Answer
What do yarn weights mean?
Yarn weights run 0 to 7, from lace to jumbo, in the Craft Yarn Council system: worsted is 4 (medium), knit at 16–20 stitches per 4 in on 4.5–5.5 mm needles.
Standard yarn weights
| Weight | Name | Yarn types | Knit stitches per 4 in | Needle (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | Lace | Fingering, 10-count crochet thread | 33–40 | 1.5–2.25 |
| 1 | Super fine | Sock, fingering, baby | 27–32 | 2.25–3.25 |
| 2 | Fine | Sport, baby | 23–26 | 3.25–3.75 |
| 3 | Light | DK, light worsted | 21–24 | 3.75–4.5 |
| 4 | Medium | Worsted, afghan, aran | 16–20 | 4.5–5.5 |
| 5 | Bulky | Chunky, craft, rug | 12–15 | 5.5–8 |
| 6 | Super bulky | Roving | 7–11 | 8–12.75 |
| 7 | Jumbo | Roving | 6 or fewer | 12.75 and up |
Using the chart
Patterns name a weight; your yarn’s label shows its number. Swap yarns within the same number and knit a gauge swatch. Thicker yarns (higher numbers) cover more area per yard, so projects need fewer yards.
More questions
Is DK the same as worsted?
No: DK is 3 (light), worsted is 4 (medium). DK is thinner and knits at 21–24 stitches per 4 in.
What is aran yarn?
Aran is in weight 4 (medium), with worsted and afghan yarns (Craft Yarn Council).
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