Different crochet hook sizes create different-sized stitches. Some hooks make your stitches big and open, while others make them small and tight. It’s like having a magic wand to control your fabric! I’m going to add one last comment about hook size here. That is that for crochet garments, I almost always go up a hook size or several sizes to that recommended on the ball band of the yarn I am using.

9+ Crochet Patterns for 9 mm Crochet Hook | US: M/N - 13 9+ Crochet Patterns for 9 mm Crochet Hook | US: M/N - 13

This creates a more drape in the fabric and less bulk. Conversely, for toys or homewares where I may want a more opaque or dense stitch, I am more likely to go down a size or two. Avoid Rust: If you’re using metal hooks, be extra careful about moisture. Rust can be a hook’s worst enemy. Store them in a dry place, and if they do get wet, make sure to dry them thoroughly. Ultimately, experience will help you determine what size hook works best for you and the pattern you’re working, but in the meantime make a gauge swatch!We’ve covered a lot of ground, but there’s one last thing you need to know to keep your crochet hooks in tip-top shape. We all crochet with a different tension too which impacts what hook we might want to choose so it’s not possible to make this an exact science. There are at least 3 common ways to denote a hook size – a metric millimetre sizing, a US letter (sometimes a number) or a UK number are the most common. That’s before we look at Japanese sizes, lace weight hooks and aluminium vs steel hooks too. You may wish use hook sizes totally outside those suggested below to create different types of fabric. For example, I used a 6mm hook with a fingering weight yarn in my 1000 stars shawl which has an open stitch and tons of drape.

9mm Crochet Hook - Etsy Canada 9mm Crochet Hook - Etsy Canada

Which of these 9mm crochet hook patterns was your favourite? What will you make first? Let me know in the comments below! Crochet hook sizes are simple measurements that show you the size of the hook itself. These sizes make a big difference in how your crochet project will look and feel.

Gauge It Out: Crochet a small test swatch using the recommended hook size. This lets you see if your stitches match what the pattern wants. If they’re too tight, try a bigger hook; if too loose, go a bit smaller. Here’s a really helpful article I wrote about gauge if you’re not sure how to do this. You might have seen numbers, letters, or even metric values stamped on your hooks, and it can be a bit puzzling. But don’t worry; I’m here to break it down for you: US vs. Metric I’ve put together a table below which is a useful reference to help you translate all the different hook sizes. It includes metric and those used in the US, UK / Canada and Japan. A comparison of metric, US and UK/Canada crochet hook sizes Just as you put thought into choosing the right yarn for your project, choosing the right hook should not be overlooked. The pattern might mention hook sizes in different ways. You could see numbers (like 5.0mm), letters (like H/8), or even both (like G/6 (4.0mm)). Don’t fret; it’s all about making sure you’ve got the right tool for the job.