List of yarns for crochet and knitting

Yarn size

Depending on the exact yarn weight and the gauge of the knitter or crocheter and how tight or loose the yarn is held, the gauge listed below can vary.The type of yarn can also affect the look of the item, so if it’s thicker yarn the item will look bulkier compared to yarn that is thinner. For this reason it is important to check the gauge of the pattern being used to be sure so the finished project is the desired size. Most patterns have a listed gauge to create an item of the size(s) indicated in the pattern.

Category name	Symbol	Description	Crochet gauge (single crochet to four inch)	Metric hook size	US hook size	Knitting gauge (number of stitches per four inches)	Metric knitting needle size	US knitting needle size
Lace		fingering, crochet 10-count thread	33 - 40 sts	1.5 - 2.25 mm	B-1	33 - 40 sts	1.5mm - 2.25mm
Super fine		sock, fingering, baby	21 - 32 sts	2.25 - 3.5 mm	B-1 - E-4	27 - 32 sts	2.25mm -3.25mm
Fine		sport, baby	16 - 20 sts	3.5 - 4.5 mm	E-4 - 7	23 -26 sts	3.25mm - 3.75mm
Light		DK, light worsted	12 - 17 sts	4.5 - 5.5 mm	7 - I-9	21 - 24 sts	3.75mm - 4.5mm
Medium		worsted, Afghan, Aran	11 - 14 sts	5.5 - 6.5 mm	I-9 - K-10 1/2	16 - 20 sts	4.5mm - 5.5mm
Bulky		chunky, craft, rug	8 - 11 sts	6.5 - 9 mm	K-10 1/3 - M-13	12 - 15 sts	5.5mm - 8mm
Super Bulky		bulky, roving	5 - 9 sts	9 - 15mm	M-13 - Q	7 - 11 sts	8mm - 12.75mm
Jumbo		jumbo, roving	6 sts and fewer	15mm and higher	Q and larger	6 sts and fewer	12.75mm and higher

Terminology

Common terms used to describe knitting and crochet yarn properties.

Term	Description
Absorbency	The ability of a fiber to hold water, determines sweat absorption and suitability for warm weather wear.
Breathability	How readily air passes through the fiber.
Dyeability	How well the fiber accepts and holds color.
Hand/Handle	Tactile description: softness, resiliency, etc.
Loft	The amount of air between fibers.
Resiliency (elasticity)	The tendency of a fiber to resume its original shape after stretching.
Thickness	The diameter of the fiber in micrometres.

Fiber type

Plant based

Cottons

All varieties of cotton have a dull finish unless mercerized. Cotton yarn has minimal elasticity unless blended with other fibers. Pure cotton is useful for projects that require structure such as purses and tote bags, placemats, and other utilitarian items.

Fiber type	Description
Egyptian cotton	Longest cotton fiber, smoother and softer than other cottons.
Pima cotton	Cross between Egyptian and American cottons. Intermediate properties.
American cotton	Medium-long fiber, readily takes on dye. Available in widest variety of colors.

Other plant fibers

Fiber type	Description
Linen	Strong fiber, good for warm weather items. Wrinkles easily.
Bamboo bast	Similar to ramie, possesses an elegant sheen. Not to be confused with the more common bamboo rayon.
Hemp	Stronger than cotton, softens when washed. Wrinkles easily.

Animal based fibers

Fiber type	Description
Merino wool	From sheep. Softer than cotton. Retains warmth when wet. Breathability allows lighter weights to be good for summer wear.
Icelandic wool	From sheep. Strong but scratchy, best used as an outer layer.
Mohair	From goats. Lofty and luxurious. May feel scratchy, best used as an outer layer.
Cashmere	From goats. Soft, luxurious, expensive.
Alpaca	From alpaca (camelid).Very warm. Suitable for accessories such as scarves.
Angora	From angora rabbits.Very soft, tends to shed. Best used in pure form as an accent material, or blended with other fibers.
Silk	From moths.Single extremely long and fine fiber produced from each cocoon, so usually spooled in multiples before spinning. Exceptionally strong, lustrous, and shiny. Fragile, ages poorly, eventually "shattering."
Raw Silk	From moths. Fiber from cocoons after the moth has been allowed to emerge, resulting in a rougher fiber.

Synthetics

Fiber type	Description
Acrylic	Washes well, inexpensive. Good choice for beginners and for items designed for babies or pets.
Nylon	Strong, elastic, washes well. Not ideal for garments unless blended with other fibers.
Rayon	Made from processed cellulose (e.g. wood pulp, bamboo, seaweed) extruded into threads. Inexpensive and highly absorbent, natural sheen.

References

• Debbie Stoller, Stitch 'N Bitch Crochet: The Happy Hooker New York: Workman Publishing, 2006.
• Edie Eckman, The Crochet Answer Book, North Adams, Massachesetts: Storey Publishing, 2005.