When you’re beginning a new project, choosing the right yarn can be tricky. Especially if you’re substituting a specific yarn from a pattern. Well, stress no more. I’ve put together The Ultimate Yarn Weight Guide to help you choose!
The Ultimate Yarn Weight Guide
It’s sort of amazing that there can be so many options when it comes to yarn weights. But it’s necessary because choosing the correct yarn weight for your knitting or crochet project is crucial to it turning out the way you want it to.
Even the tiniest discrepancy in the weight or size of the yarn that you choose can make or break your finished project. This is especially true when your project is something that will be worn, or that requires a specific size or fit.
If the yarn is too light/thin, your project would turn out smaller than it should. Likewise, if the yarn is too heavy/thick, your project would turn out larger than it should.
One helpful tip that you may, or may not have, known about is that each yarn weight has an associated number ranging from 0 through 7. Those numbers are listed on most yarn labels now, making it easier for you to choose the correct weight for a project.
Yarn Weights Information
Let’s go over each of the yarn weight categories, the other names that they go by, and the typical knitting needle and crochet hook size used with them.
Lace Weight – #0
Lace weight yarn can also be referred to as cobweb or light fingering weight. It is the lightest yarn weight available and is often no thicker than actual thread.
The typical knitting needle sizes used for lace weight are US 000 to US 1.
The typical crochet hook sizes used for lace weight are steel no. 1, steel no. 2, and B – 1.
Super Fine – #1
Super fine weight yarn can also be referred to as sock weight, fingering weight, or baby weight.
Knitting needle sizes used for super fine yarn range from US 1 to US 3.
Crochet hook sizes used for super fine yarn are B – 1 to E – 4.
Fine – #2
Fine weight yarn may also be called sport weight or baby weight.
Knitting needle sizes for fine weight yarn range from US 3 to US 5.
Crochet hook sizes used for fine weight yarn range from E – 4 to G – 6.
Light – #3
Light weight yarn is sometimes also called DK (double knitting) or light worsted.
Knitting needle sizes used for light-weight yarn range from US 5 to US 7.
Crochet hook sizes used for light-weight yarn range from E – 4 to I – 9.
Medium – #4
Medium weight yarn may also be referred to as worsted weight, aran weight, or afghan weight.
Knitting needle sizes used for medium-weight yarn are US 7 to US 9.
Crochet hook sizes used for medium-weight yarn are I – 9 to K – 10.5.
Bulky – #5
Bulky weight yarn is sometimes also called chunky, craft, or rug weight.
Knitting needle sizes typically used with bulky weight yarn are US 9 to US 11.
Crochet hook sizes typically used with bulky weight yarn are K – 10.5 to M – 13.
Super Bulky – #6
Super bulky weight yarn may also be called roving weight.
Knitting needle sizes used for super bulky weight yarn range from US 11 to US 17.
Crochet hook sizes used for super bulky weight yarn range from M – 13 to Q.
Jumbo – #7
Jumbo weight yarn may also be referred to as roving weight.
Knitting needle sizes used for jumbo weight yarn are US 17 and larger.
Crochet hook sizes used for jumbo weight yarn are Q and larger.
So there they are! When you’re starting a new project, just remember to choose a yarn within the correct weight range and ALWAYS check your gauge.
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Happy Stitching!
Tammy
