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Crochet designer Lorene Eppolite offers valuable tips and tricks for choosing yarn weights and hook sizes for various crochet projects.
One of the greatest things about crochet is that you don’t need a ton of materials to get a project started. In fact, it may be the most streamlined craft around! All you truly need is yarn, and a hook is very helpful.
Understanding yarn weights
Of course within that brief supplies list, you have a few options. Yarn is available in a range of fibers, from natural to synthetic, and can even be made from recycled matter. Crochet hooks are also made from several types of materials, such as wood, aluminum, and plastic.
Once you determine the fiber you want to use for your crochet project, you’ll need to consider the weight of the yarn. Yarn comes in weights 0 – 6 : the smaller the number, the thinner the yarn.
Every yarn has a weight listed on the label. Here are the different yarn weights and the ideal projects for each:
- #0 = Lace weight (for fine threadwork, doilies)
- #1 = Superfine / Fingering / Baby weight (for baby layettes, socks)
- #2 = Fine / Sport weight (for lightweight sweaters, shawls, baby items)
- #3 = Light worsted / DK weight (for sweaters, shawls, gloves)
- #4 = Worsted weight / Medium / Aran (for thicker sweaters, blankets, outer wear, scarves, hats, mittens, gloves, home decor)
- #5 = Bulky / Chunky weight (for jackets, chunky scarves, cowls, hats, blankets)
- #6 = Super bulky weight (for heavy jackets, sweaters, blankets, very thick scarves)
Of course you’re not limited to these projects, and it can be fun to experiment with different weights once you’re comfortable with a particular pattern, but these guidelines are great for beginners.
The most commonly used yarn is worsted weight, because it is right in the middle and is the most versatile.
Choosing between hook sizes
Along with weight, yarn labels will also give a recommended hook size to use with the yarn. You can go generally go up and down a hook size and still get a similar result.
Using a smaller hook will usually give your project a stiffer feel, whereas using a larger hook will give more drape and movement. Smaller hooks also produce a denser fabric, while larger hooks will have a more lacy effect on your project. You can check your gauge with a swatch to be sure.
Hook sizes are determined by letter and number. They are measured in millimeters. The sizes are as follows, from smallest to largest:
- F = 3.75mm
- G = 4.0mm
- G+ = 4.5mm
- H = 5.0mm
- I = 5.5mm
- J = 6.0mm
- K = 6.5mm
- L = 7.0mm
- M = 8.0mm
- N = 9.0mm
- P = 10.0mm
The hooks most commonly used with worsted weight yarn are 5.5mm, 6.0mm, and 6.5mm. A lot of people also use the 5.0mm hook with this popular yarn.
Cost-effective Considerations
Yarn is available at all different price points. In general, less expensive yarns are lower quality, and more costly yarns are better quality, but this is not always the case.
It’s important to factor in the size of your project when you’re calculating the total cost of the yarn that you will use. For example, if you’re setting out to make a large blanket, you’ll likely want to go with a more affordably priced yarn because you know you’ll need more than a couple skeins.
If you’re selling items, make sure you think about the price point of the final product so you don’t select a yarn that ends up eating into your profits.
There are many things to consider when determining what yarn and hook to use, but it will become second nature once you have followed a few patterns and experimented with different yarn weights and hook sizes.
What is your go-to yarn or hook? Share in the comments section!
Get this week’s free crochet tools & masterclass bundle for the shortcut to always feel proud of your results Click here to learn more now.
Very nice 👌, would like to see more work with left hand
Do you have video on this
My favorite hook sizes are H and I and I used to just like #4 weight yarn but now I’ve been getting into making triangle scarves with #3 weight Mandalla.
Nice , I also use the hooks size that’s on the yarn label
Bernat baby coordinates with a J or K for baby blankets, f for booties, g for hat. This makes a nice set for a new baby.
Hello when watching the video on the weight of different yarns & also the different sizes of hooks which thank you it was very informative But I have a question & that is I was admiring the beautiful cardigan sweater to the girls left It is just so beautiful & I have been looking for a crochet pattern to make one like that Is there a free pattern & info on that sweater? I would greatly appreciate it & im looking forward to my free crochet hooks to come in Have a great day
I found it Informative. I’m kinda new at crocheting, thanks!
Hmmm well I guess I better get my rear in gear and get back to crocheting 🧶 along with the knitting I THOUGHT 💭 I LIKED BETTER until I saw this guide to yarn 🧶 and crochet hooks. Hey I have the hooks and the yarns so ya I’m gonna just DO IT Y’all !!!!!
The video was very informative I’ve been crocheting for years but it refresh some things I had forgotten
Hi Denise, yes you can find the pattern for that cardigan in the student download file of Lorene’s video course, “Elevate Your Crochet to Professional Level” when you sign into your CreativiU Elite account.
How do you tell size of hook if no numbers or letters on the needle?
Hi Caren, you can use a measuring tape to check the diameter (not circumference) of your crochet hook in the space between the hook itself and the grip where you hold it. It will be in millimeters. Just remember to measure across, not around!
I love doing baby blankets with double knit wool and use a 4.5 hook is that ok to use I am not crocheting long
Thank you for reviewing yarns a nd hooks. My Grandma taught me to knit but never crochet. I’m excited to get started.
Useful information
Really enjoyed the video I didn’t relize there was many different yarns out there more to look for now.
Thank you so much.
Elizabeth
Ps
Looking forward to more videos xx
Hopefully I can crochet more things than a blanket, I love your videos they are so precise
I am a beginner again after a laspe of 40 years , and i very much appreciate the help of the guides to yarn weights and hook sizes that you have given. I am now 85 years old and need all the help i can get. Thank you very much. Beverley Cadioli
Interesting. I usually use hook G& H yarn sizes great
Very helpful information
Thank you for the pattern, it is very helpful for me
I love Caron Simply soft yarn, 4 weight is my go to yarn and i normally use a 5.00 hook but am excited for the new 3.5 lighted hook amd would also like more left handed patterns but I normally crochet with a right handed pattern and it works out great
I use most is the g,h,I hooks but I will try some bigger hook sizes to how I like the look I have and do use smaller ones when I want tigher knots or sts.
Iove all kinds of crochet patterns. I have grobefobia, that is where you don’t go anywhere unless you haft to, like going to the doctor, I haven’ always had it, but i have had it going on four years now, so I crochet a lot .
Hi I use H,I for the most of my projects along with mostly worsted weight yarn. Sometimes I do use G with the sport weight yarn tho. Just depends on the project and gauge swatch I do. Thanks for info, very informative.
Looking for an easy Mans scarf and hat pattern
I am looking for a pattern to stitch onto towelling with a button hole on the end
Very informative thank you. I knit and crochet and have for many years. Again thank you for the information
I love my hook size 4.5.but I’ve been working with a lot of cotton lately
Thanks for all the useful information. I am new to crocheting & would like to start with the jingle bell garland using just a chain stitch, interspersing silver bells. My directions don’t mention yarn types or sizes. I’ve looked at all the different hooks & types of yarn – do you think I should use an acrylic, or maybe a cotton? Thanks for your help.
Which size /letter crochet hook for super bulky yarn?
I am enthralled with the Irish Crochet style at the moment, My favorite is size 10 thread and a 1.10 mm steel hook from SKC. I like Aunt Lydia yarns. I am using a mix of a turkish size ten cotton. I am not enthralled with like it. It splits, but it was the only color that met my granddaughter’s request for pumpkin.