A hook gauge or ''needle gauge'' is a measuring device used by

crochet Crochet (; ) is a process of creating textiles by using a crochet hook to interlock loops of yarn, thread (yarn), thread, or strands of other materials. The name is derived from the French term ''crochet'', meaning 'hook'. Hooks can be made from ...

ers and

knit Knitting is a method by which yarn is manipulated to create a textile, or fabric. It is used to create many types of garments. Knitting may be done by hand or by machine. Knitting creates stitches: loops of yarn in a row, either flat or i ...

ters to test the sizes of particular

crochet hook A crochet hook (or crochet needle) is an implement used to make loops in thread or yarn and to interlock them into crochet stitches. It is a round shaft pointed on one end, with a lateral groove behind it. The point eases the insertion of the hook ...

s and

knitting needle A knitting needle or knitting pin is a tool in hand-knitting to produce knitted fabrics. They generally have a long shaft and taper at their end, but they are not nearly as sharp as sewing needles. Their purpose is two-fold. The long shaft ' ...

s. Hook gauges are usually made of plastic or aluminum and have sizing holes from 2mm to 11mm diameter. A hook gauge also functions as a ruler to test the size of a test swatch of handmade

fabric Textile is an umbrella term that includes various fiber-based materials, including fibers, yarns, filaments, threads, different fabric types, etc. At first, the word "textiles" only referred to woven fabrics. However, weaving is not the ...

.Stoller, p. 23.

Sizing conventions

A hook gauge is the most reliable way to determine the actual size of a tool. Even though most hooks and needles have

metric Metric or metrical may refer to: * Metric system, an internationally adopted decimal system of measurement * An adjective indicating relation to measurement in general, or a noun describing a specific type of measurement Mathematics In mathem ...

sizing, tool dimensions vary slightly between different manufacturers. Non-metric sizing conventions also change over time. For instance, different sizing charts rate a 4.0mm hook as either a

U.S. The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territori ...

G/6 or an F/5.

Importance of accurate sizing

U.S. textile craft terminology employs the word ''gauge'' in two different ways: as ''hook gauge'' in reference to the sizing tool, or as a standalone term

gauge Gauge ( or ) may refer to: Measurement * Gauge (instrument), any of a variety of measuring instruments * Gauge (firearms) * Wire gauge, a measure of the size of a wire ** American wire gauge, a common measure of nonferrous wire diameter, es ...

to describe the number of stitches in a standard sized sample of work, usually 4" or 10cm. UK terminology refers to the latter as ''tension''. Craft patterns include a gauge or tension measurement and good practice among crafters is to achieve the correct gauge on a sample swatch before embarking on the full project. As one crochet guidebook explains:

Whenever you are following a crochet pattern you will notice that a gauge is included. This is an all-important guide to obtaining the proper size of the square or garment you are working on. If you don't get the proper gauge, the item will not fit properly and you may run out of
yarn Yarn is a long continuous length of interlocked fibres, used in sewing, crocheting, knitting, weaving, embroidery, ropemaking, and the production of textiles. Thread is a type of yarn intended for sewing by hand or machine. Modern manufact ...
before finishing.

Several factors affect fabric gauge, including hook or needle size, although sometimes a crafter may change tool size deliberately in order to achieve a certain gauge. Accurate needle and hook sizing reduces the number of variables that affect these decisions. Additionally, if substitute tools are needed during the course of the project a hook gauge can determine whether a given tool is appropriate in advance of actual work.Eckman, pp. 124-128.

Notes

References

* Susan Cottrell & Cindy Weloth, ''The New Granny Square'', New York: Lark/Chapelle, 2006. * Edie Eckman, ''The Crochet Answer Book'', North Adams, Massachusetts: Storey Publishing, 2005. * Debbie Stoller, ''Stitch 'N Bitch Crochet: The Happy Hooker'' New York: Workman Publishing, 2006.

External links

* {{knitting Crochet Knitting Dimensional instruments