Standards & Guidelines For Crochet and Knitting • YarnStandards.com
Standard Yarn Weight System
Categories of yarn, gauge ranges, and recommended needle and hook sizes
Yarn Weight
Symbol &
Category
Names
Type of
Yarns in
Category
Fingering,
10 count
crochet thread
Sock,
Fingering,
Baby
Sport,
Baby
DK,
Light
Worsted
Worsted,
Afghan,
Aran
Chunky,
Craft,
Rug
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 to 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
2.25–3.25
mm
3.5–4.5
mm
4.5–5.5
mm
5.5–6.5mm
6.5–9
mm
9–15
mm
15 mm
and
larger
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
Steel***
Recommended
1.6–1.4 mm
Hook in Metric
Regular hook
Size Range
2.25 mm
Recommended
Hook U.S. Size
Range
Steel***
6, 7, 8
Regular
hook
B–1
* 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.
This Standards & Guidelines booklet and downloadable symbol artwork are available at: YarnStandards.com
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