US E-4 Crochet Hook: Metric Size

E-4 measures 3.5mm — the top of fingering weight's recommended hook range (B-1 to E-4) and, at the identical metric size, right at the bottom edge of sport weight's own range (E-4 to 7).

Where E-4 gets used

A standard choice for sock-weight and fine shawl crochet, and also a very common amigurumi hook, since a size at or slightly below a yarn's "standard" range produces the tight, stuffing-proof fabric amigurumi wants. Many amigurumi patterns specify E-4 with worsted-weight yarn specifically — a hook two or three full sizes smaller than worsted's own recommended range, deliberately chosen for density rather than drape.

Neighbors on the chart

D-3 (3.25mm) sits one step finer; F-5 (3.75mm) one step up. Between D-3 and E-4, and between E-4 and F-5, the metric jump is a consistent 0.25mm — this stretch of the hook scale is one of its more evenly spaced sections.

Gauge implications

At single crochet's fingering-weight range (21-32 stitches per 4 inches), E-4 typically sits mid-to-loose. Swapped onto worsted-weight yarn for amigurumi purposes, the same hook produces a noticeably denser fabric than worsted's own recommended range (I-9 to K-10.5) would — which is the entire point of the substitution, not an error to correct.

FAQ

Why do amigurumi patterns specify a hook so much smaller than the yarn weight suggests? To produce fabric dense enough that polyester stuffing doesn't show or poke through between stitches — amigurumi deliberately trades the yarn's natural drape for structural tightness.

Is E-4 a common "default" hook size to own? Yes — it bridges two commonly used weight categories (fingering and sport) and doubles as a widely used amigurumi size, making it one of the more broadly useful single hooks in a starter collection.

What knitting needle size is closest to E-4 in diameter? A US 4 knitting needle (3.5mm) matches exactly, though matching diameter between the two crafts doesn't produce comparable fabric density — crochet uses more yarn per stitch than knitting at any given tool size.

Should my first amigurumi hook be E-4? It's a solid choice — pairing E-4 with worsted-weight yarn is one of the most commonly recommended amigurumi starting combinations, giving a genuinely dense fabric without needing an unusually small, fiddly hook.