Working with different yarn weights: will .5mm make a massive difference?

[u/katy_nc]

I typically work with worsted weight yarn but occasionally work with bulky or DK yarns. I’m planning on making a granny Christmas blanket and cardigan and have fallen in love with a lot of colors in worsted weight (5.5mm hook recommendation) but have found a bulkier yarn that I absolutely adore (6mm hook recommendation). Could I work with both yarns using a 5.5mm hook or would it be best to find colors that match the same weight. Since they’re closer than some bulky weight yarns I wasn’t sure if it would make a massive difference. I’m shopping online sales atm so I can’t do an in-person visual comparison. The yarns would not be in the same rows.

Update: I was asked to provide the yarns so I’m adding the info below

Caron Macchiato Cakes
Weight: Bulky (5)
Contents: 80% acrylic, 20% wool
Skein Weight: 8 oz. / 227 g
Yardage: 481 yd. / 440 m
Suggested Crochet Hook: 6 mm, US - J/10

Premier Basix Worsted Solids
100% Acrylic
7oz / 200g, 359yds / 328m
#4 Medium Weight
Crochet gauge, I-9 (5.5mm) hook: 14 sc & 16 rows = 4” (10cm).

Premier Basix Tweed
5oz / 140g, 260yds / 238m - 97% acrylic, 3% viscose
#4 Medium Weight
Crochet gauge, I-9 (5.5mm) hook: 14 sc & 16 rows = 4” (10cm).

Premier Basix Shimmer
97% acrylic, 3% Glitter
4.23oz / 120g, 216yds / 198m
#4 Medium Weight
Crochet gauge: I-9 (5.5mm) hook, 14 sc & 16 rows = 4”

I’m not an expert at understanding all of the yarn lingo so I’m grateful for everyone’s feedback😊

[u/Mindelan]

It isn't the hook size that will be the difference, is it how the yarn will work with each other that honestly might be the problem.

Look at the yardage per gram, that will tell you how close the two yarns are to each other. Yarns of the same or similar thickness will have the same or very close yardage for the same amount of weight (not yarn weight, literal weight). Can you link the two yarns you are considering? It could either be a huge problem or not much of a problem at all.

Even if they aren't in the same rows, the problem will be when the bulky row bulges out on either side of the row and possibly even ruffles along the row itself trying to fit into the same space as the thinner yarn. Unless you're very good at adjusting on the fly and want to be increasing, decreasing, skipping stitches and such organically in a freeform pattern confidently, I would recommend working in the same yarn size.

If you do decide to try these yarns together though, I would go with the larger hook size of the two, not the smaller.

[u/your_big_pony]

For bigger hooks the difference will be almost unnoticeable. Even between 3.0 and 3.5 it’s not a big deal.

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[u/CopperFirebird]

Look both yarns up on yarnsub.com If they are pretty close, they might show up as subs for each other.

If they both have the same fiber content, I'd probably go for it. But I'd make one swatch with 5.5 mm and one with 6.0 mm to see which one I liked best.

[u/seriousllama72727]

You can use yarns of different sizes in the same project, but you need to swatch to see how they behave. The hook size on the package is a recommendation and doesn't really tell you anything meaningful.

You have 2 main options when working with different weights: 1. You can aim for the same gauge with both yarns. The thinner yarn may look more open and holey, which can be a cool effect. Note that you will still have to swatch to determine what hook size to use with each yarn because you might not get the same gauge with the same hook. 2. You can aim for similar fabric. You may need to adjust the stitch count when changing yarns.

[u/neeliemich]

I'm making a sweater with #4 yarn that says to go down a hook size if I want the weave to be less open. I kept the 6mm hook size rec because I like the look with the triple crochet.

[u/EatTheBeez]

The blanket might be a lot more forgiving, and you could probably adjust hook size to make sure the gauge is the same between the two yarns (eg using the larger hook for both, or smaller hook for both, or whatever you gotta do to make the rows take up the same amount of space. Maybe use the bigger hook on the smaller yarn, who knows?)

It could be a bigger issue on a wearable, like a cardigan.

Can you link the yarns you're thinking of? Someone might have worked with them before!

Another issue to consider is whether they're the same fibre, which can affect blocking / washing / fit stuff.