Often those of us who are thread enthusiasts wonder about those shrinking mm sizes and the increasing number on steel crochet hooks and which to try for successful thread/yarn projects.

This chart is provided as simply a guide populated by contributors who work in thread/yarn and what has worked for them.

Always do a sample swatch to check gauge with your desired hook and thread/yarn.

This chart is for information only.

DOWNLOAD PDF GUIDE below

PVeller_YARN WEIGHTS

A crochet hook size provided in the Material’s List of your pattern is very important information.

HOOK SIZE + YARN SIZE will determine the projects FINISHED SIZE (approximately, your own tension will alter size too). Doing a practice swatch before beginning and measuring periodically as you crochet your project, will keep you on track. Look for GAUGE information in the pattern.

Because we want lace to be FINE and/or  sweaters to be BULKY you need materials and hooks in different sizes to achieve the desired and expected result.

Hooks come in steel, aluminum, plastic and bamboo. You should try what feels good in your hand, if you find your hand is getting tired or stressed it could be the wrong hook (or you’ve been crocheting too long!), switch to maybe a bamboo that will be warmer in your hand.

Be cautious when choosing and switching to stay with the same manufacturer – they all do size a bit differently.

Check out this link regarding hooks and needles.

Compare crochet pattern writings in the early 1900’s to just a few years ago and you will find writing styles of the “Designers/Publishers” in constant change, completely arbitrary.

In the last few years especially with the onset of the Internet – many designers/crocheters like you/crochet organizations/publishers are pushing for “standards” and not just in Crochet, but Knitting too. The Craft Yarn Council is an organization that is quickly pulling all this together (World-wide) and for those of us who are most affected are glad to see it!

Having a standard means less confusion and patterns sitting around because we can’t figure out the directions! So, I use the standards for crochet as they are being defined and published by the Craft Yarn Council. Find out more about them – follow link to their webpage <click here>.

You will find topics for Crochet and Knitting as well that covers;

Industry Standards

• Introduction
• Crochet Abbreviations
• Crochet Chart Symbols
• Crochet Patterns – How to Read
• Knitting Abbreviations
• Knit Chart Symbols
• Knitting – How to Read Pattern
• Wraps Per Inch (WPI)
• Project Levels
• Standard Body Measurements/Sizing 
  • Baby Size Chart
  • Child/Youth Size Charts
  • Woman Size Charts
  • Man Size Chart
  • Head Circumference Chart
  • Foot Size Chart
  • Hand Size Charts
• Standard Yarn Weight System
• Sistema de Peso Estandar para Estambre
• Système Standard de Grosseur
• Schematics
• Hooks & Needles
• Steel Hooks & Crochet Threads
• Downloadable Skill and Yarn Weight Symbols
• Yarn Label Information
• Care Symbols
• Downloadable Guidelines PDF

All my patterns are written using US Crochet Standard language and abbreviations and includes all objects as charts and pics, stitches used and special stitch definitions, material list, finishing instructions and more as needed. 

*Where noted, I consult a professional editor who checks my patterns for proper pattern language and abbreviations used.