Standard Yarn Weight Guide

What is yarn weight? All your questions answered here.

What is yarn weight?

Yarn weight refers to the thickness of yarn. It would have been more literal to call it yarn thickness, but instead the word weight is used. There are 8 categories of yarn weight, that range from Weight 0 (thinnest yarn) to weight 7 (thickest yarn).

How do I find out the weight of a particular yarn?

Yarn brands put a helpful guide on the label of every skein of yarn. That guide includes the weight of that yarn. Look for the symbol of a skein of yarn with a number from 0-7 on the label. If you are buying yarn online, the yarn weight should be listed somewhere in the item description. Read below to learn more about each weight of yarn.

The most common times its helpful to understand yarn weight:

Scenario 1: You want to follow a particular pattern, but don't love the yarn recommended for whatever reason. Maybe its too pricey, doesn't come in colors you like, is hard to find, or discontinued. Many times you can substitute that yarn for a yarn of equal weight. Just make sure the yarn you are choosing isn't an entirely different texture than the recommended yarn. For example, don't substitute a sleek wool blend yarn for a fluffy yarn. It is also important to check the gauge in this scenario, especially if you are making something where size or fit is important, like a garment.

Scenario 2: You've decided you are going to make a certain project solo, without a pattern. It will help you to select a yarn for your project if you understand which weights of yarn most commonly correspond with different projects, how they work up, and drape.

For example, you wouldn't choose a weight 4 yarn to crochet a doily. It would be better to choose a weight 0 yarn, which appropriately falls into the category "lace".

It is also very helpful in this scenario to understand the corresponding gauge and hook or needle size for every weight of yarn.

Standard Yarn Weights

Weight 0/ Lace

Type of yarn: fingering, 10-count crochet thread

Lace weight is the lightest and smallest weight of yarn available. It is often used to crochet or knit delicate openwork doilies, shawls, and lace.

Recommended Knitting Needle Size: US 000-1 or 1.5mm-2.25mm

Recommended Crochet Hook Size: Steel 1.6mm-1.4mm or Regular 2.2

Common Gauge over 4 inches

Knitting Stockinette: 33-40 stitches

Crochet Single Crochet: 32-42 stitches

Note: When it comes to lace weight yarn, gauge is difficult to determine as lace weight yarn is often worked with larger hooks or needles.

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Weight 1/ Super Fine

Type of yarn: sock, fingering, baby

This yarn is often referred to as fingering weight. It is used for similar openwork projects as lace Weight yarn but it is a bit more substantial. Super fine weight yarn can be great for openwork shawls, socks, and delicate garments, especially for baby.

Recommended Knitting Needle Size: US 1-3 or 2.25mm-3.25mm

Recommended Crochet Hook Size: B-1 to E-4 or 2.25mm – 3.5mm

Common Gauge over 4 inches:

Knitting Stockinette: 27-32 stitches

Crochet Single Crochet: 21-32 stitches

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Weight 2/ Fine

Type of yarn: sport, baby

Weight 2 yarn is often referred to as sport weight yarn and sometimes also baby. Weight 2 yarn is great for garments with a lovely drape, cozy socks, and to balance stitches that create a thicker fabric such as cables.

Recommended Knitting Needle Size: US 3-5 or 3.25-3.75mm

Recommended Crochet Hook Size: E-4 to 7 or 3.5mm – 4.5mm

Common Gauge over 4 inches

Knitting Stockinette: 23-26 stitches

Crochet Single Crochet: 16-20 stitches

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Weight 3/ Light

Type of yarn: DK, light, worsted

The terms DK or Double Knit yarn refer to Weight 3 yarn. This yarn is also sometimes tossed into the "worsted" category, although worsted is a term more commonly reserved for weight 4 yarn. Weight 3 yarn is wonderful for many projects from garments to blankets. This yarn is probably the most popular weight of yarn for sweaters. Being just a bit lighter than the ever popular weight 4 yarn, weight 3 can be used for many of the same projects but provides a better drape than weight 4 yarn, albeit working up slower.

Recommended Knitting Needle Size: US 5-7 or 3.75mm-4.5mm

Recommended Crochet Hook Size: G-6 to I-9 or 4.5mm – 5.5mm

Common Gauge over 4 inches:

Knitting Stockinette: 21-24 stitches

Crochet Single Crochet: 12-17 stitches

Patterns:

The Petal Scarf Crochet Pattern

The Basketweave Baby Blanket Crochet Pattern

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Weight 4/ Worsted

Type of yarn: worsted, afghan, aran

Weight 4 yarn, often referred to as worsted weight yarn, or aran weight yarn, is arguably the most widely used yarn in crochet and knitting. Weight 4 yarn is neither notably light or thick. It can be used for projects from garments to afghans to home decor. It is also recommended that beginners start with a weight 4 yarn in a lighter color as it is the easiest to work with and see.

Recommended Knitting Needle Size: US 7-9 or 4.5mm-5.5mm

Recommended Crochet Hook Size: I-9 to K-10 ½ or 5.5mm – 6.5mm

Common Gauge over 4 inches:

Knitting Stockinette: 16-20 stitches

Crochet Single Crochet: 11-14 stitches

Patterns:

The Bobble Throw Crochet Pattern

The Seersucker Baby Blanket Knitting Pattern

The Eyelet Throw Crochet Pattern

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Weight 5/ Bulky

Type of yarn: chunky, craft, rug

Bulky weight yarn is one step up from worsted weight yarn, but twice as thick! Weight 5 yarn is most widely used for thick scarves, chunky blankets that work up quickly, and other home decor projects such as rugs and baskets.

Recommended Knitting Needle Size: US 9-11 or 5.5mm-8mm

Recommended Crochet Hook Size: K-10 ½ to M-13 or 6.5mm – 9mm

Common Gauge over 4 inches:

Knitting Stockinette: 12-15 stitches

Crochet Single Crochet: 8-11 stitches

Patterns:

The Boho Coaster Crochet Pattern

The Klaus Christmas Stocking Crochet Pattern

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Weight 6/ Super Bulky

Type of yarn: super bulky, roving

Super bulky yarn works up very quickly and creates very chunky or sturdy projects. It is often used for chunky scarves, throws, or home decor projects.

Recommended Knitting Needle Size: US 11-17 or 8mm-12.75mm

Recommended Crochet Hook Size: M-13 to Q or 9mm – 15mm

Common Gauge over 4 inches:

Knitting Stockinette: 7-11 stitches

Crochet Single Crochet: 7-9 stitches

Patterns:

The Cordate Throw Knitting Pattern

The Bondi Basket Crochet Pattern

The Maxwell Scarf Crochet Pattern

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Weight 7/ Jumbo

Type of yarn: Jumbo, Roving

Jumbo yarn works up very quickly and can be used on large needles, hooks, or for arm knitting. This is currently the thickest weight of yarn on the market. Note that there can be a lot of variation in thickness of yarn within this category, so check your gauge.

Recommended Knitting Needle Size: US 17 and larger or 15 mm and larger

Recommended Crochet Hook Size: Q and larger or 15mm and larger

Common Gauge over 4 inches:

Knitting Stockinette: 6 stitches and fewer

Crochet Single Crochet: 6 stitches and fewer

Pattern: The Carova Throw Knitting Pattern

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The Carova Throw

Free Knitting Pattern. The Carova Throw Knitting Pattern is perfect for anyone looking for a beginner knit blanket pattern or anyone looking to make a quick and easy knit blanket.

Scroll down for Free Knitting Pattern. If you would like a printable PDF instant download of The Carova Throw Knitting Pattern, you can find that here.

What to Know

This blanket is seriously easy. All you need to know going into this pattern is how to cast on, knit, purl, and bind off. This pattern utilizes both knitting and purling but the pattern itself is very basic and repetitive so it is easy for a beginner to follow.

For this knitting pattern I used Bernat Maker Big in the color Ivory. Bernat Maker Big is a weight 7/ jumbo tubular yarn. This unique yarn gives The Carova Throw its unique look. However, you could substitute this yarn for any other weight 7/ jumbo yarn.

Method Knitting

Skill Level Beginner

Materials

• 12 mm • US size 17, 40" circular knitting needles

• Bernat Maker Big Color: Ivory, Weight 7 • 770 yds

• Scissors

• Darning needle

Final Size

50" x 50"

Pattern

Cast on 75

Row 1 *K5, P5, K5; repeat from *. Be sure to end row with K5.

Repeat row 1 until the blanket is 50 inches long. Bind off.

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The Cordate Throw Free Knitting Pattern

The Seersucker Baby Blanket Knitting Pattern

The Ribbed Seedling Free Baby Blanket Knitting Pattern

The Seedling Baby Blanket Knitting Pattern

Knitting vs Crochet

5 Reasons why you should consider learning to knit if you enjoy crochet

While there are so many differences between knitting and crochet, it is usually summarized as "knitting uses two long needles and crochet uses one hook". While this might help people differentiate the visual pictures of knitting and crochet, it doesn't begin to get into the differences.

I won't be getting into those intricate details here. What I will do is help answer some FAQs about knitting vs crochet and give some pros for knitting. If you are interested in a similar deep dive into 5 Reasons Every Knitter Should Learn to Crochet, I've got that too.

5. You only have to know 1 or 2 stitches for knitting

In knitting, there are only 2 basic stitches. Those stitches are knitting and purling. You can accomplish a lot of different designs using only those 2 stitches. In fact, the knit and purl language of knitting is often compared to the 0 and 1 language of computer programming.

Contrarily, crochet has 5 different basic stitches (and a seemingly endless amount of non-basic stitches) to create different looks. So, in knitting you don’t need to acquire nearly as broad of a knowledge of stitches and techniques to accomplish unique designs.

4. Knitwear is more popular than crochet

You will find more commercially made knitwear on the market than crochet. If you are inspired to make the kind of sweaters, scarves, or throws you find in stores- knitting is probably the craft that is going to achieve those looks you are going for. .

3. There are more patterns available for knitting than crochet

There are more knitting patterns available than crochet, simply because the craft is more popular. This applies to free and paid patterns, and patterns you can find on blogs and in books.

That being said, for some projects, crochet patterns will be more popular because crochet is the better suited craft for that project (think baskets or amigurumi).

2. Knitting uses less yarn than crochet

Generally speaking, you will use less yarn in knitting than crochet to create a projects of similar size. This probably has to do with the fact that knit stitches are not as dense and bulky as crochet.

1. Knitting creates a softer, stretchier, more delicate fabric than crochet

Knit fabric is smooth, soft, and cohesive. Knitting is less bulky than crochet, making the drape of the fabric more suitable for garments. You can also create a stretchy fabric with knitting, which is not possible with crochet. Crochet often creates a more open fabric, with large spaces between stitches. Don't tell my hooks, but this is the reason I learned to knit years after being a devote crocheter. I love the textures of fabric I can make with knitting that I just can't achieve with crochet.

Or If you still aren't interested in learning to knit, I've got lots of FREE crochet patterns for you below <3, Melissa