Yarn Weight, Knitting Needle and Crochet Hook Conversion Charts for USA, UK and Australia
by Kristin Omdahl

 

This is an often discussed and confusing subject matter, about which I am frequently questioned. Scroll below for a video explaining some of the myths and truths about yarn weights. Then below that, please find charts comparing metric, US and UK conversions for yarn weights, knitting needle sizes and crochet hook sizes. These are handy conversion charts for comparison and future reference. Pin the charts to your Pinterest boards for safe keeping! This information is invaluable when yarn shopping or substituting yarn in any pattern or project.

*Note: the suggested crochet hook and knitting needle suggested size range in the following charts does not reflect using larger sizes for achieving drapey gauge for lace. This suggested range is for making a standard fabric of rows of stockinette stitch (for knitting) or rows of double crochet (for crochet).

Yarn Ply

Spinners pull fiber into single, long threads. These threads are often plied together to make up a yarn’s desired weight (thickness). This also adds strength to the yarn. Traditionally the names of yarns were specifically describing the number of plies of thread. Currently, many companies spin yarn at various weights so a 3ply yarn could be much thicker due to the fact that each ply could be thicker than they once uniformly were.

Knitting Needles

Knitting needles come in straight, circular and double pointed categories. And each type of needles comes in a variety of sizes. Those sizes can be measured in metric or by names depending on what part of the world you live in. This chart compares each metric size to its US and UK names for your convenience.

Crochet Hooks

Crochet hooks come in a variety of styles and materials including plastic/resin, aluminum, and wood/bamboo. Then each type of crochet hook comes in a variety of sizes. These sizes are broken down into two categories: regular standard hooks (ranging in size from 2mm – 25mm) and steel crochet hooks (ranging in size from 0.6mm to 1.95mm). The sizes can be measured in metric or by names depending on what part of the world you live in. These charts compare each metric size to its US and UK names for your convenience.

When making knit and crochet projects without a pattern, or when purchasing yarn before you know what you which knit or crochet pattern you will be using, this guide will help you determine how much yarn to purchase:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you know already know which knit or crochet pattern you want to make, but don’t have the correct thickness of yarn on hand, this guide will help you determine what gauge you can achieve when doubling any weight of yarn.