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What size is my crochet hook?

Welcome to another Tip Tuesday! Today, I’m going to tell you how to figure out what size your crochet hook is.

Now, if your crochet hook has the size written on it (either a letter or a number), then you can stop reading this blog post and continue crocheting. However, if you have an older hook, a handmade hook or perhaps a hook from a lesser-known company (that may not always write the size on the hook), then you’re going to need a way to know what size it is!


Meet Mr. Gauge… he’s your friend! Many people think that needle gauges are just for knitters (including, apparently, Susan Bates- the maker of this gauge- since it’s called ‘knit-check’), but it’s not true! A gauge will tell you what size your hook is!


First, look at your crochet hook. The part you want to measure is what’s called the ‘shaft’, and it’s the part below the hook that’s a plain cylinder. Don’t measure the very skinny part right below the hook (this is called the throat), because then you won’t get an accurate size.


Now that you know what part of the hook to measure, stick it in each hole of the gauge! If your hook doesn’t fit into the hole, then that’s not the right one. You’re looking for the hole that is exactly the same size as the shaft of your hook… check out the picture above- see how my hook is an H? There’s no extra wiggle room!


It’s pretty easy to tell that my hook isn’t a size L… look at all that extra room! No good!

So, there you have it! If you’ve got any mysterious hooks, grab a gauge and you’ll know what size they are!

20 COMMENTS

  1. Great tip! I would never have thought of using my knitting needle gauge for crochet needles, but now that you’ve said it, it’s such an obvious cross-over!

  2. I have a “mystery” hook, but not a gauge. (I don’t knit) Is there a gauge I can print out?

    I’ve been attempting to measure it with a tape measure, but I’m REALLY confused by THAT! LOL

    ANY help is appreciated! 🙂
    The “Detroit” Happy Hooker”:)

    • Gauges aren’t just for knitters!
      They aren’t terribly expensive, and it’ll probably come in useful for your crocheting life, so I recommend buying one.
      There may be a print-out one, but since you’d need to cut the hole out by hand, I can’t imagine it’s terribly accurate.

    • Samantha SAYS...

      Susan, as Stacey said guages are so useful and don’t cost too much. However you could always take the hook in question to wherever you buy your yarn and ask them to borrow a gauge, I’m sure your local yarn shop owner would help.

      • Yes, that’s a good idea!
        But if it’s 6pm and you’re itching to start a project, you might not want to wait until the next morning when your yarn shop opens 🙂

        • Pat SAYS...

          I’ve been crocheting for over 40yrs and I never knew this! Thanks so much for the great tip!!!

    • Sharon SAYS...

      measure the circumference of the shaft in mm, and then calculate the diameter (circumference/3.14) to get the diameter.

      • RLKnapp SAYS...

        This is hardly EVER explained and it drives me nuts 🥜 Thank you for the details that really matter!

  3. I enjoy your website & the comment sections are very helpful.
    I do have a question. I have numerous crochet hooks that are to too large for the gauge with holes & they have no numbers or letters. Any suggestions on how to measure them.
    Debbie @ d.odonnell@yahoo.com
    Thanks so much

    • Hi Debbie!
      Yes, that’s a very good question. If the head is too large, then it won’t fit in the gauge. My suggestion would be to measure the circumference of the shaft in mm, and then calculate the diameter (circumference/3.14) to get the diameter.

  4. Pingback: Crochet Hook Size Gauge Tool - Millville Stitchers

  5. Barbara Esposito SAYS...

    I could just kiss you!!! I never knew I could use my knit check for my crochet hooks! Thank you so much!

  6. Cheryl Friske SAYS...

    This was very helpful. Thank you.

  7. Kyli Hawkins SAYS...

    OMG thank you so much for this information!! I have been wondering about this for the longest time!! Just this morning, my wood-working husband (a very convenient-hobby-and he’s amazingly skilled☺️) offered to make me a set. This is just the information he needed to make them not only ergonomic, but accurate.

  8. Penny SAYS...

    Why don’t you buy a hook gauge instead of one for knitting needles?
    Then it won’t matter what handle you have you will be able to see exactly what size hook you have!

  9. lrl SAYS...

    Why bother…they are one and the same…on your yarn ball if you use a 5 mm needle you use a 5mm hook
    since you measure the shaft it does not matter if the end is a hook or a point!
    I have used a needle gauge for 40 years for both…..!

  10. Jessica-Jean SAYS...

    A vernier calliper – digital, if eyesight isn’t the best – is a great way to determine hook/needle sizes.

  11. Helen SAYS...

    Thank you so much for this. I’ve been wondering about this for a while now as I want to have a go at turning my own. My lovely hubby has paid for a new lathe for me and has also just paid to have a workshop built for me to keep it in (personally I think he just wants all my craft stuff in one place……🤔🤔😂
    Thanks again
    Helen

  12. Maya SAYS...

    To be fair to Susan Bates, although the name is “knit” on the left it says needle sizes at the row above the holes and crochet hook sizes under. They should rename it to Cro-Knit Check.😊