The CraftingUK reference
UK & US craft conversions
British and American patterns use the same words for different stitches. Here’s everything side by side. Every crochet and knitting post on CraftingUK can be switched between the two with the UK / US button, but it’s worth keeping this page handy for printed patterns too.
Site is showing UK terms. Switch
Crochet stitches
The golden rule: a UK stitch name is one step taller than the same US name. If a pattern mentions “single crochet” anywhere, it’s American.
| UK term | UK abbr. | US term | US abbr. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chain | ch | Chain | ch |
| Slip stitch | sl st | Slip stitch | sl st |
| Double crochet | dc | Single crochet | sc |
| Half treble | htr | Half double crochet | hdc |
| Treble | tr | Double crochet | dc |
| Double treble | dtr | Treble | tr |
| Triple treble | ttr | Double treble | dtr |
| Miss | – | Skip | sk |
| Yarn round hook | yrh | Yarn over | yo |
| Tension | – | Gauge | – |
Knitting terms
| UK | US |
|---|---|
| Stocking stitch | Stockinette stitch |
| Cast off | Bind off |
| Moss stitch | Seed stitch |
| Double moss stitch | Moss stitch |
| Tension | Gauge |
| Yarn forward / yarn round needle | Yarn over |
| Make one (m1) | Make one (m1) |
| Work straight | Work even |
Yarn weights
| UK | US | Craft Yarn Council | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 ply / lace | Lace | 0 | Shawls, doilies |
| 3 ply | Light fingering | 1 | Fine baby things |
| 4 ply | Fingering / sock | 1 | Socks, shawls, baby |
| Sport | Sport | 2 | Light jumpers |
| DK | DK / light worsted | 3 | Almost everything |
| Aran | Worsted / aran | 4 | Jumpers, cables, hats |
| Chunky | Bulky | 5 | Hats, cowls, quick throws |
| Super chunky | Super bulky | 6 | Arm knits, statement throws |
Knitting needle sizes
Old imperial UK sizes run backwards: the bigger the number, the thinner the needle. You’ll still see them in vintage patterns and on Granny’s needle roll.
| Metric | Old UK | US |
|---|---|---|
| 2 mm | 14 | 0 |
| 2.25 mm | 13 | 1 |
| 2.75 mm | 12 | 2 |
| 3 mm | 11 | 2.5 |
| 3.25 mm | 10 | 3 |
| 3.75 mm | 9 | 5 |
| 4 mm | 8 | 6 |
| 4.5 mm | 7 | 7 |
| 5 mm | 6 | 8 |
| 5.5 mm | 5 | 9 |
| 6 mm | 4 | 10 |
| 6.5 mm | 3 | 10.5 |
| 7 mm | 2 | – |
| 7.5 mm | 1 | – |
| 8 mm | 0 | 11 |
| 9 mm | 00 | 13 |
| 10 mm | 000 | 15 |
Crochet hook sizes
| Metric | US |
|---|---|
| 2.25 mm | B/1 |
| 2.75 mm | C/2 |
| 3.25 mm | D/3 |
| 3.5 mm | E/4 |
| 3.75 mm | F/5 |
| 4 mm | G/6 |
| 4.5 mm | 7 |
| 5 mm | H/8 |
| 5.5 mm | I/9 |
| 6 mm | J/10 |
| 6.5 mm | K/10.5 |
| 8 mm | L/11 |
| 9 mm | M/13 |
| 10 mm | N/15 |
Tip: when in doubt, trust the millimetres. They mean the same everywhere.