Photo shows Aran Rozsana Cuffs in a range of Size #5 cotton threads and equivalent sock yarns and embroidery flosses; beads are size 6/0 ("E") seed beads.
Size #5 crochet thread is fairly equivalent in thickness to CYCA #1 Super Fine or US "fingering weight' yarn {UK & AUS 3 Ply or 4 Ply}; however, not all yarns behave like a cotton crochet thread of the same thickness, so substitutions may not work well. Six-strand cotton embroidery floss falls in this size range when crocheted with all 6 strands together.
Size #10 crochet thread: some thread crocheters call this popular size “bedspread weight.” It's lumped together with thinner thread sizes in the yarn industry’s catch-all “lace weight” category: CYCA #0 Lace weight yarn {UK & AUS ??}; and most lace weight yarns don’t behave like a cotton crochet thread of the same thickness. Most of my thread crochet jewelry is designed for use with smooth, finely twisted and plied mercerized cotton, preferably “z-twisted” (i.e. has a counterclockwise twist).
Photo shows two jasmine bracelets, one in Size #10 thread, the other in Size #3 thread.
Size #20 crochet thread: As with Size #10 & #30 crochet threads, equivalent yarn weight names are not helpful with these extra fine threads. For the best looking and lasting crochet jewelry, use a “6-cord” thread, sometimes called "cordonnet." It has recently become easier to find in more colors than the traditional white and ecru.
Size #30 crochet thread: As with Size #10 & #20 threads, equivalent yarn weight names are not helpful with these extra fine threads. For the best looking and lasting crochet jewelry, use a “6-cord” thread, although it's difficult to find it in modern colors.
Is it possible to substitute embroidery floss, perhaps 2 strands out of the 6, for #20 thread?
ReplyDeleteHi Water Pegasus :-)
ReplyDeleteThe short answer, based on my experience, is yes. My longer answer is that sometimes the substitution is not exactly equivalent. It might still be close enough, depending on your project.
It may be that strands of embroidery floss behave differently from most crochet threads because the floss has fewer plies that are twisted much less; or the intense dyes cause flosses to vary (this happens with different colors of the same yarn too); or the flosses vary in quality by brand or over time.
Bit late to say thank you, but I shall anyway as this question occurred to me again today, and here's where Google led me, once more. Ha ha. Thanks, Vashti. I've been trying needle tatting and so want to find thread equivalents.
ReplyDeleteFor crochet, perhaps the best way is to figure out if you're getting the same number of stitches per inch as with the equivalent thread or pattern suggestion? Personally, I'm not a fan of gauge swatches. I like to make small items, accessories more than clothes. That could always change though. :)
I absolutely love that I've stumbled onto your site in the midst of my searches to improve my crocheting! Until recently, I've only crocheted with regular old yarn, and not too terribly well. I do, however, make beaded jewelry and have recently decided to try using crochet in some of my pieces. While I have difficulty making squares and circles, straight lines are not so tough for me! I do have a question for you that I don't seem to see in your posts (unless I missed it while reading them!). When using crochet thread in jewelry, do you use thread conditioners? Why, or why not? And if so, which types do you prefer? Also, what are your feelings on bamboo crochet threads?
ReplyDeleteHi Julie,
ReplyDeleteI don't use thread conditioners, only because I haven't tried them yet. I haven't been in a hurry to, because I tend to prefer threads that do not already have sizing or starches or waxes in them. I'd like to experiment sometime though.
I've used several bamboo yarns and only one bamboo thread (Aunt Lydia's brand). I like it very much! I'm using it for a delicate lace scarf. I don't think I've used bamboo for jewelry so far. Thanks for writing!
Thank you so much for answering all my questions! I'm quite new to the idea of crocheting jewelry, and there are so many things I'm trying to figure out for ideas that I have, but there really doesn't seem to be any place to find the answers. I really appreciate you answering those questions for me, though! That gives me somewhere to start. :)
ReplyDeleteIf there's any way you can be in Reno Nevada this Sept. 13 for the Chain Link conference ( www.crochet.org ), the Creating Crochet Jewelry class I'll be teaching sounds like it would be exactly what you're looking for!
DeleteI would absolutely love to be able to, but due to health issues, I'm not able to travel on my own, and my significant other has rather large work responsibilities with the project he's responsible for. It's a bit of a major bummer to have to have a chaperone to make sure I'm okay, but it is a necessity, unfortunately.
ReplyDeleteI'm trying to make beaded crochet bracelets and the like, and seem to be having difficulty finding any bamboo crochet thread in a size 5. I've finally gotten a way (using Fireline and beading needle) to get my 11/0 seed beads to fit on size 10 crochet thread, but I'd like to see what size 5 looks like, feels like, works like, etc. Prior to embarking on this endeavor, I've only crocheted with Red Heart worsted weight acrylic yarn, and have made all my jewelry using beads, wire, headpins, eyepins, and the like. Will the class be available AFTER the fact online via any sort of video venue? I'd love to be able to view it!!
Hi, I have a crochet pattern that call for a #4 class yarn but I want to use a #3 crochet thread. How do I calculate the converstion/substitution?
ReplyDeleteHi Denise, those numbers make the yarn and thread sizes sound similar, but it's accidental--it's due to two different weight numbering systems.
ReplyDeleteA #4 yarn weight is generally "worsted weight" or "medium weight" for which a size H/8/5mm crochet hook is recommended (or nearby hook size; swatch to see what's best for your project).
A "Size 3" crochet thread is generally equivalent to a "sport weight" yarn, for which a size E/3.5mm crochet hook, or nearby size, is usually recommended.
Another way I've heard them compared is that a medium weight yarn is equivalent to two strands of a sport weight yarn. That's a big difference!
You can test this with the thread you want to use by swatching with two strands held together, and the hook size recommended in the pattern you wish to use. So if it looks and feels and drapes the way you like. Measure the stitches and rows per inch to see how it compares to the recommended gauge given in the pattern.
Good luck! Yarn substitutions are always a case-by-case experiment, more so if you're switching yarn for thread and vice versa.
What size crochet thread can I substitute for #10 Lydias crochet thread. I'd like to create some botties out of a softer perhaps fingering sized yard, but the pattern calls for #10 cotton weight.
ReplyDeleteThank-you, April
Hi April,
DeleteI hope I 'm not too late in replying. Look for a yarn labeled "lace weight". This is a vague area of yarn weight numbering. Some are closer to #10 thread, some are so fine that they're closer to #20 or #30 thread!
You might also like some that are called "Light Fingering Weight". It helps to match the stitch gauge in the pattern with the recommended stitch gauge given on the yarn label, when it's available.
If you buy a lace weight yarn in a yarn shop, the shop employee should be able to help you understand the stitch gauge information on the label.
Good luck!
Hello I have a pattern for a baby dress in Number 10 cotton thread and want to do it in baby wool, as its for a winter baby, please can you tell me the ply I need to use for this?.
ReplyDeleteHi Patricia,
DeleteI think your question is similar to April's, although it sounds like you might be using UK terminology? It might be "1-ply" but I don't know the yarn weight system by "ply" very well. But you could try Googling something like "yarn weight systems US UK" or "yarn weight equivalents" and see what ply would be equivalent to "Lace Weight," or perhaps "Light Fingering Weight." ("Fingering Weight" is equivalent to the next thicker size of cotton thread, which is #5; so a yarn referred to as "Light Fingering Weight" might be closer to #10 thread.
Hope this helps some!