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)

lace super fine fine light medium bulky super bulky
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)

Australia
Yarn Weights
USA
Yarn Weights
UK
Yarn Weights
Tension Range
Cobweb 33-40 sts
2 Ply Lace Baby 27-34 sts
3 Ply Sock Baby 27-34 sts
4 Ply Fingering Baby 27-34 sts
5 Ply Sport Lightweight 23-26 sts
8 Ply Worsted Double Knit 20-24 sts
10 Ply Worsted Aran 16-22 sts
12 Ply Worsted Triple Knit 16-22 sts
14 Ply Sport 16-20 sts
16 Ply Super Chunky Bulky 12-15 sts
20 Ply Bulky Chunky 6-11 sts

— 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