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Yarn Weights Explained – What You Really Need to Know

18/10/2025

"DK, Fingering, Aran …" – if you read knitting or crochet patterns from around the world, you'll quickly stumble over these terms. Add gauge instructions that never seem to match, and confusion is complete. But don't worry: yarn weight = thickness + yardage + gauge + needle size. Once you understand this combination, you're safe. 

📏 The Most Common Yarn Weights at a Glance

🕊️ Lace

  • Very thin, perfect for shawls & lace patterns

  • Yardage: approx. 600–800 m / 100 g (≈ 656–875 yds / 3.5 oz)

  • Gauge: very fine, 30+ sts / 10 cm (≈ 30+ sts / 4")

  • Knitting needles: 2.0–3.0 mm (US 0–2½, UK 14–11)

  • Crochet hooks: 1.5–2.5 mm (US steel 8–1, UK 4½–12)

🌸 Fingering (4-ply)

  • Classic for socks, lightweight sweaters

  • Yardage: approx. 400 m / 100 g (≈ 437 yds / 3.5 oz)

  • Gauge: about 28 sts / 10 cm (≈ 28 sts / 4")

  • Knitting needles: 2.25–3.25 mm (US 1–3, UK 13–10)

  • Crochet hooks: 2.0–3.5 mm (US B–E, UK 13–9)

⚡ Sport

  • Slightly thicker, sporty all-rounder

  • Yardage: approx. 300 m / 100 g (≈ 328 yds / 3.5 oz)

  • Gauge: about 24 sts / 10 cm (≈ 24 sts / 4")

  • Knitting needles: 3.25–3.75 mm (US 3–5, UK 10–9)

  • Crochet hooks: 3.0–4.0 mm (US D–F, UK 11–8)

🔹 DK (Double Knitting)

  • Very common in Europe

  • Yardage: approx. 200–250 m / 100 g (≈ 219–273 yds / 3.5 oz)

  • Gauge: about 22 sts / 10 cm (≈ 22 sts / 4")

  • Knitting needles: 3.75–4.5 mm (US 5–7, UK 9–7)

  • Crochet hooks: 4.0–4.5 mm (US G–7, UK 8–7)

🧥 Worsted

  • Typical in the USA, sits between DK and Aran

  • Yardage: approx. 180–200 m / 100 g (≈ 197–219 yds / 3.5 oz)

  • Gauge: about 20 sts / 10 cm (≈ 20 sts / 4")

  • Knitting needles: 4.5–5.0 mm (US 7–8, UK 7–6)

  • Crochet hooks: 5.0–6.0 mm (US H–J, UK 6–4)

🍂 Aran

  • Popular for cables & warm sweaters

  • Yardage: approx. 150–180 m / 100 g (≈ 164–197 yds / 3.5 oz)

  • Gauge: about 18 sts / 10 cm (≈ 18 sts / 4")

  • Knitting needles: 5.0–5.5 mm (US 8–9, UK 6–5)

  • Crochet hooks: 5.0–6.5 mm (US H–K, UK 6–3)

🧶 Bulky

  • Thick yarns for quick projects

  • Yardage: approx. 120 m / 100 g (≈ 131 yds / 3.5 oz)

  • Gauge: about 14 sts / 10 cm (≈ 14 sts / 4")

  • Knitting needles: 5.5–8.0 mm (US 9–11, UK 5–0)

  • Crochet hooks: 6.0–8.0 mm (US J–L, UK 4–0)

🛋️ Super Bulky / Jumbo

  • Very thick, for blankets or chunky looks

  • Yardage: < 80 m / 100 g (< 87 yds / 3.5 oz)

  • Gauge: about 7–10 sts / 10 cm (≈ 7–10 sts / 4")

  • Knitting needles: 8.0–15 mm (US 11–19, UK 0–000)

  • Crochet hooks: 9.0–15 mm (US M–Q, UK 0–000)

🔍 What You Should Really Pay Attention To

  1. Don't look at grams only: 100 g of lace = 800 m, 100 g of bulky = 120 m – huge difference.

  2. Gauge is key: More important than the name on the label.

  3. Know regional differences: DK dominates in Europe, Worsted is the US standard.

🚫 Common Mistakes to Avoid

  1. Buying yarn by weight only, without checking yardage.

  2. Confusing "Sport" with "DK" – sport is thinner.

  3. Ignoring gauge instructions in patterns.

🧭 My Takeaway

Understanding yarn weights means you can confidently match your yarn to your project. Yardage, gauge, and needle size are the trio that make your knitting or crochet succeed. Labels like DK or Worsted are just shorthand – the real key is making sure your yarn and pattern work together. 

📣 Which yarn weight do you love most? 

Share your favorites and tips in our Facebook Group – your advice might help a beginner!


#strickenimtrend #maschenmitliebe #yarnknowledge #knittingtips #materialguide

The right yarn weight is the foundation of every successful project – stitch by stitch. 

With love,
Kathrin 

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