Your yarn label says 5.5 mm. The amigurumi pattern says 3.5 mm. One of them must be wrong, right? Neither is. Amigurumi is crocheted much tighter than a scarf or a blanket, so the stuffing stays inside and the toy keeps its shape. Instead of guessing, we looked at the hook sizes in 62 free amigurumi patterns we’ve checked by hand, and turned them into one simple amigurumi hook size chart.
Images are original AI-created editorial illustrations. Follow designer links to see the actual pattern designs.
Quick answer: For amigurumi, use a hook about 2 mm smaller than your yarn label suggests. In the 62 free patterns we checked, worsted (#4) yarn most often uses a 3.5 mm (E-4) hook, sport or fine yarn uses 2 mm, and super bulky chenille uses 5 mm (H-8). If the stuffing shows through, go down another 0.5 mm.
Data checked: November 2, 2026. The numbers come from the pattern cards in our Christmas amigurumi, snowman and gnome roundups. Every hook size is the one the designer lists on their own pattern page.
Looking for something specific? Try our Pattern Finder to filter every pattern by skill level, time, sewing and hook size.
Jump to: The chart · Why smaller hooks · Worsted · Sport, fine & DK · Chunky & blanket yarn · mm to US to UK · Stuffing shows · Easy on the hands · Real examples · FAQ
5 words you’ll see below
- Amigurumi: small stuffed toys made with crochet (a Japanese word).
- Yarn weight: how thick the yarn is, numbered from #0 (lace) to #7 (jumbo).
- Label hook size: the hook range printed on the yarn label. It’s meant for loose fabric like scarves, not toys.
- Gauge: how big your stitches are. In amigurumi, it’s usually given as “the first rounds measure X inches.”
- Ergonomic hook: a hook with a thick, soft handle that is easier to grip.
The amigurumi hook size chart (from 62 free patterns)
Most hook size charts online are made for blankets and garments. If you follow them for a toy, you get loose stitches, holes and stuffing poking through.
We counted the hook sizes that designers actually use for amigurumi. The pattern is very clear: for every yarn weight, amigurumi uses a hook well below the label range.
Start with the “most common” hook in this chart, then adjust after the first few rounds.
| Yarn weight | Label range (standard) | What amigurumi patterns use (our data) | Most common | Patterns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Super fine & fine (#1–#2) · sport, 4 ply | 2.25–4.5 mm | 1.75–3 mm | 2 mm | 14 |
| Light (#3) · DK, 8 ply | 4.5–5.5 mm | 2.5–3.5 mm | 2.5–2.75 mm | 3 |
| Medium (#4) · worsted, Aran | 5.5–6.5 mm | 2.5–5.5 mm | 3.5 mm (E-4) | 32 |
| Bulky & super bulky (#5–#6) · chunky, chenille, blanket yarn | 6.5–15 mm | 4.5–8 mm | 5 mm (H-8) | 9 |
Label ranges are the standard Craft Yarn Council recommendations printed on many US yarn labels. “Patterns” counts the patterns in our data that list a hook for that yarn weight.
Holding a skein of Red Heart Super Saver (a worsted #4 yarn)? The label points you to about 5 mm or more. For a toy, start at 3.5 mm, the hook used by 12 of the 32 worsted patterns in our data.
How we got these numbers
- We started with every pattern card in our Christmas amigurumi, no-sew, snowman and gnome roundups.
- We removed duplicates (some patterns appear in more than one roundup) and flat or home items like pillows, coasters and gift card holders. That left 62 stuffed amigurumi patterns.
- For each one, we used the main hook the designer lists. 59 of the 62 list a hook; we left out the 3 that don’t.
- “Most common” is the hook that appears most often for that yarn weight. With only 3 DK patterns in our data, treat the DK row as a starting point, not a rule.
Why amigurumi uses a smaller hook than your yarn label
New makers often trust the yarn label and use the big hook it shows. The toy comes out floppy, the stuffing peeks through, and safety eyes can feel loose.
A yarn label is written for fabric that drapes, like a sweater. Amigurumi needs the opposite: a dense, stiff fabric with tiny gaps. A smaller hook makes tighter stitches, so the fiberfill stays hidden and the shape holds.
Go down about 2 mm from the bottom of the label range for worsted yarn, and test with the first 5–6 rounds. Many designers give a gauge for those first rounds, so you can compare.
For example: Two patterns on our list show how designers do this. Jen Hayes’ gnome patterns say the first 6 rounds should measure about 2 inches across with a 3.5 mm hook and worsted yarn. Octopus Crochet’s gnome uses a 5-round circle of 5 cm with a 3.5 mm hook. If your circle is bigger, go down a hook size.
Worsted weight amigurumi: what hook size?
Worsted is the most popular yarn for amigurumi, but patterns ask for anything from 2.5 to 5.5 mm. It’s confusing when you only own one or two hooks.
In our data, 32 worsted patterns list a hook. 24 of them (75%) use something between 3.25 and 4 mm, and 12 use exactly 3.5 mm (E-4). The bigger hooks (4.5–5.5 mm) show up in larger, softer pieces, where a slightly looser look is fine.
If you buy one hook for worsted amigurumi, buy a 3.5 mm (E-4). Add a 3.25 mm (D-3) if your tension is loose, or a 4 mm (G-6) if your tension is tight.
| Worsted hook | Patterns in our data | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| 2.5–2.75 mm | 4 | Small, firm pieces and tiny details |
| 3.25 mm (D-3) | 5 | Firm toys, especially for loose crocheters |
| 3.5 mm (E-4) | 12 | The standard choice |
| 3.75–4 mm (F-5 to G-6) | 7 | Slightly larger, softer toys |
| 4.25–5.5 mm | 4 | Big or extra-soft pieces |
Making Jen Hayes’ Beginner Crochet Gnome or Winding Road’s Gnome Couple? Both list a 3.5 mm hook with worsted yarn, which matches the most common size in our data.
See both gnomes, and 18 more, in our 20 free crochet gnome patterns for Christmas.
Sport, fine and DK amigurumi: what hook size?
Tiny ornaments in cotton look crisp and neat, but many people start them with a 3 or 3.5 mm hook “because it’s the hook they have.” The result is lacy and stretched.
For sport and fine yarn (#1–#2), 9 of our 14 patterns use 2 mm or smaller. Little Crochet Farm’s mini ornaments, for example, consistently use 1.75–2 mm with sport-weight cotton. DK (#3, also called 8 ply in Australia and New Zealand) sits in between, at about 2.5–3.5 mm in our smaller sample.
Here’s what to check:
- Sport or 4 ply cotton: start at 2 mm. Use 2.5 mm if your stitches are very tight.
- DK or 8 ply: start at 2.5–2.75 mm for ornaments, up to 3.5 mm for softer toys.
- Cotton holds its shape better than acrylic at these sizes, so it’s the usual choice for tree ornaments.
For example: The Nordic Christmas Gnome by Natty Toys (Red Ted Art) uses a 2 mm hook with a fine cotton blend to reach a neat 22 cm. The same gnome with a 3.5 mm hook would come out larger and looser.
Chunky, chenille and Bernat Blanket amigurumi: what hook size?
Chenille and blanket yarns like Bernat Blanket are hugely popular for soft, squishy toys. But their labels suggest giant hooks, and with those, the stitches disappear into the fluff and holes open up.
For bulky and super bulky yarn (#5–#6), our 9 patterns with a hook use 4.5 to 8 mm, and 5 mm (H-8) is the most common. That’s far below the 9–15 mm label range for super bulky. The two patterns in our data that use blanket yarn, a Bernat Baby Blanket gingerbread man and The Loopy Lamb’s Jumbo Snowman, use 6.5 mm and 8 mm.
Here’s what to check:
- Super bulky chenille (#6) for small plushies: start at 5 mm (H-8).
- Blanket yarn (like Bernat Blanket) for bigger toys: start at 6.5 mm (K-10.5), or 8 mm (L-11) for jumbo pieces.
- Use stitch markers. Chenille hides your stitches, so it’s easy to lose count.
For example: Sweet Softies’ Chibi Christmas Snowman and Peyton the Polar Bear both use super bulky yarn with a 5 mm hook. That’s a hook most crocheters already own, even though the yarn label suggests something almost twice as thick.
Crochet hook size chart: mm to US to UK
A US pattern says “E hook,” a UK pattern says “size 9,” and your hook only shows “3.5 mm.” People search for this every day: “What letter is a 4 mm hook?” or “Is a 5.0 or 6.0 hook bigger?”
The mm number is the only system that’s the same everywhere. It’s the width of the hook, so a bigger number always means a bigger hook: a 6.0 mm hook is bigger than a 5.0 mm. US letters and old UK numbers are just labels for those widths.
Always buy and compare hooks by mm. Use this chart for the sizes amigurumi patterns use:
| mm | US | Old UK | Used for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 mm | No standard letter | 14 | Sport and fine cotton ornaments |
| 2.25 mm | B-1 | 13 | Fine yarn |
| 2.5 mm | Varies by brand (B or C) | 12 | Sport and DK |
| 2.75 mm | C-2 | 12 or 11 | DK ornaments |
| 3.25 mm | D-3 | 10 | Firm worsted toys |
| 3.5 mm | E-4 | 9 | Most worsted amigurumi |
| 3.75 mm | F-5 | 9 | Worsted, loose crocheters |
| 4.0 mm | G-6 | 8 | Worsted, softer toys |
| 4.5 mm | 7 | 7 | Bigger worsted or super bulky |
| 5.0 mm | H-8 | 6 | Super bulky chenille |
| 5.5 mm | I-9 | 5 | Bulky |
| 6.0 mm | J-10 | 4 | Bulky and chunky |
| 6.5 mm | K-10.5 | 3 | Blanket yarn |
| 8.0 mm | L-11 | 0 | Jumbo toys in blanket yarn |
US letters for small sizes like 2.5 mm differ between brands, and old UK charts can differ by one number. When in doubt, go by mm.
A UK pattern asks for a “size 9 hook.” In mm, that’s 3.5 mm, the same E-4 hook used by most worsted amigurumi in our data.
Stuffing showing through? How to fix it
You finish a toy, stuff it, and see white fiberfill between every stitch. It’s one of the most common amigurumi problems.
Gaps come from three things: a hook that’s too big, loose tension, or overstuffing that stretches the fabric. The hook is the easiest to change.
Here’s what to check:
- Go down 0.5 mm (for example, from 3.5 to 3.25 mm) and redo the first rounds.
- Compare with the designer’s gauge if the pattern gives one.
- Stuff firmly but not until it stretches. Push the stuffing in small pieces.
For more fixes, see our 34 common crochet mistakes.
If a worsted snowman shows fiberfill with a 4 mm hook, try 3.5 mm before changing anything else. In our data, that’s the hook most worsted designers choose.
Easy on the hands: big hooks and ergonomic handles
Amigurumi uses small hooks and tight stitches. After an hour, many crocheters feel it in their thumbs, wrists or shoulders, especially in December when they’re making gifts every evening.
Two things help the most: a thicker handle (so you grip less) and thicker yarn (so you make fewer stitches). Several designers on our list mention the hooks they use, including Clover Amour and Furls, two popular hooks with ergonomic handles.
Here’s what to check:
- Try an ergonomic hook with a soft or wide handle, in the 3.5 mm size you’ll use most.
- Switch to super bulky chenille with a 5 mm hook for some projects. You’ll make a toy in far fewer stitches.
- Take a short break every 20–30 minutes and stretch your fingers.
- Use our Pattern Finder’s “Easy on the hands” filter to see every pattern with a 5 mm hook or bigger.
If 2 mm cotton ornaments hurt your hands, try a super bulky snowman with a 5 mm hook instead. It’s a hook more than twice as thick, and the toy is finished much faster. See our 20 free crochet snowman patterns for chunky options.
Real examples: which hook should you grab?
These are practical picks based on our data.
| Your situation | Grab this hook | Why |
|---|---|---|
| “I have worsted acrylic and want my first toy.” | 3.5 mm (E-4) | 12 of 32 worsted patterns use it |
| “My worsted toy shows stuffing.” | 3.25 mm (D-3) | One step smaller closes the gaps |
| “I’m making tiny cotton tree ornaments.” | 2 mm | 9 of 14 sport and fine patterns use 2 mm or less |
| “I’m using DK or 8 ply yarn.” | 2.5–2.75 mm | Our DK patterns use 2.5–3.5 mm |
| “I bought chenille or plush yarn.” | 5 mm (H-8) | Most common hook for super bulky |
| “I bought Bernat Blanket for a big toy.” | 6.5 mm (K-10.5) | Our blanket-yarn patterns use 6.5–8 mm |
| “The pattern is British and says size 9.” | 3.5 mm | UK 9 = 3.5 mm |
| “My hands hurt after an hour.” | 5 mm ergonomic + chenille | Fewer stitches, softer grip |
European crafters: yarn names and hook sizes
If you live in the UK, Europe or Australia, US yarn names and letter hooks can be confusing, and many free amigurumi patterns are written in US terms.
The hook problem is easy: metric (mm) sizes are used almost everywhere, and every pattern in our data that lists a hook gives the size in mm. The yarn names are where people get stuck.
Here’s what to check:
- Yarn names: US worsted (#4) is close to UK/EU Aran. US DK (#3) is DK, called 8 ply in Australia and New Zealand. US sport (#2) is close to UK 4 ply.
- Stitch terms: a US single crochet (sc) is a UK double crochet (dc). Check which terms the pattern uses before you start.
- Labels: many European yarn labels show a needle or hook range in mm. Treat it like a US label: for amigurumi, start well below it.
- Selling toys: if you sell finished amigurumi in the EU or UK, a soft toy must follow toy safety rules, including CE or UKCA marking. Also check each designer’s selling policy.
A maker in Germany with an Aran-weight wool can follow a US worsted pattern with the same 3.5 mm hook. That’s what most worsted amigurumi in our data use.
Amigurumi hook size FAQ
What size crochet hook is best for amigurumi?
It depends on the yarn. In the 62 free patterns we checked, worsted (#4) yarn most often uses a 3.5 mm (E-4) hook, sport and fine yarn use 2 mm, and super bulky chenille uses 5 mm (H-8).
What hook size should I use for worsted weight amigurumi?
Start with a 3.5 mm (E-4) hook. In our data, 24 of 32 worsted patterns use between 3.25 and 4 mm. Go smaller if the stuffing shows, and bigger if your stitches are too stiff to work.
What hook do I use for Bernat Blanket amigurumi?
Much smaller than the label. The blanket-yarn patterns in our data use 6.5 mm and 8 mm, and most super bulky chenille toys use 5 mm. Start at 6.5 mm for bigger toys, or 5 mm for small, firm ones.
Is a 5.0 or 6.0 mm hook bigger, and what letter is a 4 mm hook?
A 6.0 mm hook is bigger. The mm number is the hook’s width, so a higher number always means a bigger hook. A 4 mm hook is a US G-6, and a 3.5 mm hook is an E-4.
Why does my stuffing show through my amigurumi?
Usually the hook is too big for your tension. Try a hook 0.5 mm smaller, compare with the designer’s gauge, and stuff firmly without stretching the fabric.
Do I need a different hook for small amigurumi parts?
Usually not. Most patterns use one hook for every piece so the stitches match. Some designers use a slightly smaller hook for tiny parts like ears or a nose to make them firmer, and the pattern will say so.
What is the best crochet hook for beginners making amigurumi?
A 3.5 mm or 4 mm hook with a soft, ergonomic handle and worsted yarn is a comfortable place to start. Inline and tapered hooks both work, so choose the one that feels better in your hand.
Find a pattern for the hook you already own
Got a 3.5 mm hook and a ball of worsted? Or a 5 mm hook and some chenille? Our Pattern Finder lets you filter every free pattern we’ve listed by skill level, time, sewing and hook size, including an “Easy on the hands” filter for 5 mm hooks and up.
Keep exploring:
- Christmas amigurumi for beginners: how to choose your first pattern
- 31 free Christmas amigurumi patterns
- 13 no-sew Christmas amigurumi patterns
Save this chart for your next project
Pin the chart: save this page to your crochet board on Pinterest, so the hook sizes are there the next time you start a toy. We update our data as we add new roundups.
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