Medium Weight Yarn (Worsted and Aran, CYC 4): Needle Size, Hook Size and Gauge
Worsted weight yarn, CYC 4, knits at 16 to 20 stitches per 4 inches on 4.5 to 5.5 mm needles and crochets at 11 to 14 single crochet on 5.5 to 6.5 mm hooks. It measures 9 to 12 wraps per inch and runs about 170 to 230 yards per 100 grams.
Yarn weight means the thickness of the strand, not how heavy the ball is. The Craft Yarn Council (CYC) numbers its categories from 0 for lace to 7 for jumbo, and worsted weight yarn is category 4. Labels also call it Worsted, Afghan, Aran. Its typical projects are afghans and blankets, hats, scarves, sweaters, dishcloths (cotton).
| CYC category | 4 (Medium) |
|---|---|
| Other names | Worsted, Afghan, Aran |
| Wraps per inch | 9 to 12 |
| Knit gauge (stockinette, per 4 in) | 16 to 20 stitches |
| Recommended needles | 4.5 to 5.5 mm (US 7 to 9) |
| Crochet gauge (per 4 in) | 11 to 14 single crochet |
| Recommended hooks | 5.5 to 6.5 mm (I-9 to K-10.5) |
| Yards per 100 g (retailer charts) | 170 to 230 |
What size knitting needles do you use for worsted weight yarn?
CYC recommends 4.5 to 5.5 mm (US 7 to 9) needles for worsted weight yarn. Every size below falls inside that range. Start in the middle and change size until your swatch matches the pattern gauge; each size links to its own page with cast-on estimates.
| Needle | Metric | US | Old UK | Also suits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US 7 | 4.5 mm | 7 | 7 | light (DK) |
| US 8 | 5 mm | 8 | 6 | Only this weight |
| US 9 | 5.25 mm | 9 | None | Only this weight |
| US 9 | 5.5 mm | 9 | 5 | bulky (chunky) |
What size crochet hook do you use for worsted weight yarn?
CYC recommends 5.5 to 6.5 mm (I-9 to K-10.5) hooks for worsted weight yarn, at 11 to 14 single crochet per 4 inches. The smallest recommended hook is 1 mm off the smallest recommended needle, because crochet fabric is denser than knitting.
| Hook | Metric | Old UK | Also suits |
|---|---|---|---|
| I-9 | 5.5 mm | 5 | light (DK) |
| J | 5.75 mm | None | Only this weight |
| J-10 | 6 mm | 4 | Only this weight |
| K-10.5 | 6.5 mm | 3 | bulky (chunky) |
How much worsted weight yarn do you need for a project?
These are planning ranges from published yardage guides for worsted weight yarn. Crochet figures run 25 to 33 percent above knitting. Skeins assume 100 gram skeins at 170 to 230 yards each.
| Project | Knit (yd) | Crochet (yd) | 100 g skeins, knit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult Hat | 200 to 225 | 250 to 300 | 1 to 2 |
| Cowl | 200 to 300 | 250 to 400 | 1 to 2 |
| Mittens | 150 to 250 | 200 to 325 | 1 to 2 |
| Scarf | 375 to 500 | 475 to 675 | 2 to 3 |
| Adult Socks | 275 to 375 | 350 to 500 | 2 to 3 |
| Shawl | 375 to 550 | 475 to 725 | 2 to 4 |
| Adult Sweater | 1,125 to 1,625 | 1,400 to 2,150 | 5 to 10 |
| Baby Blanket | 1,000 to 1,125 | 1,250 to 1,500 | 5 to 7 |
| Throw Blanket | 2,250 to 3,125 | 2,825 to 4,150 | 10 to 19 |
| Twin Size Blanket | 4,100 to 5,700 | 5,150 to 7,600 | 18 to 34 |
| Full Size Blanket | 5,000 to 6,900 | 6,250 to 9,200 | 22 to 41 |
| Queen Size Blanket | 6,250 to 8,650 | 7,800 to 11,500 | 28 to 51 |
| King Size Blanket | 7,500 to 10,400 | 9,400 to 13,850 | 33 to 62 |
Tools and yarn for worsted weight yarn
Caron One Pound Yarn, 2 pack
$23.98Two 454 g skeins of worsted acrylic at 812 yards each, a lot of blanket yarn per skein.
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Lion Brand Vanna's Choice Yarn, Medium Worsted #4, 3 Pack, Barley
$18.82Three 170 yard skeins of worsted acrylic with a published knit gauge on US 9 needles.
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Clover Takumi Bamboo 9-Inch Single Point Knitting Needles, US 8
$11.95A 9 inch bamboo straight pair in US 8 (5 mm), a light, inexpensive single-point needle.
Check pricePrices change often, so confirm on Amazon. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
How many stitches do you cast on with worsted weight yarn?
These counts use the full CYC gauge range for worsted weight yarn: 16 to 20 stitches per 4 inches knit and 11 to 14 single crochet crocheted. Knit hat counts are rounded to a multiple of 4 for ribbing, and crochet counts add 1 turning chain. Treat them as estimates and swatch first.
| Piece | Knit stitches | Crochet starting chain |
|---|---|---|
| Hat, 20 in around | 80 to 100 | 56 to 71 |
| Scarf, 8 in wide | 32 to 40 | 23 to 29 |
| Baby blanket, 42 in wide | 168 to 210 | 117 to 148 |
| Throw, 50 in wide | 200 to 250 | 139 to 176 |
| Queen blanket, 90 in wide | 360 to 450 | 249 to 316 |
How do you identify worsted weight yarn by wraps per inch?
Wraps per inch (WPI) tells you the weight of an unlabeled yarn. Wrap it snugly around a ruler with the strands touching but not overlapping, count the wraps in one inch, and compare with the CYC ranges. Medium yarn measures 9 to 12 wraps per inch.
| CYC weight | WPI | Knit gauge per 4 in | Yards per 100 g |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 lace | 30 to 40 or more | 33 to 40 | 600 or more |
| 1 super fine (fingering) | 14 to 30 | 27 to 32 | 380 to 600 |
| 2 fine (sport) | 12 to 18 | 23 to 26 | 300 to 380 |
| 3 light (DK) | 11 to 15 | 21 to 24 | 230 to 300 |
| 4 medium (worsted) | 9 to 12 | 16 to 20 | 170 to 230 |
| 5 bulky (chunky) | 6 to 9 | 12 to 15 | 100 to 170 |
| 6 super bulky | 5 to 6 | 7 to 11 | under 100 |
| 7 jumbo | 1 to 4 | 6 or fewer | Not published |
Can you substitute worsted weight yarn for another yarn weight?
You can, as long as you match gauge. The last column shows what happens if you keep a pattern's stitch count for worsted yarn at 18 stitches per 4 inches but knit the neighboring weight at the middle of its CYC gauge range.
| Weight | Knit gauge per 4 in | Needles | Same stitch count comes out |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light (DK) | 21 to 24 | 3.75 to 4.5 mm (US 5 to 7) | about 20 percent narrower |
| Medium (worsted) | 16 to 20 | 4.5 to 5.5 mm (US 7 to 9) | This weight |
| Bulky (chunky) | 12 to 15 | 5.5 to 8 mm (US 9 to 11) | about 33 percent wider |
Estimates, not promises
Planning estimates only. The yardage stated on the pattern always wins. Buy 10 to 15 percent extra, from the same dye lot. The yarn substitution calculator works out how many skeins of a different yarn you need.
Frequently asked questions
What size knitting needles do you use for worsted weight yarn?
The Craft Yarn Council lists 4.5 to 5.5 mm (US 7 to 9) needles for worsted weight yarn, which is CYC category 4. Those are the most commonly used sizes, not a rule. Go down a size if your swatch has fewer stitches per 4 inches than the pattern, and up a size if it has more. Loose knitters often start one size smaller than the label suggests.
What size crochet hook do you use for worsted weight yarn?
CYC lists 5.5 to 6.5 mm (I-9 to K-10.5) hooks for worsted weight yarn, at a typical gauge of 11 to 14 single crochet per 4 inches. The smallest recommended hook is 1 mm larger than the smallest recommended knitting needle, because crochet fabric is denser. Many yarn labels print both a needle and a hook suggestion, and your gauge swatch has the final say.
What is the knitting gauge for worsted weight yarn?
CYC gives 16 to 20 stitches per 4 inches (10 cm) in stockinette on 4.5 to 5.5 mm (US 7 to 9) needles. At 18 stitches per 4 inches, a 20 inch wide piece needs about 90 stitches and a 20 inch hat about 92. Your hands, the fiber and the stitch pattern all shift gauge, so knit a 6 inch swatch, wash it and measure the center.
How many wraps per inch is worsted weight yarn?
Worsted weight yarn measures 9 to 12 wraps per inch (WPI) on the CYC scale. Wrap the yarn snugly around a ruler, strands touching but not overlapping, and count the wraps in one inch. The range overlaps light (DK) and bulky (chunky), so an unlabeled yarn near the edge needs a gauge swatch to confirm. Fuzzy yarns read thicker than they knit.
How much worsted weight yarn do I need for a blanket?
Published planning ranges put a throw blanket at about 2,250 to 3,125 yards to knit and 2,825 to 4,150 yards to crochet in worsted weight yarn. That is 10 to 19 skeins of 100 grams for knitting. A queen size blanket takes about 6,250 to 8,650 yards knit. Pattern yardage always wins, and buy 10 to 15 percent extra from one dye lot.
What can I substitute for worsted weight yarn?
The nearest weights are light (DK) and bulky (chunky). If you work a pattern written for worsted at 18 stitches per 4 inches with bulky (chunky) yarn at its typical gauge, the piece comes out about 33 percent wider. Match the pattern gauge with a swatch, not the weight name, and compare yards per 100 grams so you buy enough.
How we research: we compare manufacturer specifications, owner manuals, published standards and recurring themes in verified owner reviews. We do not test products in person, and this is researched guidance, not professional advice. Follow your machine manual and pattern, and take care with rotary cutters, hot irons and needles. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.