Standard Yarn Weight
as determined by the Craft Yarn Council of America
Yarn Weight |  |  |  |  |  |  |
| 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) |