What Are The Yarn Weight Standards?

Here in North America, the yarn companies come together as a collection to work together voluntarily with the Yarn Craft Council of America. You will see standard information that appears on the ball bands of companies who cooperate to make the labels easier for consumers to use.

Balls bands have logos on the ball to indicate the weight of the yarn. This allows consumers to be able to mix and match yarns together when the classification of weight is the same.

Keep in mind there is generally a tolerance of yarn that falls in weight classes and it can vary. In 2015, the Yarn Craft Council introduced Jumbo 7 as a new option due to the latest new yarns being extremely chunky.

Yarn Weight Classifications

0 - Lace

Lace is considered a fingering crochet thread type of yarn. In the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Australia, this yarn is considered to be 1 - 3 ply. Hooks generally used for this weight range in the steel classifications of 6 - 8 or up to B.

1 - Super Fine

• Generally, sock yarns, fingering weights and some baby yarns are really thin for this classification. In the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Australia, this yarn is considered to be 4 ply. Hook sizes for this range are generally B - E sizes.

2 - Fine

• You will find some baby yarns and sport weights in this classification. In the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Australia, this yarn is considered to be 5 ply. Hook sizes for this are generally E - G.

3 - Light

• Baby yarns, Double Knit and light worsted yarns are in this classification. In the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Australia, this yarn is considered to be 8 ply. Hook sizes for this are generally G - I.

4 - Medium

• Most yarns in general usage are in this weight class. In the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Australia, this yarn is considered to be 10 ply. Hook sizes for this are generally I - K.

5 - Bulky

• Chunky or craft yarns are in this weight class. In the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Australia, this yarn is considered to be 12 plies. Hook sizes range from K-M.

6 - Super Bulky

• This is even thicker than regular bulky and goes into roving yarns. Hook sizes range from M - Q.

7 - Jumbo

• Extremely thick yarn. This is currently the highest level of thickness available. This is for mega thick yarns using really big hooks. Hook sizes range from Q - Z.

Pattern Suggestions

1. Crochet Mitered Pillow
2. Crochet Velvet Bunny Velvet Pattern
3. Crochet Ogee Afghan Pattern
4. Loopy Centre Crochet Pillow
5. Crochet Spectrum Scarf Pattern