Yarn weight #3

What is DK weight yarn? Light (#3) yarn explained

DK weight yarn, short for double knitting, is a light yarn in category 3 of the Craft Yarn Council system, also called light worsted or 8-ply. Crocheters use a 4.5–5.5 mm hook, US 7 to I-9, for 12–17 single crochet per 4 inches. DK is a versatile choice for garments, baby items and amigurumi.

By the crochetpatterns.io editorial team · Updated · Editorial policy

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Light weight yarn with a matching hook and swatch
Light yarn at a glance
DetailValue
CYC number#3
Also calledDK, Double knitting, Light worsted, 8-ply (AU/NZ)
Crochet gauge12–17 sc per 4 in / 10 cm
Hook size (mm)4.5–5.5 mm
Hook size (US)7 to I-9
Yards per 100 gabout 200–280 yd
Best forGarments, Baby items, Amigurumi, Lightweight blankets

What is light weight yarn called in the US and UK?

Light yarn is category 3 in the Craft Yarn Council system. You will also see it sold as dk, double knitting, light worsted, 8-ply (au/nz). It typically runs about 200–280 yd per 100 g, though the exact length depends on the fibre.

How does light yarn compare with the weights either side?

Fine (#2) is one step finer and works up at 16–20 sc per 4 in / 10 cm. Medium (#4) is one step thicker at 11–14 sc per 4 in / 10 cm. Moving one weight up usually means going up about one to two hook sizes.

Light yarn and neighbouring weights
WeightCrochet gauge (4 in)Hook (mm)Hook (US)Yards per 100 g
#2 Fine16–20 sc per 4 in / 10 cm3.5–4.5 mmE-4 to 7about 250–350 yd
#3 Light12–17 sc per 4 in / 10 cm4.5–5.5 mm7 to I-9about 200–280 yd
#4 Medium11–14 sc per 4 in / 10 cm5.5–6.5 mmI-9 to K-10½about 150–220 yd

What hook size should you use for light yarn?

Start with a hook between 4.5–5.5 mm (7 to I-9). Standard hooks in that range are 4.5 mm (US 7), 5 mm (US H-8), 5.5 mm (US I-9). Go down a size for tighter fabric such as amigurumi, and up a size for drape.

What is light yarn best for?

Light yarn is a good choice for garments, baby items, amigurumi, lightweight blankets. Our library has 74 patterns in this weight, such as children's crocheted reins (1888), crocheted hot water bottle cover (1915), face cloth in trebles (1914), nursing bottle cover (1915), ruffled crochet scrunchie over a hair elastic.

Is DK the same as light worsted yarn?

In most patterns, yes. DK (double knitting), light worsted and 8-ply all describe light (#3) yarn: DK is the usual label in the UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand, and light worsted is an older US name. Individual yarns still vary within the category, so compare the gauge printed on the ball band with your pattern.

Sources and scope

  • Craft Yarn Council: Standard Yarn Weight System

    Source for categories 0–7 and the crochet gauge and hook ranges. These are starting guidelines; use the gauge in your pattern. Regional ply names and yards per 100 g are approximate comparisons, not CYC specifications.

Patterns using light yarn