Crochet hooks can be purchased in a pack with a variety of sizes or one at a time. As a beginner, you may not want to invest in a whole pack, because…who knows…you may not like the new hobby. I personally don’t think that will happen because it is a great hobby! But if you want to only purchase one hook to start, I totally get it! But which hook should you choose?
The most common crochet hook is size H/5.0 mm. It is used for a wide variety of projects including clothing, accessories, and blankets, and is common for both adult and baby patterns. Size G/4.25 mm is the second most common size, but for amigurumi (stuffed toys), Size G is the most common.
Though a size H/5.0 mm hook is the most common, there are some other things to consider, such as what was briefly mentioned above. If you are planning to specialize in a certain type of crochet you may want to choose a different size hook.
Also, a Size H is good for general use, and it is a pretty good size for beginners to start with, but you also need to think about other things besides just the size of the hook!
The Most Common Crochet Hook Size
When researching for this post, I went to my favorite place to find patterns first: Ravelry.com. I really like this site for patterns because of the search features it has (including limiting to searching for free patterns!). I did look at other sites for research purposes, but the findings were quite similar across the board. Because of that, I’m going to focus on the results from Ravelry.
Only Based on Hook Size
So when I narrowed the results only by hook size, I found that the Size H/5.0 mm hook had more than 65,000 patterns available. There with a huge variety of projects available, mostly using yarn that is weight 4 (Aran/Worsted weight).
The Size G hook came in second with approximately 62,000 patterns. Again there was a variety of items made with this size and most used weight 4 yarn as well.
Size I/5.5 mm and Size E/3.5 mm were much less common coming in at around 35,000 each, but they were 3rd and 4th on the list. Size I still typically called for weight 4 yarn, whereas Size E called for weight 3 yarn more often.
Based on this information, you can definitely find patterns for any size hook, but you will have more variety with one of the more popular hooks.
Based on Project Type
Next, I sorted based on project type. I thought I would probably find some different insights when I did this because projects such as blankets, scarves, and beanies are heavier projects, but shawls and dresses tend to be lighter weight and more flowy.
Blankets
When I narrowed it down to only blankets, I found that size H/5.0 mm continued to be the most popular with 7,000 patterns! I/5.5 mm and G/4.25 mm came in tied for second at 5,300 patterns, so a tone of them, but definitely not nearly as many as size H/5.0 mm.
I decided to narrow it down to baby blankets because many people like to crochet them. When I did this, I was surprised to find that size H/5.0 mm still “won” with over 750 patterns and I/5.5 mm was second with just over 500 patterns. I like to use a size G hook when crocheting my baby blankets because i like to get a tight stitch with small holes for them, so, like I said, I was surprised.
Sweaters
This again I looked at adult versus child/baby.
For adult sizes, the size H/5.0 mm hook had the highest number of patterns; but for kids, the size G/4.25 actually had the highest number of patterns.
Scarves
Scarves are a super popular item to crochet, they are quick and offer endless variety. The most common size hook for scarves was size H/5.0 mm again! Size I, G, and J were also pretty common.
Beanies
Beanies are another crochet staple! These stuck with the same theme of size H/5.0 mm being the most common. There were 8,000 patterns with a size H/5.0 mm hook! Size I/5.5 mm came in second with 6,000 patterns.
Dresses/Skirts
Dresses and skirts I lumped together. Size G/4.25 mm and size H/5.0 mm were super close on this one with size G/4.25 mm slightly winning out.
Shawls
Shawls tend to be lighter weight and more lacy looking than scarves (though, do what you want! Spring, lacy scarves are great!) For this size, G/4.25 mm won out with 2,700 patterns. Size H/5.0 mm and Size E/3.5 mm came in tied for seconds with about 2,100 each.
Jewelry
Now we get into some niche items. Jewelry includes any bracelets, necklaces, earrings, headbands, etc. These tend to have smaller, tighter stitches to get a stiff, defined look. Because of this, smaller hooks were more common with size G/4.2 mm being the most common and size E/3.5 mm coming in a close second.
Amigurumi
Again, a super niche technique. Some people really love crochet amigurumi (stuffed toys). This is another time when tight stitches with very small holes is a plus! You do NOT want the stuffing showing, or worse, coming out on a stuffed toy. Because of this size G/4.25 mm was the most common with 12,000 patterns and size E/3.5 mm coming in second with 10,000 patterns.
Based on Yarn Weight
1-Fingering
This yarn isn’t quite a thread, but it is very close. It is super thin yarn. The most common hook size for this yarn weight was size E/3.5 mm. The most common item crocheted with this weight of yarn was shawls or wraps.
2-Sport
Sport weight is also thin, light yarn. The most common size for this yarn was also an E/3.5 mm, but it was very closely followed by size G/4.25 mm. This yarn was commonly used amigurumi which typically used the smaller hook. When used for shawls or sweaters, it typically used the larger (G/4.25 mm) hook.
3-DK
DK (3) weight yarn is used for a variety of projects. When used for accessories, blankets, or clothing; the most common hook size was G/4.25. When used for amigurumi, the most common was again E/3.5 mm.
4-Aran/worsted
Here is where we really hit the mother load when it comes to patterns. This is the most common weight of yarn by far! For this yarn weight, the size H/5.0 mm hook is by far the most common. Nearly 48,000 patterns, versus size G/4.25 which has 31,000.
Typically beginners start with the popular, common weight 4 yarn, so that is what makes the size H hook a decent one to start with for beginners, and makes it what most people recommend you start with.
5-Bulky
For bulky yarn, the J/6.0 mm and K/6.5 mm hooks were fairly equal. The bigger yarns typically need a large hook to accommodate for the increased diameter of the yarn. Sometimes smaller hooks are called for if that pattern is going for a tighter stitch pattern.
6-Super Bulky
The most common hook for super bulky yarn is an N/P/10 mm hook. This is a very large hook and typically does not come in a standard pack of hooks. This is not recommended to start because it takes more force and strength to crochet with the large hook and super bulky yarn, and it isn’t quite as easy to glide through.
So Which Crochet Hook Should You Purchase?
Clearly, size H/5.0 mm is the most common. But is that the one you should start with? The main question you would want to answer if you are going to try to specialize in any type of crochet.
Are you going to want to do stuffed animals mostly? If so, you would want to go with a smaller hook. I would recommend a G/4.25 mm in this case as a beginner. The smaller the hook you use, the harder it will be to see your stitches and where to put your hook. So even though the size E/3.5 mm hook is also super common for amigurumi, I would stick with the larger one to start off.
Are you going to want to make lightweight items like shawls or light sweaters more often than bulkier items? If so you may also want to go with a size G/4.25 mm hook to start. This speaks to personal style more than anything.
If you are going to want a universal hook for many different projects, I would say go for the size H/5.0 mm. This was clearly the most popular and could be used for any type of project really. It could be used for decor, clothing, accessories, etc.
If you want to choose the hook that I think is actually the EASIEST to use, I recommend the size I/5.5 mm hook. The size I/5.5 mm is slightly larger than the most common size H/5.0 mm hook. The reason I recommend this size is because many worsted weight yarns (medium weight) recommend this size of hook. It is comfortable to hold without being very small or large. It creates stitches that are a bit larger than the size H/5.0 mm hook. This makes it easier to see where to insert the hook, and you will be able to gently glide through the stitches without forcing the hook. So, though it is not the most common hook called for in patterns, the Size I/5.5 mm hook gives you some other benefits over a size H/5.0 mm hook.
What Type of Crochet Hook to Purchase
So now that we have some more info about the common crochet hook sizes, we have to actually purchase it. But then you find how many different options there are even in the same size!
Regardless of the size you are going to purchase, I recommend that beginners start with an aluminum hook like Susan Bates Silvalume Crochet Hook. It is inexpensive, but high quality.
If you are prone to wrist/hand pain, you may want to invest in an ergonomic hook (the head and shaft are still aluminum), in which case I recommend the Clover Amour Crochet Hook. These are again high quality but will cost more than a “normal” hook.
So you can now see how popular different crochet hook sizes are! Whether you are going to purchase one or a whole set, make sure you go for high quality! You don’t want the yarn snagging! You can check out my other post all about the best crochet hooks for beginners as well!
If you think of any other questions about this topic, drop me a comment, and I will answer the best I can!
Now it is time for YOU to get Crafty with Ashy! ….. in the comments!
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