Yarn Weights, Explained
Yarn weight is a thickness class from 0 (lace) to 7 (jumbo); worsted is a medium 4 and DK a light 3, so DK knits more stitches to the inch.
By Elliana SmithContributing writer.
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The short answer
Yarn weight is not how heavy a ball is. It is how thick the strand is, sorted into eight classes numbered 0 to 7 by the Craft Yarn Council. Most yarn labels print the number inside a small skein symbol, often next to a name such as DK, worsted or bulky.
Thicker yarn means fewer stitches per inch and larger needles or hooks. Thinner yarn means more stitches and smaller tools. A pattern names a weight so your finished piece comes out the size it was designed to be.
Yarn weight chart
These ranges come from the Craft Yarn Council's Standard Yarn Weight System. Knit gauge is the number of stockinette stitches across 4 inches.
| No. | Class | Common names | Knit gauge per 4 in | US needles | US hooks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | Lace | Fingering, 10-count thread | 33 to 40 | 000 to 1 | Steel 6 to 8, B-1 |
| 1 | Super fine | Sock, fingering, baby | 27 to 32 | 1 to 3 | B-1 to E-4 |
| 2 | Fine | Sport, baby | 23 to 26 | 3 to 5 | E-4 to 7 |
| 3 | Light | DK, light worsted | 21 to 24 | 5 to 7 | 7 to I-9 |
| 4 | Medium | Worsted, afghan, aran | 16 to 20 | 7 to 9 | I-9 to K-10 1/2 |
| 5 | Bulky | Chunky, craft, rug | 12 to 15 | 9 to 11 | K-10 1/2 to M-13 |
| 6 | Super bulky | Super bulky, roving | 7 to 11 | 11 to 17 | M-13 to Q |
| 7 | Jumbo | Jumbo, roving | 6 or fewer | 17 and up | Q and up |
The council calls these guidelines that reflect the most common sizes. Lace yarn is often worked on larger needles for an open fabric, so its gauge depends on the pattern.
What does worsted weight mean
Worsted is the everyday medium yarn, class 4. On the chart it knits 16 to 20 stitches per 4 inches on US 7 to 9 needles. Aran and afghan yarns share the same class.
Worsted is a common starting yarn because the stitches are large enough to see and count, and the fabric works for sweaters, hats, blankets and dishcloths.
DK vs worsted yarn
DK (short for double knitting) is class 3, one step thinner than worsted:
| DK (3, light) | Worsted (4, medium) | |
|---|---|---|
| Knit gauge per 4 in | 21 to 24 | 16 to 20 |
| US needles | 5 to 7 | 7 to 9 |
| Metric needles | 3.75 to 4.5 mm | 4.5 to 5.5 mm |
| Typical result | Lighter, finer fabric | Thicker, warmer fabric |
Swapping one for the other without changing anything makes the piece smaller (DK) or larger (worsted). Some yarns sold as light worsted overlap with DK, so a swap can work if your swatch matches the pattern gauge.
Check gauge before you start
The weight class narrows the choice, but your hands and needles set the final size. Knit or crochet a swatch at least 4 inches wide, count the stitches, and compare with the pattern:
- More stitches than the pattern: try a larger needle or hook.
- Fewer stitches: try a smaller one.
The council's crochet ranges use single crochet stitches across 4 inches, so a crochet pattern will state its own gauge line.
Shopping for yarn on Wiki Shopping
Yarn, needles, hooks and notions sit in the arts, crafts and sewing department. Read the weight number on the label or listing before you buy, and buy enough from the same dye lot to finish the project.