Yarn Thicknesses – Information, Experiences

Hi there to all crocheters and knitters,

I’m often asked what the terms DK yarn, Aran, Chunky, etc., actually mean.

Well, these terms refer to different yarn weights. They’re mostly used in English-language yarn specifications but are also becoming increasingly common in German-speaking countries. These are the yarn weights currently available in stores:

0) Cobweb – a very thin lace yarn 100 g – approx. 1,400 m LL (comparable to sewing thread)

1) Lace – e.g., Bobbel and similar yarns / often: 100 g – approx. 540 m LL or 100 g – 800 m

2) 4-ply sock yarn – usually 50 g – approx. 410 m LL

3) DK yarns – usually 50 g, ranging from 120 m LL to 160 m LL /
    this also includes 6-ply sock yarns

4) Aran —usually 50 g, approx. 70 m / 85 m LL

5) Chunky —50 g, approx. 90 m / 100 m LL

6) Super-Chunky —50 g—approx. 60 m LL

7) Big – 50 g – less than 50 m LL

(LL = meterage/running length)

Cobweb/lace yarns are the thinnest, while Big yarns are the thickest, suitable for needle sizes up to 20. The respective classifications are determined by the manufacturers and depend on yarn thickness, type, and processing. Needle sizes are indicated in the recommendations on the yarn labels and can vary greatly—even within a single yarn weight group and from manufacturer to manufacturer.

Perhaps someone would like to provide more detailed information about lace yarns and share experiences with different yarn weights. I would be delighted to see active participation in this “knowledge base,” not only from authors but especially through the experiences shared by users.

Kind regards,
Traudelina

(Pst – 4-ply sock yarn: 100 g / approx. 410 m, or 50 g / approx. 200–210 m)
This is actually my favorite yarn weight; I reach for it time and time again.

Sometimes, especially in the UK or Australia, the yarn weight is also given in "ply", e.g. 3 ply or 4 ply.

This information refers to how many individual strands a yarn is spun from. Accordingly, "3 ply" means 3-strand yarn and "4 ply" means 4-strand yarn.

In Traudelina's overview, that would be roughly:

0) Cobweb - 1 ply
 
1) Lace - 2 ply

2) Sock yarn - 3-4 ply

3) DK yarns - 6-8 ply

4) Aran - 10 ply

5) Chunky - 12 ply