Crochet Hook Sizes Explained: Australian Guide to Choosing the Right Hook

Not sure which crochet hook to grab for your next project? You're amongst many others asking themselves the same thing. A crochet hook size chart might look overwhelming at first: three different sizing systems, a jumble of letters and numbers, and metric measurements that don't always match up. But once you understand the basics, choosing the right hook becomes second nature.

Here's everything you need to know.

Quick Answer:

• Australia and Europe use metric (mm) sizing – it's the most reliable system
• A 4mm or 5mm hook with 8ply (DK) yarn is the ideal starting point for beginners
• Three sizing systems exist: metric (mm), US letters/numbers, and old UK numbers
• Hook size directly affects tension, drape, and the finished size of your project
• Steel hooks (0.4mm–3.5mm) are used for fine lace and thread work

Why Hook Size Actually Matters

Hook size is measured at the shaft – the straight section just below the throat of the hook. That diameter determines how large each stitch loop is, which flows through to everything: how tight or loose your fabric feels, how the finished piece drapes, and whether your finished dimensions match the pattern.

Go up a hook size, and your stitches open up. Go down, and they tighten. A single millimetre can mean the difference between a snug beanie and one that sits over your eyes.

For garments especially, this is why working a tension (gauge) swatch before you start isn't optional!

The Anatomy of a Crochet Hook

Before diving into the crochet hook size chart, it helps to know what you're working with:

• Hook/head – the tip that catches the yarn
• Throat – the tapered groove below the hook
• Shaft – the straight section whose diameter is the actual size of the hook
• Grip/thumb rest – the flat or textured section where your fingers sit
• Handle – the remainder of the hook body

When patterns and labels refer to hook size, they mean the shaft diameter in millimetres.

The Three Sizing Systems (and How to Convert Between Them)

This is where things get confusing. Depending on where a pattern was written or where your hooks were made, you might encounter any of three systems:

1. Metric (mm)

Used in Australia, NZ, and most of Europe. The most precise and universally understood system. If your pattern uses mm, you're golden.

2. US letters and numbers

Common in American patterns. Letters like B, G, H, and J run alongside numbers (B/1, G/6, H/8). Unfortunately, the letters and numbers don't always follow a logical sequence.

3. UK/old British numbers

An ascending numbered scale where a higher number means a smaller hook. Rarely seen on new hooks today, but still appears in older British and some Australian vintage patterns.

Full Crochet Hook Size Conversion Chart

Standard hooks:

Metric (mm)	US Size	UK/Old Size
2.00mm	B/1	14
2.25mm	B/1	13
2.50mm	C/2	12
2.75mm	C/2	–
3.00mm	D/3	11
3.25mm	D/3	10
3.50mm	E/4	9
4.00mm	G/6	8
4.50mm	7	7
5.00mm	H/8	6
5.50mm	I/9	5
6.00mm	J/10	4
6.50mm	K/10.5	3
7.00mm	–	2
8.00mm	L/11	0
9.00mm	M/N/13	00
10.00mm	N/P/15	000
12.00mm	O/16	–
15.00mm	P/Q/19	–
19.00mm	S/35	–
25.00mm	T/50	–

Steel hooks (for lace and thread):

Metric (mm)	US Steel Size	UK/Old Size
0.40mm	14	–
0.60mm	13	–
0.75mm	12	6
1.00mm	11	4
1.25mm	8	3
1.50mm	7	2.5
1.75mm	5	2
2.00mm	4	–
2.25mm	1	–
2.50mm	0	–
3.00mm	00	–
3.50mm	000	–

Pro tip for crochet hook size conversion: When an old Australian or British pattern lists a size like "No. 8," cross-reference with the metric column above. A No. 8 UK hook is 4.00mm – the same size most modern 8ply (DK) patterns recommend.

Yarn Weight to Hook Size: The Australian Ply Guide

Australian yarns are traditionally labelled using a ply system. This doesn't refer to the number of strands twisted together (as it once did) but is now simply a weight category. 

Here's how Australian ply weights map to metric hook sizes:

AU Ply	Common Name	Metric Hook Range	Typical Use
2ply	Lace	1.5mm–2.25mm	Fine lace, doilies
3ply	Fingering/Sock	2.25mm–3.00mm	Socks, baby garments
5ply	Sport/Baby	3.25mm–3.75mm	Baby items, lightweight tops
8ply	DK/Double Knit	4.00mm–5.00mm	Garments, hats, dishcloths
10ply	Aran/Worsted	5.00mm–6.00mm	Jumpers, scarves, bags
12ply	Chunky/Bulky	6.00mm–9.00mm	Blankets, cowls, quick projects
14ply	Super Chunky	10mm–20mm	Thick blankets, home décor

8ply (DK) and a 4mm–5mm hook is the sweet spot for beginners. The yarn is easy to handle, the stitches are visible, and you'll see progress quickly. If you're starting out, that's the combination to reach for first.

Hook Materials: What's the Difference?

The material your hook is made from affects how the yarn slides, how your hand feels after an hour of work, and how the hook holds up over time.

Aluminium

Smooth, durable, and affordable. Yarn glides easily off the shaft, making it a great all-rounder. Most starter sets are aluminium, and brands like Clover and Tulip make excellent options.

Steel

This particular material is used specifically for fine thread and lace work (those steel hook sizes from 0.4mm to 3.5mm). Not for regular yarn.

Bamboo/wood

Slightly grippy surface slows yarn down, which some people find helpful for slippery fibres or when learning tension. Lightweight and warm in the hand.

Plastic

Light and inexpensive, good for very large hooks (10mm+) where aluminium gets heavy.

Ergonomic rubber-grip

Hooks with a soft, wide grip barrel (brands like Clover Amour and Tulip Etimo are popular examples). If you crochet for longer sessions or experience hand fatigue, these make a real difference. See our FAQs below for more on whether they're worth it as a beginner.

What Size Crochet Hook for Beginners?

The best hook for absolute beginners in Australia is a 4mm or 5mm aluminium or ergonomic hook, paired with 8ply (DK) yarn.

Here's why this combination works so well as a beginner crochet hook size:

• The stitches are big enough to see clearly
• The yarn isn't so thick that it's hard to control, or so thin that it's hard to see mistakes
• 8ply is the most widely available weight in Australian craft shops
• Most beginner patterns are written for this weight range

Once you're comfortable with tension and basic stitches, branching out to other sizes feels much less daunting.

Tension (Gauge): A Quick Primer

Tension, also called gauge, is the number of stitches and rows you produce per 10cm. Every pattern that has specific size requirements will list a target tension.

To check yours, crochet a 15cm x 15cm swatch using the recommended hook and yarn. Count your stitches across 10cm. If you have more stitches than the pattern calls for, your tension is too tight – try the next hook size up. Fewer stitches means you're too loose – go down a size.

Tension is personal. Two people using the same hook and yarn will often get slightly different results. The hook size recommended on a yarn label or in a pattern is always a starting point, not a fixed rule.

Ready to Start? Find Everything You Need at CraftOnline

Whether you're picking up a crochet hook for the very first time or expanding your collection, having quality yarn and the right tools makes all the difference to how much you enjoy the process.

CraftOnline is a family-owned Australian business with over 20 years in the industry, stocking over 900 craft and yarn brands.

Browse crochet kits if you want hooks, yarn, and a pattern all in one – ideal for beginners or as a gift. Or explore the full yarn range to find your next project weight. You'll also find a great selection of crochet tools and accessories, including ergonomic hooks, stitch markers, and everything else you need to get going.

FAQs

What size hook should an absolute beginner buy first?

Start with a 4mm or 5mm hook. Pair it with 8ply (DK) yarn, and you'll have the most forgiving combination for learning tension and basic stitches. Many starter crochet kits already include this size – it's the most recommended beginner crochet hook size in Australia for good reason.

What's the difference between Australian ply and US or UK yarn weight labels?

Australian ply names are weight categories, not literal strand counts. "8ply" in Australia is the same as "DK" (double knit) in the UK or "light worsted" in the US. "10ply" matches UK Aran or US worsted. Always check the metreage on the ball band if you're substituting yarns across different labelling systems, that gives you the most reliable comparison.

Are ergonomic hooks worth it for new crocheters?

They can be, especially if you plan to crochet for more than short sessions. Ergonomic hooks have a wider, softer grip that reduces strain on your fingers, wrist, and thumb. If you already know you love crafting and plan to stick with it, ergonomic is worth the small extra investment. If you're just testing the waters, a standard aluminium hook is perfectly fine to start.

Can you substitute a different hook size from the one listed in a pattern?

Yes, and sometimes you have to. Hook sizes are guides based on average tension. If your tension swatch shows you're consistently getting a different result from the pattern's target, adjust your hook size up or down accordingly. Swatching first is the only way to know for sure.

What's the largest crochet hook size, and what's it used for?

Jumbo hooks can go up to 25mm or even larger. These are used for super chunky and arm-knit-style yarn, chunky blankets, wall hangings, and home décor projects where speed and texture are the goal. At this scale, projects work up in hours rather than weeks.