Standard Yarn
Weight
as determined by the Craft Yarn Council of America
|
Yarn Weight Symbol & Category Names |
 |
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Type of Yarns in Category |
Sock,
Fingering, Baby
3-Ply
|
Sport,
Baby
4-Ply
|
Light
Worsted
DK
|
Worsted,
Afghan, Aran |
Chunky,
Craft, Rug |
Bulky,
Roving |
|
Knit Gauge Range* in Stockinette Stitch to 4 inches |
27–32
sts |
23–26
sts |
21–24
sts |
16–20
sts |
12–15
sts |
6–11
sts |
|
Recommended Needle in Metric Size Range |
2.25—
3.25 mm |
3.25—
3.75 mm |
3.75—
4.5 mm |
4.5—
5.5 mm |
5.5—
8 mm |
8 mm
and larger |
|
Recommended Needle U.S. Size Range |
1 to 3
|
3 to 5
|
5 to 7
|
7 to 9
|
9 to 11
|
11
and larger |
|
Crochet Gauge* Ranges in Single Crochet to 4 inch |
21–32
sts |
16–20
sts |
12–17
sts |
11–14
sts |
8–11
sts |
5–9
sts |
|
Recommended Hook in Metric Size Range |
2.25—
3.5 mm |
3.5—
4.5 mm |
4.5—
5.5 mm |
5.5—
6.5 mm |
6.5—
9 mm |
9
mm and larger |
|
Recommended Hook U.S. Size Range |
B–1
to E–4 |
E–4
to 7 |
7
to I–9 |
I–9
to K–10 1/2 |
K–10 1/2 to
M–13 |
M–13
and larger |
|
* GUIDELINES ONLY: The above reflect the most
commonly used gauges and needle or hook sizes for specific
yarn categories
|
||||||
Note:
Although the Craft Yarn Council of America does not list
specifications for lace, cobweb, or gossamer weight yarns,
standard practice is the following:
| Standard Size | British | WPI | Approx. Gauge | Needle size | approx. yd/oz. | approx. yd/lb |
| Baby | 3 ply | 8-9 st/inch | 1-2 | |||
| Fingering | 4 Ply | 16 wpi | 7 st/inch | 1-3 | 110-144 | 1700-2300 |
| Sport | DK | 14 wpi | 5½ - 6½ st/inch | 4-6 | 75-110 | 1200-1600 |
| Worsted | Aran | 12 wpi | 4-5 st./inch | 7-9 | 55-75 | 850-1100 |
| Bulky | 9 wpi | 3-3½ st./inch | 10-11 | 30-55 | 500-900 |
|
Lace Knitting Machine: Tension 3-4 on 4.5mm machine (standard bed) |
|
Sock, Baby, Fingering 1500 + yds per lb. 14 wraps per inch. 94 yds+ per oz. Needle size: 0-3 (2-3.25mm) Knit gauge 7 or more stitches = 1" Crochet Hook size: D/3-E/4 Crochet gauge: 22-28 stitches = 4" Machine Knit: Tension 7-8 on 4.5mm machine (standard bed) |
|
Sport 1200-1600 yds per lb. 12 wraps per inch. 75-100 yds per oz. Needle size: 4-6 (3.5-4mm) Knit gauge: 7 sts = 1" Crochet Hook size: F/5-G/6 Crochet gauge: 16-20 sts = 4" Machine Knit: Tension 9-10 on 4.5mm machine (standard bed) Tension 3-6 on a 6.5 or 7.0 mm machine (mid-gauge bed) |
|
DK Double Knit 1200-1600 yds per lb. 11 wraps per inch. 75-100 yds per oz. Needle size: 5-7 (3.75-4.5mm) Knit gauge: 6 sts = 1" Crochet Hook size: F/5-G/6 Crochet gauge: 16 sts = 4" Machine Knit: Tension 5-7 on 6.5-7 mm (mid-gauge bed machines) Tension 0-1 on 9mm (bulky bed machines) |
|
Light - Medium Worsted 850-1150 yds per lb. 9 wraps per inch. 53-72 yds per oz Needle size: 7-9 (4.5-5.5mm) Knit gauge: 5 sts = 1" Crochet Hook size: H/8-J/10 Crochet gauge: 12-16 sts = 4" Knitting Machine: Tension 5 on 9mm (bulky bed machines) Tension 8-10 on 6.5-7mm (mid-gauge bed machines) |
|
Heavy Worsted or Bulky 500-900 yds per lb. 31-56 yds per oz 7-8 wraps per inch Needle size: 9-11 (5.5-8mm) Knit gauge: 4 sts = 1" Crochet Hook size: K10 ½-L (7mm) Crochet gauge: 8-12 sts = 4" Knitting Machine: Tension 7-9 on 9mm (bulky bed machines) |