Reference guide
Every standard yarn weight from Lace (0) to Jumbo (7), with the recommended needle and hook sizes and the average gauge you should expect over 10 cm (4 inches).
| CYC | Weight | Also called | Knit gauge / 10 cm | Needles | Crochet gauge / 10 cm | Hooks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | Lace | Cobweb, 2-ply, light fingering | 33–40 sts | 1.5–2.25 mm (US 000–1) | 32–42 dc | Steel 1.6–1.4 mm or 2.25 mm |
| 1 | Super Fine | Fingering, sock, baby | 27–32 sts | 2.25–3.25 mm (US 1–3) | 21–32 sc | 2.25–3.5 mm (B-1 to E-4) |
| 2 | Fine | Sport, baby | 23–26 sts | 3.25–3.75 mm (US 3–5) | 16–20 sc | 3.5–4.5 mm (E-4 to 7) |
| 3 | Light | DK, light worsted | 21–24 sts | 3.75–4.5 mm (US 5–7) | 12–17 sc | 4.5–5.5 mm (7 to I-9) |
| 4 | Medium | Worsted, afghan, aran | 16–20 sts | 4.5–5.5 mm (US 7–9) | 11–14 sc | 5.5–6.5 mm (I-9 to K-10½) |
| 5 | Bulky | Chunky, craft, rug | 12–15 sts | 5.5–8 mm (US 9–11) | 8–11 sc | 6.5–9 mm (K-10½ to M-13) |
| 6 | Super Bulky | Super chunky, roving | 7–11 sts | 8–12.75 mm (US 11–17) | 7–9 sc | 9–15 mm (M-13 to Q) |
| 7 | Jumbo | Roving, arm knitting | 6 sts and fewer | 12.75 mm and larger (US 17+) | 6 sc and fewer | 15 mm and larger (Q and up) |
Cobweb, 2-ply, light fingering
The finest yarn category. Knits up sheer and is almost always blocked aggressively to open the stitches.
Fingering, sock, baby
The standard weight for hand-knit socks and most modern fingering-weight shawls.
Sport, baby
A step up from fingering — drapes well for next-to-skin garments without the bulk of DK.
DK, light worsted
DK (double-knit) is the most popular weight for European sweater patterns and a forgiving choice for beginners.
Worsted, afghan, aran
The all-purpose workhorse — worsted weight covers most North-American patterns and is the easiest to find at any yarn store.
Chunky, craft, rug
Works up fast and is a favorite for last-minute gifts and cozy outerwear.
Super chunky, roving
Knits up almost instantly. Great for statement accessories and chunky home decor.
Roving, arm knitting
The heaviest category. Often used with arm or finger knitting for oversized home pieces.
Two yarns can sit in the same CYC category and still knit up to very different fabrics. Always swatch — and when you need to swap a yarn mid-project, match gauge per 10 cm rather than the label category. The Yarn Studio’s yarn library finds substitutes by tension so you can confidently replace a discontinued ball with one from your stash.
Find a substitute →