One of the most confusing parts of learning fiber arts is discovering that "weight" has nothing to do with how heavy the yarn feels. Instead, yarn weight refers to the thickness of the strand, which affects how your finished project looks, feels, and works up.

Most patterns will recommend a specific yarn weight, and following that recommendation helps your finished project turn out the correct size.

Lace (0)

Lace weight is the finest commonly available yarn. It's used for delicate shawls, lightweight wraps, and heirloom projects with intricate stitch patterns.

Fingering (1)

Also called sock weight, fingering yarn is thin but versatile. It's commonly used for socks, shawls, lightweight sweaters, and baby garments.

Sport (2)

Sport weight is slightly thicker than fingering and creates fabrics that are lightweight while working up a little faster. It's a wonderful choice for garments and children's clothing.

DK (3)

DK, short for "Double Knitting," is one of the most versatile yarn weights. It strikes a balance between lightness and warmth, making it popular for sweaters, hats, scarves, and blankets.

Worsted (4)

Worsted weight is often considered the standard beginner yarn. It's thick enough to see your stitches clearly without becoming bulky, making it ideal for learning both knitting and crochet.

If you're buying your first skein of yarn, worsted weight is usually an excellent place to start.

Aran

Aran yarn falls between worsted and bulky. Depending on the manufacturer, it may be labeled as either a heavy worsted or a light bulky weight. It's commonly used for cozy sweaters, textured blankets, and warm winter accessories.

Bulky (5)

Bulky yarn creates thick, warm projects that work up quickly. It's perfect for chunky scarves, hats, blankets, and home décor projects.

Super Bulky (6)

Super bulky yarn is one of the fastest yarn weights to work with. Its oversized stitches make it popular for beginner-friendly projects, oversized blankets, and cozy winter accessories.

Jumbo (7)

Jumbo yarn is the thickest standard yarn weight and is often used for arm knitting, oversized blankets, giant baskets, and statement home décor.

Yarn Weight Guide