How to Read the Gauge Symbols on a Ball of Yarn

Choose your yarn carefully by reading the label.

The Craft Yarn Council places symbols on craft yarn to enable consumers to choose yarn in the weight they need to achieve the correct gauge. Yarn labels contain symbols showing yarn weights and the symbols showing the size knitting needles and crochet hooks that the manufacturer recommends to create the correct gauge (the number of stitches and rows to make 1 inch of knitting or crocheting).

Instructions

1. Examine the yarn weight symbol on the yarn label. You should find a square with a number between zero and six in the center of the square. The numbers indicate yarn weight and thickness. The number zero is the finest and lightest yarn and the number six is the thickest and heaviest yarn.

2. Find the suggested gauge symbol for knitting needles. This symbol has a picture of knitting needles in the center and below the knitting needles is a number denoting the knitting needle size with the letters "US" following them. For example, the knitting needle gauge symbol may say "10 US" to indicate that US size 10 knitting needles will achieve the gauge for the yarn weight.

3. Locate the suggested gauge symbol for crochet hooks. This symbol has a picture of a crochet hook in the center and below the crochet hook is a number denoting the crochet hook size. For example, the crochet hook gauge symbol may say "G" to indicate that size a size G crochet hook will achieve the gauge noted on the label for the yarn weight.

References

• Sewing It All: Knitting Yarn
• Craft Yarn Council: Yarn Label Information