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US Size 19 Knitting Needles (15 mm): Yarn Weight, Gauge and Conversions

Last updated Researched from specs, manuals and owner reviews We earn from qualifying purchases
Quick answer

A US size 19 knitting needle is 15 mm in diameter. It suits jumbo yarn, which knits at 6 or fewer stitches per 4 inches. At up to 6 stitches per 4 inches, a 20 inch hat needs up to 32 stitches and an 8 inch scarf up to 12.

Knitting needle size is the diameter of the shaft, measured in millimeters. This needle is 15 mm, about 0.59 inch across. US size 19 is the American label for a 15 mm needle. The millimeter figure is the one that matches across every brand, so it is printed on most needles and needle gauges.

What is a US 19 knitting needle in mm and old UK sizes?

US 19 knitting needle conversions
Metric15 mm
Inches (diameter)0.59 in
US size19
Old UK and Canadian sizeNone
Crochet hook, same diameterP/Q (15 mm)
Usual yarn weightjumbo
Estimated gaugeup to 6 stitches per 4 in

Some charts also list the sizes below. They are close enough to 15 mm that they share this page.

Related sizes covered on this page
MetricUSOld UKNote
19 mm35NoneListed on conversion charts.
25 mm50NoneListed on conversion charts.
35 mm70NoneListed on conversion charts.

What yarn weight goes with US 19 needles?

The Craft Yarn Council lists 15 mm inside the recommended needle range for the yarn weights below. The hat and scarf columns show how many stitches the full gauge range of each weight gives, so you can see how much the yarn choice moves the numbers.

Yarn weights for 15 mm needles
Yarn weightCYC needle rangeGauge per 4 in20 in hat8 in scarf
Jumbo12.75 mm (US 17) and larger6 or fewerup to 32up to 12

How many stitches do you cast on with US 19 needles?

The estimated gauge places 15 mm within the CYC range for jumbo yarn: the smallest recommended needle gets the most stitches per 4 inches and the largest gets the fewest. That gives up to 6 stitches per 4 inches on this needle. Circular pieces are rounded to a multiple of 4 so 2x2 ribbing works out.

Estimated cast-on stitches on 15 mm needles
PieceWidth or circumferenceCast on (estimate)
Hat, 20 in around (multiple of 4)20 inup to 32
Snug hat, 18 in around18 inup to 28
Cowl, 24 in around24 inup to 36
Scarf, 8 in wide8 inup to 12
Baby blanket, 42 in wide42 inup to 63
Throw, 50 in wide50 inup to 75

Swatch before you trust any cast-on number

Knit a swatch at least 6 inches wide, wash and dry it the way you will treat the finished piece, then count stitches across the center 4 inches. Put your real number into the cast-on calculator for an exact count.

Needles and supplies for US 19 (15 mm)

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What crochet hook matches a US 19 knitting needle?

The P/Q crochet hook is also 15 mm. Diameter is where the match ends, though: crochet fabric is denser, so CYC pairs jumbo yarn with 12.75 mm (US 17) and larger needles but larger hooks. A 15 mm hook usually suits a lighter yarn than a 15 mm needle does.

What are the knitting needle sizes next to US 19?

Needle sizes near 15 mm
NeedleMetricUSOld UKUsual yarnEst. gauge per 4 in
US 1510 mm15000Super bulkyabout 9.5
US 1712.75 mm17NoneJumboabout 7
US 1915 mm19NoneJumboup to 6

Frequently asked questions

What size is a US 19 knitting needle in mm?

A US size 19 needle is 15 mm in diameter, about 0.59 inch. There is no old UK number for it on common conversion charts. Charts also list 19 mm (US 35), 25 mm (US 50) and 35 mm (US 70), covered on this page. US numbers were never fully standardized, so trust the millimeter size printed on the needle or check it in a needle gauge. The nearest size on the chart is US 17 (12.75 mm).

What yarn weight do you use with US size 19 needles?

CYC places 15 mm inside the recommended needle range for jumbo yarn. Jumbo is the usual match: its range is 12.75 mm (US 17) and larger, knitting at 6 or fewer stitches per 4 inches. The size sits inside a single category, so it is a straightforward match. Your pattern gauge matters more than the category name.

How many stitches do I cast on for a hat with US 19 needles?

At up to 6 stitches per 4 inches, our estimate for jumbo yarn on 15 mm needles, a 20 inch hat needs up to 32 stitches, rounded to a multiple of 4 for ribbing. For a snug fit many patterns size the hat 1 to 2 inches smaller than the head, which is about 28 stitches at 18 inches. The estimate places the needle within the CYC gauge range, so knit a swatch and recount before you cast on.

How many stitches for a scarf on US 19 needles?

Cast on up to 12 stitches for an 8 inch wide scarf at 6 stitches per 4 inches. A 6 inch scarf needs about 9 and a 10 inch scarf about 15. Stitch pattern changes both width and yarn: garter stitch used about 46 percent more yarn than stockinette in one test. A quick 4 inch swatch in the stitch you plan to use gives a better count than the label gauge.

What crochet hook is the same size as a US 19 knitting needle?

The P/Q crochet hook is also 15 mm, so the two share a diameter. They are not interchangeable for the same yarn, though. CYC pairs jumbo yarn with 12.75 mm (US 17) and larger needles but 15 mm (Q) and larger hooks, because crochet fabric is denser. A 15 mm hook usually suits a lighter yarn than a 15 mm needle does.

Are US size 19 needles good for beginners?

They can be, for quick projects. At 15 mm a throw can be as few as 75 stitches across, so finished pieces appear fast and stitches are easy to see. The trade-offs are heavy yarn, large loops that loosen easily and less forgiving tension, so start with a cowl or scarf before a blanket.

How we research: we compare manufacturer specifications, owner manuals, published standards and recurring themes in verified owner reviews. We do not test products in person, and this is researched guidance, not professional advice. Follow your machine manual and pattern, and take care with rotary cutters, hot irons and needles. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.