Bigger is smaller. With yarn, the bigger the number, the thicker the yarn; the opposite is true with thread. With crochet thread, a size five is thicker than a size 30. If you want to work with crochet thread but you aren’t very used to it, you’ll want to start with a thicker thread, which means lower numbers. Yarn weights are numbered from zero to seven. Zero is the thinnest, and seven is “jumbo.” This is important to know because a yarn that is labeled “0” is a lace weight or fingering weight yarn but it is also comparable in thickness to some of the thicker thread weights. So, if you’re at a yarn store that doesn’t have a specific section for thread, look for fingering weight yarn instead. However, there are also other types of crochet thread, and those may be tougher to find. Acrylic, nylon, metallic, and silk threads are options that many people seek for a cotton-alternative in crochet. It is often easier to find these alternatives online than in stores, where cotton will prevail. Popular yarn brand Red Heart has its own line of nylon thread. Universal Yarn and Willow Yarns also have a few options when it comes to thread. Check Etsy for more unique offerings, particularly in terms of colors. Most name brands offer just solid colors, but Etsy sellers will sometimes have hand-dyed options that are variegated and more interesting to work with.
