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What is a medium weight yarn?

Author

Olivia House

Updated on February 23, 2026

What is a medium weight yarn?

Medium weight, worsted weight yarn, is the most common thickness in knitting and crochet. Yarns of this weight will print the yarn label with the #4 weight symbol and will say "medium". Worsted weight yarn is ideal for all kinds of knit and crochet apparel, accessories, blankets and other home decor items.

In this regard, is medium weight yarn the same as DK?

According to Craft Yarn Council's Standard Yarn Weight System, DK weight yarn falls into the category 3-Light yarn weight, along with light worsted yarns. It is thinner than category 4-Medium yarns (a.k.a. worsted weight yarn) and heavier than 2-Fine yarns (a.k.a. sport weight yarn).

Beside above, how do I know what weight my yarn is? Count the wraps within the inch, and compare against these measurements below:

  1. Lace or 2 ply: 35 or more.
  2. Light fingering, sock, or 2 ply: 22 – 34.
  3. Fingering or 4 ply: 19 – 22.
  4. Sport: 15 – 18.
  5. DK: 12 – 17.
  6. Worsted or Aran: 9 – 11.
  7. Bulky or Chunky: 8 – 10.
  8. Super Bulky or Super Chunky: Anything that has 7 or less wraps per inch.

Thereof, what does medium weight yarn mean?

Worsted weight yarn is a medium weight yarn that sits in the middle of the yarn weight family. Its medium thickness means that it's great for knitting sweaters, hats, scarves, mittens, blankets and beyond!

What do different yarn weights mean?

Yarn weight refers to the thickness of the yarn. It's a range, from super fine to super bulky. The higher the number, the heavier the yarn and the fewer stitches per inch you will get but ply doesn't always correlate to the weight of a particular yarn.

What is size 4 medium weight yarn?

Compare yarn weights with our Knitting Wool Conversion Chart!
Standard Yarn Weight SystemUSASuggested Needle Size
2 or FineSport3.25 mm to 3.75 mm
3.5 mm
3 or LightDK/Light Worsted3.75 mm to 4.5 mm
4 or MediumWorsted4.5 mm to 5.5 mm

What ply is size 4 yarn?

I often use 8ply yarn when a pattern calls for yarn category 4 or worsted weight yarn and adjust my tension/stitches based on the gauge swatch.

What ply is medium weight yarn?

The number of wraps will act as a gauge to assess the thickness of unmarked yarn; for example 12 wraps per inch is 12 WPI, and is used to calculate how much yarn is required for various articles, so that 12 WPI is equivalent to 8 ply (worsted weight, medium weight) yarn.

What weight is 4 ply yarn?

Fingering weight (traditionally 4ply) 19-22. Sport weight 15-18. DK weight 12-14. Worsted 9-11.

Can I use DK instead of worsted?

Dk is thinner, so you'd have to go up enough needle sizes to get the same gauge as the worsted. You could also try doubling the DK and going up a needle size to get guage and to approximate the fabric you'd get with worsted. You would need a little less than double the yarn, in this case.

What is the difference between DK and worsted weight yarn?

DK yarns are lighter than worsted, but heavier than sport. DK yarn is equivalent to #3 Light on the Standard Yarn Weight System. Worsted weight yarn also includes Aran and afghan weight yarn. It is #4 Medium on the Standard Yarn Weight System.

What size is DK weight yarn?

DK or Double Knitting This is a term that originated in Britain and is used by all types of manufacturers. It refers to a yarn size very close to a sport weight, but slightly heavier. The gauge is about 5 1/2 stitches per inch and is usually knit on a U.S. 6 needle.

What is line weight yarn?

A single-ply filament of 100% sumptuously soft merino wool, Line Weight is as simple as breath. In our palette of dozens of gorgeous colors, this fingering weight yarn emits a delicate glow. Use one, two or more strands of Line Weight to make extra special hats, sweaters, and cowls!

How many yards is 4 oz of worsted weight yarn?

NOTE: Worsted-weight yarn is about 50 yards per ounce and nylon plastic canvas yarn in about 42 yards per ounce. Completing a plastic canvas pattern is fun and rewarding. Check out our stitch guide for helpful tips and tricks for learning new stitches.

Is Red Heart yarn worsted weight?

Super Saver, America's best-selling yarn for over 70 years. *Solids - 364 yds (334 m) per 7 oz. (198 gm) ball.

What is meant by worsted yarn?

The phrase "worsted weight yarn" refers to medium-weight yarn that is heavier than DK yarn / double knitting yarn, sports weight yarn, baby weight yarn, fingering weight yarn, or crochet thread; it is lighter than chunky or bulky yarn.

What is worsted weight yarn equivalent to?

What is medium weight yarn? Worsted (US) is slightly thinner than aran (UK). Both are approximately equal to 10ply (AU/NZ). The term 'worsted' comes from a particular spinning method so it is possible to find worsted-spun DK yarn although this is relatively rare unless you're buying hand spun yarn.

Is 4 ply yarn worsted weight?

Four-ply yarn is lightweight (also known as DK or double knitting yarn) Aran yarn is not usually specified by ply, but this means worsted or medium-weight yarn.

What does worsted mean?

Worsted (/ˈw?ːrst?d/ or /ˈw?st?d/) is a high-quality type of wool yarn, the fabric made from this yarn, and a yarn weight category. The name derives from Worstead, a village in the English county of Norfolk.

Does 2 strands of DK equal chunky?

2 strands worsted weight = 1 strand chunky. 2 strands chunky = 1 strand super chunky.

What is the best yarn for amigurumi?

The best yarn for amigurumi patterns is generally a worsted weight yarn in either acrylic or cotton. Red Heart acrylic yarn is a tried and true favorite for these types of projects. This type of yarn is especially important if this is your very first crochet amigurumi pattern.

How is WPI calculated?

To calculate the wraps per inch (WPI), simply wrap the yarn around a pencil or knitting needles. Don't wrap too tightly, just provide the normal slack you would if you were knitting. Wrap the yarn for approximately 3-4” along the pencil/needle. Use a ruler and count the number of wrap per inch.

How do you measure yarn?

Wraps per inch is commonly used by weavers, but it can be helpful for all yarn users to identify the weight of yarn if its label is missing. To measure yarn in wraps per inch (or WPI) you need a ruler, and something to wrap the yarn around that has a consistent circumference, like a pencil.

What is yarn size?

The yarn size is a measurement used for the number of 840yd hanks per pound and is many times also referred to as the spun size. The yarn size generally includes both the yarn size and number of ply. Examples include: 46/2 representing 46's cotton count – 2 ply.

Are chunky and bulky yarn the same?

Bulky (US) is known as chunky (UK) and 12 ply weight (AU/NZ). Icelandic Lopi is a bulky yarn. Bulky and chunky yarns can vary a lot in thickness. Frequently, yarn companies will lump all yarns thicker than aran or worsted into this one category.

Can you mix yarn weights?

But you can also combine two or more yarns throughout. The yarns don't need to be in the same weight category. Most Knitting Projects ask for one yarn weight and the piece is worked throughout with the same yarn. There are fewer projects out there using different yarn weights and using the same needle size.

What is a sport weight yarn?

Sport Weight Yarn (137)

Sport weight yarns are slightly heavier than fingering weight yarns making them good for colorwork, textured stitches, and cabling.

What is sock yarn?

Loosely defined, sock yarn is any yarn that you use to knit socks. It can be lace-weight or worsted and made of just about any fiber under the sun. Different kinds of socks, for different purposes, can be made with different kinds of yarn. Most sock yarn, however, is yarn developed specifically for that purpose.

What is Aran weight yarn equivalent to?

worsted weight yarn

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