English Yarn Weights: Simply Explained
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Time to read 3 min
Have you never really understood yarn weights in English patterns? Then you've come to the right place: I'll explain all the terms briefly and clearly.
Since I love knitting English patterns and sometimes look for alternative yarns based on the specifications, I've also always wondered which knitting terms actually refer to which yarn weights.
I was missing a clear table with all the terms and explanations, along with the corresponding gauges and yardages. That's why I thoroughly researched the subject and offer you the perfect overview in this article.
Below, you'll find a lovely PDF that you can print out and put in your project bag—so you always have all the terms at hand.
For all yarn weights, you'll find the US and UK terms as well as other commonly used names. In addition, each English yarn weight term includes information about the gauge and yardage. This way, you have all the information together and readily available at a glance.
Things to Look Out For:
The terms for yarn weights are often different in the US and UK, so don't let that confuse you.
Don't be afraid of the abbreviations; they look more complicated than they are.
When choosing your yarn, make sure both are right: the gauge and the yardage should match so that the knitted piece can be made exactly as described.
Contents
"My tip: don't let the different terms confuse you; the same yarn weights are often called different things."
English Yarn Weights by Gauge and Yardage
Overview of Yarn Weight Terms from the US and UK:
| US | UK | Gauge | Yardage per 100g | Needle Size |
| 0: Lace | 1-ply / 2-ply | 34-40 M | 1.000 m | 1,50-2,50 mm |
| 1: Fingering | 4-ply | 32-28 M | 400-500 m | 2,25-3,50 mm |
| 2: Fine | 5-ply | 24-27 M | 300-400 m | 3,50-4,50 mm |
| 3: Light Worsted | Light / DK | 21-24 M | 240-300 m | 4,50-5,50 mm |
| 4: Worsted | Aran | 16-20 M | 120-220 m | 5,50-6,50 mm |
| 5: Bulky | Chunky | 12-16 M | 100-120 m | 6,50-8,00 mm |
| 6: Super Bulky | Super Chunky | 7-11 M | <100 m | 8,50-9,00 mm |
| 7: Jumbo | <100 m | 10,00-15,00 mm |
English Yarn Weights in a Conversion Table
Here are all the English yarn weights with their translations and all the terms. Super easy to understand!
| US | UK | other terms |
| 0: Lace | 1-ply / 2-ply | Cobweb, Thread, Lace, Fine, Fingering |
| 1: Fingering | 4-ply | Super Fine, Sock, Fingering |
| 2: Fine | 5-ply | Sport |
| 3: Light Worsted | Light / DK | DK (Double Knitted), Light Worsted |
| 4: Worsted | Aran | Worsted |
| 5: Bulky | Chunky | Craft, Rug |
| 6: Super Bulky | Super Chunky | Roving |
| 7: Jumbo |
Important yarn-weight terms explained
Individual yarn-weight terms appear in almost every pattern. If you understand what they mean, it will certainly be easier to choose the right yarn.
-ply:
Ply refers to the number of plies twisted together in a yarn. For example, a 4-ply yarn has 4 strands twisted together.
DK:
DK stands for Double Knitting and refers to a medium weight with a particularly good balance between thickness and weight. DK yarns are therefore ideal for a wide variety of projects.
Fingering:
Fingering is the traditional sock-yarn weight. However, this does not mean that it is made like sock yarn. The name Fingering refers exclusively to the weight and describes a thin yarn with approximately 300 to 400 m per 100 g.
Conclusion
English yarn-weight terms can be confusing because they are not standardized.
The yarn-weight translation chart makes it easy to keep track and find the perfect dream yarn for your project!
Try to memorize the most important weights; once you have internalized the order of yarn weights, it’s really easy.
Your dream yarn is sure to make you happy. International designs are often beautiful, and with the help of my translation chart, you can easily find a suitable yarn.
Post by Rabea
I’m Rabea, an architect by profession and a passionate knitter. Since 2023, my husband Christoph and I have been dedicating ourselves fully to our online shop.
