Guide to Thread Size

Thread size relates to the thickness. With yarn, the higher the number, the thicker the yarn is. This makes sense to us, but the opposite is true when it comes to crochet and tatting threads.

With thread, the higher or larger the number of the thread, the thinner it is. For example, size 3 is a thicker thread than a size 40 and a size 80 is smaller than a size 40.

Refer to the images below for a comparison of all five sizes of the Lizbeth® brand thread.

Common Thread Sizes

Size 3 crochet thread is about as thick as a lightweight yarn such as fingering or sport weight. This size is great for:

  • Knitted pieces such as scarves and shawls
  • Crocheted pieces such as amigurumi, scarves, snowflakes, lace tops, baby dresses, etc
  • Tatted pieces such as coasters, scarves, snowflakes, placemats, etc.

Size 10 crochet thread is slightly thinner than most yarns and is considered bedspread weight. This size is great for:

  • Lace Knitted pieces such as lace edgings, doilies and motifs
  • Crocheted pieces such as doilies, motifs, jewelry, snowflakes, edgings, coasters, bedspreads, curtains, mini amigurumi, etc. This is a very common size in crochet thread
  • Tatted pieces such as doilies, motifs, jewelry, snowflakes, edgings, ornaments, bookmarks, etc. This size is great for beginners
  • Other needle art projects such as Hand Quilting, Embroidery, Cross-stitch, and Needlepoint

Size 20 crochet thread is a very common size for tatting projects, such as edgings, snowflakes, doilies, ornaments, bookmarks, motifs, jewelry, etc. This size is also great for:

  • Lace Knitted pieces such as lace edgings, doilies and motifs
  • Crocheted pieces such as doilies, motifs, jewelry, edgings, coasters, snowflakes, bedspreads, curtains, mini amigurumi, etc. This is a very common size for thread crochet
  • Other needle art projects such as Needlepoint, Cross-stitch, Embroidery, and Hand Quilting

Size 40 crochet thread is a very common size for tatting projects, such as edgings, snowflakes, doilies, bookmarks, motifs, jewelry, etc. This size is also great for:

  • Lace Knitted pieces such as lace edgings, doilies and motifs
  • Crocheted pieces such as doilies, motifs, jewelry, edgings, snowflakes, etc.
  • Other needle art projects such as Machine and Hand Quilting, Bobbin Lace, Cross-stitch, and Embroidery

Size 80 is considered to be a “true” tatting thread size and is very fine. The other larger size threads are referred to as “crochet cotton” or “crochet thread.”

  • Lace Knitted pieces such as lace edgings, doilies and motifs
  • Tatted pieces such as edgings, doilies, bookmarks, motifs, snowflakes, jewelry, etc
  • Other needle art projects such as Machine and Hand Quilting, Bobbin Lace, Cross-stitch, and Embroidery projects.

Thread Brand Size Chart

This chart provides a comparison in size for the different thread brands.

Lizbeth thread size to Embroidery Floss

This chart provides a comparison of the Lizbeth brand size to number of embroidery floss strands.

Sizing Charts

Approximate diameters for each tatted piece (below):

  • Size 3 - 5.5in
  • Size 10 - 4.25in
  • Size 20 - 3.25in
  • Size 40 - 2.5in
  • Size 80 - 2in

Approximate diameters for each Crocheted piece:

  • Size 3 - 6.75in
  • Size 10 - 4.25in
  • Size 20 - 3.25in
  • Size 40 - 2.5in
  • Size 80 - 2in

Approximate diameters for each Knitted piece:

  • Size 3 - 4.5in x 5in
  • Size 10 - 3.25in x 3.5in
  • Size 20 - 2.25in x 2.75in
  • Size 40 - 2in x 2.75in
  • Size 80 - 1.25in x 1.75in
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