From cobweb lace to super bulky, generally, we, as crafters, consider eight variations of yarn weights. How does knowing this help you? Well, you can consider projects for that lone single skein you bought or quickly determine if that yarn cake you fell in love with will work for your new project.
More importantly, yarn weights can provide you with essential information. Once you know what kind of yarn we're talking about in a pattern or on a label at the store, you can understand the thickness of that thread and have a notion of how many stitches per inch you'll achieve with that yarn. With that in mind, you can determine which kind of project any yarn is most suitable for.
Let's compare weights and terminology. If you want more information, such as stitches per inch or wraps per inch, we highly recommend that you take a look at the Standard Yarn Weight System chart.
Yarn weight categories
Lace
The finest and lightest of all, lace-weight yarn is ultra-thin and ideal for delicate projects like doilies and lacy shawls. Yarn in this category has more than 30 WPI, and its gauge range in stockinette stitch is above 33 stitches in 4 inches.
Super Fine
Fingering or super fine yarn is perfect for intricate projects, thanks to its ability to craft delicate garments. This type of yarn is popularly employed in creating socks, shawls, and adorable baby items. Its WPI ranges from 14 to 30, and the gauge in 4 inches counts around 27 to 32 stitches.
Fine
Fine yarn, commonly known as sport-weight yarn, excels at crafting lightweight and delicate projects. This weight is ideal for baby clothes, lightweight sweaters, and accessories. Its WPI ranges from 12 to 18, and the gauge is around 23 to 26 stitches in 4 inches.
Light
DK (short for double knitting) and light worsted yarn fall into this category. Light yarn is versatile and suitable for a wide range of projects. It’s the perfect choice for crafting slightly heavier, yet still delicate, garments and accessories. Yarn in this category is around 11 to 15 WPI, and the gauge is around 21 to 24 stitches in 4 inches.
Medium
Worsted, Aran, and Afghan are types of yarn that are called medium-weight. This category is a popular choice due to its ease of use. It's an excellent option for beginners because they knit up fast and are easy to work with. Their WPI ranges from 9 to 12, and the gauge in 4 inches counts around 16 to 20 stitches.
Bulky
Bulky yarn, also known as chunky yarn, boasts a thickness nearly double that of worsted-weight yarn, making it ideal for crafting blankets and accessories. Its substantial thickness ensures rapid progress when using larger hooks or needles. Yarn in this category is around 6 to 9 WPI, and the gauge is around 12 to 15 stitches in 4 inches.
Super Bulky
Super Bulky yarn surpasses the thickness of bulky yarn, ensuring a speedy project completion! This yarn variety is perfect for crafting statement pieces like chunky blankets and oversized scarves. Its WPI ranges from 5 to 6, and the gauge in 4 inches counts around 7 to 11 stitches.
Jumbo
Jumbo, also known as roving, is the heftiest category in the Yarn Weight Standards defined by the Craft Yarn Council. This classification emerged to encompass the increasingly popular super thick yarns in the yarn community. Jumbo yarns can also be knit using arms instead of needles. Their WPI ranges from 1 to 4, and the gauge is fewer than 6 stitches in 4 inches.
Explore how to use bits of leftovers from various weights in this article about stash-busting!
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