OMG! Knit and Crochet Terms

Here are some basic knitting and crochet terms for the beginner. Things like needle and hook sizes, pattern abbreviations, and types of yarns all in one place. A more detailed guide to reading patterns for knitting and crochet to come! These days a simple google of each term will bring up very informative how-tos or even video tutorials. So until I get my own handy version up, take a look at the below then do some googling!

NEEDLES & HOOKS

• Knitting Needle Sizes (US)
  2.25mm ……….. 1
  2.75mm ……….. 2
  3.25mm ……….. 3
  3.50mm ……….. 4
  3.75mm ……….. 5
  4.00mm ……….. 6
  4.50mm ……….. 7
  5.00mm ……….. 8
  5.50mm ……….. 9
  6.00mm ……….. 10
  6.50mm ……….. 10.5
  8.00mm ……….. 11
  9.00mm ……….. 13
  10.00mm ……… 15
  12.75mm ……… 17
  15.00mm ……… 19
  19.00mm ……… 35
  25.00mm ……… 50
• Crochet Hook Sizes (US)
  2.25mm ……….. B
  2.75mm ……….. C
  3.25mm ……….. D
  3.50mm ……….. E
  3.75mm ……….. F
  4.00mm ……….. 6
  4.25mm ……….. G
  4.50mm ……….. 7
  5.00mm ……….. H
  5.50mm ……….. I
  6.00mm ……….. J
  6.50mm ……….. K
  8.00mm ……….. L
  9.00mm ……….. M/N
  10.00mm ……… N/P
  15.00mm ……… P/Q
  16.00mm ……… Q
  19.00mm ……… S
• Steel Hook Sizes (US)
  3.5mm ……….. 00
  3.25mm ……….. 0
  2.75mm ……….. 1
  2.50mm ……….. 2
  2.10mm ……….. 3
  2.00mm ……….. 4
  1.90mm ……….. 5
  1.80mm ……….. 6
  1.65mm ……….. 7
  1.50mm ……….. 8
  1.40mm ……….. 9
  1.30mm ……….. 10
  1.10mm ……….. 11
  1.00mm ……….. 12
  0.85mm ……….. 13
  0.75mm ……….. 14

PATTERN ABBREVIATIONS

• Knittingco = cast on
  st = stitch

  k = knit
  p = purl
  k2tog = knit 2 together
  p2tog = purl 2 together

  inc = increase
  dec = decrease
  ssk = slip slip knit

  sl = slip
  sk = skip
  sp = space
  rep = repeat
  yo = yarn over
  tog = together
  tbl = through back of loop (st)
  beg = beginning

  wyif = with yarn in front
  wyib = with yarn in back

  RS = right side
  WS = wrong side
  KW = knit wise (or as if to knit)
  PW = purl wise (or as if to purl)
  BO = bind off
  MC = main color

• Crochetch = chain
  st = stitch
  sl st = slip stitch
  tch = turning chain

  sc = single crochet
  dc = double crochet
  tr = treble crochet
  sc2tog = single crochet 2 together
  dc2tog = double crochet 2 together

  hdc = half double crochet
  dtr = double treble crochet
  tr tr = triple treble

  inc = increase
  dec = decrease
  yo = yarn over
  tog = together
  blo = back loop only
  flo = front loop only

  sk = skip
  sp = space
  rep = repeat
  rnd = round
  lp(s) = loop(s)
  beg = beginning

  RS = right side facing you
  WS = wrong side facing you
  MC = main color

YARN WEIGHT SYSTEM (US)

Type of Yarns in Category	Fingering 10-count crochet thread	Sock, Fingering, Baby	Sport, Baby	DK, Light Worsted	Worsted, Afghan, Aran	Chunky, Craft, Rug	Bulky, Roving
Knit Gauge in Stockinette Stitch to 4in.	33–40** sts	27–32 sts	23–26 sts	21–24 st	16–20 sts	12–15 sts	6–11 sts
Recommended Needle in Metric Size Range	1.5–2.25 mm	2.25— 3.25 mm	3.25— 3.75 mm	3.75— 4.5 mm	4.5— 5.5 mm	5.5— 8 mm	8 mm and larger
Recommended Needle U.S. Size Range	000–1	1 to 3	3 to 5	5 to 7	7 to 9	9 to 11	11 and larger
Crochet Gauge in Single Crochet to 4in.	32–42 double crochets**	21–32 sts	16–20 sts	12–17 sts	11–14 sts	8–11 sts	5–9 sts
Recommended Hook in Metric Size Range	Steel*** 1.6–1.4 mm	2.25— 3.5 mm	3.5— 4.5 mm	4.5— 5.5 mm	5.5— 6.5 mm	6.5— 9 mm	9mm and larger
Recommended Hook U.S. Size Range	Steel*** 6, 7, 8 Regular hook B–1	B–1 to E–4	E–4 to 7	7 to I–9	I–9 to K–10 1⁄2	K–10 1⁄2 to M–13	M–13 and larger

The above chart is from CYCA. The Craft Yarn Council publishes industry guidelines and standards on how to make and read knitting or crochet patterns, classify yarn weights, and hook and needle sizes. (United States) These are adopted by most, if not all, products in the U.S.

* The above reflect the most commonly used gauges and needle or hook sizes for specific yarn categories.
** Lace weight yarns are usually knitted or crocheted on larger needles and hooks to create lacy, openwork patterns. Accordingly, a gauge range is difficult to determine. Always follow the gauge stated in your pattern.
*** Steel crochet hooks are sized differently from regular hooks—the higher the number, the smaller the hook, which is the reverse of regular hook sizing

YARN WEIGHT SYSTEM (INTERNATIONAL)

— The above Yarn Weights System (International) from Knitter’s Addiction

YARN WEIGHTS DESCRIPTION

Chunky: Heavier than Bulky, Can be roving Knitting = 6–11 stitches per4 inches on an 8 mm or 11 US needle or larger Crochet = 5 -9 stitches per 4 inches on an 9 mm or M13 US needle or larger

Bulky Weight: Less than 8 wraps per 4 inches – 400 to 700 yards per pound Knitting = 12- 15 stitches per 4 inches on an 5.5 – 8 mm or 9 – 11 US needle Crochet = 8-11 stitches per 4 inches on an 6.5— 9 mm or K–10 1⁄2 to M–13 US needle

Aran Weight: 6 to 10 wraps per 4 inches – 700 to 1000 yards per pound Knitting = 16-20 stitches per 4 inches on an 4.5 – 5.5 mm or 7- 9 US needle Crochet = 11 – 14 stitches per 4 inches on an 5.5 – 6.5 mm or I–9 to K–10 1⁄2 US needle

Worsted Weight: 10 to 12 wraps per 4 inches – 900 to 1100 yards per pound; Knitting = 16-20 stitches per 4 inches on an 4.5 – 5.5 mm or 7- 9 US needle Crochet = 12 -17 stitches per 4 inches on an 5.5 – 6.5 mm or I–9 to K–10 1⁄2 US needle

Double Knitting (DK): 12 to 18 wraps per 4 inches – 1000 to 1400 yards per pound; Knitting = 21 -24 stitches per 4 inches on an 3.75 – 4.5 mm or 5 – 7 US needle Crochet = 11 – 14 stitches per 4 inches on an 4.5- 5.5 mm or 7 to I–9 US needle

Sport Weight: 18 to 24 wraps per 4 inches – 1300 to 1800 yards per pound Knitting = 23 -26 stitches per 4 inches on an 3.25 – 3.75 mm or 3 – 5 US needle Crochet = 16 – 20 stitches per 4 inches on an 3.5 – 4.5 mm or E4 – 7 US needle

Fingering: 24 to 30 wraps per inch – 1800 to 2400 yards per pound Knitting = 27 -32 stitches per 4 inches on an 2.25 – 3.25 mm or 1 -3 US needle Crochet = 21 – 32 stitches per 4 inches on an 2.25 – 3.5 mm or B1- E4 US needle

Baby: 30 to 36 wraps per inch – 2400 to 3000 yards per pound; Lace Weight:36 to 40 wraps per inch – 3000 to 6000 yards per pound

Lace Weight: Most often knitted or crocheted on larger needles/ hooks to create the lacy
patterns.

Cobweb: 40 or more wraps per inch – 6000 or more yards per pound

Zephyr: This yarn is finer than Cobweb

WPI (Wraps per Inch): Take a ruler and wrap your yarn around for 2”. Divide that number by 2. This will give you a wraps per inch number. DO NOT wrap too tightly – or overlap the yarn.

–The above list is from Spinderella’s Fiber Mill