Knitting Needle Conversion Chart

The knitting needle conversion chart comes in really handy when you find yourself confused with the sizes. Just imagine you have found your perfect pattern for your jumper, shawl, or maybe for adorable baby booties. You gathered your yarn and knitting needles ready. Then everything grinds to a halt. You see many different-sized needles and don’t know which needle goes for which yarn. Or maybe you are confused about UK and US sizes. That should not happen to anyone. That’s where the knitting needle conversion chart saves your day.

Using the Chart: It’s Easier Than You Think! 

Most charts have three columns: metric (mm), UK (numbers), and US (numbers). Simply find the size listed in your pattern, e.g., US 7, and follow it across the chart. You will see the corresponding size in the other system. In this case, it will be likely 4.5 mm metric and UK size 9.

Despite using the same metric sizes, the UK and the US have different numbering or sizing systems. From single pointed knitting needles to circular needle sizes range from 0 to 50 in the US, while in the UK, they range from 14 to 000. The modern knitting patterns used in these countries are in metric language. Therefore, they use millimeters in all patterns. It’s really easy to understand: as the value of mm increases, the needle thickness will increase in the US and decrease in the UK.

 Knitting Needle Conversion Chart 

Metric (mm)	US Size	UK Size
2.0	0	14
2.25	1	13
2.5	1.5	-
2.75	2	12
3.0	2.5	11
3.25	3	10
3.5	4	–
3.75	5	9
4.0	6	8
4.5	7	7
5	8	6
5.5	9	5
6	10	4
6.5	10 ½	3
7	–	2
7.5	–	1
8	11	0
9	13	00
10	15	000
12	17	–
15	19	–
20	36	–
25	50	–

Pro Tips for Conversion Chart Mastery 

Gauge is key: The ultimate goal is achieving the specified gauge mentioned in the pattern. No matter which type of needle you use, such as a single to circular needle, the gauge (number of stitches and rows per inch) remains the same. If you are not sure of the converted size, knit a swatch with your suspected needle size and measure your gauge. Adjust needle size up or down as needed to hit the target.
 
Start small: Whenever you are in doubt, just number down the size. Knitting with needles slightly smaller than recommended will result in a tighter fabric, which is generally easier to fix than a project that's too loose. But if you are knitting a lace pattern, then you should take one larger needle and one smaller. You can also use double pointed needles if your projects are supposed to be round with the same method.
 
No needle size mentioned: If your needles are not marked with the needle sizes or perhaps the ink just washed away after multiple uses, you will need a “Needle Gauge.”
 
Now, you must be wondering what is a needle gauge and how do we use it?
A knitting needle gauge is a vital tool for measuring and identifying knitting needles. It assists knitters in choosing the right needle size for their projects, guaranteeing the ideal gauge and texture of the finished fabric. A flat ruler-like piece of plastic or metal with a number of different-sized holes or slots is usually used as the gauge.

Now to answer the next question how to use it? You simply need to insert the needle tip into the hole. If the needle is comfortably placed in the specified hole, then that is the size you need. If it fits too loosely, just place it in the next smaller hole.

With your newfound conversion chart skills, you will be on your way to start your knitting journey. Now, who is ready for some fabulous new projects? Bookmark this blog for help in a click.