Crochet Hook Sizes Chart and Comparison

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To achieve true mastery in crochet art, you simply must learn about the tools you’re using. Something as simple as crochet hook size chart can be a great reference when looking for the right tool for your next project. In this article you’ll learn all about crochet hooks in general, as well as about their types and sizes. We will also compare the most popular sizes and recommend types of projects you can use them for.

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The Importance Of Using The Correct Crochet Hook Size

Let’s start with what might be obvious for some, but is definitely worth mentioning – why should I bother about hook sizes at all?

Well, the answer is simple – because hook size is one of the most significant factors impacting your crochet work. If your hook size is off, the project won’t look the way it should, or the crochet fabric won’t behave the way you want it to. Of course, hook sizes go hand in hand with yarn weights and should be chosen with particular yarn in mind.

What will happen if I choose the wrong hook size?

Frankly, your gauge will be off, which means that your swatch will be too tight or too loose in relation to what the pattern recommends. Even if you’re not following a particular pattern, you should follow yarn manufacturers’ recommendation for the hooks size (or range) that you should use with this type of material.

Using too small crochet hook will result in a very tight and dense crochet fabric, and a high chance that the stitches will be distorted. It may also be very hard to crochet, because the hook will be too small to comfortably “catch and hold” the yarn. Your crochet garment will be smaller than intended.

Choosing crochet hook that is too big for your yarn will produce very lacy fabric, in which the stitches are not dense enough and will most likely loose their shape. Even the simplest stitches will have holes in them and will stretch too much, so keep it in mind. You may also end up with the garment bigger than intended.

Anatomy of a Crochet Hook

• Point – this is the part you insert into the stitches.
• Throat – narrowing part that keeps the yarn when you guide it through the stitches.
• Shaft – this element determines the hook size and the size of the yarn loops.
• Grip – the middle part of the hook where your thumb rests; often a place where the size is indicated.
• Handle – bottom part of the hook, which you hold in your hand while crocheting.

Types of Crochet Hooks – Materials & Types

We can divide crochet hooks into categories, depending on their type or material they are made with. Each one has its pros and cons, as well as works great for different types of projects.

Wooden Crochet Hooks

This type of hook is definitely one of the best looking and environmentally friendly, but it comes with its disadvantages, too. Untreated wooden hooks (without a layer of lacquer, for example), may have splinters that the yarn will snap to. This material doesn’t really allow for very small hook sizes to be manufactured, as it’s quite soft and delicate.

Aluminum Crochet Hooks

This type of hooks is very affordable and quite long lasting, which makes them a perfect choice for beginners. Standard sizing applies.

Plastic Crochet Hooks

Hooks made of plastic may not last very long, but they are lightweight and cheap. Good choice for beginners, especially if you like your tools to have fun colors.

Steel Crochet Hooks

These hooks have their own sizing standard, because they are widely used for working with thread and lacy projects. Steel is very durable and strong, so it’s a perfect material to make very small crochet hooks. If you want to try miniature crochet, or create a very intricate lacy doily, you’ll most probably need a steel hook to do that.

Ergonomic Crochet Hooks

This type of hooks is usually made with mixed materials, because the handle is specially sculpted to fit the hand. Such hooks might help with wrist pains and allow for very comfortable crocheting.

Crochet Hook Sizes

There are four sizing systems you may stumble upon, but not all of the sizes have their substitutes.

• US crochet hooks
• Metric (European) crochet hooks
• UK crochet hooks
• Steel crochet hooks

Standard Crochet Hook Size Chart

Below you can see the chart outlining the sizes across standard crochet hooks. As you may suspect, the smaller the size of the hook, the smaller the weight of the yarn that goes with it.

EU Metric Size	US Size	UK Size
2 mm		14
2.25 mm	B/1	13
2.5 mm
2.75 mm	C/2	12
3 mm		11
3.25 mm	D/3	10
3.5 mm	E/4	9
3.75 mm	F/5
4 mm	G/6	8
4.5 mm	7	7
5 mm	H/8	6
5.5 mm	I/9	5
6 mm	J/10	4
6.5 mm	K/10.5	3
7 mm		2
8 mm	L/11	0
9 mm	M/13	00
10 mm	N/15	000
12 mm	P
15 mm
16 mm	Q
20 mm	S (19 mm)

 

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Steel Crochet Hook Size Chart

As I mentioned before, we use steel crochet hooks for intricate lacework, so there’s a different system to rate their size.

EU Metric Size	US Size
3.50 mm	00
3.25 mm	0
2.75 mm	1
2.70 mm	00
2.55 mm	0
2.35 mm	1
2.25 mm	2
2.20 mm	2
2.10 mm	3
2 mm	4
1.90 mm	5
1.80 mm	6
1.75 mm	4/0
1.70 mm	5
1.65 mm	7

EU Metric Size	US Size
1.60 mm	6
1.50 mm	8/7/2
1.40 mm	9/8
1.30 mm	10
1.25 mm	9/4
1.15 mm	10
1.10 mm	11
1.05 mm	11
1 mm	12/6
0.95 mm	13
0.90 mm	14/8
0.85 mm	13
0.75 mm	14/10
0.60 mm	12

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How to Choose The Right Size of Crochet Hook

There are a few ways to determine what size of hook you need for your project, so let’s see what you can do.

• Follow a crochet pattern and choose exactly the size of hook and type of yarn the designer recommended.
• Check yarn label to see what size of hook manufacturer recommends.
• Make a couple of gauge swatches using different hook sizes to determine which one looks and works the best for your project.

Remember that there may be differences between two hooks of the same size, because the material and type of manufacture may affect it. It happens especially with very small differences, such as fractions of the milimeters, but it doesn’t really affect the work.

What Yarns Work With These Crochet Hooks?

We can create ranges to guide you which crochet hooks fit which yarn weights,  but in the end the results may differ. Please use the information below as a guidance only and always check your gauge when creating a new crochet project.

• Lace Weight Yarn – 1.4 – 2.2 mm
• Super Fine Yarn – 2.25 – 3.5 mm
• Fine Yarn – 3.5 – 4.5 mm
• Light Yarn – 4.5 – 5.5 mm
• Medium Yarn – 5.5 – 6.5 mm
• Bulky Yarn – 6.5 – 9 mm
• Super Bulky Yarn – 9 – 15 mm

Conclusion

 

Choosing the best crochet hook size may be tricky, but experience will help you. Once you try working with a range of them, you’ll know which size goes with what weight of yarn. You will also know what type of hook works the best for you, because they differ in materials, weight and the level of comfort in crocheting they provide. Remember that you can always find hook size recommendations on the yarn label, or in the crochet pattern you are following. Check which sizing standard was used for your tools, and remember to use our tables to translate any foreign markings. Happy crocheting, everyone!

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