Knitting & Crochet Terms

"Crochet hook sizes & Knitting needles sizes"

Crochet terms and knitting terms while using vintage or British patterns are a bit different than the US.  The stitches are the same but we must be aware of the different knitting needle sizes and the various crochet hook sizes. Also there is a bit of a difference in the terms used. So to help you out I have listed differences and charts below so you can adapt. I suggest you print off this information and keep it with your knitting and crochet supplies. 

What the hook or needles are made of will make no difference in the size. The material they are from will make a difference in working with the hooks or needles. I prefer metal to plastic, it just seems that the work slides better. But there is many other types of materials from which these are made.

Crochet hook sizes

Using Vintage or British Knitting Patterns Requires A Few Adjustments.

For successful knitting or  crochet of vintage patterns it is important to follow a few simple rules. 

1. - Obtain a suitable yarn

2. - Use appropriate needles 

3. - Knit or crochet a tension square

Yarn Differences Than and Now

Yarns have changed a great deal since many of the patterns were published, especially if the instructions were written before 1970. Many of the older patterns recommend 2-ply and 3-ply yarns which are now difficult to find. 

The old 2-ply and 3-ply were thicker than modern 2-ply and 3-ply and these patterns can often be knitted or crocheted in 4-ply

When using modern 2-ply or 3-ply yarns, use  the needle size given in the patterns; Remember to check your tension first. Since modern 2-ply is finer than the old 2-ply, it may be easier to get the right tension using a 3-ply for a 2-ply. 

Modern yarns are usually heavier then the original yarns and some extra yarn is usually required for the pattern. 

Patterns from the 20s to the 40s yarn requirements may be increased by half as much again.  

Patterns from the 50s to today the quantities stated in the patterns should be ok.

Remember 1 oz is approximately 28.35 grams

Knitting Needles UK Equivalent

The chart below is to help you but is not exact. The tension square is very important in choosing needles or hooks.

British and American Terms

Also, the equivalent standard US weights to U.K. yarns are as follows:

fine=3-4ply, light=4ply, medium=double knit; medium/heavy=aran,

bulky=chunky, extra-bulky=double chunky

Crochet Patterns and Terms USA to UK

These are equivalent terms and abbreviations.  Only the names differ, the

stitches themselves are identical.

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Crochet Terms

USA                                        UK

slip knot                                  slip loop

slip stitch (sl st)                                slip stitch (ss)

single crochet (sc)                  double crochet (dc)

half double crochet (hdc)              half treble (htr)

double crochet (dc)                treble (tr)

treble (tr)                                 double treble (dtr)

double treble (dtr)                 triple treble (tr tr)

triple treble (tr tr)                     quadruple treble (qd tr)

fasten off                                fasten off

skip                                         miss

gauge                                     tension

work even                               work straight

yarn over (yo)                         yarn over hook (yoh) or yarn round hook (yrh)

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Crochet Hook Sizes