Yarn Weight (Yardage and Gauge)
Knitters and crocheters can easily substitute different yarns for different patterns by following two easily guidelines: Yardage and Gauge.
All yarn yardages vary; it is important to calculate the yardage for a project to ensure that you have enough yarn to complete the project in mind.
All yarn knits/crochets to specific gauges. The weight of the yarn, i.e., the thickness, creates the texture of the fabric when knit or crocheted, as well as the number of stitches per inch (gauge). Yarn weight is determined by the following gauges.
Yarn Weight Symbol & Category Names |
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| Type of Yarns in Category | Sock, Fingering, Baby |
Sport, Baby |
DK, Light Worsted |
Worsted, Afghan, Aran |
Chunky, Craft, Rug |
Bulky, Roving |
| Knit Gauge Range* in Stockinette Stitch to 4 inches | 27–32 sts |
23–26 sts |
21–24 st |
16–20 sts |
12–15 sts |
6–11 sts |
| Recommended Needle Metric Size Range U.S. Size Range |
2.25— 3.25 mm 1 to 3 |
3.25— 3.75 mm 3 to 5 |
3.75— 4.5 mm 5 to 7 |
4.5— 5.5 mm 7 to 9 |
5.5— 8 mm 9 to 11 |
8 mm and up 11 and up |
| Crochet Gauge* Ranges in Single Crochet to 4 inch |
21–32 sts
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16–20 sts |
12–17 sts |
11–14 sts |
8–11 sts |
5–9 sts |
| Recommended Hook Metric Size Range U.S Size Range |
2.25— 3.5 mm B–1 to E–4 |
3.5— 4.5 mm E–4 to 7 |
4.5— 5.5 mm 7 to I–9 |
5.5— 6.5 mm I–9 to K–10 1⁄2 |
6.5— 9 mm K–10 1⁄2 to M–13 |
9 mm and up M–13 and up |
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* GUIDELINES ONLY: The above reflect the most commonly used gauges and needle or hook sizes for specific yarn categories. |
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