Standard Yarn Weights
This week I have a handy, all-in-one, Standard Yarn Weight Reference Chart to share with you. This chart is available as an image so you can print it, save it for later or PIN it.
I actually created this chart for myself because 1) the vintage crochet patterns I collect usually refer to yarn plys and I have to go searching online to figure out what might be comparable in CYC (Craft Yarn Council) yarn weights and 2) to help me to answer questions from Crocheters who are trying to convert the yarn I use to design today, (CYC Weights) to a ply level.
In the past, I had to reference multiple places to make a decision. First I would head over to reference the pop-up chart available from Ravelry and then I would cross-reference their information to the list available from the Craft Yarn Council (to check the WPI ranges) and then I would pop over to the YarnSub site I have bookmarked to offer possible options.
Here is what I came up with. I hope this is helpful to you 🙂 If you want to know more about Wraps Per Inch and how you can calculate them yourself when you are out and about, you can take a look at this post here.
Standard Yarn Weights
PIN it for later here
| CYC Weights | PLY (UK, NZ, AU) | Ravelry Weights | WPI |
 Lace Weight [0] |
Thread | 30-40+ | |
| Lace Weight [0] |
1 ply | CobWeb | 30-40+ |
| Lace Weight [0] |
2 ply | Lace | 30-40+ |
| Lace Weight [0] |
3 ply | Light Fingering | 30-40+ |
 Super Fine Weight [1] |
4 ply | Fingering | 14-30 |
 Fine Weight [2] |
5 ply | Sport | 12-18 |
 Light Weight [3] |
8 ply | DK | 11-15 |
 Medium Weight [4] |
10 ply | Worsted | 9-12 |
| Medium Weight [4] |
10 ply | Aran | 9-12 |
 Bulky Weight [5] |
12 ply | Bulky | 6-9 |
 Super Bulky Weight [6] |
Super Bulky | 5-6 | |
 Jumbo Weight [7] |
Jumbo | 1-4 | |
Check out my other available size charts and measurements here.
Check out my crochet tips & tricks here.
Thank you so much Laura ♥
I just wanted to write and say I’ve stumbled upon your website through a pattern someone had posted on Pinterest and I’m loving all of the diagrams and helpful information you have on here. I’ll be trying your Crossed Double Crochet hat today and I’ll be pinning many pages to Pinterest to reference while crocheting in the future! Thank you for all the time you’ve put into your website, you’ve done an amazing job! 🙂
This is great info. I always struggle when I’m reading a pattern and don’t know what yarn will work.
Hi Chris, I often find it frustrating myself when I’m working with #4 weight yarns. Sometimes even 2 that are very similar in WPI work up differently too – some yarns have a bit more ‘fluff’ to them so they seem to relax and become a bit ‘fuller’ where others remain the same size and leave spaces between my stitches!
Well , WPI sure explains why I couldn’t get my gauge. The yarn that said 4 weight wasn’t equal to Red Heart. My yarn was 12 wpi and Red Heart 9 wpi. So, just because the label said #4 weight didn’t mean much . I like wpi better. Wish the label included that for substitutions.