Learn How to Crochet

Texture plays an important part in the beauty of crochet. The finer mercerised threads (#100, #80 or #60) are more effective for delicate designs used for tablecloths, doilies and edges. However for some of us, if seeing and grasping the thread is a little challenging, work in a larger thread such as #10 or 4ply cotton. The crocheted items will be larger so this will have to be taken into account. Also consider that different brands or colours of the same size thread may vary in thickness.

Avoid joining the thread in the middle of a pattern and never make knots to join the thread. As the thread is coming to an end, place the new thread along the top of the work and crochet a few stitches over this. Before the old thread has run out, change to the new thread and work the stitches over the old thread. Cut off or weave in any ends that are left.

Cotton perle (pearl) embroidery threads, although generally softer and more shiny than crochet cotton, may be used in crochet patterns as follows:- #5 perle is a little thicker than #10 crochet cotton but is suitable for most #10 cotton patterns; #8 perle is about the same as #20 crochet cotton and #12 perle is about the same as #40 crochet cotton.

AMERICAN THREAD /YARN

American threads usually use the same sizing as our own for crochet cotton sizes such as our number 10, 20, 40, etc. shown as No 10 or #10 etc. Bedspread weight yarn generally refers to our No 10 crochet cotton but some patterns may use thicker yarn such as No 5 or even our 4 ply cotton, so check hook and tension specified.

Yarn sizes however are generally provided as a weight of yarn such as worsted weight, sports weight, etc. See our Yarn weight tip for a chart showing how this compares to ply as we refer to it in Australia.

Crochet hooks are made of steel, plastic and alloy metals. Each hook is used with a set size of thread unless otherwise stated in the pattern. A pattern should specify a hook size and a tension, so a larger or smaller hook may be required to achieve that tension. If the crocheting is too loose, use a smaller hook, if the crocheting is too tight, use a larger hook. The table below is to be used as a guide only for thread and hook size.

The picture below provides an indication of the change in size of an article when crocheted using the same pattern, but using different thread sizes (with the appropriate size hook as above). Using a finer thread results in a smaller but more finely textured article. Depending on the pattern, some articles may be crocheted in a wide variety of sizes while others go out of shape or do not sit flat if a different size thread is used.

The chart below provides an approximation only of how to determine the finished size of an article crocheted in a thread size other than that specified. Please note that this only works for some patterns and is a rough guide only.

Using the column with the specified thread size, go down until you locate the red 1, then go across to the column with the thread size you wish to use. Multiply the figure shown by the specified size of the article to provide the new finished size.

Example: Assume a doily was crocheted using #60 thread with a finished size of 20cm in diameter and you wished to use #20 thread. Go to the #60 column and run down to the red 1. Now go across to the #20 column and the figure is 1.4. Multiply the original size of 20cm by 1.4 and the finished size should be about 28cm.

The following chart may be useful when using older crochet patterns that specify the old UK imperial size crochet hooks, or American patterns.

The following chart provides approximate equivalent crochet hook sizes for our metric sizes to American sizes. The American sizes appear to vary between brands, especially from 7mm and larger. Many American crochet books now provide a similar conversion guide for hook sizes. Use the tension information, if provided in the pattern, to ensure correct hook selection.

The availability of American crochet patterns provides you with the opportunity to explore your craft by using a greater variety of patterns and techniques than are generally provided by English terminology patterns. While at first American crochet patterns may appear to be written in a foreign language, American crochet is identical to our own Australian/English crochet with the exception of the names of the stitches involved. The following chart provides the equivalent stitch names for American and English crochet stitches.

The following charts may be useful when using older crochet patterns that specify weights and linear measurements in the old Imperial system. Only the figures in red are more precise.

WEIGHT

LENGTH

YARDAGE

While balls of thread and yarn are sold by weight, the yardage/meterage is important when determining how many balls to buy – as different yarns with the same weight has a different length of thread. Most patterns will indicate either the yardage or meterage needed, and often this may need to be converted. How do you convert yarn?

Yards to meters: Multiply by .9144. Example – A ball has 300 yards = (300 x .9144) 274.32 metres

Meters to yards: Multiply by 1.0936. Example – A ball has 350 metres = (350 x 1.0936) 382.76 yards.

Below are some approximate equivalents for common yardage.