Know your international knitting conversions

If you ever search for knitting patterns online, you might come across the pattern you want, but if it originates in the US, do you know which size needles to use, and do you understand the knitting terms? And if you find a gorgeous vintage pattern in a charity shop, are you sure of the sizes? Here's a handy conversion chart.

International needle sizes

Metric - mm                   US pin numbers              Original UK,

                                                                                 Australian,

                                                                                 Canadian and
                                                                                 South African

2.....................................00..................................14

2.25.................................0...................................13

2.75.................................1...................................12

3......................................2...................................11

3.25..................................3...................................10

3.75..................................4....................................9

4.......................................5....................................8

4.5....................................6.....................................7

5.......................................7....................................6

5.5....................................8.....................................5

6.......................................9....................................4

6.5.....................................10..................................3

7........................................10.5...............................2

7.5......................................11.................................1

8.........................................12.................................0

9.........................................13.................................00

10........................................15................................000

Knitting terms

Some of the language used in knitting is different on either side of the Atlantic too...

 UK                                     US

cast off                            bind off

garter stitch                     plain knitting

moss stitch                     seed stitch

needle                             pin

stocking stitch                 stockinette stitch

tension                            gauge

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