This week I continued to learn about how different yarn weights and hook sizes influence the size of the final product.
I started on a new project which required a crocheted basket. I have this jute twine that I thought would look great. Well it did look great. But not only is it thicker it is also stiff, so my basket was way too big. My big frog could fit in this basket LOL. I used the hook recommended in the pattern which is a 5mm hook.
I decided to use medium weight yarn, also referred to as worsted, with the same sized hook. Well, the basket was smaller, but still not as small as I wanted it. My next step was to use the medium weight yarn with a smaller hook (3mm). I ended up with a smaller basket that is a much more appropriate size.
So that brings me to the topic of hook sizes. There is metric, USA and English hook sizes. I wanted to check if the Dollarama hooks were correctly labelled (shown below) as well as find a solid conversion chart that I could rely on moving forward. Here I have inserted 3 sources for hook sizes and conversions. A hook sizes chart from Dabblesandbabbles, the Craft Yarn Council (CYC), and my hook package from Dollarama.
Hooks from Dollarama
I noticed that the 5 mm hook was called an 8 on the Dollarama package and the CYC, while it is a 6 on the Dabble and Babble chart. Some conversions kind of matched but not really, I’m guessing the standards aren’t regulated. I’ve settled on the realization that I will just continue to learn by trial and error. I’ve added a video below that demonstrates how changing the yarn weight or the hook size influences the size of the project.
Hello,
This is such a fun and informative reflection on your crochet journey. I love how you experimented with different yarn weights and hook sizes to achieve the right size—it’s a great hands-on way to learn. Including multiple sources for hook size conversions is a smart approach. Great job of representing your process and learning in such a great way, my grandmother used to make sweaters for me with yarn, just like how you experimented with your basket. It always felt so special to wear something made with so much love and care. Crocheting and knitting are truly difficult skills, and I have so much admiration for those who create beautiful pieces by hand. Well done!
Thanks for your comments! My grandma also knitted and crocheted. We would get slippers and toques, but my favs were the little dolls she made for different occasions. I still have a couple of Christmas ones.
I am happy I now have these skills and I look forward to building on them!
It’s so interesting how something as small as a hook size can make such a big difference in a project! Your trial-and-error approach is such a great way to learn—sometimes, hands-on experimenting is the best way to truly understand how yarn weight and hook size interact.
It’s also fascinating (and a little frustrating!) that there isn’t a universally standardized hook size system. Your experience with the different charts just proves that relying on a single source might not always be enough. At least now you have a solid understanding of what works best for your projects!
I love that you’re sharing these insights—especially with a video to show the impact of these changes. Looking forward to seeing how your future projects turn out! 🧶
Karissa 🙂
Thanks for you comment Karissa. It has been a fun learning process. I had to go through it systematically as that is how my brain stores information. lol.