Find a starting hook size
Select your yarn weight to see the Craft Yarn Council's general guidance. These ranges are starting points, not strict rules — your pattern and gauge come first.
#4 Medium / Worsted
Typical crochet hook range: 5.5–6.5 mm.
Use the yarn label and the pattern for project-specific guidance.Yarn weight → hook size cheat sheet
| Weight | Common name | Typical hook (mm) |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | Lace | Varies; thread uses specialized steel hooks |
| 1 | Super Fine / Fingering | 2.25–3.5 |
| 2 | Fine / Sport | 3.5–4.5 |
| 3 | Light / DK | 4.5–5.5 |
| 4 | Medium / Worsted | 5.5–6.5 |
| 5 | Bulky | 6.5–9 |
| 6 | Super Bulky | 9–15 |
| 7 | Jumbo | 15+ |
These ranges are the Craft Yarn Council's general recommendations. Real-world patterns may specify different sizes. Size #0 lace and steel thread hooks require special attention to the yarn and pattern instructions.
What about amigurumi?
Stuffed crochet toys usually need a denser fabric than open, drapey projects. Designers often specify a hook smaller than the yarn-label recommendation so stuffing does not show through. Don't automatically apply the general chart to a stuffed toy: start with the specific hook listed in its pattern.
Eddicreation example: Some of our small amigurumi patterns call for a 2.0–2.5 mm hook, even though general yarn-weight charts may suggest something larger. The pattern requirements are the best starting point.
The mini gauge test
- Make a small sample with the hook and yarn you'll use.
- Measure the number of stitches and rows across the area specified in your pattern (often 10 cm / 4 in).
- If your sample has fewer stitches than the gauge target over the same width, your stitches are too large: try a smaller hook.
- If you have more stitches, try a larger hook.
- Repeat until your fabric and gauge work for the project.
How to decode the yarn label
- Weight number: 0 through 7, describing yarn thickness.
- Hook symbol or suggested mm: a general place to begin.
- Fiber content: cotton, acrylic, wool, and blends can behave differently.
- Gauge: an estimate tied to a hook size — your tension may differ.