DMC

Choosing the right yarn can make or break your project — but it can feel overwhelming when you start to look at all the gorgeous yarns on offer. Worsted? DK? Alpaca? Super bulky? What does it all mean? In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know so you can choose the perfect yarn for your next project.

What is yarn weight?

The “weight” refers to how thick a strand of the yarn is and there are some standard categories which are different depending where you are in the world. The pattern you are using will usually say what weight yarn should be used to knit the pattern. This means if you can no longer get the specific yarn listed in the pattern you can experiment with a yarn that is the same weight.

Yarn Weight	EU Size / Ply	US Term	UK Term
Lace	1 ply	Lace / Thread	1 ply
Super Fine	2 ply	Fingering / Sock / Baby	2 ply
Fine	3-4 ply	Sport / Baby	3-4 ply
Light	5 ply	DK (Double Knit)	Double Knitting (DK)
Medium	8 ply	Worsted / Afghan / Aran	Aran
Bulky	10-12 ply	Bulky / Chunky	Chunky
Super Bulky	14+ ply	Super Bulky	Super Chunky
Jumbo / Roving	-	Jumbo / Roving	Giant Yarn / Roving

How do I know what weight my yarn is?

Usually, the yarn weight is printed on the ball band of the yarn. For example, you might see a symbol that looks like a ball of yarn with a number in it.

If you can’t find the weight on the ball band or or are using a handspun yarn that doesn't come with a ball band you can still work it out by wrapping the yarn snugly but not tightly around a ruler for 1cm and see how many full wraps fit. Use the table below to understand how this translates into a standard yarn weight.

Yarn Weight	Wraps Per cm (WPC)	Approx. UK Term	Approx. US Term
Lace	18+	1 ply	Lace / Crochet Thread
Super Fine	14–17	2 ply	Fingering / Sock
Fine	12–13	3–4 ply	Sport / Baby
Light (DK)	9–11	Double Knitting (DK)	Light / DK
Medium	7–8	Aran	Worsted / Afghan
Bulky	5–6	Chunky	Bulky
Super Bulky	3–4	Super Chunky	Super Bulky
Jumbo	1–2	Giant Yarn	Jumbo / Roving

I’ve found a yarn I love but what do I make?

Light Yarns - Lace, fingering, sock, baby, sport & double knit

These yarns are great for detailed stitch work. They are ideal for garments where you want the knitted fabric to flow and drape around the body. If you’d like to crochet fine lace shawls and scarves these are a great choice.

Medium Yarns - double knit and worsted

These yarns are fantastic all purpose yarns that are great for most projects. Perfect for knitting or crocheting blankets and outerwear such as sweaters, scarves and hats. These are good choices for amigurumi and toys too.

Thick Yarns - chunky, super-chunky and giant

Choose these yarns for warm bulky items and home decor. They are fast to work with so they are a good choice for beginners because they are easier to handle and you will finish the project quickly.

Here’s a handy table that shows the thicknesses of all the DMC yarns and the recommended crochet hooks and knitting needles to use with them.

SKU	Yarn	US Size	UK Size	EU Size	Crochet Hook Size	Knitting Needle Size	Grams	Length
147	Babylo (Size 5 - 50g)	Fingering / Sock	2 ply	1,75 - 2 mm crochet hook	1.75 - 2 mm		50g	133m / 145.45yds
147	Babylo (Size 5 - 100g)	Fingering / Sock	2 ply	1,75 - 2 mm crochet hook	1.75 - 2 mm		100g	266m / 290.9yds
147	Babylo (Size 10 - 50g)	Lace / Crochet Thread	1 ply	1,5 - 1,75 mm crochet hook	1.5 - 1.75 mm		50g	266m / 290.9yds
147	Babylo (Size 10 - 100g)	Lace / Crochet Thread	1 ply	1,5 - 1,75 mm crochet hook	1.5 - 1.75 mm		100g	530m / 579.61yds
147	Babylo (Size 20 - 50g)	Lace / Crochet Thread	1 ply	1,5 mm crochet hook	1.25 - 1.5 mm		50g	366m / 400.26yds
147	Babylo (Size 20 - 100g)	Lace / Crochet Thread	1 ply	1,5 mm crochet hook	1.25 - 1.5 mm		100g	800m / 874.88yds
147	Babylo (Size 30 - 50g)	Lace / Crochet Thread	1 ply	1 - 1,25 mm crochet hook	1 - 1.25 mm		50g	500m / 546.80yds
147	Babylo (Size 30 - 100g)	Lace / Crochet Thread	1 ply	1 - 1,25 mm crochet hook	1 - 1.25 mm		100g	1060m / 115.92yds
147	Babylo (Size 40 - 100g)	Lace / Crochet Thread	1 ply	0,75 - 1mm crochet hook	0.75 - 1 mm		100g	1160m / 126.86yds
167	Cébélia Size 10	Lace / Crochet Thread	1 ply	0,75 - 1mm crochet hook	1.5 - 1.75 mm		50g
167	Cébélia Size 20	Lace / Crochet Thread	1 ply	1,5 mm crochet hook	1.25 - 1.5 mm		50g
167	Cébélia Size 30	Lace / Crochet Thread	1 ply	1 - 1,25 mm crochet hook	1 - 1.25 mm		50g
167	Cébélia Size 40	Lace / Crochet Thread	1 ply	0,75 - 1mm crochet hook	0.75 - 1 mm		50g
488	Woolly	DK (Double Knit)	Double Knitting (DK)	n° 3.25 - 4	3.5 - 4 mm (USA D/3)	3.5 - 4mm (USA 4 - 6)	50g	125m / 136.7yds
488	Woolly Chic	DK (Double Knit)	Double Knitting (DK)	n° 3.25 - 4	3 - 3.5 mm (USA D/3)	3.5 - 4mm (USA 4 - 6)	50g	125m / 136.7yds
488	Woolly 5	Worsted / Afghan / Aran	Aran	n° 4.50 - 5.5	4.5mm (UK 7, USA G/6)	5 - 5.5mm (UK 6-5, USA 8-9)	50g	80m / 87.49yds
489	100% Baby Wool	Sport / Baby	3-4 ply	n°2.5 - 3.75	3mm (UK 10, USA D/3)	2.5 - 3.5mm (USA 1 - 4)	50g	225m / 246.06yds
801	Hoooked RibbonXL	Super Bulky	Super Chunky	n° 8 - 10, n° +12	8-12mm	8-12mm		110m / 120.3yds
801	Hoooked Ribbon XL Neon	Super Bulky	Super Chunky	n° 8 - 10, n° +12	8-12mm	8-12mm		85m / 92.96yds
801	Hoooked RibbonXL Lurex	Super Bulky	Super Chunky	n° 8 - 10, n° +12	8-12mm	8-12mm		80m / 87.49yds
993	Petra (Size 3)	Sport / Baby	3-4 ply	n°2.5 - 3.75	2.5 mm (UK 12, USA 1)	3 mm (UK 11)	100g	280m / 306.21yds
993	Petra (Size 5)	Fingering / Sock	2 ply	n°2 - 3,5	1.75 - 2 mm	2.5 mm (UK 12, USA 1)	100g	400m / 437.44yds
993	Petra (Size 8)	Fingering / Sock	2 ply	n°2 - 3,5	1.25 mm	2 mm (USA 0)	100g	800m / 874.89yds
8108	Révélation	DK (Double Knit)	Double Knitting (DK)	n° 3.25 - 4	4 mm (UK 8, USA G/6)	4mm (UK 8, USA 6)	150g	520m / 568.68yds
8111-P	Magnum	Worsted / Afghan / Aran	Aran	n° 4.50 - 5.5	5mm (UK 6, USA H/8)	5mm (UK 6, USA 8)	400g	840m / 918.63yds
8110-P	Magnum Tweed	Worsted / Afghan / Aran	Aran	n° 4.50 - 5.5	5mm (UK 6, USA H/8)	5mm (UK 6, USA 8)	400g	840m / 918.63yds
8136-P	Magnum Colourful	Bulky / Chunky	Chunky	n° 5.5 - 8	6mm (UK 4, USA J10)	6.5mm (UK 3, USA 10.5)	400g	592m / 647.42yds
8130-P	Merino Essentiel 4 50g	DK (Double Knit)	Double Knitting (DK)	n° 3.25 - 4	4mm (UK 8, USA F/5)	4mm (UK 8, USA 6)	50g	150m / 164.04yds
8130-P	Merino Essentiel 4 100g	DK (Double Knit)	Double Knitting (DK)	n° 3.25 - 4	4mm (UK 8, USA F/5)	4mm (UK 8, USA 6)	100g	250m / 273.4yds
8152	Merino Essentiel 8	Super Bulky	Super Chunky	n° 8 - 10	8mm	8mm	100g	80m / 87.49yds
8148-P	Merino Essentiel 3	DK (Double Knit)	Double Knitting (DK)	n°2.5 - 3.75	3mm (UK10, USA D-3)	3mm (UK10, USA 3)	50g	200m / 218.72yds
8150-P	Merino Essentiel Tweed	Worsted / Afghan / Aran	Aran	n° 4.50 - 5.5	4mm (UK8, USA F/5)	4mm (UK 8, USA 6)	50g	165m / 180.45yds
8153-P	Merino Essentiel Ombré Knitting Yarn	Bulky / Chunky	Chunky	n° 5.5 - 8	6mm (UK 4, USA J/10)	5.5mm (UK 5, USA 9)	150g	285m / 311.68yds
151-P	Cordonnet Spécial (Size 20)	Lace / Crochet Thread	1 ply	1,25 mm crochet hook	1.25 mm		20g	160m / 174.98yds
151-P	Cordonnet Spécial (Size 30)	Lace / Crochet Thread	1 ply	1mm crochet hook	1 mm		20g	190m / 207.79yds
151-P	Cordonnet Spécial (Size 40)	Lace / Crochet Thread	1 ply	1mm crochet hook	1 mm		20g	233m / 254.81yds
151-P	Cordonnet Spécial (Size 50)	Lace / Crochet Thread	1 ply	1mm crochet hook	1 mm		20g	266m / 290.9yds
151-P	Cordonnet Spécial (Size 60)	Lace / Crochet Thread	1 ply	1mm crochet hook	1 mm		20g	300m / 328.08yds
151-P	Cordonnet Spécial (Size 70)	Lace / Crochet Thread	1 ply	0,75mm crochet hook	0.75 mm		20g	330m / 360.89yds
151-P	Cordonnet Spécial (Size 80)	Lace / Crochet Thread	1 ply	0,75mm crochet hook	0.75 mm		20g	366m / 400.26yds
151-P	Cordonnet Spécial (Size 100)	Lace / Crochet Thread	1 ply	0,75mm crochet hook	0.75 mm		20g	366m / 400.26yds
19-P	Fil à Dentelle	Lace / Crochet Thread	1 ply	Crochet Hook 0,75 mm	0.75 mm			90m / 98.42yds
302M	Natura Just Cotton Colour Effects	Sport / Baby	4-ply	n°2.5 - 3.75	3mm	2.5 - 3.5 mm	50 g	155m / 169.51yds
302-P	Natura	Sport / Baby	4-ply	n°2.5 - 3.75	3mm	2.5 - 3.5 mm	50 g	155m / 169.51yds
322-P	Natura XL	Super Bulky	Super Chunky	n° 8 - 10	6 - 7mm	8 - 9mm	100g	75m / 82.02yds
332-P	Natura Medium	Worsted / Afghan / Aran	Aran	n° 4.50 - 5.5	4mm	4 - 5mm (UK 8-6, USA 6-8)	50g	75m / 82.02yds
342-P	Natura Linen	Sport / Baby	3-4 ply	n°2.5 - 3.75	3mm	3 - 3.5mm	50g	150m / 164.04yds
352-P	Natura Denim	Worsted / Afghan / Aran	Aran	n° 4.50 - 5.5	4mm	4 - 5mm (UK 8-6, USA 6-8)	50g	75m / 82.02yds
382-P	100% Baby Cotton	Worsted / Afghan / Aran	Aran	n° 4.50 - 5.5	4mm (UK 8, USA G/6)	4mm (UK 8, USA 6)	50g	106m / 115.92yds
384-P	Eco Vita 12	Jumbo / Roving	Giant Yarn / Roving	n° +12	12mm	12mm	250g	55m / 60.15yds
385-P	Eco Vita 4	Worsted / Afghan / Aran	Aran	n° 4.50 - 5.5	4mm	5mm (UK 6, USA 8)	200g	200m / 218.72yds
386-P	Eco Vita 4 Multico	Worsted / Afghan / Aran	Aran	n° 4.50 - 5.5	4mm	5mm (UK 6, USA 8)	250g	200m / 218.72yds
387-P	Eco Vita Metallic	Bulky / Chunky	Chunky	n° 5.5 - 8	4mm	5mm (UK 6, USA 8)	250g	200m / 218.72yds
388-P	Eco Vita Recycled Cotton Knitting & Crochet Yarn	Bulky / Chunky	Chunky	n° 5.5 - 8	4-5mm (UK 8-6, USA F/5-H/8)	4-5mm (UK 8-6, USA 6-8)	100g	250m / 273.4yds
391	Eco Vita Tape Knitting & Crochet Yarn	Super Bulky	Super Chunky	n° 8 - 10, n° +12	10-12mm	10-12mm	250g	120m / 131.23yds
392-P	Happy Cotton	DK (Double Knit)	Double Knitting (DK)	n° 3.25 - 4	3mm (UK 11, USA 3)	4mm (UK 8, USA 6)	20g	43m / 47.03yds
800_	Hoooked Zpagetti	Super Bulky	Super chunky	n° 8 - 10, n° +12	10-12mm	10-12mm	850g	120m / 131.23yds
8101-P	Angel	DK (Double Knit)	Double Knitting (DK)	n° 3.25 - 4	4mm (UK 8, USA G/6)	4mm (UK 8, USA 6)	50g	95m / 103.89yds
8102-P	Honey	Sport / Baby	3 ply	n°2.5 - 3.75	3mm (UK 11, USA 3)	3mm (UK 11, USA 3)	50g	301m / 329.18yds
8103-P	Candy	DK (Double Knit)	Double Knitting (DK)	n° 3.25 - 4	4mm (UK 8, USA G/6)	4mm (UK 8, USA 6)	50g	165m / 180.45yds
8104-P	Mellow	Super Bulky	Super Chunky	n° 8 - 10	10mm (UK 000, USA N/15)	10mm (UK 000, USA 15)	100g	67m / 73.27yds
8105-P	Shine	Bulky / Chunky	Chunky	n° 5.5 - 8	6.5mm (UK 3, USA K/10 ½)	6.5mm (UK 3, USA 10.5)	100g	138m / 150.92yds
8107-P	Quick Knit	Jumbo / Roving	Giant Yarn / Roving	n° +12	20mm (UK 000, USA S)	20mm (UK 000, USA 36)	150g	50m / 54.68yds
8116-P	Hollie	DK (Double Knit)	Double Knitting (DK)	n° 3.25 - 4	4mm (UK 8, USA G-6)	4mm (UK 8, USA 6)	50g	116m / 126.86yds
8114-P	Knitty 10	Bulky / Chunky	Super Chunky	n° 8 - 10	10mm (UK 0, US N-P15)	10mm (UK 000, US 15)	100g	82m / 89.68yds
8115-P	Knitty 6	Super Bulky	Chunky	n° 5.5 - 8	6mm (UK 4, US J10)	6mm (UK 3, US 10.5)	100g	140m / 153.11yds
8112-P	Knitty 4	DK (Double Knit)	Double Knitting (DK)	n° 3.25 - 4	4mm (UK 8, USA F/5)	4mm (UK 8, USA 6)	100g	280m / 306.21yds
8120-P	Knitty 4	DK (Double Knit)	Double Knitting (DK)	n° 3.25 - 4	4mm (UK 8, USA F/5)	4mm (UK 8, USA 6)	50g	140m / 153.11yds
8126-P	Knitty Pop	DK (Double Knit)	Double Knitting (DK)	n° 3.25 - 4	4mm (UK 8, USA F/5)	4mm (UK 8, USA 6)	50g	140m / 153.11yds
8121-P	Brio	DK (Double Knit)	Double Knitting (DK)	n° 3.25 - 4	4mm (UK 8, USA G/6)	4mm (UK 8, USA 6)	100g	345m / 377.3yds
8127-P	Velvet Knitting Yarn	Bulky / Chunky	Chunky	n° 5.5 - 8	6mm (UK 4, USA J/10)	6 mm (UK 4, USA J/10)	100g	100m / 109.36yds
8128-P	Samara	Super Bulky	Super Chunky	n° 8 - 10	10mm (UK 000, USA N/5)	9-10mm (UK 000, USA 15)	100g	66m / 72.18yds
8131-P	Pirouette	Worsted / Afghan / Aran	Aran	n° 4.50 - 5.5	5mm (UK 6, USA H/8)	5mm (UK 6, USA 8)	200g	500m / 546.81yds
8135-P	Ankara	Bulky / Chunky	Chunky	n° 5.5 - 8	5mm (UK 6, USA H/8)	5mm (UK 6, USA 8)	50g	110m / 120.3yds
8138-P	Knitty Glitter	Bulky / Chunky	Chunky	n° 5.5 - 8	6mm (UK 4, USA J/10)	6mm (UK 4, USA J/10)	50g	140m / 153.11yds
8139-P	Teddy	Worsted / Afghan / Aran	Aran	n° 4.50 - 5.5	5.5mm (UK 3, USA 1/9)	5.5mm (UK 5, USA 9)	50g	90m / 98.42yds
8140-P	Sweetie	Fingering / Sock	2 ply	n°2 - 3,5	2.5mm (UK 12, USA 1)	2.5mm (UK 12, USA 1)	50g	380m / 415.57yds
8143-P	Happy Chenille	DK (Double Knit)	Double Knitting (DK)	n°2.5 - 3.75	3mm (UK 11, US D-3)	3mm (UK 11)	15g	38m / 41.56yds
8145-P	Andes	Worsted / Afghan / Aran	Aran	n° 4.50 - 5.5	5mm (UK 6, USA H/8)	5mm (UK 6, USA 8)	50g	130m / 142.17yds
8146-P	Juliette	Fingering / Sock	2 ply	n°2,5 - 4	4mm (UK 8, USA G/6)	4mm (UK 8, USA 6)	100g	450m / 492.12yds
8147-P	Confetti	DK (Double Knit)	Double Knitting (DK)	n° 3.25 - 4	n° 3.25 - 4	4mm (UK 8, USA G/6)	100g	355m / 388.23yds

Choosing the right thickness yarn

When choosing yarn, start by checking your pattern — most will specify the recommended yarn and tell you the weight and hook or needle size you need to use. If you're substituting yarn, aim to match the weight to maintain the intended look and feel. And if you’ve found a yarn you’d love to try think about the thickness and the best sort of uses for that weight, then look for patterns that need the same weight.

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