Stitches

Confusion about crochet hook sizes?

I bought some yarn and a crocket hook today. I tried to get the best size for the yarn, but I'm not sure I did. One place on the label has a little picture of a crochet hook and "5mm" by it. Another place on the label has the same picture, but "6mm" by it. Both are very clear, so it's not like one has a mark on it that may be changing the way the number looks. I bought a 5.5 mm hook. Got everything home and looked at a book I have with some info on crocheting. The book has a crochet hook size chart. for 5.5mm, it says "US size I" (meaning the letter between H and J, not the numeral before 2). The crochet hook package says it's 5.5 mm but "US zie 19." I'm not doing a project, just trying to see if I can do the stitches. So there's no instructions about this size or yarn or hook to straighten this out. Can any crocheters out there explain the discrepancies? What size hook should I be using? OK, let me be clear: I am NOT using a pattern. I am American. WHY are there two different metric sizes on the same yarn label? WHY does the conversion on the hook package not match the one in the crocheting book, and which is correct?

Public Comments

1. There is a lot of confusion over the sizes of hooks. The British have their own system, and the Americans (of course) have to have their own, and then there is metric. Most of the world is metric, so you would do well to stick with that. But of course, you need to have a conversion chart to get familiar with what the sizes mean, should you come across an old pattern. All the new ones are written with metric sizes in them. Check here: http://www.nezumiworld.com/crochet_007.htm After awhile, you will get to know what to use just by looking at the yarn. And it all depends on what YOU like, and the way YOU work, so you can't really go by the patterns anyway.
2. You can actually use different size hooks depending on the look you want. If I want a really warm afghan I'll use a smaller hook. If I want more of an open lacy look I'll use a bigger one. Since you are not following a pattern why not try different hooks as well as stiches to find out just how they will look. Crochet is very forgiving as long as you aren't making a garment. Have fun experimenting. The hooks on the packages are just suggestions.
3. Crochet hook sizes are generally chosen to match the thread/yarn thickness. Thicker yarn needs thicker hooks. To test just fold thread or yarn in half and place in hook. If it fits with in hook it with work. Hook size on the yarn packages are usually just a recommendation. Also manufacturers of crochet hooks, sizes with differ slightly when compared. Good Luck
4. The yarn label may have one metric size for crochet hooks and one for knitting needles, and may also indicate the range of hook sizes that the yarn will correspond to, since no two people crochet or knit at the same tension or gauge. Also, some size hooks may be considered one mm size in one country or one manufacturer and the other by another country or manufacturer, there is no standardization. The German/Austrian comment on the needle package translates to the mm size in their terminology. You should be able to use the yarn with the hook you have for practice, since that's what you indicate you want to do, but be aware that when you do get into using a pattern you need a range of hooks to fit a range of yarn diameters so that your item comes out the size you expect it to be. Just practice and learn how to make the stitches then you'll be ready to tackle a patterned project.
5. What brand of yarn is it? I'm in the USA, the Red Heart yarn labels I have here, show the yarn size as medium 4 ply, and on the other side it says worsted-medium. This means it's worsted weight yarn, one of the most common and inexpensive yarns available. Now looking back at the pictures it has on with knitting needles forming an X. it says 5 mm and 8 US, those are knitting needle suggested sizes for working with this yarn. The next picture is of a crochet hook and it says 5.5 mm and I-9 (the US size is called i or 9 not 19). That's where some of the confusion came in. I would suggest you recheck the label to see if one is knitting needles (forming an x ) and the other is a crochet hook. I and many other USA crocheters I talk to on yahoo groups, call them by their letter size ie...G, H, I, J, K etc. I only resort to figuring out the mm size when a pattern calls it by the mm size and I have to figure out which hook they mean. Usually for beginners, (newer than me) I suggest worsted weight yarn and an H or I sized hook, so your hook size is a good one for learning, and it can be used with yarns that are a bit thinner or thicker weight. If you need any more help feel free to contact me or join this group. They are the nicest most helpful crochet group on yahoo! http://groups.yahoo.com/group/crochet-heaven/?yguid=337874047
6. i'm really sorry i couldn't be of help, but on my site on the links page ther eis a lady who has a youtube channel who could! here is my site please become a member :) icrochet dot webs dot com