If you look at a modern crochet hook, most likely the hook will have 3 things on it - other than the name of the company that manufactured it. These three things are a letter, a number, and a mm size.
These are the 3 common ways to designate hook sizes. Some companies use all 3 designations, some only one or two.
What can get confusing is that there is not a standard measurement for hooks. So one company's hook may have the same letter as another company's hook, but the mm size is different (i.e. an N in one company may be 10mm, in another it may be 9mm). That small difference may be just enough to alter your gauge. If a pattern calls for an N hook, and the designer used a 10mm N, but you use a 9mm N, your gauge may be off enough to really make a difference in the finished product. And you'll wonder why - you did use the hook that was called for. If the pattern doesn't list the mm size for the hook, it's really not your fault. If the mm size was listed along with the hook letter and the number, then you should make it a point to pick a hook based on the mm size. Crochet patterns should list mm sizes. Letters and numbers are fine for the hooks, but the mm size is the most important thing! If you remember that one little thing, you'll be way ahead!
One more thing to remember - some older hooks may have different mm sizes than newer ones from the same company. So, remember, the best thing to look for in a hook is the mm size.
Here are the commercially available size of hooks:
B-1, 2 mm or 2.5 mm
C-2, 2.75mm
D-3, 3.25mm
E-4, 3.5mm
F-5, 3.75mm
G-6, 4mm
G-7, 4.5mm
H-8, 5mm
I-9, 5.5mm
J-10, 6mm
K-10.5, 6.5mm
L-11, 8mm
M-13, 9mm
N-15, 10mm
P-16, 11.5mm
These are the commercially made hooks. There are other sizes, made by independent hook companies.
I hope this helps those who are confused by the variety of hook sizes and designations.
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63 comments:
Missing from your list: 7 mm. This is a standard measurement and is produced by commercial hook makers.
It's only the US (and some producers who aim only at this biggest of all markets), who ignore this vital size which bridges the gap between 6.5 and 8 mm hooks. Frustrating....
JacqBrisbane (Ravelry)
Our craft is crying out for a better gadget to measure our hooks with. The callipers I have found are awkward and not very accurate (could only fin one at local garden centre (in Qld). The knitting needles gauge ruler doesn't work. Would Someone please create a hinged gauge ruler!
JacqBrisbane (Ravelry)
Thanks for pointing this out!
Marty
So, what would an N hook be used for?
An N hook, whether it's a 10mm or a 9mm hook, can be used to make whatever you want. If you want lacy fabric, and are using worsted weight yarn, you can use an N. If you want tight fabric, and are using bulky weight yarn, you can use an N. You should make a gauge swatch first, with the hook and the yarn that you want to use, and see how the swatch feels. Make sure your swatch is at least 6"x6", or even bigger, to get a good feel for the fabric you are making. If you want a lacier fabric, use a bigger hook. If you want a tighter fabric, use a smaller hook.
I'm crocheting a chuck style hat that calls for 9mm M hook, I don't have that one! Can I use N 9mm?
As long as your hook is 9mm, it doesn't matter what the letter designation is. The important sizing info is the mm size. So yes, you can use an N 9mm hook.
Thank you so much for your help:)
Another question...Ive been crocheting hats for children & adults. I've copied a few charts on sizing hats/beanies but they always seems to turn out smaller than I intended, what can I do different? I have two hats I need to crochet the first one she measured her child's head at 30" around & the second 15" around. How can I make sure they'll fit properly? Thank you in advance for your help.
I wrote an article for the Interweave Crochet Accessories Issue, 2010, about just this - how to make a circle into a hat. And it has just been republished, in a new ebook - A Step by Step Guide to Crocheted Hats. You can find it here: http://www.crochetme.com/blogs/crochet_daily/archive/2012/10/29/learn-the-secret-of-crochet-hats.aspx
The article (Circle into Hats) should answer all your questions, and there are 5 hat patterns included in the ebook. Or, with the article, you can design your own.
Hope this helps!
Thank you've been a great help! Fixing to go check it out now:) Thank you again
I have a pattern that calls for a h hook. All I have is g. What must I do to make the pattern turn out right while using the g hook? thanks.
The first thing you should do, to find out what would happen if you use a G-6/4mm hook instead of an H-8/5mm hook is to make a swatch. If your pattern says that the stitches (and rows) should measure 4"x4", make your swatch at least 6"x6", and measure the stitches and rows in the middle. If you have more stitches than you should have, you can try to crochet looser. If you have fewer stitches than you should have, you can try to crochet tighter. Make another swatch, and measure again. If you have the right amount of stitches, then you're fine.
One other solution is to check your yarn. You might want to work with a thicker yarn to get the same number of stitches. But - depending on what your pattern is, this might not work for the pattern. The "drape" and "feel" of the material might be different. Another solution, if this is a pattern that has sizes, you could try to make a larger size. Your gauge will probably be smaller, though, so the larger size will really be a smaller size. Again, the fabric might be different than the fabric in the pattern.
The best thing to do is to swatch with different hook sizes, until you get the right measurements. That way you'll know that the fabric you're creating is the same fabric as that in the pattern.
The patterns says to chain some many stitches and tie off. Then make another chain so many stitches. I am not sure how to make sure I have chained enough.
Thanks for your help.
As you are making your chains, just count each one. If the pattern says "ch 8", then, don't count the chain on the hook, but count each one after that, as you make it. When you get to 8, that's enough. Then cut your yarn, and tie (end) off.
Thank you so much! I got so confused by the different letters. Now I know just follow the mm size !
Hi! I just purchased 2 hooks, N & P and I just noticed they are both 10mm. Does this mean they are basically the same? Which hook should I return?
Yes - if they are both 10mm they are the same. Look at the hooks - one is probably an in-line hook (the neck, right before the hook part, is straight) and one may be a tapered hook (the neck tapers from the shaft of the hook to the top). If you are going to return one, decide which shape hook you are most comfortable with. And then return the other one. Or keep them both. One can never have too many hooks! :-)
I bought a M and N hook today and they both say 9.00 mm how can they be the same??
Different manufacturers use different letters on their hooks to designate the same mm size. In the US, there are 3 ways to "name" a hook size - the Number (i.e. 15 or 13, or 6, or 10.5 or whatever) the Letter (i.e. N or M or H or whatever) and the mm - (9 mm, 10 mm, etc.). The most important designation is the mm size, because the other 2 designations are arbitrary - so one manufacturer's M hook may be the same mm as another manufacturer's N hook. That's why you can find an M and an N hook that are both 9mm. They're both the same size, no matter what the letter of the hook is or the number of the hook. It does get confusing, but just look at the mm size to make sure you're using the hook size called for!
Hope this helps!
i have a set of mm crochet hooks with the numbers 0 to 1.9 what is the us size pls
Are these hooks steel or aluminum? And are they tapered or in-line hooks? Do they have a brand name on them? And how many hooks are there? And what mm number is on each hook? Are there any letters? Or whole numbers (not mm)?
Let me know and I'll try to find out what the US sizes could be.
The 4mm is not a G6 - the 4.25 is. I can't find a 4mm hook here. They totally skip from a 3.75mm to a 4.25mm. :/
Unfortunately, different crochet hook brands use different mm for their hooks - even if the letters are the same. And, often, one brand will change their mm size for a certain hook when they change their manufacturing process or they change the hook material. So sometimes you'll find an older hook - say a G hook - with a different mm size than the new G hook in the same brand. It does get confusing. But that's why I suggest going for the mm size, and forgetting the letter or number on the hook.
I have a pattern that calls for me to use a 12mm hook can you tell me what letter is this hook?
12 mm could be an O or a P hook, maybe even a Q hook, but what letter it is doesn't matter. And, in fact, some brands might not have a 12 mm hook. Since the hook sizes in mm, between brands, are not standardized, (some may have the larger mm sizes, and some may not), and the letter that designates the size is not standardized either, I really can't tell what letter designates the 12mm hook size. If you need a 12mm hook, search for that, not for the letter. Some smaller hook manufacturers, or hook crafters, might have that size. Remember, what is important about a hook is the mm, not the letter or the number designation.
pattern calls for a N 9mm I have a N 9.00mm is that the same as the N 9mm? also my crocheting is too tight what is the next largest mm
9.00m is the same as 9mm. They both are ways of writing 9 millimeters. The next largest hook size is a 10 mm hook, also called an N by many hook companies.
Is the N9.00MM the same as the N13(9)?
Always look at the millimeter size. If that's the same, then the hooks are the same size. The letter and number on a hook sre not standard, they could be anything. It's the mm that's important!
Marty, I am working on a patter that calls for a N 13(9.00) hook. it also said that it takes 2 ball of yarn, now I am on the last round of crochet and I have a full skein that I have not used. Should I be using a larger hook it seems that my crocheting is tight
Is there a gauge that you can check - to see if you are crocheting to gauge? Is gauge important to the pattern? If you are crocheting tighter than the gauge calls for, and if gauge is important to the pattern, then Yes, I would try a larger hook. Try the 10.00 mm N hook, and see what that does for you.
Thank you marty and I will try 10 hook. There is a gauge 8 dc+ 5 rnds+about 5 in. but I did not do the gauge not sure how to.
You usually make a swatch of the stitch pattern, making the swatch larger than the gauge measurements, by at least 1inch in each direction. Then, measure in the center of the swatch for your gauge (counting the stitches and rows over the measurement of your gauge).
Also, are you using the same yarn that the pattern calls for? Same brand? Or, same weight, same fibers? Remember though, yarn of the same weight, with different fibers, or even with the same fibers, may not have the same gauge. That's why it's important to check gauge.
So what is the letter for a 7mm hook ??
If you'll notice the list of hook sizes above, there is no letter for a 7mm hook. It's between a K-10.5/6.5mm hook and an L-11/8mm hook, which are "common" hook sizes. So while there is no letter for the 7mm hook, that isn't the important part of the hook's "name". The mm is the important part. You'll also notice that right between the G-6/4mm hook and the H-8/5mm hook there is a 7/4.5mm hook, that doesn't have a letter designation either. Again, the mm is the important part.
Many times, the lack of the number or letter designation just means that the hook is not a part of many of the commercially available hook sizes. It may be offered by smaller hook manufacturers, and individual hook makers though, so it is listed.
Also, it may be that the listing was created before those hook sizes were available, and while they have a mm size, you can't exactly call them a "G1/2" hook, or a "K1/2"hook.
Hi, please can you assist me. I am wanting to crochet a long 'bolero' shrug sweater, got the pattern from Lion Brand on the Internet.
The pattern calls for Chunky wool and a 9mm hook which I have purchased.
I have begun with the pattern, done a few rows and the result is very thick and not like the photo which says that its supposed to be loose and stretchy.
Obviously I've got the wool wrong but would like to carry on using it. What size hook should I try ?
Thanks very much
Andrea
(South Africa)
First, do a gauge swatch with your hook. Then, if your gauge is tighter than it should be, go to a bigger hook. Try a 10mm hook, or even larger, until you find one that gives you the drape you like.
You may have to adjust your pattern - fewer rows perhaps, so the shrug doesn't get too big.
Also yor yarn may be thicker, chunkier than the Lion Brand yarn. So check that, too.
My crochet project calls for a 7mm hook. I cannot find a 7mm hook, so what size should I use? A 6.5mm or the 8mm crochet hook. Pease help!
The best thing to do is to make a gauge swatch with each hook to see which one will get you closer to the gauge of your project. Remember to make you swatch larger than the gauge measurement so that you can do your measurement in the middle of the swatch. In other words, if it says that so many stitches = 4", and so many rows = 4", make your swatch at least 6" x6", and measure the middle rows and stitches.
This has been one of the most useful sites I have seen, and has answered questions for many projects I have done. Thank you so much!
I have a hook that says boyce 00 which size is that? It's very small.
Do you mean a Boye hook? - if so, the 00 hook is probably a steel hook, and used for thread crochet.
I have started a project and had been using a size N-15 10mm hook which I left at home and am away. Can I continue with a hook that says N-15 9mm or will it make too much of a difference?
The 9 mm will most likely make a difference in the gauge. If you're desperate, though, you could try it. And if the gauge is different, just rip out the new part that you did. No harm done!
Thank you Marty! I actually found a back up in my stash of hooks I brought! I had 3 projects with me and of course I needed to work on this one...just because I couldn't!! I also didn't bring another skein of yarn and ran out, which made me want to do this more!! So off to buy a skein I went! Suffice to say I worked on all three projects on my weekend away and felt accomplished! And I now know to go by mm and not so much by letter!! Thanks again!
You're welcome! Glad I could help.
Help, I am making a rimmed cap--the hat itself is done with a 9mm but for the rim it calls for a 6.5mm. I only have a 6mm or a 7 mm, will either of these do?
If you are making the gauge with your 9mm hook, you can make gauge swatches with the 6mm and the 7mm hooks, and then use the one that comes closest to the gauge you should get with the 6.5mm hook. Or, after you crochet the hat itself, try one of the hooks to see how it looks, and then try the other hook, and pick the look you like the best.
I have a pattern that calls for a super bulky yarn, but I have homespun. Can I crochet with tI stands of the homespun to achieve the same effect?
I would definitely make a swatch or two to check gauge and the drape of the material with two strands of Homespun and what crochet hooks you think you would use. You'll see if it will have the same effect.
It would be a size 3.5 in that brand. 😀
I'm not sure which comment you're commenting on!
Hi! So based on the information you've provided in the post...if a pattern says a size 4, 00mm hook, then I should look at the mm gauage/size instead of the number size? If I look at the conversion, then a size 4 hook is letter E, 3.5mm. That would be way too big, right? My interpretation is that I should look at the mm size od the hook over the Letter or Number size provided? Thanks!
Yes, you are correct. Look at the mm size, not the letter or number on the hook. Different companies can make hooks of the same mm size, but call them whatever number and/or letter they want. So one company's N hook might not be the same as another company's N hook. So, again, look at mm size!
So I have 2 j hooks made by boye and they are different sizes one is a 6.00mm and the other is 5.75mm. I got both of them from walmart. Any possible way you would know why??
The important part of the hook size designation is the mm, not the Letter. The reason why the Boye might have changed the mm size for the letter J could be a few things. They could have been made at different times (companies change things like that - the size, the shape of the hook itself, etc.) The hooks could have been made in a different factory. Boye could have decided to be more consistent with other hook manufacturers and their size hooks. Lots of different reasons. Because hook size (letter and mm) is not standardized, different companies can give whatever Letter they want to give to 2 hooks of the same mm. So a company can change the letter designation if they want.
In the past, Boye has called their 9 mm hook an N hook. But I think I noticed somewhere, that now their N hook is 10mm - like most of the other hook companies. It does get confusing, especially if you don't always look at the mm size, just the letter.
Hope this helps.
I have a hook sized D/3-3.125 and another sized D/3-3.25 what is the difference?brand looks like it reads Boyce can anyone help?
The brand is probably a Boye hook. Sometimes, manufacturers of hooks change the measurements of their hooks. Maybe they realize that one mm size is more preferable than another. Or maybe other hook manufacturers use one mm size for that letter, and they want to have the same sizes that the others have. Also, sizes can vary - from older hooks to newer manufactured ones. So. probably, one of your hooks is a little older than the other one. I would guess that the 3.25 is newer. And remember, it's the mm size that's important.
Marty Miller,
You are an extremely patient teacher!
i am doing a mermaid throw that calls for a 5.00mm and a 5.50mm but the beginning of the pattern is supposed to be 42" wide and with a 5.50mm it is impossible. in fact i even tried a 7.00mm and that only got me to 34" and now i am trying an 8.00mm i cannot believe how can a pattern be so far off from crochet hook size?
Some questions for you to consider - are you using the same yarn, or at least the equivalent weight of yarn that the pattern uses? Did you make a gauge swatch? Are you sure you're following the directions exactly? If you said "yes" to all three questions, then you should make a gauge swatch using a larger hook - and see if it meets the gauge, and if you like the fabric it creates. If you like it, and it meets the gauge, then perhaps there is a mistake in the pattern, or you are just a very tight crocheter. If it's a professionally published pattern, look on the web site of that company, to see if there is a section for corrections. If it's an indy pattern you got on-line, go to that site and tell them about the gauge, and look for corrections.
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