THE KNITSILK REFERENCE LIBRARY
🧶 Find your yarn weight. Choose a starting tool. Make a swatch.
DK, 8 ply, worsted, Nm: different labels can make choosing yarn feel complicated. Start with the everyday charts below. Open the regional and technical sections only when you need them.
Yarn weight means a thickness category, not how heavy the ball is. When your label uses a Craft Yarn Council (CYC) number, use the 0–7 chart below. Treat needle and hook sizes as starting points, then make a sample to match your pattern’s gauge: the number of stitches and rows over a measured area.
Which chart should I use? Use the CYC charts for everyday knitting and crochet lookup. Use regional notes to interpret names. The original KnitSilk chart is kept in the advanced appendix for comparison, not as a competing set of automatic rules.
Main chart · Tools & gauge · Worked example · What to do next · Country names · Optional technical detail · FAQs · Silk note · Disclaimer
1 · Find your category: CYC weights 0–7
Read the number on the label first, when supplied. CYC’s example names appear below; project ideas are suggestions, not guarantees of suitability. On a small screen, swipe wide tables sideways.
| Number & name | CYC yarn-type examples | Project ideas |
|---|---|---|
| 0 – Lace | Fingering; 10-count crochet thread | Delicate shawls, lace, doilies |
| 1 – Super Fine | Sock, Fingering, Baby | Socks, lightweight accessories |
| 2 – Fine | Sport, Baby | Light sweaters, small accessories |
| 3 – Light | DK, Light Worsted | Cardigans, lighter blankets |
| 4 – Medium | Worsted, Afghan, Aran | Hats, afghans, amigurumi |
| 5 – Bulky | Chunky, Craft, Rug | Scarves, textured sweaters, baskets |
| 6 – Super Bulky | Super Bulky, Roving | Thick blankets, oversized accessories |
| 7 – Jumbo | Jumbo, Roving | Large-scale textiles; hand-work if the yarn is designed for it |
A name is not always unique: CYC lists “fingering” in its Lace examples and Super Fine row, and “roving” in both Super Bulky and Jumbo. Check the category number, actual yarn and pattern together.
2 · Choose starting tools and check your gauge
Gauge means the number of stitches and rows over a measured area of fabric. A chart gives a starting range; the gauge in your pattern is the target. Knitting needles and crochet hooks have different recommendations, so choose the correct column. The comparison table below lists stitch counts across four inches, not row counts.
| Category | Knitting needles, mm | Knitting gauge | Crochet hook, mm | Crochet gauge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 – Lace | 1.5–2.25 | 33–40* | Steel 1.6–1.4; regular hook 2.25 | 32–42 US double crochet* |
| 1 – Super Fine | 2.25–3.25 | 27–32 | 2.25–3.5 | 21–32 |
| 2 – Fine | 3.25–3.75 | 23–26 | 3.5–4.5 | 16–20 |
| 3 – Light | 3.75–4.5 | 21–24 | 4.5–5.5 | 12–17 |
| 4 – Medium | 4.5–5.5 | 16–20 | 5.5–6.5 | 11–14 |
| 5 – Bulky | 5.5–8 | 12–15 | 6.5–9 | 8–11 |
| 6 – Super Bulky | 8–12.75 | 7–11 | 9–15 | 7–9 |
| 7 – Jumbo | 12.75 and larger | 6 or fewer | 15 and larger | 6 or fewer |
Knitting counts use stockinette stitch. Crochet counts use US single crochet, except Lace, which uses US double crochet. *Lace is often worked on larger tools for openwork, so follow the pattern rather than forcing a generic gauge.
Tool labels, crochet terminology and measurement notes
Sizes above are tool diameters in millimetres, not US tool numbers or yarn category numbers. Steel crochet-hook numbering differs from regular hooks; millimetres help avoid confusion.
US single crochet is UK double crochet. US double crochet is UK treble. This guide uses US stitch names.
4 inches equals 10.16 cm. Patterns often give a nominal 4-inch/10-cm gauge; for exact work, measure the span the pattern specifies.
CYC’s HAND symbol can represent gauge for yarns worked without hooks or knitting needles, including loop yarns and arm/hand knitting or crochet. It can also mark tool-free patterns. Not every Jumbo yarn must be hand-worked.
3 · Try one simple quantity example
Your pattern: six balls, each containing 170 m.
Total stated length: 6 × 170 = 1,020 m.
Your candidate yarn: 150 m per ball. 1,020 ÷ 150 = 6.8, so you need at least seven whole balls to cover that stated length, before extra allowance for swatching or project needs.
First check gauge, fibre and fabric suitability. Covering the stated length does not guarantee identical consumption or results. This follows the meterage-based approach described by DROPS.
4 · Your practical next steps
- Read the label: record category, fibre, length, mass and care instructions.
- Choose starting tools: use the actual yarn label and pattern, with the CYC table as a general comparison.
- Make a swatch: a sample worked in the stitch and method you will use for the project.
- Finish and measure: follow care limits, dry fully and let the sample relax. Check stitches, rows, drape and feel.
- Adjust and record: change tools and repeat if needed. Calculate quantities by verified length and keep your labelled swatch.
If the gauge matches but the fabric feels wrong, stop and reconsider the yarn or design. Stitch count alone does not guarantee a good substitution.
More help: making a useful swatch
Brooklyn Tweed recommends generous 6- or 8-inch knitting swatches so you can measure a central four-inch span away from distorted edges. Match project conditions: knitting flat can give a different gauge from knitting in the round.
Finish as you will finish the project, within the label’s care limits. Dry and relax before measuring. Do not stretch the sample to force the target gauge unless the pattern specifically calls for stretch blocking. Check drape, opacity and how the fabric feels as well as stitch and row counts.
🌍 Looking at a label from another country?
Open the region you need. These notes help interpret names; they do not promise exact international equivalents.
USA and Canada
For a US label using CYC numbers, start with the main charts above. Do not confuse a yarn category number with a US needle number. Convert yards and ounces if you need a metric comparison.
The supplied KnitSilk chart has no separate Canadian column. If a Canadian label uses CYC categories, use those; otherwise follow its stated system. Do not assume a unique Canada-wide mapping.
United Kingdom
Expect names such as DK, Aran and Chunky. LoveCrafts describes worsted as slightly thinner than Aran, although both sit in the broad Medium family. “Worsted weight” is not the same thing as “worsted-spun,” a spinning/process description.
“Double knitting” names a category here; it is not an instruction to hold any two strands together. The original KnitSilk chart’s UK ply entries are preserved in the appendix as working source comparisons, not universal rules.
Australia and New Zealand
LoveCrafts conventionally pairs DK with 8 ply, worsted/Aran approximately with 10 ply, and Bulky/Chunky with 12 ply in AU/NZ. These ply-size names do not necessarily count actual component strands.
Our source chart overlaps 12 ply between Medium and Bulky and lists 16 ply under Bulky. Those entries remain in the appendix for transparency, not as a general national rule. The source has no separate NZ column. Check the manufacturer’s specification and finished gauge.
Germany
Our source chart lists 2 fädig, 3 fädig, 4 fädig, and 6 fädig for certain rows. Those national mappings were not independently established by the audit. Do not convert the word into an exact CYC category without the manufacturer’s context. Compare length, mass, tool diameter and gauge.
India and other markets
A label reading only “3 ply” or “2/60” does not establish a craft category or even a count system. Ask what the numbers mean and whether length describes one skein or the full pack.
KnitSilk’s preferred clear description combines a category such as “US 5 – Bulky / Chunky” with verified length, mass and label tool guidance. This is our presentation approach, not an India-wide standard.
The source has no separate mappings for France, Italy, Japan or every European market. Germany is not a proxy for all of Europe. Use the actual label and pattern.
🔎 Optional technical detail
You can skip these sections for an everyday project. Open them when comparing an unlabelled yarn, reading a cone count or investigating a chart boundary.
Plain-English glossary: ply, WPI, Nm, drape and sett
- Ball mass: how much material is in the package, such as 100 g.
- Construction ply: component strands twisted together; not necessarily the regional thickness name.
- WPI: wraps per inch, counted on yarn wrapped side by side, not stitches in fabric.
- Resultant Nm: the finished yarn’s metric count, or metres per gram.
- Drape: how the fabric hangs and flows.
- Handle: how the fabric feels.
- Elastic recovery: spring-back after stretching.
- Sett: warp threads per inch in weaving.
Measure wraps per inch (WPI), with CYC comparison table
Wrap gently over a measured one-inch span of a straight tool. Let turns sit side by side, with no overlap or large gaps. Do not stretch or compress the yarn. Repeat in several places. For uneven yarn, use a longer span: count wraps over two inches and divide the count by two.
| Category | WPI |
|---|---|
| 0 – Lace | 30–40+ |
| 1 – Super Fine | 14–30 |
| 2 – Fine | 12–18 |
| 3 – Light | 11–15 |
| 4 – Medium | 9–12 |
| 5 – Bulky | 6–9 |
| 6 – Super Bulky | 5–6 |
| 7 – Jumbo | 1–4 |
Reference: CYC’s How to Measure Wraps Per Inch. Bands overlap, and other publishers use different bands. Do not average them into a new standard. The Woolery explains that wrapping tension is subjective.
Fuzz, ribbon, uneven structure and compression affect results. WPI helps compare yarns but cannot replace a finished swatch. In the main knitting chart, numbers such as 27–32 for Super Fine are stitches per four inches, not WPI.
Nm counts, metres per 100 g and pack calculations
Resultant Nm = metres ÷ grams. This is the finished yarn’s metric count. Multiply it by 100 for metres per 100 g. Higher count means more length per unit mass, not a guaranteed diameter across different fibres or constructions.
Metres per 100 g = stated metres ÷ stated grams × 100. Use matching length and mass: never compare one skein’s length with a whole pack’s mass.
| Resultant Nm | m/kg | m/100 g | m/50 g |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,000 | 100 | 50 |
| 2 | 2,000 | 200 | 100 |
| 5 | 5,000 | 500 | 250 |
| 60 | 60,000 | 6,000 | 3,000 |
What does 2/60 mean?
Under our source chart’s convention, it means two singles each at Nm 60. Nominal finished count is 60 ÷ 2 = Nm 30: 30,000 m/kg, 3,000 m/100 g and 1,500 m/50 g. Other suppliers may write this as 60/2. Confirm the system and order first; do not apply this to unexplained ratios or other cotton/worsted count systems. Twist contraction can affect finished length.
weaversbazaar illustrates metric count divided by plies. Gist Yarn explains that notation can reverse between countries.
The 2/60 × 8 example
Combining eight identical ends of nominal Nm 30 gives nominal Nm 3.75: 3,750 m/kg, 375 m/100 g and 187.5 m/50 g. Our source prints 185 m/50 g; 187.5 is the proportional arithmetic correction, not verified commercial yardage.
Skeins are not packs
Three 100 g skeins, each 130 m, contain 300 g and 390 m. Normalized length remains 130 m/100 g and count Nm 1.3. Packaging does not alter thickness. Our source Medium/Bulky bands overlap at this length, so more evidence is needed.
Unit conversions
1 yard = 0.9144 m; 50 yards = 45.72 m. 1 ounce is approximately 28.3495 g. Convert first, normalize matching mass and length, then round final values sensibly.
Advanced appendix: original KnitSilk regional and technical charts
Not the everyday lookup chart. These tables preserve the supplied master chart approved 21 October 2026. They are working comparisons, not CYC-authored national equivalents or a universal standard. For everyday CYC guidance, use the main charts above. “—” means not specified in this source, not that a term does not exist.
Original regional entries
Reference caution: this original-source table includes disputed or unverified regional mappings. It is not an authoritative national conversion chart; read the caveats below before using its entries.
| US category | UK source column | Australia | Germany |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 – Lace, finer | 1 ply | — | — |
| 0 – Lace | 2 ply | — | 2 fädig |
| 1 – Super Fine, finer | 3 ply | 3 ply | 3 fädig |
| 1 – Super Fine | 4 ply | 4 ply | 4 fädig |
| 2 – Fine | — | 5 ply | 6 fädig |
| 3 – Light | DK / Double Knit or 8 ply | 8 ply | — |
| 4 – Medium | Worsted / Aran | 10 or 12 ply* | — |
| 5 – Bulky | Chunky; “Double Double Knit” (rare source term) | 12 or 16 ply* | — |
| 6 – Super Bulky | Super Chunky | — | — |
| 7 – Jumbo | — | — | — |
*Regional disagreement: LoveCrafts conventionally pairs AU/NZ 10 ply with Medium and 12 ply with Bulky. Do not apply the source’s overlapping 12-ply or 16-ply entries as a national rule. “Double Double Knit” is a rare source transcription, not a recommended standardized name. German mappings were not independently established.
The source also includes cobweb, thread, zephyr, light fingering, sock, baby, sport, light worsted, afghan, craft, rug and roving. Their source row alignment is unclear, so no exact regional equivalences are forced. Use-names do not themselves establish thickness.
Original technical entries
Reference caution: these original-source ranges include overlaps, gaps and a count mismatch. They are not CYC values or guaranteed conversions; read the boundary notes below.
| US category | m/100 g | Nm supplied | WPI | Needles mm | Hook mm |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 – Lace, finer | >800 | 8+ | 40+ | 1.5–2.5 | 1.5–2.5 |
| 0 – Lace | 600–800 | 6–8 | 30–40 | 1.5–2.5 | 1.5–2.5 |
| 1 – Super Fine, finer | 500–600 | 5–6 | 20–30 | 2–3 | 2.25–3.5 |
| 1 – Super Fine | 350–450 | 3.5–4.5 | 14–24 | 2–3 | 2.25–3.5 |
| 2 – Fine | 250–350 | 2.5–3.5 | 12–18 | 3–4 | 3.5–4.5 |
| 3 – Light / DK | 200–250 | 2–2.5 | 11–15 | 4–4.5 | 4.5–5.5 |
| 4 – Medium | 120–200 | 1.5–2 | 9–12 | 4.5–5.5 | 5.5–6.5 |
| 5 – Bulky / Chunky | 100–130 | 1–1.3 | 6–8 | 5.5–8 | 6.5–9 |
| 6 – Super Bulky | <100 | <1 | 5–6 | >8 | >9 |
| 7 – Jumbo | <100 | <1 | Not supplied | ≥12.75 | ≥15 |
Read these boundaries honestly
- 120–130 m/100 g overlaps Medium and Bulky.
- 450–500 m/100 g is not covered between the listed Super Fine bands.
- US 4’s 120–200 m/100 g converts to Nm 1.2–2, not the printed 1.5–2. Both source entries remain visible rather than silently altered.
- US 6 and 7 both say below 100 m/100 g and Nm below 1; these alone cannot distinguish them.
- WPI bands and shared endpoints overlap, so they cannot guarantee a unique category.
- US 1, 2, 3 and 6 needle ranges, Lace tool entries and Bulky WPI differ from CYC. Never quote this table as though it were the CYC chart.
For weavers: WPI, sett and fine cones
Sett means warp threads per inch. WPI is not automatically sett. The Woolery suggests WPI ÷ 2 as a rough starting estimate for balanced plain weave: 24 WPI suggests a trial near 12 ends per inch. Structure, fibre and intended fabric can change this. Sample and finish first.
Warp suitability also depends on tension, abrasion, twist, strength and loom conditions. A useful weft yarn is not automatically suitable for warp.
Our source mentions finer-than-lace yarn for weaving, sewing, embroidery or plying and a contextual cobweb note above Nm 15. These are not universal cut-offs, CYC rules or proof of suitability for a particular machine or technique.
Editorial audit and reference notes
Cross-check completed 25 October 2026. CYC provides the main category, gauge, tool, WPI and HAND-symbol guidance. LoveCrafts supplies comparative regional naming; The Woolery discusses WPI and sampling; Brooklyn Tweed covers swatching; Gist Yarn and weaversbazaar explain count notation; DROPS covers length-based quantity calculations.
The original KnitSilk master chart is a separate working source. Regional equivalents and Nm bands are not CYC-authored. References disagree in places; the appendix identifies the differences instead of blending them into an invented standard. This focused audit does not establish every national mapping or review every craft website.
External source links have been removed as requested; textual attribution remains. No CYC endorsement or universal adoption is implied. The four KnitSilk-watermarked illustrations are AI-generated, not measured samples, specific product photographs or calibrated tools. The header logo is KnitSilk’s supplied brand artwork.
❓ Quick questions
Is DK the same as 8 ply?
It is a useful conventional AU/NZ comparison, supported by LoveCrafts and our source chart. CYC puts DK/Light Worsted in 3 – Light. Still check finished gauge.
Does 4 ply mean four strands?
Not necessarily. It can be a regional size label. Check construction separately.
Is 12 ply always Medium?
No. Our original chart overlaps Medium and Bulky; LoveCrafts conventionally pairs 12 ply with Bulky/Chunky. Use the actual yarn specification and swatch.
Can metres, WPI or Nm tell me the exact category and tools?
No single measure guarantees that. Metres need matching mass; WPI depends on wrapping; Nm needs a known count convention—construction, fibre and fabric matter. Use them together, then swatch.
Why do label tools differ from charts?
Charts are general; labels describe a particular yarn. Both offer starting points, not a replacement for your pattern’s finished gauge.
Is this an official worldwide standard?
CYC’s US 0–7 system is a useful shared reference where adopted. Our regional comparisons are separate working references, not official national equivalents.
Can I print the guide?
Open the optional sections you need before using your browser’s Print or Save as PDF option. Check table widths in preview. No separate corrected chart download is supplied.
Ready to choose your next yarn?
Start with the label. Compare the chart. Let your finished swatch make the final decision.
Explore KnitSilk →Source acknowledgment
The main yarn-weight categories, gauge ranges, needle and hook recommendations, WPI guidance and HAND-symbol explanation in this guide draw on the publicly available educational standards and guidance of the Craft Yarn Council (CYC), a yarn-industry organisation.
Additional explanations were cross-checked against publicly available craft references from LoveCrafts, The Woolery, Brooklyn Tweed, Gist Yarn, Weaversbazaar, DROPS, YarnSub and Interweave. These are credited as craft businesses, publishers or specialist resources, not government authorities. Their roles and any differences between references are explained in the relevant sections.
The regional and Nm comparisons in the original-chart appendix also draw on KnitSilk’s supplied master yarn-weight chart. They are separate from CYC guidance and are not represented as CYC-approved national equivalents.
⚠️ Important silk note: handle the yarn before choosing final tools
Use these charts as a starting reference, not a fixed silk needle or hook prescription. CYC categories are general yarn guidelines and aren't limited to cotton and wool. Silk can behave differently from wool, cotton or other yarn in a pattern, even when category or stitch gauge matches.
Density, loft and construction matter. Metres per 100 g describes length relative to mass, not exact diameter or guaranteed fabric. Smooth, compact silk and lofty wool can differ in fullness, feel and drape. Silk commonly gives a weightier, flowing fabric and less spring-back than wool; spinning, twist and blends can change the result. Not every silk yarn behaves alike.
When the actual yarn is in your hands, reassess the tools. Begin with label and pattern recommendations, then knit or crochet a generous swatch in the intended stitch. Finish within care limits, dry fully and let it relax. Check stitches, rows, drape, openness and stability. Adjust needle or hook size and repeat if needed.
There is no universal “go up” or “go down” rule for silk. Choose tools that give both the target gauge and a suitable fabric. If the gauge matches but the fabric feels or hangs wrong, a different yarn or pattern may be better than forcing a tool size.
References, checked 25 October 2026: YarnSub: Silk and How to Substitute Yarn; Interweave: Advanced Gauge Tricks; LoveCrafts: Yarn Substitution. These cover elasticity, drape, differing fabrics at matching gauge and knitting/crochet swatching. External hyperlinks omitted.
Important disclaimer: for reference only
This article, its charts, conversions and illustrations are provided for general reference and educational purposes only. Yarn categories, regional equivalents, gauge ranges and suggested tool sizes are approximate guides, not guarantees of yarn thickness, suitability, finished size or project results.
Actual results vary with fibre, spinning, construction, finishing, personal tension and stitch pattern. Check the actual yarn and manufacturer’s specifications, follow the pattern’s gauge and care requirements, and make a finished swatch before committing. Adjust needle or hook size as needed, especially with silk and silk blends. Illustrations are not calibrated measuring tools. This guide does not replace product-specific instructions or hands-on testing.
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