Yarn Categories
Sadly, there are no standard yarn weight categories. If you’re wondering why, we’ve waxed lyrical about the myth of standard yarn weight categories.
Our crafting community has become global, with international patterns easily available. Crafters are increasingly being exposed to other naming conventions. In an effort to help you sort your worsted yarn from your Aran yarn, we’ve pulled this table together as a general guide.
Yarn Categories
| UK | US * | AUS/NZ | GAUGE OVER
10CM ** |
AVERAGE
NEEDLE SIZE RANGE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1ply/Cobweb
|
10-count Crochet Thread/Laceweight (0)
|
2ply
|
33 – 40 sts
|
1.5mm – 2.25mm
|
| 2ply/Lace
|
Fingering (1)
|
3ply
|
30 – 32 sts
|
2.25mm – 2.75mm
|
| 3ply
|
Sock (1)
|
3ply
|
27 – 30 sts
|
2.75mm – 3.25mm
|
| 4ply
|
Sport (2)
|
4ply
|
23 – 26 sts
|
3.25mm – 3.75mm
|
| Lightweight DK
|
Sport (2)
|
5ply
|
24 – 26 sts
|
3.5mm – 3.75mm
|
| DK
|
DK/Light Worsted (3)
|
8ply
|
21 – 24 sts
|
3.75mm – 4.5mm
|
| Aran
|
Worsted (4)
|
10ply
|
16 – 20 sts
|
4.5mm – 5.5mm
|
| Chunky
|
Bulky (5)
|
12-14ply
|
12 – 15 sts
|
5.5mm – 8mm
|
| Super Chunky
|
Super Bulky (6)
|
16ply
|
6 – 11 sts
|
8mm or larger
|
| Big
|
Jumbo/Roving (7)
|
20ply
|
6 sts or fewer
|
12mm or larger
|
The above reflect the most commonly used gauges and knitting needle sizes for specific yarn categories. These conversions are approximate.
* Figures in brackets are from the Craft Yarn Council’s standard yarn weight system.
** Gauge measured over Stocking Stitch (Stockinette).