Standard Yarn Weight Guide (2024)

When we classify yarn by weight, it has little to do with how heavy a yarn is, but rather how thick is the strand of the yarn. The Craft Yarn Council, along with publishers, fiber and needle and hook manufacturers, have created a series of guidelines and symbols to bring uniformity to yarn, needle, and hook labeling to make it easier to select the right materials for a project and complete it successfully.

If your pattern of choice calls for a specific yarn but you prefer to use a different yarn, you can use the yarn weights as a basis for substitution. While most yarns within a yarn weight category are interchangeable, not all are identical. It is imperative to construct a gauge swatch with the yarn that you intend to use in a project to be sure that you are matching the gauge of your project pattern.

Lace Weight

0 Weight is the lightest weight of yarn. Lace weight produces an extremely fine gauge fabric. Lace weight yarns are often knit or crocheted on larger needles and hooks to create lacy, openwork patterns. Accordingly, gauge range is difficult to determine. Lace weight yarns are often used for delicate shawls and wraps.

Recommended Knitting Needle Size: US 000-1 or 1.5mm-2.25mm Knitting Needles
Recommended Crochet Hook Size: Steel Crochet Hook 1.6mm-1.4mmor Regular 2.2

Common Gauge over 4 inches
Knitting Stockinette: 33-40 stitches
Crochet Single Crochet: 32-42 stitches

(Gauge is difficult to determine for lace weight yarns as it is often used to make lacy, open stitch work. Always follow the gauge as stated in your pattern.)

All Lace Weight Yarn

Rowan Fine Lace

Super Fine - Fingering or Sock

More often referred to as fingering weight yarn, 1 weight is a bit heavier than lace and creates a more substantial fabric. Still very fine gauged, fingering weight yarn can also produce lovely openwork projects. This yarn can be used in a very wide range of projects, including socks, shawls, baby and adult garments, and accessories.

Recommended Knitting Needle Size: US 1-3 or 2.25mm-3.25mm
Recommended Crochet Hook Size: B-1 to E-4 or 2.25mm – 3.5mm

Common Gauge over 4 inches:
Knitting Stockinette: 27-32 stitches
Crochet Single Crochet: 21-32 stitches

All Super Fine Weight Yarn

Manos Fino Mini Set

Fine Weight - Sport

2 Weight yarn is often called sport or baby weight. Slightly heavier than fingering weight, sport weight yarns are great for colorwork, textured fabric, and cabling. This yarn is great for cozy socks, as well as sweaters with great ease and drape.

Recommended Knitting Needle Size: US 3-5 or 3.25-3.75mm
Recommended Crochet Hook Size: E-4 to 7 or 3.5mm – 4.5mm

Common Gauge over 4 inches
Knitting Stockinette: 23-26 stitches
Crochet Single Crochet: 16-20 stitches

All Fine Weight Yarn

Stolen Stitches Nua

Light Weight - Double Knit (DK Yarn)

Light Weight yarn is more commonly called DK or Double Knit. This yarn creates a lovely, drapey fabric that is so popular probably because it works up much faster than its thinner counterparts. Sweaters, accessories, and children’s garments are just a few of the projects that are complemented with DK weight yarn.

Recommended Knitting Needle Size: US 5-7 or 3.75mm-4.5mm
Recommended Crochet Hook Size:7 to I-9 or 4.5mm – 5.5mm

Common Gauge over 4 inches:
Knitting Stockinette: 21-24 stitches
Crochet Single Crochet: 12-17 stitches

All Light Weight and DK Yarn

Feederbrook Farm Entropy DK

Medium Weight - Worsted and Aran

4 Weight yarn, more commonly known as worsted weight, is the workhorse yarn of the knitting and crochet world, for good reason. This yarn weight is very popular because it can be used for just about anything, from garments to accessories to home décor. Bridging the gap between lighter and heavier weight yarns, 4 weight is perfect for beginners of either craft.

Recommended Knitting Needle Size: US 7-9 or 4.5mm-5.5mm
Recommended Crochet Hook Size: I-9 to K-10 ½ or 5.5mm – 6.5mm

Common Gauge over 4 inches:
Knitting Stockinette: 16-20 stitches
Crochet Single Crochet: 11-14 stitches

All Worsted Weight Yarn

All Aran Weight Yarn

Harrisville Designs Highland

Bulky Weight

Bulky or 5 weight yarn is approximately twice as thick as worsted weight yarn. Sometimes referred to as chunky, craft, or rug yarn, it usually works up quickly using larger needles or hooks. This yarn is great for a heavier, cozy sweater, or for rugs and throws.

Recommended Knitting Needle Size: US 9-11 or 5.5mm-8mm
Recommended Crochet Hook Size: K-10 ½ to M-13 or 6.5mm – 9mm

Common Gauge over 4 inches:
Knitting Stockinette: 12-15 stitches
Crochet Single Crochet: 8-11 stitches

All Bulky Weight Yarn

Woolfolk Luft

Super Bulky

Super Bulky or 6 weight yarn is a very thick yarn that works up quickly on large needles and hooks. Most often it is used for cowls, scarves, and hats.

Recommended Knitting Needle Size: US 11-17 or 8mm-12.75mm
Recommended Crochet Hook Size: M-13 to Q or 9mm – 15mm

Common Gauge over 4 inches:
Knitting Stockinette: 7-11 stitches
Crochet Single Crochet: 7-9 stitches

All Super Bulky Weight Yarn

Malabrigo Rasta

Jumbo

The thickest yarn weight currently is Jumbo or 7 weight. These super thick yarns are used in any big stitch projects or for arm knit or crochet. Jumbo yarn works up super fast into big stitch cowls, scarves, hats, or blankets.

Recommended Knitting Needle Size: US 17 and larger or 15 mm and larger
Recommended Crochet Hook Size: Q and larger or 15mm and larger

Common Gauge over 4 inches:
Knitting Stockinette: 6 stitches and fewer
Crochet Single Crochet: 6 stitches and fewer

All Jumbo Weight Yarn

Berroco Macro

Source: Craft Yarn Council, www.yarnstandards.com

FAQs

What is standard yarn weight? ›

Knitting yarn comes in a variety of weights, starting with lace weight (0), super fine or fingering weight (1), fine or sport weight (2), light or DK weight (3), medium or worsted weight (4), and on to bulky or heavy worsted (5), super bulky (6), and then finally, jumbo or roving (7).

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What is 2 strands of worsted weight yarn equal? ›

– Two sport weight yarns held together yields approximately a light worsted weight yarn. – Two DK-weight yarns held together yields approximately a worsted/heavy worsted weight yarn. – Two worsted weight yarns held together yields approximately a bulky weight yarn.

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What is the most popular yarn weight? ›

Medium Weight - Worsted and Aran

4 Weight yarn, more commonly known as worsted weight, is the workhorse yarn of the knitting and crochet world, for good reason. This yarn weight is very popular because it can be used for just about anything, from garments to accessories to home décor.

Can I use DK instead of worsted? ›

Although DK is lighter than worsted, they are both considered to be medium weight yarns, and they're often used for the same kind of projects. You might be able to substitute one for the other, but always knit a gauge swatch first.

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What happens if you use the wrong weight yarn? ›

Choosing a heavier yarn, such as Aran, or a lighter one, such as sport, will change the tension of your knitting, and could result in a piece that doesn't fit well.

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How to tell if yarn is worsted? ›

Worsted weight yarn is a medium weight yarn that is extremely popular with crocheters and knitters due to its versatility. Commonly referred to as afghan yarn and aran yarn, worsted weight yarn sits in the middle of the yarn weight family and is often distinguished by a number 4 symbol on a yarn label.

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What are the numbers for yarn weight? ›

International standard weights

USA	UK	Wraps per Inch,
3 or Light	DK (Double Knit) or 8 ply	11-15 wpi
4 or Medium	Worsted, Aran, Triple Knit (rare)	9-12 wpi
5 or Bulky	Chunky, Double Double Knit (rare)	6-8 wpi
6 or Super Bulky	Super Chunky	5-6 wpi

6 more rows

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How do I calculate how much yarn I need? ›

Formula: (length x width x gauge) / 6 = yards needed. Length and width are in inches and gauge is in stitches per inch. The division by 6 is to convert the answer from square inches to yards. For example, if you'd like a scarf 48" long and 8" wide using a worsted weight yarn, (48 x 8 x 5) / 6 = 320 yards.

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How to calculate yarn size? ›

To estimate Yards or Metres

Weigh your yarn. Call this number A.
Divide number of yards or metres in a full skein by the weight of a full skein in grams. (You may need to convert from ounces if your label only includes ounces.) ...
Multiply A by B to get the approximate number of yards or metres in your ball.

Jun 23, 2020

How to determine yarn weight without label? ›

The wraps per inch of a yarn is determined by wrapping the yarn around a knitting needle and then measuring how many times it wrapped around the needle in a one-inch segment. Corrina demonstrates this with a super bulky yarn and a worsted weight yarn.

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What two yarns make super bulky? ›

*2 strands of a lighter worsted yarn (e.g. Wool-Ease or Fishermen's Wool) held together may approximate the thickness of a chunky yarn, while 2 strands of a heavier worsted weight yarn (e.g. Vanna's Choice) held together may approximate the thickness of a super bulky yarn.

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Are Aran and worsted the same? ›

While both worsted and aran yarn are in the medium yarn weight category, they have slight differences. An aran weight is generally heavier than worsted weight yarn, resulting in a smaller gauge. For instance, an aran yarn may have a gauge of 16 sts = 4” while worsted yarn could have a gauge of 18 sts = 4”.

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Is sport weight yarn a 2 or 3? ›

2—Fine (Sport, Baby) Sport weight yarn works best for items such as socks, wraps, heirloom sweaters, and other delicate accessories. It is also used for lightweight afghans. 3—Light (DK, Light Worsted) Slightly heavier than a fine weight yarn, this weight is used for items such as garments and heavier baby items.

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Is worsted weight yarn the same as 8 ply? ›

Your finished piece will be an eensy bit smaller than one crocheted with thicker yarn… but it's easier than ordering yarn from overseas! So there you have it… worsted weight and 8 ply yarns aren't the same… but you shouldn't let that stop you from making an awesome amigurumi!

How to tell yarn weight for crochet? ›

The scale starts at 0 for the thinnest yarns and goes up to 7 for the thickest. Think of the number on the label as a quick way to know the yarn's weight. For example, if you see the number 4, it means you have a medium-weight yarn. Even if you switch brands, a number 4 still means medium weight.

What's the difference between worsted and DK weight yarns? ›

According to Craft Yarn Council's Standard Yarn Weight System, DK weight yarn falls into the category 3-Light yarn weight, along with light worsted yarns. It is thinner than category 4-Medium yarns (a.k.a. worsted weight yarn) and heavier than 2-Fine yarns (a.k.a. sport weight yarn).

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