The thickness of yarn is known as its weight and there are standard symbols, names and a numbering system that can help you understand how thick a yarn is and what thickness yarn is required for a pattern. This information can usually be found on the ball band on yarn and at the start of knitting and crochet patterns. Below we have provided a helpful table that will help you see what needle or hook size you need for a given yarn. This is especially helpful if you are buying yarn online and want to get an idea of how thick it is.
Standard Yarn Weight |
0 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
UK Yarn Type |
Lace |
3 or 4 Ply |
4 Ply |
Double Knit (DK) |
Aran |
Chunky |
Super Chunky |
Roving |
US Yarn Type |
Lace |
Superfine, Sock or Fingering |
Fine, Sport or Baby |
Light or Worsted |
Medium, Worsted or Afghan |
Bulky, Craft or Rug |
Super Bulky or Roving |
Jumbo |
Australian Yarn Type |
2 Ply |
3 or 4 Ply |
4 or 5 Ply |
8 Ply |
10 Ply |
12-14 Ply |
16 Ply |
- |
Meters per 100gm |
600— 1100 |
420—580 |
260—400 |
210—250 |
130—200 |
90—120 |
40—80 |
- |
Type of Yarns in Category |
Fingering 10-count crochet thread |
Sock, Fingering, Baby |
Sport, Baby |
DK, Light Worsted |
Worsted, Afghan, Aran |
Chunky, Craft, Rug |
Super Bulky, Roving |
Jumbo, Roving |
Knitting tension - 10cm - stocking stitch |
33–40 sts |
27–32 sts |
23–26 sts |
21–24 sts |
16–20 sts |
12–15 sts |
7–11 sts |
6 sts and fewer |
Recommended knitting needle size |
1.5–2.25 mm |
2.25— 3.25 mm |
3.25— 3.75 mm |
3.75— 4.5 mm |
4.5— 5.5 mm |
5.5— 8 mm |
8— 12.75 mm |
12.75 mm and larger |
Crochet tension 10cm - double crochet |
32–42 double crochet |
21–32 sts |
16–20 sts |
12–17 sts |
11–14 sts |
8–11 sts |
7–9 sts |
6 sts and fewer |
Recommended crochet hook size |
Regular hook 2.25 mm |
2.25— 3.5 mm |
3.5— 4.5 mm |
4.5— 5.5 mm |
5.5— 6.5 mm |
6.5— 9 mm |
9— 15 mm |
15 mm and larger |
