the size of the hook and your access when crocheting a template because there are numerous hook makers. One of the reasons we recommend keeping our chart handy is the distinction in hook sizes between producers.
Crochet Hook Size Chart Conversion: UK Vs. US
We made a table with all of the available crochet hook sizes in the United States, and their older UK and metric counterparts. Use the chart down below to become acquainted with different definitions for the exact hook size, as well as a hook conversion table if you run into a pattern that is not specified in metric or US sizes.
Surprisingly, a few sizes might differ depending on the hook producer. Just like the different sizes of the crochet hook increase, you will notice this becoming more apparent.
US Sizes | Old UK Sizes | EU Metric Sizes (in millimeters) |
14 | 2 millimeters | |
B/1 | 2.25 millimeters | |
12 | 2.5 | |
C/2 | 2.75 millimeters | |
10 | 3 millimeters | |
D/3 | 11 | 3.25 millimeters |
E/4 | 9 | 3.5 millimeters |
F/5 | 3.75 millimeters | |
G/6 | 8 | 4 millimeters |
7 | 7 | 4.5 millimeters |
H/8 | 6 | 5 millimeters |
I/9 | 5 | 5.5 millimeters |
J/10 | 4 | 6 millimeters |
K/10.5 | 3 | 6.5 millimeters |
2 | 7 millimeters | |
L/11 | 8 millimeters | |
M/13 | 9 millimeters | |
N/15 | 10 millimeters | |
P | 12 millimeters | |
Q (16 millimeters) | 15 millimeters | |
Q | 16 millimeters | |
S (19 millimeters) | 20 millimeters |
When it comes to crocheting, knowing the conversion between UK and US hook sizes is crucial. For example, while a US G/6 hook is equivalent to a UK 4 mm hook, a US H/8 hook is equivalent to a UK 5 mm hook. Learn more about hat size conversion to make sure your handmade crochet hats can fit perfectly!
Various Sizes of Steel Crochet Hooks
Crochet strands and compact yarns, for instance, Superfine #1 or Fine #2 thread loads, are commonly used. The size of these metal hooks tends to reduce as the size increases, which is the reverse of how normal crochet hook sizes typically run.
Steel crochet hooks, like standard crochet hooks, have manufacturer-specific variants in numbering. We all would want them to follow a benchmark, but they, in fact, actually don’t.
So, here is a particularly vexing instance of this. Size #0 refers to a Susan Bates 3.25 mm steel crochet hook, whereas size 0.75 refers to a Clover 1.75 mm steel crochet hook. Due to distinctions like these, the chart down below appears jumbled at points in time. However, this is not the case.
U.S. Sizes | Metric Sizes (in millimeters) |
00 | 3.50 millimeters |
0 | 3.25 millimeters |
1 | 2.75 millimeters |
00 | 2.70 millimeters |
0 | 2.55 millimeters |
1 | 2.35 millimeters |
2 | 2.25 millimeters |
2 | 2.20 millimeters |
3 | 2.10 millimeters |
4 | 2 millimeters |
5 | 1.90 millimeters |
6 | 1.80 millimeters |
4/0 | 1.75 millimeters |
5 | 1.70 millimeters |
7 | 1.65 millimeters |
6 | 1.60 millimeters |
8/7/2 | 1.50 millimeters |
9/8 | 1.40 millimeters |
10 | 1.30 millimeters |
9/4 | 1.25 millimeters |
10 | 1.15 millimeters |
11 | 1.10 millimeters |
11 | 1.05 millimeters |
12/6 | 1 millimeter |
13 | 0.95 millimeter |
14/8 | 0.90 millimeter |
13 | 0.85 millimeter |
14/10 | 0.75 millimeter |
12 | 0.60 millimeter |
How to Decide the Size of a Hook?
Basically, the simplest method for determining the dimension of a crochet hook is simply to search for the size published on the hook’s shaft. The US and metric sizes, in reality, are generally imprinted somewhere along the hook’s shaft.
Having said that, because certain specially made or costly crochet hooks do not always have these tags, how then could you tell?
If you’re struggling to determine the proper size of crochet hook for your project, check out this ultimate guide to chaco size charts. While it may seem like an unexpected resource, chaco size charts can be really helpful in guiding you toward the right hook size. Whether you’re knitting a sweater or crocheting a hat, this guide is a must-have.
Hook Gauge Instrument
One of the easiest examples is to use a hook gauge device, which you must have in your storage room. A hook gauge tool, generally speaking, is a tiny metal or plastic card with pits that correspond to the most common sizes of crochet hooks and/or crochet hooks. What’s more, this tool is often beneficial for calculating 4′′x4′′ swatch gauges.
Hook Dimensions
The radius of a crochet hook’s shaft determines its size. So, if you have a device that enables you to calculate directly down to the quarter-millimeter, this may be a great alternative for you. Even so, because the majority of people don’t really have something like that, this is not the greatest or most precise choice.
Crochet Patterns Organized by Hook Size
You can always find free crochet styles that are all labeled with the hook size that they require. Explore through the online documents if you’re searching for a crochet trend to use with a particular hook size.
Usually, crochet hook sizes and thread load would then be mentioned in the pattern’s right hand column (on the computer) and beneath the post (on the phone).
Here are, accordingly, a few of the most widely used crochet hook sizes that you can find on almost all online websites:
10 mm (or N/P-15); 9 mm (or M/N-13); 8 mm (or L-11); 7 mm; 6.5 mm (or K-10.5); 6 mm (or J-10); 5.5 mm (or I-9); 5 mm (or H-8); 40 mm; 4.5 mm (or 7); 4 mm (or G-6); 3.75 mm (or F-5); 3.5 mm (or E-4); 3.25 mm (or D-3); 2mm; 25 mm (or U); 2.75 mm (or C-2); 2.25 mm (or B-1); 16 mm (or Q); 15 mm (or P/Q); and 12 mm
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Crochet Hooks Are Ideal For Novices?
Crochet hooks coming in sizes H/8 5 mm, I/9 5.5 mm, and J/10 6 mm are typically the best for newbies. For novices, these crochet hook sizes are ideal for getting started with gaining knowledge on how to needlework.
How Do You Determine Which Crochet Hook Size to Be Using?
Generally speaking, almost all crochet patterns would tell you what crochet hook dimension is best to use.
When searching for the suggested crochet hook dimension in a pattern, always search for the components utilized or the disclaimer part. To achieve the gauge specified by the pattern, you might have to adjust the hook size.
Which Crochet Hooks Are Ideal For Novices?
Generally speaking, an H/8 5 mm crochet hook is widely known as the most popular crochet hook size. It is the ideal size for making scarves, blankets, and other items since it is neither too small nor too big.
What Is Crochet Hook Size Widely Known As A G?
Basically, a G/6 is typically a 4mm crochet hook, but it may also be a 4.25 mm, like the brand Boye. In the basic Canadian and the UK hook size conversion charts, a G crochet hook size is commonly regarded as a size 8.
What Letter Does A 2.75 Mm Crochet Hook Look Like?
In US crochet hook sizes, a 2.75 mm crochet hook is typically regarded as a C/2 and is ideal for ultrafine load thread.
What Is the Size P Crochet Hook Converting?
In the United States, a size P crochet hook is, generally speaking, frequently known as a 15 mm hook in metric definitions. However, a few brands might also classify P crochet hook size as 10 mm, so take this into account when purchasing crochet hooks.
What is the US comparable to 3.00 Mm?
In the United States, a 3.00 mm crochet hook is equivalent to a D/3 crochet hook size. A few manufacturers might also use a D size tag on a 3.25 mm size crochet hook.
What Size Is Widely Used As A 12 Crochet Hook Size?
Generally speaking, a size 12 crochet hook is commonly known as the UK, or Canadian crochet hook size that is comparable to a C/2 or 2.5 mm crochet hook size in the United States.
What Is Crochet Hook Size Popularly Known as An F?
The diameter of an F-5 crochet hook size is widely known as 3.75 mm.
What Is a Crochet Hook Size H?
In general, a crochet hook size H-8 is usually measured as 5 mm.
How To Calculate A Crochet Hook Without A Size?
A crocheting and needlework tool known as a needle gauge or swatch ruler could be usually used. It determines the dimension of your crochet hook using notches. Generally speaking, hook sizes are often mentioned on the hook gauge instrument in basic Japanese, US, and metric sizing systems.
The Bottom Lines
We hope that you liked this crochet hook sizing guide and managed to learn everything you need to know to begin crocheting a pattern. In case you have any queries or would like to learn further about needlework, don’t hesitate to leave a comment in the box down below, and we would absolutely be sure to get back to you very soon.