Standard Yarn Weight System

Downloads of these graphic symbols are available at no charge. We ask that if you use them in any publication that you advise us in an e-mail of your intention to use them and that the following credit line be given at least once in the document: Source: Craft Yarn Council's www.YarnStandards.com

Downloadable Symbols

Yarn Weight Symbol
& Category Names
 lace super fine fine light medium bulky super bulky jumbo
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
Knit Gauge
Range* in
Stockinette
Stitch to 4 inches
 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
Needle in
Metric Size
Range
 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
Recommended
Needle U.S.
Size Range
 000–1 1 to 3 3 to 5 5 to 7 7 to 9 9 to 11 11
to 17		 17
and
larger
Crochet Gauge*
Ranges in
Single Crochet
to 4 inch
32–42
double
crochets**		 21–32
sts		 16–20
sts		 12–17
sts		 11–14
sts		 8–11
sts		 7–9
sts		 6 sts and fewer
Recommended
Hook in Metric
Size Range
 Steel***
1.6–1.4
mm
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
Recommended
Hook U.S.
Size Range
 Steel***
6, 7, 8
Regular
hook B–1		 B–1
to
E–4		 E–4
to
7		 7
to
I–9		 I–9
to
K–10 1⁄2		 K–10 1⁄2 to
M–13		 M–13
to Q		 Q
and
larger

* GUIDELINES ONLY: The above reflect the most commonly used gauges and needle or hook sizes for specific yarn categories.

** Lace weight yarns are usually knitted or crocheted on larger needles and hooks to create lacy, openwork patterns. Accordingly, a gauge range is difficult to determine. Always follow the gauge stated in your pattern.

*** Steel crochet hooks are sized differently from regular hooks—the higher the number, the smaller the hook, which is the reverse of regular hook sizing

The HAND symbol can be used to represent gauge for yarns that do not require hooks and/or knitting needles, including, but not limited to, loop yarns and arm/hand knitting and crocheting yarns. This symbol can also be used on patterns to note that tools are not needed to complete the project.