In this post, I’ll discuss the eight different yarn weights for knitting and crochet. From thinnest to thickest yarn sizes, I’ll talk about their names, how each weight is used, and how to tell the size differences.
Like all of my blog posts, you'll find a lot of information here. For your convenience, I've included a handy table of contents below. If you're looking for something specific, feel free to jump right to the section.
Let's get started.
Table of Contents
- What Does Yarn Weight Mean?
- Different Yarn Weight Categories
- (0) Lace = Lace Weight Yarn or Crochet Thread
- (1) Super Fine = Fingering or Sock Weight Yarn
- (2) Fine Weight = Sport Weight or Baby Weight
- (3) Light = Double Knit Yarn (DK) or Light Worsted Yarn
- (4) Medium = Worsted Weight, Aran Yarn, Heavy Worsted, or Afghan Yarn
- (5) Bulky = Chunky Weight or Bulky Yarn
- (6) Super Bulky = Super Bulky Yarn or Roving Yarn
- (7) Jumbo = Jumbo Yarn or Roving Yarn
- Yarn Weight Chart
- Yarn Groups
- Determining Yarn Weight
What Does Yarn Weight Mean?
When we talk about the meaning of a yarn weight, we’re talking about the size, or the thickness, of the yarn strand. It could be a thick yarn, a thin yarn, or somewhere in between. Rarely, though, does it have anything to do with how much it weighs if placed on a scale.
Different Yarn Weight Categories
The Craft Yarn Council devised a numerical yarn weight system to distinguish eight (8) different yarn weight categories. This system made it easier to predict the number of stitches over a number of inches using certain knitting needle sizes.
It’s an easy to remember system with numbers assigned to each, from 0 - 7, with the thinnest being 0. In other words, the bigger the number, the thicker the yarn.
In order from thinnest to thickest, the eight yarn sizes are lace (0), Super Fine (1), Fine (2), Light (3), Medium (4), Bulky (5), Super Bulky (6), and Jumbo (7).
You'll also find that certain yarn weights are referred to by other names, or that they’re categorized in different yarn groups. I'll elaborate on each of these aspects later on.
For now, let’s begin with the thinnest yarn weight category: lace.
(0) Lace = Lace Weight Yarn or Crochet Thread
Lace yarn is the thinnest yarn and lightest weight. This category includes yarn (crochet) thread, cobweb yarn, lace, and light fingering yarns.
It’s often used with large knitting needles or large crochet hooks to create openwork lace patterns. Here’s one example of an intricate lace shawl using thin yarn and large knitting needles.
You can also use lace weight yarn to create a marled yarn for a touch of color. Or try double stranded knitting for an added yarn effect like a yarn halo using mohair, for example.
Gauge for lace knitting isn't exact because lace is often blocked open. Therefore, it’s best to work to the gauge specified in your knitting pattern. So, whether you love to crochet with thin yarn or knit with it, you can find the recommended gauges for lace yarn below.
Recommended Knitting Needle Size: US 000 (1.5mm) - 1 (2.25mm)
Knit Stockinette Gauge per 4 in/10 cm: 33 - 40 stitches
Recommended Crochet Hook Size: B–1 (2.25 mm); Steel 6, 7, 8 (1.6mm - 1.4mm)
Crochet Gauge per 4 in/10 cm: 32 - 42 stitches
Recommended Lace Weight Yarns:
(1) Super Fine = Fingering or Sock Weight Yarn
Commonly known as fingering weight yarn, Super Fine yarn also goes by other names. Some call it finger yarn or even, oddly, fingerling weight yarn, though this is likely a misinterpretation.
Many knitters will also refer to fingering as sock weight yarn since socks are often knit in this weight. However, not all fingering yarns are for knitting socks, and not all socks use this weight.
A sock yarn is typically a blend of wool and nylon (or similar) for durability and longevity. If a super fine yarn has these attributes, like this one, then it’s a suitable sock yarn.
Super Fine yarns are perfect for projects that require drape without added weight or significant warmth. Additionally, colorwork knitters favor fingering yarns because the thin yarn lends itself to more intricate designs in a smaller amount of space.
Like in this Electric Love Mosaic Cowl. As you can see from these two versions, the fingering yarn allows for more pattern repeats over a smaller area.
Size 1 yarns are available in micro skeins (10g), mini skeins (20g), half skeins (50g), full yarn hanks (100g), and 150g yarn skeins.
Recommended Knitting Needle Size: US 1 (2.25mm) - 3 (3.25mm)
Knit Stockinette Gauge per 4 in/10 cm: 27 - 32 stitches
Recommended Crochet Hook Size: B-1 (2.25mm) - E-4 (3.5mm)
Crochet Gauge per 4 in/10 cm: 21 - 32 stitches
Recommended Super Fine Weight Yarns:
Malabrigo Mechita Yarn
Cascade Yarns Heritage Silk
~~~~~~
Regia Sock Yarn
Wayback Yarns Capital Sock Yarn
(2) Fine Weight = Sport Weight or Baby Weight
Commonly known as sport weight, Fine yarn is also called baby weight yarn. It creates a lightweight knit fabric that’s ideal when knitting for babies.
Though it’s still a finer yarn, sport weight yarn is sufficiently warm without being too hot or heavy. It’s a great weight for crochet toys or amigurumi, knitted hats, sport weight socks, and even colorwork or stranded knitting.
Despite these positive attributes, fine 2 weight yarns are not as frequently used as fingering or DK weight yarns.
Recommended Knitting Needle Size: US 3 (3.25mm) - 5 (3.75mm)
Knit Stockinette Gauge per 4 in/10 cm: 23 - 26 stitches
Recommended Crochet Hook Size: E-4 (3.5mm) – 7 (4.5mm)
Crochet Gauge per 4 in/10 cm: 16 - 20 stitches
Recommended Fine Weight Yarns:
Paton's Beehive Baby Sport yarn
Cascade Yarns 220 Superwash Sport
Wayback Yarns Solid Gold Sport yarn
(3) Light = Double Knit Yarn (DK) or Light Worsted Yarn
This category includes light worsted and double knit (DK) yarns. You'll hear it called “jumper weight” yarn, but this occurs mostly in the UK.
Here’s a fun fact about DK weight yarns. Once upon a time, spinning mills weren’t able to spin yarns any thicker than fingering. So, they doubled two strands of fingering. And so, the size 3 yarn weight was born.
Of all the yarn weights, double knit is the most popular because of its functionality and versatility. As you can see, at the time of this post, there were over 143,000 knitting patterns in DK yarns on Ravelry.
Looking for double knit patterns? Try this free knit headband pattern or this dk hat pattern.
Recommended Knitting Needle Size: US 5 (3.75mm) - 7 (4.5mm)
Knit Stockinette Gauge per 4 in/10 cm: 21 - 24 stitches
Recommended Crochet Hook Size: 7 (4.5mm) - I-9 (5.5mm)
Crochet Gauge per 4 in/10 cm: 12 - 17 stitches
Recommended DK Weight Yarns:
Lion Brand Truboo yarn
Wayback Yarns DK 250 yarn
Cascade Yarns Anchor Bay (shown above)
Premier Yarns Anti-Pilling Everyday DK yarn
(4) Medium = Worsted Weight, Aran Yarn, Heavy Worsted, or Afghan Yarn
Medium 4 yarn is one of the most commonly used yarn weights. It’s ideal for knitting and crochet beginners, especially if used in 100% wool. It has the right thickness for stitch definition and is easy to hold on to as you learn how to knit.
When talking about Worsted Weight, you're talking about the size 4 yarn category. However, there are others that fall within this class such as Aran yarn, Heavy Worsted weight yarns, and Afghan Yarn.
Despite their slightly thicker densities, they're still considered medium worsted weights. I mention this because the CYC doesn’t classify aran weight on its own, but other places do, so it’s important to know the difference.
Medium yarn is ideal for knitting soft baby blankets in worsted weight cotton yarn. You could also learn how to make a garter stitch scarf or a textured knit hat.
This category is very popular. You'll find an abundance of worsted weight crochet patterns here and knitting patterns here for everything you can imagine.
Recommended Knitting Needle Size: US 7 (4.5mm) - 9 (5.5mm)
Knit Stockinette Gauge per 4 in/10 cm: 16 - 20 stitches
Recommended Crochet Hook Size: I-9 (5.5mm) to K-10 ½ (6.5mm)
Crochet Gauge per 4 in/10 cm: 11 - 14 stitches
Recommended Worsted Weight Yarns:
Red Heart Super Saver yarn
Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton yarn
Universal Yarn Deluxe Stripes
Cascade 220 Worsted Weight yarn
(5) Bulky = Chunky Weight or Bulky Yarn
Size 5 yarn is known as bulky weight yarn, chunky yarn, or 12 ply yarn. This weight is a favorite among beginner knitters and crocheters for several reasons. For one, the projects work up quickly. Secondly, the yarn is thicker and easier to hold.
Thirdly, bulky 5 weight yarn is easy to find at most local yarn stores (LYS) and big box stores. Finally, you’ll find a huge assortment of yarn colors, fibers and yarn blends for you to choose from in size 5 yarn.
Chunky weight yarn makes for warm knitted accessories like this scarf or this cowl. Weight 5 yarn is also commonly used for crafts like Christmas stockings, rugs, macramé, or other household items.
Recommended Knitting Needle Size: US 9 (5.5mm) - 11 (8mm)
Knit Stockinette Gauge per 4 in/10 cm: K-10 ½ (6.5mm) - M-13 (9mm)
Recommended Crochet Hook Size: 12 - 15 stitches
Crochet Gauge per 4 in/10 cm: 8 - 11 stitches
Recommended Bulky Weight Yarns:
Cascade Yarns Cherub Chunky
Knit Picks Swish Bulky weight yarn
Premier Yarns Puzzle (shown above)
(6) Super Bulky = Super Bulky Yarn or Roving Yarn
Size 6 Super Bulky yarn is thick and makes the warmest of knits. This 6 weight yarn includes Roving Yarn, which also falls into the next category as well, Jumbo yarn 7.
A single ply yarn, roving is defined as a collection or bundle of fibers in their raw state before they’ve been spun and twisted.
You might see this category referred to as Super Chunky yarn but you likely won’t see “Roving” or “Super Chunky” as a category title. Just be aware. The same goes for when you’re shopping for yarn.
Try this free super bulky knit hat pattern or this garter stitch pattern, the Arabesque Cowl, using yarn held double.
Recommended Knitting Needle Size: US 11 (8mm) - 17 (12.75mm)
Knit Stockinette Gauge per 4 in/10 cm: 7 - 11 stitches
Recommended Crochet Hook Size: M-13 (9mm) - Q (15mm)
Crochet Gauge per 4 in/10 cm: 7 - 9 stitches
Recommended Super Bulky Weight Yarns:
Bernat Pop Bulky Yarn
Lion Brand Hometown Yarn (shown above)
Drops Pure Wool Single Stranded (Roving)
(7) Jumbo = Jumbo Yarn or Roving Yarn
There’s no mistaking jumbo 7 weight yarn. It’s a super thick yarn that creates big stitches and big stitch projects that work up super-fast!
Jumbo yarn, since it's so thick, is most often used in arm knitting. Arm knitting is a knitting technique where you use your arms instead of knitting needles.
Looking for jumbo yarn patterns? You can find jumbo knits here and jumbo size 7 crochet patterns here.
Recommended Knitting Needle Size: US 11(8mm) - 17 (12.75mm)
Knit Stockinette Gauge per 4 in/10 cm: 7 - 11 stitches
Recommended Crochet Hook Size: M-13 (9mm) - Q (15mm)
Crochet Gauge per 4 in/10 cm: 7 - 9 stitches
Recommended Jumbo Weight Yarns:
Bernat Blanket Extra Yarn
Lion Brand Off the Hook Yarn
Yarn Weight Chart
Here are two yarn weight charts that reflect the different yarn weight categories, and the yarn types within those categories. Each also includes the recommended knitting needle sizes (US and UK), and stitches per 4" using the recommended yarn and needle size.
Below is a yarn weight chart cheat sheet reflecting knitting needle sizes in the UK.
Yarn Groups
While yarn weights are the standard, they’re not used universally. In some instances, you'll find yarn groups used to differentiate the categories. For example, Garnstudio Drops Yarn uses this method.
Their yarn group names consist of letters A through F, with Group A being the thinnest yarn and Group F being the thickest yarn.
Here’s a list of the yarn groups and their equivalent yarn weights followed by a handy yarn weight chart:
- Yarn Group A = Lace (0), Fingering/Sock (1), and Sport (2).
- Yarn Group B = DK (3) and Worsted (4).*
- Yarn Group C = Worsted (4) and Aran (4).*
- Yarn Group D = Chunky / Bulky (5).
- Yarn Group E = Super Bulky (6).
- Yarn Group F = Super Bulky (6) to Jumbo (7).
* Note that medium worsted yarn falls under Yarn Group B and Yarn Group C. Be sure to check your knitting gauge if using a yarn equivalent.
Source: Craft Yarn Council's Yarn Standards
Determining Yarn Weight
Ok, so we’ve clarified the different weights and groups names. Now, let’s talk about how you determine yarn weight.
The first way is to read your yarn label. Look for a symbol on the yarn label showing the number of the weight. The symbol will look something like this.
If your yarn label doesn’t specify, don’t worry. I’ll teach you how to figure out yarn weight here.
This wraps up our discussion of the 8 different yarn weights for knitting and crochet. If you have questions or comments, please feel free to message me below.
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