Stitches

can you knit with crochet thread and what size?

I want to make delicate lace-like scarves but don't crochet. Can you use crochet thread? What are the size numbers (10, 3, etc) all about? Thanks.

Public Comments

1. Yes, you can use crochet thread for knitting. The higher the number the smaller the thread. The numbers range anywhere from 3 down to a size 80. Not sure if it goes any lower than that. To start out I would recommend size 10 or larger. Size 3 (the largest) is the equivalent of fingering weight yarn.
2. you would need some small needles like #2. that is with 2 or 3 strands held together,
3. Yes, but you will need to use very small needles - probably no bigger than a size 1. (You could always double the thread and use bigger needles.) The size #s basically tell how thick the thread is. The higher the number the thinner the thread; 3 is the thickest that I know of. One thing to mention - crochet thread is made from cotton, which is a heavier fiber than most others. Whatever you make from it will be heavier than something you'd make with, say, wool. If that will work for your purposes, that's fine. If not, you might want to look for lace weight knitting yarn. I don't know where you're located, but if you're in the US you'll need to look for it at specialty knitting shops or online. The chain stores don't tend to carry stuff that thin.
4. Certainly, you can knit with any flexible cord, even wire. It doesn't matter what you use, as long as you can form the stitches. But crochet cotton has a very high twist, which means it is a harder yarn. It is not going to be soft, and sometimes will not have a good drape unless you knit it quite loose. You need to use a larger needle than normal so the fabric has some flexibility. Sizes: They are numbered according to how many skeins of a standard length it takes to make a pound in weight. So the larger number (such as 80) means there are 80 skeins in a pound -- so that is quite fine yarn!! and a 3 means there are only 3 skeins in a pound -- so that would be quite thick yarn. The lengths all remain the same, but the thickness of the yarns will be different. Be aware that it may also be plied, so there will be a number such as 2/30, which will mean size 30, but 2-ply; ... so the length will be half of what it would be as a single; 4/8 is size 8 in a 4-ply yarn. It's not confusing!! But knitters unfortunately don't know how to label the yarn properly. This method is quite accurate.