Crochet tool
Crochet hook size by project
What size hook do I use for the thing I am making?
blanket · Hook to start with
the size the yarn's label names, or larger
Why: A larger hook makes looser stitches and a lighter blanket that drapes more. A smaller hook makes tighter stitches and a denser blanket.
blanket · Yarn weight
lace (0): steel 1.4 to 1.6 mm, or a regular 2.25 mm hook (steel 6, 7, 8, or regular B-1), or go larger
super fine (1): 2.25 to 3.5 mm (B-1 to E-4), or go larger
fine (2): 3.5 to 4.5 mm (E-4 to 7), or go larger
light (3): 4.5 to 5.5 mm (7 to I-9), or go larger
medium (4): 5.5 to 6.5 mm (I-9 to K-10 1/2), or go larger
bulky (5): 6.5 to 9 mm (K-10 1/2 to M-13), or go larger
super bulky (6): 9 to 15 mm (M-13 to Q), or go larger
jumbo (7): 15 mm and larger (Q and larger), or go larger
“Our suggestion” marks advice that is this site’s own, not a figure from a published chart.
Which hook to start with for each project
| Project | Hook to start with | Why |
|---|---|---|
| blanket | the size the yarn's label names, or larger | A larger hook makes looser stitches and a lighter blanket that drapes more. A smaller hook makes tighter stitches and a denser blanket. |
| scarf | the size the yarn's label names | A scarf needs some drape so that it hangs well. If the swatch is stiff, try a larger hook. |
| hat | the size that gives the pattern's gauge | A hat is made to fit a head, and the gauge sets how big it comes out. Swatch first, and go up or down a hook size until the gauge matches. |
| shawl | larger than the yarn's label names | A shawl needs fabric that drapes. A larger hook loosens the stitches and gives more drape. |
| sweater | larger than the yarn's label names | A sweater or a cardigan needs fabric that drapes. A larger hook gives more drape. |
| stuffed toy | smaller than the yarn's label names | Tight stitches keep the stuffing from showing and help the toy hold its shape. |
| basket | smaller than the yarn's label names | Tight stitches make a firm fabric that bends less, so the basket holds its shape. |
- A yarn label names a hook for that yarn. Smaller and larger here mean smaller or larger than that hook.
- These are directions, not sizes. The sources we read do not agree on how far to go, so no figure is printed.
- A pattern that names a hook and a gauge comes first: use the hook that gives its gauge.
The hook range for each yarn weight, and which way to go from it
Scroll the table sideways to see every column.
| Yarn weight | blanket | scarf | hat | shawl | sweater | stuffed toy | basket |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| lace (0) | steel 1.4 to 1.6 mm, or a regular 2.25 mm hook (steel 6, 7, 8, or regular B-1), or go larger | steel 1.4 to 1.6 mm, or a regular 2.25 mm hook (steel 6, 7, 8, or regular B-1) | steel 1.4 to 1.6 mm, or a regular 2.25 mm hook (steel 6, 7, 8, or regular B-1), then match the gauge | steel 1.4 to 1.6 mm, or a regular 2.25 mm hook (steel 6, 7, 8, or regular B-1), then go larger | steel 1.4 to 1.6 mm, or a regular 2.25 mm hook (steel 6, 7, 8, or regular B-1), then go larger | steel 1.4 to 1.6 mm, or a regular 2.25 mm hook (steel 6, 7, 8, or regular B-1), then go smaller | steel 1.4 to 1.6 mm, or a regular 2.25 mm hook (steel 6, 7, 8, or regular B-1), then go smaller |
| super fine (1) | 2.25 to 3.5 mm (B-1 to E-4), or go larger | 2.25 to 3.5 mm (B-1 to E-4) | 2.25 to 3.5 mm (B-1 to E-4), then match the gauge | 2.25 to 3.5 mm (B-1 to E-4), then go larger | 2.25 to 3.5 mm (B-1 to E-4), then go larger | 2.25 to 3.5 mm (B-1 to E-4), then go smaller | 2.25 to 3.5 mm (B-1 to E-4), then go smaller |
| fine (2) | 3.5 to 4.5 mm (E-4 to 7), or go larger | 3.5 to 4.5 mm (E-4 to 7) | 3.5 to 4.5 mm (E-4 to 7), then match the gauge | 3.5 to 4.5 mm (E-4 to 7), then go larger | 3.5 to 4.5 mm (E-4 to 7), then go larger | 3.5 to 4.5 mm (E-4 to 7), then go smaller | 3.5 to 4.5 mm (E-4 to 7), then go smaller |
| light (3) | 4.5 to 5.5 mm (7 to I-9), or go larger | 4.5 to 5.5 mm (7 to I-9) | 4.5 to 5.5 mm (7 to I-9), then match the gauge | 4.5 to 5.5 mm (7 to I-9), then go larger | 4.5 to 5.5 mm (7 to I-9), then go larger | 4.5 to 5.5 mm (7 to I-9), then go smaller | 4.5 to 5.5 mm (7 to I-9), then go smaller |
| medium (4) | 5.5 to 6.5 mm (I-9 to K-10 1/2), or go larger | 5.5 to 6.5 mm (I-9 to K-10 1/2) | 5.5 to 6.5 mm (I-9 to K-10 1/2), then match the gauge | 5.5 to 6.5 mm (I-9 to K-10 1/2), then go larger | 5.5 to 6.5 mm (I-9 to K-10 1/2), then go larger | 5.5 to 6.5 mm (I-9 to K-10 1/2), then go smaller | 5.5 to 6.5 mm (I-9 to K-10 1/2), then go smaller |
| bulky (5) | 6.5 to 9 mm (K-10 1/2 to M-13), or go larger | 6.5 to 9 mm (K-10 1/2 to M-13) | 6.5 to 9 mm (K-10 1/2 to M-13), then match the gauge | 6.5 to 9 mm (K-10 1/2 to M-13), then go larger | 6.5 to 9 mm (K-10 1/2 to M-13), then go larger | 6.5 to 9 mm (K-10 1/2 to M-13), then go smaller | 6.5 to 9 mm (K-10 1/2 to M-13), then go smaller |
| super bulky (6) | 9 to 15 mm (M-13 to Q), or go larger | 9 to 15 mm (M-13 to Q) | 9 to 15 mm (M-13 to Q), then match the gauge | 9 to 15 mm (M-13 to Q), then go larger | 9 to 15 mm (M-13 to Q), then go larger | 9 to 15 mm (M-13 to Q), then go smaller | 9 to 15 mm (M-13 to Q), then go smaller |
| jumbo (7) | 15 mm and larger (Q and larger), or go larger | 15 mm and larger (Q and larger) | 15 mm and larger (Q and larger), then match the gauge | 15 mm and larger (Q and larger), then go larger | 15 mm and larger (Q and larger), then go larger | 15 mm and larger (Q and larger), then go smaller | 15 mm and larger (Q and larger), then go smaller |
- The ranges are the ones on our chart of hook sizes by yarn weight: the most usual hooks for each weight, not rules.
- The number after each yarn weight is the number printed on a yarn label.
- The same range stands in every column. What changes from project to project is which way to go from it: a cell with the range alone means start there.
How it works
- Start from the hook your yarn's label names, or the one your pattern asks for. The size on a label is a suggestion for that yarn, and a chart of hooks by yarn weight is a guide.
- A larger hook makes bigger, looser stitches and a fabric with more drape. A smaller hook makes smaller, tighter stitches and a firmer fabric.
- When a pattern gives a gauge, make a swatch and change hook until the swatch matches it.
Worked examples
- What size crochet hook for a blanket?
- Start from the size on your yarn's label. For medium (4) yarn, the usual range is 5.5 to 6.5 mm (I-9 to K-10 1/2). Go larger for a looser, lighter blanket.
- What size hook for a baby blanket?
- A baby blanket is a blanket, so start the same way: the size on the yarn's label, or larger. For light (3) yarn, the usual range is 4.5 to 5.5 mm (7 to I-9).
- What size crochet hook for a hat?
- The one that gives your pattern's gauge. For bulky (5) yarn, the usual range is 6.5 to 9 mm (K-10 1/2 to M-13): swatch with the hook the pattern names, and change it if the gauge is off.
- What size hook for a stuffed toy in worsted yarn?
- Worsted is a medium (4) yarn, and its usual range is 5.5 to 6.5 mm (I-9 to K-10 1/2). For a toy, go smaller, until the stuffing does not show between the stitches.
Questions
- Why do toys and baskets use a smaller hook?
- Both need a firm fabric. Tight stitches keep a toy's stuffing from showing, and they help a toy or a basket hold its shape.
- Why do shawls and sweaters use a larger hook?
- Both need fabric that drapes. A larger hook makes looser stitches, and looser stitches drape more.
- How much larger or smaller should I go?
- The sources we read give no single figure: they speak of a size or two, or of a few sizes. Swatch with the next size up or down and look at the fabric before you go further.
- Where do the hook ranges come from?
- From our chart of hook sizes by yarn weight, which also gives the usual gauge for each weight. Our suggestion