Light Weight Yarn (DK, CYC 3): Needle Size, Hook Size and Gauge
DK weight yarn, CYC 3, knits at 21 to 24 stitches per 4 inches on 3.75 to 4.5 mm needles and crochets at 12 to 17 single crochet on 4.5 to 5.5 mm hooks. It measures 11 to 15 wraps per inch and runs about 230 to 300 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 DK weight yarn is category 3. Labels also call it DK, Light Worsted. Its typical projects are sweaters, baby blankets, hats, mittens.
| CYC category | 3 (Light) |
|---|---|
| Other names | DK, Light Worsted |
| Wraps per inch | 11 to 15 |
| Knit gauge (stockinette, per 4 in) | 21 to 24 stitches |
| Recommended needles | 3.75 to 4.5 mm (US 5 to 7) |
| Crochet gauge (per 4 in) | 12 to 17 single crochet |
| Recommended hooks | 4.5 to 5.5 mm (size 7 to I-9) |
| Yards per 100 g (retailer charts) | 230 to 300 |
What size knitting needles do you use for DK weight yarn?
CYC recommends 3.75 to 4.5 mm (US 5 to 7) needles for DK 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 5 | 3.75 mm | 5 | 9 | fine (sport) |
| US 6 | 4 mm | 6 | 8 | Only this weight |
| US 6 | 4.25 mm | 6 | None | Only this weight |
| US 7 | 4.5 mm | 7 | 7 | medium (worsted) |
What size crochet hook do you use for DK weight yarn?
CYC recommends 4.5 to 5.5 mm (size 7 to I-9) hooks for DK weight yarn, at 12 to 17 single crochet per 4 inches. The smallest recommended hook is 0.75 mm off the smallest recommended needle, because crochet fabric is denser than knitting.
| Hook | Metric | Old UK | Also suits |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 4.5 mm | 7 | fine (sport) |
| H-8 | 5 mm | 6 | Only this weight |
| I | 5.25 mm | None | Only this weight |
| I-9 | 5.5 mm | 5 | medium (worsted) |
How much DK weight yarn do you need for a project?
These are planning ranges from published yardage guides for DK weight yarn. Crochet figures run 25 to 33 percent above knitting. Skeins assume 100 gram skeins at 230 to 300 yards each.
| Project | Knit (yd) | Crochet (yd) | 100 g skeins, knit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult Hat | 200 to 250 | 250 to 325 | 1 to 2 |
| Scarf | 375 to 500 | 475 to 675 | 2 to 3 |
| Adult Socks | 275 to 400 | 350 to 525 | 1 to 2 |
| Shawl | 400 to 625 | 500 to 825 | 2 to 3 |
| Adult Sweater | 1,500 to 2,250 | 1,875 to 3,000 | 5 to 10 |
| Baby Blanket | 1,125 to 1,250 | 1,400 to 1,675 | 4 to 6 |
| Throw Blanket | 3,000 to 3,500 | 3,750 to 4,650 | 10 to 16 |
| Twin Size Blanket | 5,500 to 6,400 | 6,900 to 8,500 | 19 to 28 |
| Full Size Blanket | 6,650 to 7,750 | 8,300 to 10,300 | 23 to 34 |
| Queen Size Blanket | 8,300 to 9,700 | 10,400 to 12,900 | 28 to 43 |
| King Size Blanket | 9,950 to 11,650 | 12,450 to 15,500 | 34 to 51 |
Tools and yarn for DK weight yarn
Knit Picks Sunstruck Wood Interchangeable Needle Set, US 4 to 11
$77.47Nine pairs of birch tips from US 4 to 11 (3.5 to 8 mm) with four cables, the budget way to own every mid size.
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Prym Ergonomic Crochet Hook Set, 5 pieces
$24.35Five rubberized ergonomic hooks in 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5 and 6 mm.
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Authentic Knitting Board Fine Gauge Wooden Sock Loom
$16.99A hardwood sock loom for DK or thinner yarn that adjusts to any sock size.
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 DK weight yarn?
These counts use the full CYC gauge range for DK weight yarn: 21 to 24 stitches per 4 inches knit and 12 to 17 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 | 104 to 120 | 61 to 86 |
| Scarf, 8 in wide | 42 to 48 | 25 to 35 |
| Baby blanket, 42 in wide | 221 to 252 | 127 to 180 |
| Throw, 50 in wide | 263 to 300 | 151 to 214 |
| Queen blanket, 90 in wide | 473 to 540 | 271 to 384 |
How do you identify DK 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. Light yarn measures 11 to 15 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 DK 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 DK yarn at 22.5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine (sport) | 23 to 26 | 3.25 to 3.75 mm (US 3 to 5) | about 8 percent narrower |
| Light (DK) | 21 to 24 | 3.75 to 4.5 mm (US 5 to 7) | This weight |
| Medium (worsted) | 16 to 20 | 4.5 to 5.5 mm (US 7 to 9) | about 25 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 DK weight yarn?
The Craft Yarn Council lists 3.75 to 4.5 mm (US 5 to 7) needles for DK weight yarn, which is CYC category 3. 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 DK weight yarn?
CYC lists 4.5 to 5.5 mm (size 7 to I-9) hooks for DK weight yarn, at a typical gauge of 12 to 17 single crochet per 4 inches. The smallest recommended hook is 0.75 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 DK weight yarn?
CYC gives 21 to 24 stitches per 4 inches (10 cm) in stockinette on 3.75 to 4.5 mm (US 5 to 7) needles. At 22.5 stitches per 4 inches, a 20 inch wide piece needs about 113 stitches and a 20 inch hat about 112. 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 DK weight yarn?
DK weight yarn measures 11 to 15 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 fine (sport) and medium (worsted), so an unlabeled yarn near the edge needs a gauge swatch to confirm. Fuzzy yarns read thicker than they knit.
How much DK weight yarn do I need for a blanket?
Published planning ranges put a throw blanket at about 3,000 to 3,500 yards to knit and 3,750 to 4,650 yards to crochet in DK weight yarn. That is 10 to 16 skeins of 100 grams for knitting. A queen size blanket takes about 8,300 to 9,700 yards knit. Pattern yardage always wins, and buy 10 to 15 percent extra from one dye lot.
What can I substitute for DK weight yarn?
The nearest weights are fine (sport) and medium (worsted). If you work a pattern written for DK at 22.5 stitches per 4 inches with medium (worsted) yarn at its typical gauge, the piece comes out about 25 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.