US, English and metric needle sizes do not line up neatly, and the English numbering runs in the opposite direction to the US one – a larger English number means a smaller needle. The metric measurement is the reliable one.
As with hooks, needle diameters vary a little between manufacturers. Use the chart to find the right ballpark, then swatch and change needle size until your gauge matches the pattern.
| US | English | Metric (mm) |
|---|---|---|
| 15 | 000 | 10 |
| 13 | 00 | 9 |
| 11 | 0 | 8 |
| – | 1 | 7 1/2 |
| – | 2 | 7 |
| 10 1/2 | 3 | 6 1/2 |
| 10 | 4 | 6 |
| 9 | 5 | 5 1/2 |
| 8 | 6 | 5 |
| 7 | 7 | 4 1/2 |
| 6 | 8 | 4 |
| 5 | 9 | 3 3/4 |
| 4 | - | 3 1/2 |
| 3 | 10 | 3 1/4 |
| – | 11 | 3 |
| 2 | 12 | 2 3/4 |
| 1 | 13 | 2 1/4 |
| 0 | 14 | 2 |
A dash means there is no equivalent size in that system.
Knitting Abbreviations
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| beg | beginning |
| bet | between |
| CC | Contrast Color |
| CO | cast on |
| dec | decrease |
| dpn | double pointed needles |
| eor | every other row |
| inc | increase |
| K2tog | knit 2 together |
| K | knit |
| MC | Main Color |
| KB | knit through back of st (loop) |
| P | purl |
| PB | purl through back of st (loop) |
| psso | pass slipped st over |
| PW | purl wise (or as if to purl) |
| rem | remaining |
| sk | skip |
| sl | slip |
| sp | space |
| st | stitch |
| tbl | through back of loop (st) |
| tog | together |
| won | wool on needle |
| wrn | wool round needle |
| yo | yarn over |
| yon | yarn over needle |
| yrn | yarn round needle |
