Yarn Weight Chart - Reference Guide

Welcome to Paradise Fibers' ๐Ÿงถ Complete Guide to Yarn Weights ๐Ÿ‘

Understanding yarn weights is key to a successful project whether youโ€™re a knitter, crocheter, spinner, or weaver. At Paradise Fibers, we believe that crafting should feel intuitive and joyfulโ€”not confusing! This guide will help you decode yarn weights, pick the perfect one for your project, and even understand how they translate across different crafts. Letโ€™s dive in!


Yarn Weight Basics: What Does "Weight" Mean?

"Yarn weight" refers to the thickness of the yarn strandโ€”not how much it weighs on a scale. It affects everything from the drape and warmth of your project to how long it takes to finish.

Hereโ€™s a quick overview:

๐Ÿงถ Yarn Weight ๐ŸŒ€ Wraps per Inch (WPI) ๐Ÿงต Knitting Needle Size (US) ๐Ÿช Crochet Hook Size (US) โœจ Common Uses
๐Ÿ‡ Lace 18+ 000โ€“1 Steel 6โ€“8 / B-1 Doilies, lace shawls, heirloom pieces
๐Ÿฅ Fingering 14โ€“17 1โ€“3 B-1 to E-4 Socks, baby clothes, lightweight shawls
๐Ÿฟ๏ธ Sport 12โ€“14 3โ€“5 E-4 to G-6 Lightweight garments, accessories
๐Ÿ DK (Double Knit) 11โ€“13 5โ€“7 G-6 to I-9 Sweaters, scarves, baby blankets
๐Ÿ Worsted 9โ€“11 7โ€“9 I-9 to K-10.5 Blankets, sweaters, hats
๐Ÿฎ Aran 8โ€“10 8โ€“10 K-10.5 to M-13 Outerwear, cozy afghans
๐Ÿป Bulky 7โ€“9 9โ€“11 L-11 to M-13 Chunky scarves, hats, blankets
๐Ÿฆ™ Super Bulky 5โ€“6 11โ€“17 M-13 and up Fast projects, oversized pieces
๐Ÿ˜ Jumbo 1โ€“4 17+ Q and up Arm knitting, rugs, statement pieces

How to Choose the Right Yarn Weight

Consider Your Project:

  • Garments: DK and worsted are versatile go-tos.
  • Accessories: Fingering to bulky depending on warmth and drape.
  • Home dรฉcor: Bulky and jumbo work great for cozy items like throws.

Check the Pattern: Most patterns specify the recommended weight. Match it for the best resultsโ€”or swatch and adjust accordingly.

Gauge Matters: Your personal tension may differ. Always swatch to get the right gauge, especially for garments!


๐Ÿงบ Spinnerโ€™s Tip: Handspun Yarn and WPI

If you're spinning your own yarn, the best way to determine the weight is by measuring wraps per inch (WPI). Here's how:

  1. Wrap yarn around a pencil or WPI tool without overlapping.
  2. Count the number of wraps within one inch.
  3. Compare to the chart above.

Note: Fiber type, ply structure, and finish can affect the final gaugeโ€”even at the same WPI!


๐Ÿงต Weaverโ€™s Note: Yarn Weight in Weaving

Weaving requires a bit more nuance. Consider:

  • Sett (epi): Use yarn weight and fiber to estimate ends per inch.
  • Tension: Thicker yarns require looser tension.
  • Fiber Content: Cotton behaves differently than wool or alpaca.

Use this as a general weaving reference:

๐Ÿงถ Yarn Weight ๐Ÿ“ Recommended Sett (Plain Weave) ๐Ÿ“ Recommended Sett (Twill)
๐Ÿฅ Fingering 16โ€“20 epi 20โ€“24 epi
๐Ÿฟ๏ธ Sport 12โ€“16 epi 16โ€“20 epi
๐Ÿ DK 10โ€“14 epi 14โ€“18 epi
๐Ÿ Worsted 8โ€“12 epi 12โ€“16 epi
๐Ÿป Bulky 6โ€“10 epi 10โ€“12 epi

Quick Yarn Weight Comparison Chart ๐Ÿงถ

For easy reference:

โœจ Weight Name ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ง UK Term ๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡บ AUS Term ๐ŸŒ€ WPI ๐Ÿงถ Best For
๐Ÿ‡ Lace 1 ply 2 ply 18+ Lacework, shawls
๐Ÿฅ Fingering 4 ply 4 ply 14โ€“17 Socks, babywear
๐Ÿฟ๏ธ Sport 5 ply 5 ply 12โ€“14 Light garments
๐Ÿ DK 8 ply 8 ply 11โ€“13 Sweaters, baby items
๐Ÿ Worsted 10 ply 10โ€“12 ply 9โ€“11 Blankets, scarves
๐Ÿป Bulky 12 ply 12โ€“14 ply 7โ€“9 Cozy winter items
๐Ÿฆ™ Super Bulky N/A N/A 5โ€“6 Fast, chunky knits

๐Ÿ‘ Paradise Fibers' Yarn Weight Takeaways

  • Thereโ€™s no universal standardโ€”use WPI and swatching to guide you.
  • Fiber content and spin method can shift how a yarn behaves.
  • Always check your pattern but donโ€™t be afraid to experiment.

Still unsure? Reach out to our fiber experts! We love helping you find the perfect yarn for your next masterpiece.

Happy crafting, ๐Ÿ’— The Paradise Fibers Team

browse all Yarn Weights