What is yarn weight?
Yarn weight refers to the thickness of the yarn, not how heavy the ball or skein is. It helps knitters understand how fine or thick a yarn will be once it is worked into a project.
Choosing the right yarn weight is important because it affects the size, texture, drape, and overall look of your finished piece. Using the yarn weight recommended in a pattern also helps you achieve the correct gauge, so your project turns out the right size. For beginners, understanding yarn weight makes it easier to choose the right yarn, needles, and pattern for a successful knitting experience.
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LACE WEIGHT
Lace weight yarn is typically knitted with larger needles to create an openwork effect, allowing light to pass through the stitches. This is the essence of lace knitting.
Gauge: 33 to 40 stitches = 10 cm / 4 inches in stockinette stitch.
Needle size:1.5 to 2.25 mm (#US 000 to 1)
Meters per 100g= 525 to 1200 meters and +.
WPI* (wraps per inch)*= 30 and +
FINGERING OR SUPER FINE WEIGHT
Fingering-weight yarn is most commonly used for knitting modern shawls and socks. When choosing yarn for socks, opt for a blend with nylon—while fingering yarn is thin enough to fit comfortably in a shoe, its delicate nature means it can wear through more easily. The addition of nylon provides extra durability.
Gauge: 27 to 32 stitches = 10 cm / 4 inches in stockinette stitch
Needle size: 2.25 to 3.25 mm (#US 1 to 3)
Meters per 100 grams= 360 to 480 meters
WPI* (wraps per inch)*= 24 to 30
SPORT OR FINE WEIGHT
Sport yarn weight is commonly found in baby knitting patterns, but its uses are not limited to that category. It can be employed for a variety of projects.
Gauge: 23 to 26 stitches = 10 cm / 4 inches in stockinette stitch
Needle size: 3.25 to 3.75 mm (#US 3 to 5)
Meters per 100 grams= 260 to 360 meters
WPI* (wraps per inch)*= 18 to 24
DK WEIGHT
DK weight yarn, also known as "light worsted," is a popular choice for knitting sweaters. It's not so fine that knitting a sweater becomes tedious (as anyone who's tackled a fingering-weight garment will know), yet it's not too thick—resulting in a lightweight fabric that is comfortable to wear year-round. Many knitters also use DK weight for warm indoor stockings or cozy winter shawls.
Gauge: 21 to 24 stitches = 10 cm / 4 inches in stockinette stitch
Needle size: 3.75 to 4 mm (#US 5 to 7)
Meters per 100 grams= 200 to 290 meters
WPI* (wraps per inch)*= 12 to 18
WORSTED OR ARAN
Worsted-weight yarn is a versatile yarn weight suitable for various projects, particularly clothing and accessories like hats, mittens, and scarves.
Gauge: 16 to 20 stitches = 10 cm / 4 inches in stockinette stitch
Needle size: 4.5 to 5.5 mm (#US 7 to 9)
Meters per 100 grams= 180 to 240 meters
WPI* (wraps per inch)*= 10 to 12
BULKY OR CHUNKY
Bulky weight yarn knits up quickly and creates a thick, cozy fabric, making it perfect for fast, warm projects. It's ideal for crafting chunky clothing or accessories like hats and cowls. Bulky yarn is also a popular choice for decorative home accessories, including pillows and blankets.
Gauge: 12 to 15 stitches = 10 cm / 4 inches in stockinette stitch.
Needle size: 5.5 to 8 mm (#US 9 to 11)
Meters per 100 grams= 120 to 160 metres
WPI* (wraps per inch)*= 7 to 8
SUPER BULKY
Super Bulky weight yarn is perfect for crafting cozy, chunky garments and accessories like hats and cowls. Its plush texture also makes it a favorite for creating inviting home decor, from soft cushions to warm throws...
Gauge: 7 to 11 stitches = 10 cm / 4 inches in stockinette stitch.
Needle size: 8 to 12.75 mm (#US 11 to 17)
Meters per 100 grams= 80 to 140 metres
WPI* (wraps per inch)*= 6 to 7
JUMBO OR ROVING
Jumbo or roving yarn weight is the thickest category of yarn. This yarn produces bold, chunky stitches that create plush and eye-catching fabrics, perfect for statement pieces. Crafters often turn to jumbo yarn for cozy blankets, oversized scarves, and trendy home décor items like poufs and floor cushions. Because of its substantial thickness, projects made with jumbo yarn are not only warm but also work up in a fraction of the time, making it a favorite for quick and satisfying creations.
Gauge: 6 stitches or less = 10 cm / 4 inches in stockinette stitch
Needle size: 12.75 mm and + (#US 18 and +)
Meters per 100 grams= 80 metres or less
WPI* (wraps per inch)*= 6 or less
YARN & NEEDLES SIZES CHEAT SHEET
HOW TO INTERPRET THE CHART
First of all, keep in mind that this chart is a general guide that combines data from different sources.
As you can see from the chart above, the yardage of some yarn weights may overlap between categories. Why is this? Because each fiber (sheep's wool, alpaca, silk, mohair) has its own weight and structure, and because the spinning method also affects the final result: the number of plies, the number of twists per inch, and whether or not the wool is combed will affect the number of meters contained in each 100g ball.
*MEASURING THE WPI
WPI or "wraps per inch" is a way of measuring the yarn weight by calculating the number of times you can wrap the yarn over 1 inch (2.5 cm).
KNOWING A YARN WPI CAN BE HELPFUL
This measurement can help you to figure out the yarn weight if its label was lost. To measure the WPI of your yarn, start by winding your yarn around a ruler. The yarn should fit snugly: no overlapping or large gaps between the strands. Do not pull the yarn too hard to avoid falsifying the measurement. If you are unsure of your tension, practice with a yarn of which you know the weight.
Measure in a few different places as you would when measuring the gauge of your knitting. Use the chart provided to compare your WPI result to the corresponding yarn weight. Keep in mind that the WPI is subjective and that results vary depending on the tension of the yarn wound around the meter to be measured. Validate your result by knitting a swatch.
In the example illustrated above, you can see that the yarn has been wound 10 times over a width of 1 inch (so wpi = 10) which corresponds to a worsted weight yarn size.
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