Translator
As I scour the net for wool, patterns, advice etc I am constantly having to look up US terms and translate them into English (I’m sorry but you North Americans do NOT talk English as we English know it !! ;D ) I have not found one single source for translating needle sizes, wool type, pattern terms etc so thought I’d make on myself.
This is an organic page and I will add more terms as I come across them, if you come across any please let me know!
Knitting Needle Sizes
I have seen different conversions for some needle sizes which indicates that the needle sizes are not exact equivalents and it may be that if you knit looser or tighter then you will need the next needle up or down. This is particularly true where there are several needles spanning a very small difference in size eg 2 mm to 4 mm only 2 mm of difference but 5 UK sizes and 7 US.
The important lesson here is – always knit a swatch if you are using a US pattern but knitting on English needles!
|
UK |
US |
Metric |
|
24 |
8/0 |
½ mm |
|
22 |
6/0 |
3/4mm |
|
20 |
- |
- |
|
19 |
5/0 |
1 mm |
|
18 |
4/0 |
1 ¼ mm |
|
17 |
000 |
1 ½ mm |
|
16 |
- |
- |
|
15 |
00 |
1 ¾ mm |
|
14 |
0 |
2 mm |
|
13 |
1 |
2 ¼ mm |
|
|
|
2 ½ mm |
|
12 |
2 |
2 ¾ mm |
|
11 |
|
3 mm |
|
10 |
3 |
3 ¼ mm |
|
|
4 |
3 ½ mm |
|
9 |
5 |
3 ¾ mm |
|
8 |
6 |
4 mm |
|
7 |
7 |
4 ½ mm |
|
6 |
8 |
5 mm |
|
5 |
9 |
5 ½ mm |
|
4 |
10 |
6 mm |
|
3 |
10 ½ |
6 ½ mm |
|
2 |
- |
7 mm |
|
1 |
- |
7 ½ mm |
|
0 |
11 |
8 mm |
|
00 |
13 |
9 mm |
|
000 |
15 |
10 mm |
|
- |
17 |
12 ½ mm |
|
- |
18 |
14 mm |
|
- |
19 |
15 ½ mm |
|
- |
35 |
19 mm |
Crochet Hook Conversion
This table gives the metric hook size, old UK sizing and US sizing
|
Metric |
UK |
US |
|
2mm |
14 |
- |
|
2.25mm |
13 |
B/1 |
|
2.5mm |
12 |
- |
|
2.75mm |
- |
C/2 |
|
3.0mm |
11 |
- |
|
3.25mm |
10 |
D/3 |
|
3.5mm |
9 |
E/4 |
|
3.75mm |
- |
F/5 |
|
4.0mm |
8 |
G/6 |
|
4.5mm |
7 |
7 |
|
5.0mm |
6 |
H/8 |
|
5.5mm |
5 |
I/9 |
|
6.0mm |
4 |
J/10 |
|
6.5mm |
3 |
K/10 1/2 |
|
7.0mm |
2 |
- |
|
8.0mm |
0 |
L/11 |
|
9.0mm |
00 |
M/13 |
|
10.0mm |
000 |
N/15 |
Crochet Terms
Terms for crochet in the US and the UK are different – the same term is used to identify a different stitch and this can make following patterns from each country quite confusing. These are some of the basic crochet terms as they appear in UK and US patterns
|
UK |
US |
|
Double Crochet (dc) |
Single Crochet (sc) |
|
Treble Crochet (tc) |
Double Crochet (dc) |
|
Double Treble Crochet (dtr) |
Treble Crochet (tr) |
Wool/Yarn
The basic difference here is that in the UK (well certainly amongst my family and friends!) we refer to anything that is knit with as “wool” whether it has any wool content or not. The term “yarn” is moving into usage but is not as widely used as it is in the US.
There are also different terms used for the thickness/weight of wool/yarn –
|
UK |
US |
Australia |
|
2 ply |
light fingering |
|
|
3 ply |
fingering |
|
|
4 ply |
fingering/sport |
5 ply |
|
DK – double knitting |
sport/knitting worsted |
8 ply |
|
|
knitting worsted |
10 ply |
|
Aran |
|
12 ply |
|
Chunky |
bulky |
14 ply |
|
No 10 crochet |
bedspread weight |
|
|
Crochet cotton |
crochet cotton |
|
Pattern Terms
|
UK |
US |
|
Cast on |
Bind on |
|
Tension |
Gauge |
|
Stocking Stitch |
Stockinette Stitch |
|
Grafting |
Kitchener Stitch |
|
Moss Stitch |
Seed Stitch |
|
Yarn Forward |
Yarn Over |
|
Cast off |
Bind off |
|
|
|
Other Miscellaneous Terms etc
None of these are strictly knitting terms but they are words/terms where I have discovered the need for translation when reading patterns/websites/blogs or talking to my American friends –
Jumper
In the UK we refer to a knitted top with long sleeves that you pull over your head as a “jumper” or sometimes a “pullover” – this is generally called a “sweater” in the US.
I believe that “jumper” in the US would be a skirt with an attached bib (see Little House on the Prairie)? This is a pinafore in the UK
Tank top
This is like a jumper but has no sleeves – in the US you would call this a vest, although I think the term vest in the US is also used for what we would call a waistcoat
– a sleeveless buttoned garment worn between the shirt and jacket as part of a three-piece suit?
To further confuse, I think that in the US a “tank top” is a ladies top with narrow straps what we would call a vest or a camisole in the UK!!! – confused yet???
Vest
In the UK this term is used for an undergarment worn mainly by children and old men generally sleeveless – US equivalent would be undershirt?
In the UK we also have the wonderful garment known as the String Vest, generally worn by your granddad with shorts, sandals and socks and a knotted handkerchief whilst visiting the seaside…..
Trousers
These are called pants in the US, which causes endless amusement to us Brits as “pants” are what we call underpants.
Thank you so much for clearing this up. I have long been confused by the vast differences between English English and American English. Amused, but confused. Thanks Wendy!
I also understand that there may be a difference between our nations in the understanding of the expression “Oh my! I’m stuffed!” Ours is uttered after completing a full meal wherein we may have overeaten. Is it true that in England, that means “I’m pregnant”?
Hi Wendy–I came to this page through a link on Sonja’s site. I’m a Texan who used to live in Sheffield, UK. Like you, I had to learn a new language!
Here’s a translation story for you–in our Hallamshire Weaver’s Guild, a member read a alphabetical list of things you can make with the narrow woven tape you can make on an inkle loom. It was from an American magazine. “S” was for Suspenders. Everyone blushed and giggled, ’cause in British, suspenders are what garter belts are in American. American suspenders are British braces. But if you say ‘braces’ to an American–they think of something to straighten one’s teeth! It’s funny!
Thanks for your British/American knitting dictionary!
what does bind off mean please
Hi
I am from Australia and would like to convert a Patons 5ply pattern I have to an 8ply – does anyone have a formula to be able to do this? Can this even be done?
Thanks Belinda
Hi,
Thought you might want to add this to your list. I have been going out of my mind with a British pattern I have for a beautiful baby’s sweater, bonnet, and blanket set because I didn’t understand what was meant by “yarn forward”. In the States we would say “yarn over” or maybe “make one” – I couldn’t figure out if it was a typo in the directions or if there was some magical way to make a “knit” stitch with the yarn in the front!
Ali
Jean,
“Bind off” refers to the technique to take the stitches off of the needle and finish the knitted piece. Usually I just knit or purl two stitches and pass the first stitch over the second, knit or purl the next stitch and pass the next stitch over the latest stitch and so on. There are also three needle bind offs and I’m sure plenty of other techniques.
Ali
I had a similar problem to Ali’s. I was knitting a pair of beautiful fingerless gloves the pattern was from a Rowan magazine, I’m going great throughout the entire pattern and then the lace edging…. “yarn forward” ok I think to my self I will put the yarn forward, does this mean purl? put the yarn forward and what??? looked at the picture again… wait… this is lace… maybe a yarn forward is a yarn over…. test the theory out and if it’s right your pretty smart but if it’s wrong…. just frog it and google yarn forward. Guess what I was pretty smart. It worked.
Vest = Waistcoat
Bind-off = Cast off
just had to say congrats on your site its been great i have loads of usa patterns and your translator was fantastic thanks;o
Hi
thanks for the info on different yarn weights.
Mary
Thank you very much for needle conversion US/UK
I’m having trouble, I have an american pattern using ‘light worsted’ yarn. What does this mean in english? Please e-mail me the english equivalent, I really want to get on with it.
Fantastic! Recently I discovered a whole new world of knitting yarns, needles and patterns in the USA but it was a foreign language until I found your wonderful web site. I notice American patterns place great emphasis on knitting a small test piece to ensure the correct tension. I guess this isn’t a bad idea when we’re struggling with needle and yarn conversions. I’m forwarding this site on to friends in the USA!
Like you I have visited the States on many occasions. I have also found that Aran yarn is called 4ply knitting worsted there. Thought that this might fill in a gap. I have found your conversion table, especially with the needle sizes a great help.
Hmm, just a thought back home (Southern USA) we call the vest/undershirt a wifebeater colloquially–as in “only a wifebeater would wear them in public”. Admittedly, I tiedye them & wear them.
Fantastic site – so pleased. Could I ask if you could add crotchet hooks as well please? It would be really appreciated.
I have to admit the US seem to have a great flair to their patterns we Brits don’t (especially for kids), but I lose out because of trouble converting or understanding the difference of terms.
Thank you so much for clearing up my needle confusion. I recently received a British pattern for a couple of cute Wallace & Gromit toys and it says to use a size 11 needle with DK weight yarn. And I know that your DK weight is like our light worsted weight here. And there’s a huge difference in size between the British size 11 and our American size 11. I couldn’t make sense of it. Now I can finally get started!
What does the term PM2 mean in a knitting pattern?
great site for us english knitters. Very helpful. Could anyone help further I am knitting a jumper at the momment from a american pattern and it reads SKP what does it mean. Believe it or not I have lay a wake a night trying to decipher. it is for the top of the sleeves when it comes to shaping the top of sleeve.
Need some interpretation here with a knitting term. Am knitting a baby sweater from an old book that I picked up on one of my visitits to Scotland. I can do the job I am asking about, but would like to know what it really means.
Top sew. The instructions are to knit the front band for the front and neck edge, and then to top sew it in place.
Will you please tell me exactly what that means in British knitting???
Thank you.
Thanks so much, even the people in the shops here in USA don’t know what you’re talking about when you ask for 4 ply! So it is pretty hopeless.
Keep up the good work.
Am planning to start a knitting group to knit baby items for charities, so will let you know if knew questions/answers arise.
Again, thanks.
Diana
Thank you!!! I have at last found the answer to my query. I am part pf an organisation that is going to knit a shawl and have been trying to get the needle size in UK terms. Your efforts at putting this together are much appreciated.
Many thanks for a brilliant site. I have spent some time trying to discover what ’sportweight’ yarn is in order to convert a lovely American shawl pattern to UK yarns. I am extremely grateful to know that I need to be looking for our ‘double knitting’. You are providing a brilliant service – keep up the good work.
Hi, A translation question: I have a British pattern that says “work in plain throughout.” Does this mean stocking stitch???
Thank you!
Like Sheila (29 April 07)I’d love a conversion for crochet hooks. Lettered hook sizes do not tell Australians anything. The needle/hook size helps determine the wool/thread gauge for the pattern. Following American terms for crocheting is also a mammoth task in translation. I’d love a conversion table for this too. (Is single crochet, double crochet?)
Help please
Have a pattern that gives amounts in yards.how can I turn that into gramms.
Thankyou
thank you for your prompt reply. This was for a friend who spins her own yarn. I will pass on your advice.
Thanks Wendy. I was given a wonderful US pattern book for afghan’s (baby shawls and blankets) but could not work out the weight of wool to use. I can now start right away. Great site.
Hi I have an american pattern knitted in Lion velvetspun , can any one please tell me what this would knit up to in England please as i Can t seem to get this wool. Thank you, Lorraine xx
I have just bought an american knitting pattern that requires 20OZ of “sock and sweater yarn” I’m in the UK and have no idea what weight wool this is? I’d really appreciate a reply as I really want to knit myself this dress before Christmas…. thank you
Hi, I have an american pattern and the for the yarn it states worsted weight yarn with a gauge of 5 stitches per inch. Needles are given as 8, 9 or 10, again they are American measures. Would this be double knitting in the UK. Found your site very helpful
Regards Mo
I’m having trouble with a crochet pattern for a prayer shawl. The term I need explaining please is ’sp’. Many thanks for your help and for the website!