An example of yarn guideline information

In a recent blog post, I shared info on my latest project, The Puzzle Blanket. As I pulled out the next hank to add to the project, I checked the yarn guidelines to see the hook size I should use. I was very disappointed to see that there was no crochet information listed - only knitting.

While both crochet and knitting information can be found most times on brands carried at the "big box" stores (AC Moore, Michaels, etc.), a number of more "high end" brands do not list crochet information and even fewer have crochet patterns available.

Now there has always been what I refer to as sibling rivalry between knitting and crochet. Knitting is generally thought of as the hip craft done by Hollywood starlets while crochet is the craft of old ladies using ugly acrylic yarns to make toilet paper covers and tea cozies. Maybe this was the case at one point, I don't know, but I know that it is not the case now.

There is a way to figure out your hook size if the information is not given however by using a WPI tool (wraps per inch). By wrapping the yarn around the tool and counting the wraps, you can use the corresponding guide to determine the proper hook size.

What I do find annoying is that many yarn companies only include knitting information. The Craft Yarn Council of America has been working hard to change this, but obviously the still have a way to go. I hope the remaining yarn companies will come around and start listing both crochet and knitting information.