The Yarn Guide
Everything you need to know to choose the right yarn — weights, fiber types, hook sizes, and exactly how much yarn your next project needs.
Yarn Weight System
Yarn is classified by thickness. Choosing the right weight is the single most important decision for any project.
Cobweb-thin
Hook: 1.5–2.25 mm
Doilies, shawls, fine lacework
Very fine
Hook: 2.25–3.5 mm
Socks, baby items, fine accessories
Fine
Hook: 3.5–4.5 mm
Baby clothes, lightweight garments
Light
Hook: 4.5–5.5 mm
Tops, hats, lightweight bags
Medium
Hook: 5–6.5 mm
Most popular! Scarves, bags, toys, blankets
Thick
Hook: 6.5–9 mm
Chunky blankets, winter wear
Very thick
Hook: 9–15 mm
Quick blankets, rugs, statement pieces
Roving
Hook: 15 mm+
Arm crochet, extreme chunky décor
The yarn label always shows the recommended hook size and weight symbol. When in doubt, start there and adjust based on your tension swatch.
Crochet Hook Size Chart
Hook size determines how loose or tight your fabric is. Always check the yarn label recommendation.
| Metric (mm) | US Size | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| 1.5–2 mm | B/1 | Thread crochet, lace, doilies |
| 2.5–3 mm | C/2–D/3 | Fingering yarn, fine amigurumi |
| 3.5–4 mm | E/4–F/5 | Sport/DK yarn, small accessories |
| 4.5–5 mm | G/6–H/8 | ⭐ Best for beginners! Worsted weight |
| 5.5–6.5 mm | I/9–K/10.5 | Bulky yarn, chunky bags & hats |
| 8–10 mm | L/11–N/15 | Super bulky, quick blankets |
| 10 mm+ | P/15+ | Extreme bulky, arm/finger crochet |
Smaller hook = tighter, firmer fabric. Larger hook = looser, drapier fabric. For amigurumi, go smaller to hide stuffing.
Ergonomic hooks with soft rubber grips are a game-changer for long crochet sessions — worth the investment!
How Much Yarn Do I Need?
Reference quantities by project type and yarn weight. These are approximations — your tension may vary. Always add a 10–15% buffer.
👗 Ladies Tops
Add 50–100g extra for oversized tops with long sleeves. Add 150–200g for sweaters.
| Yarn Type / Hook | XS | S | M | L | XL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acrylics 3.5–4.5mm | 200g | 250–300g | 300–350g | 350–400g | 400–470g |
| Acrylic Premium 3.5–4mm | 250g | 350g | 400g | 450g | 500g |
| Cotton 4ply 3.5–4.5mm | 250–300g | 300–400g | 450g | 500g | 550–600g |
| Thin Velvet 2.5mm | 300–400g | 450g | 550g | 600g | 650g |
| Bamboo 3.5–4.5mm | 300g | 400g | 450g | 500g | 550–600g |
| Pure Cotton 2.5mm | 250g | 300g | 300–400g | 450–500g | 500–550g |
| Cotton 3ply 2.5–3.5mm | 300g | 350–400g | 400–450g | 450–500g | 500–600g |
🎩 Beanies & Hats
| Yarn Type / Hook | Baby | Toddler | Teenager | S | M | L |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acrylics 3.5–4.5mm | 40–50g | 50–60g | 60–70g | 70–80g | 80–90g | 100g |
| Acrylic Premium 3.5–4mm | 60g | 75g | 100g | 125g | 150g | 150–160g |
| Cotton 4ply 3.5–4.5mm | 60g | 75g | 100g | 125g | 150g | 150–160g |
| Thin Velvet 2.5mm | 100g | 125g | 160g | 200g | 250g | 250–280g |
| Bamboo 3.5–4.5mm | 70g | 80g | 100g | 120g | 150g | 180g |
| Pure Cotton 2.5mm | 100g | 125g | 150g | 175g | 200g | 200–225g |
| Cotton 3ply 2.5–3.5mm | 120g | 135g | 145g | 160g | 175g | 200g |
🛋️ Velvet Blankets(Hook: 7–8mm)
Use a contrast colour for the border for a clean, finished look.
Baby
400–500g
Toddler
600–800g
Kid
1 kg
Teenager
1.5 kg
Adult
3 kg
🧣 Scarves
| Yarn Type / Hook | Baby | Toddler | Teenager | Adult |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acrylics 3.5–4.5mm | 80g | 180g | 250g | 250–350g |
| Acrylic Premium 3.5–4mm | 100g | 150–200g | 280g | 300–400g |
| Cotton 4ply 3.5–4.5mm | 200g | 300g | 450g | 450–550g |
| Thin Velvet 2.5mm | 800g | 1 kg | 2 kg | 3 kg |
| Bamboo 3.5–4.5mm | 200g | 300g | 450g | 450–550g |
| Cotton 3ply 2.5–3.5mm | 300g | 400g | 500g | 500–600g |
🎁 Small Projects & Accessories
| Project | Yarn Needed | Hook | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amigurumi (small) | 50–100g | 2.5–3.5mm | Use tight tension so stuffing doesn't show |
| Keychain / Charm | 10–20g | 2–3mm | Small amounts — great for yarn scraps! |
| Mini Purse / Bag | 100–200g | 3.5–5mm | Cotton or jute for structure |
| Tote Bag | 200–400g | 4–6mm | Cotton holds shape best |
| Crochet Flowers | 20–50g | 2.5–4mm | Perfect for yarn leftovers |
| Hair Accessories | 10–30g | 2–3mm | Cotton or silk for comfort against skin |
| Dishcloth / Coaster | 50–80g | 3.5–4.5mm | 100% cotton recommended |
These quantities are approximations — your crochet tension, stitch pattern, and hook size all affect yardage consumption. Always buy 10–15% more than estimated. Leftover yarn = future amigurumi!
Yarn Fiber Guide
Different fibers behave very differently. The right fiber makes your finished piece look and feel professional.
Cotton
Crisp, breathable · Hook 3.5–5 mm
✓ Pros
- ·Holds structure well
- ·Great for warm weather
- ·Easy to wash
- ·Ideal for bags, dishcloths, tops
✗ Cons
- ·Less stretch than acrylic
- ·Can be stiff if tightly crocheted
Acrylic
Soft, bouncy · Hook 3.5–5.5 mm
✓ Pros
- ·Affordable & widely available
- ·Machine washable
- ·Huge colour range
- ·Great for beginners
✗ Cons
- ·Synthetic — less breathable
- ·Can pill over time
Wool
Warm, elastic · Hook 4–6 mm
✓ Pros
- ·Naturally warm & insulating
- ·Great stitch definition
- ·Felts beautifully
- ·Premium feel
✗ Cons
- ·Hand wash only
- ·Some people are allergic
- ·More expensive
Bamboo / Silk
Silky, drapey · Hook 3.5–4.5 mm
✓ Pros
- ·Luxurious drape
- ·Naturally antibacterial
- ·Eco-friendly
- ·Beautiful sheen
✗ Cons
- ·Slippery — harder to control for beginners
- ·Expensive
Velvet / Chenille
Ultra-soft, plush · Hook 5–8 mm
✓ Pros
- ·Velvety texture
- ·Beautiful for blankets & toys
- ·Hides imperfect stitches
✗ Cons
- ·Hard to see stitches while working
- ·Sheds slightly
Jute / Raffia
Rustic, stiff · Hook 4–6 mm
✓ Pros
- ·Natural & eco-friendly
- ·Perfect for bags & baskets
- ·Holds shape rigidly
✗ Cons
- ·Rough on hands
- ·Not suitable for wearables
Care & Washing by Fiber
The wrong washing method can ruin a beautiful piece. Always check the yarn label before washing.
Cotton & Cotton Blends
🫧 Machine wash cold (gentle cycle) or hand wash
🌀 Lay flat to dry · Tumble dry low
♨️ Medium heat iron safe
Acrylic
🫧 Machine wash cold or warm
🌀 Tumble dry low · Avoid high heat
♨️ Do NOT iron — melts under high heat
Wool / Merino
🫧 Hand wash only in cold water with wool wash
🌀 Lay flat to dry — never hang
♨️ Steam only (don't press)
Bamboo / Silk Blend
🫧 Hand wash cold with gentle detergent
🌀 Lay flat to dry in shade
♨️ Low heat with pressing cloth
Velvet / Chenille
🫧 Machine wash cold (gentle) or hand wash
🌀 Lay flat · Brush gently when damp
♨️ Steam from a distance — do not press flat
Jute / Raffia
🫧 Spot clean with damp cloth only
🌀 Air dry naturally
♨️ Not recommended
How to Read a Yarn Label
Every piece of information you need is right on the ball band — once you know how to decode it.
Weight / Ply
Indicates thickness. Higher ply = thicker yarn in Indian terms. In global standard, look for the skein symbol (0–7).
Grams & Metres
Always check metres, not just grams! A 100g acrylic ball may have 300m while a 100g cotton has only 200m.
Hook Size
Recommended hook size for average tension. Go up/down a size to adjust your gauge.
Gauge Swatch
Shows stitches × rows per 10cm. Make a swatch before any sized garment — even 1 stitch off changes sizing.
Fiber Content
100% Cotton vs 50/50 blends behave differently. Blends often combine benefits of both fibers.
Care Symbols
International wash symbols — a tub = wash, a circle = dry clean, an iron = iron. Lines/crosses mean restrictions.
Dye Lot
Always buy enough yarn from the same dye lot for one project. Different lots can have subtle colour differences visible in finished work.
Colour Code
The colour number stays consistent across batches — useful for reordering. The colour name is just for marketing!
Country of Origin
Indian cotton yarns, Turkish acrylic, and Japanese specialty yarns each have distinct quality characteristics.
Pro Crafter Tips
Always wind skeins into a centre-pull ball before starting. Crocheting straight from a skein creates tangles and uneven tension.
Buy all yarn for a project from the same dye lot. Subtle colour differences between lots are nearly invisible on the shelf but obvious in finished fabric.
Swatch before every garment. A 1-stitch difference over 10cm can change a finished garment by a full size.
Damp-block your finished pieces. Wet the item, pin to foam mats in shape, and let dry. Even cheap acrylic transforms completely after blocking.
Store yarn in zip-lock bags to protect from humidity, dust, and moths (especially important in Indian climates). Add a cedar ball for natural moth deterrence.
When buying online, always check both grams AND metres. Yardage per gram varies hugely between yarn types and directly affects your quantity calculation.
Leftover yarn scraps are perfect for amigurumi, flowers, keychains, and granny squares. Never throw away yarn ends longer than 30cm!
Ready to put your yarn knowledge to work?
Browse our handcrafted crochet collection — every piece is made with the best yarns, by artisans who live this guide every day.