Yarn Weights and Hook and Needle Sizes!

 

 

A full and total breakdown of yarn sizes, as well as needle sizes and hook sizes! This can help you with picking out what you like or what kind of projects you might want to do, when you're just getting started. Typically at the average yarn store you will find 3,4,and 6 yarns (the numbers are called "weights" and have nothing to do with "plys"). Occasionally places like Joann will sell sock yarn. Most small batch yarn dyers will sell sock yarn, with less focus on worsted and super bulky.

[yarn from 0-7. Crochet thread, laceweight, green #1, Hobbii #2, blue #3, mustard #4, silver-green #5, black tweed #6, and blue-green multi #7.]
 

 0 : lace weight, cobweb 

    normally used for doilies, laces, and for tiny items like miniature sweaters and the like. Usually uses steel hooks. For a more open look you can go up as high as a 3mm. Needle size 3mm and smaller.

 1: fingering, sock 

    used for socks, baby clothes, finer sweaters if you have the patience. size 1 to size 4 (B-E) needle size 2.5 to 4mm. 

2: baby, sport 

    usually used for baby clothes, some socks and finer clothing. Sport weight has a good drape and can be used for socks as well. size 3mm to 4.5mm of both hook and needle. (C-E)

3: DK, light

    most clothing is made with this weight yarn. Despite baby being a weight 2 yarn, many yarns sold as "baby" yarn is actually DK yarn. You can also make accessories with DK, such as mitts and finer scarves. 4mm to 9mm (E-I)

4: Worsted, Aran, Afghan

    clothing especially sweaters can be made with this. You can also make accessories and scarves with this. This is the most commonly found yarn aside from super bulky. 4.5mm to 10.5mm (F-K) Amigurumi (crochet plush toys) are almost exclusively made of worsted.

5: Bulky, Chunky

    generally reserved for craft items and larger accessories like cowls and items like bags and rugs, and some blankets. This is actually sometimes harder to find. 10.5mm to 13mm (K-M)

6: Super Bulky, Roving

    generally used for heavier items like sweaters and winter accessories, as well as blankets and rugs. Knits or crochets up very quickly. Roving can be harder to work with (basically is yarn with no ply or twist to it or only lightly twisted). 13mm+ (M-Q or larger)

7: Jumbo

    generally used for baskets and similar items like cat and dog beds, large bags, etc. 19mm and larger. (Q+) Sometimes used for hand/finger knitting. Can be a pain, but can also be a lot of fun. Be wary of jumbos that tear easily, be careful, but have fun!

HOOKS/NEEDLES:

    Steel hooks: range typically from 0.6mm to 3mm. Very small. Usually used with thread or laceweight yarns. Often can only be bought in packs (hooks), or can be expensive (needles)

                                    [steel hooks, all very tiny, ranging from 1mm to 3.5mm]

3mm to 10.5mm: Standard hook (B-K) and needle sizes. Found in most kits. Some will go as low as 2mm and up to 12mm depending. Most of these can be bought anywhere that sells hooks and needles.

[needles of all sizes from 2.0mm up to 25mm. Mostly straight. single point with two pairs of circulars.]
 

12mm and up: Specialty sizes usually. Harder to find, though you can often find the largest sizes at Joann and Michael's (25mm usually). Can be hard to use over 15mm. Sometimes you can find 30-35mm online, but usually unnecessary.

 

                                    [hooks ranging from 2mm to 12mm, of all types]
 

Note: Boye crochet hooks are "between" sizes, you won't find 3mm but 3.25mm and not 3.5mm, but 3.75mm. Unless your tension is really tight, this should be okay. Mostly look for the letter on the hook if you can find it. Steel hooks come in a variety of increments, and it actually matters at that tiny size.

 Special Needles/Hooks: 

    Cable needles: What you use when you're holding stitches while cabling. Not necessary, but neat.

    Circular needles: needles connected by a steel or plastic cable. Not actually circles, but very useful for knitting long projects, like blankets, but also used for socks.

    DPN/Double pointed needles: needles that have a point at each end instead of just one. These are often used for socks, or to hold stitches for cabling.

    Tunisian Crochet hook: These come in standard hook sizes. They're also called an "afghan hook" and either have a stopper on the end like a single point knitting needle, or a cable sort of like a circular needle, for longer projects. Sometimes double ended. These use a different style of crochet called Tunisian Crochet, which is unique and very beautiful.

    Ergonomic Needles and Hooks: These can vary from bamboo handled Susan Bates hooks, to Clover Amour hooks, to Prym hooks and needles, to Cubics from Knitter's Pride, to Furls Crochet hooks, and beyond. For some, these are necessary in order to enjoy the process. For others, the simple aluminum, bamboo, and plastic/lucite hooks are plenty.

    Nalebinding needle: this is for the very unique and difficult craft of Nalebinding! There are no patterns, you just learn how to make stitches, and then go. I've been too scared to try this.

Hook and needle materials:

    Metal/Steel/Aluminum: Very useful for average yarns, very "slippery". Harder to use when you're very new to the craft as stitches can slide right off.

    Plastic/acrylic/lucite: very good for slippery yarns like bamboo and some silks. Can squeak on other yarns. Good for helping you control your tension. (Less tension, less squeak)

    Bamboo/wood: also very good for slippery yarns, very good for starting out as bamboo hooks can be very cheap. Less chance of squeaking on other yarns. Encourages you to move slowly. 

[needles and hooks in various materials. Left: needles. Steel, bamboo, glitter plastic, orange lucite, aluminum, plastic, wood. Right: hooks. Steel, bamboo, plastic, aluminum, purpleheart wood, lucite, aluminum, vintage nickel plated, plastic, bamboo]
 

    Other: Occasionally you can find other material hooks and needles, such as porcupine quill needles, bone crochet hooks,
polymer clay hooks, and so on. Most people don't use these, so buyer beware. That isn't to say "don't try this" just know that there isn't a lot of available info on these items.

This post is not sponsored. All items or locations mentioned are for information purposes only. My opnions are my own. Thank you for reading. If you'd like to help out, buy me a coffee!