Worsted, Aran, DK, English Yarn Weights Explained
What do the English yarn weight terms mean?
| English Term | German Equivalent | CYC | Needle Size (mm) | Run Length (m/100g) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lace | Lace / Spitzengarn | 0 | 1.5–2.25 | 400+ |
| Fingering / Sock | Sockenwolle / Feingarn | 1 | 2.25–3.25 | 350–400 |
| Sport | Sportgarn | 2 | 3.25–3.75 | 250–350 |
| DK | DK (Double Knitting) | 3 | 3.75–4.5 | 200–250 |
| Worsted | Aran / Kräftiges Garn | 4 | 4.5–5.5 | 120–200 |
| Aran | Aran / Dickes Garn | 4 | 4.5–5.5 | 80–120 |
| Bulky / Chunky | Dickes / Grobes Garn | 5 | 5.5–8 | 60–120 |
| Super Bulky | Sehr dickes Garn | 6 | 8–12 | 40–60 |
| Jumbo | Jumbo / Extradick | 7 | 12+ | < 40 |
All values are guidelines, the yarn label is always the most reliable source.
Many beautiful knitting patterns come from English-speaking countries — and bring their own yarn weight vocabulary with them. Worsted, Aran, DK, Fingering: these terms don't have direct German equivalents, but the CYC number and run length make them easy to match.
The trickiest area is Worsted and Aran: both sit at CYC 4, but Aran tends to have slightly fewer metres per 50 g. In practice they're often interchangeable — a gauge swatch settles any doubt.
DK (Double Knitting) isn't a term used in Germany, but the weight falls between Sport and Worsted — roughly what German labels describe as "3–4 mm needles". It's one of the most versatile and widely available weight categories.
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What is Worsted weight in German?
Worsted roughly corresponds to a medium or "Aran" weight in German, CYC 4, needle size 4–5 mm, around 80–120 m per 50 g. It's the most common weight range in English-language patterns.
What's the difference between Aran and Worsted?
Aran (CYC 4) and Worsted (CYC 4) overlap significantly, both sit in the middle of the weight scale. Aran is often slightly thicker than Worsted, but in practice they're frequently interchangeable. A gauge swatch will confirm.
What does DK mean?
DK stands for Double Knitting, not a literal knitting technique, just a weight category. It corresponds to roughly 3–4 mm needles, CYC 3, and around 200–275 m per 50 g. Many German yarns in the Sport-to-Worsted range are equivalent to DK.
Is Fingering the same as sock yarn?
Usually yes. Fingering (CYC 1) is the English term for fine yarn typically used for socks, 2–3 mm needles, 350–450 m per 100 g. Not all Fingering yarns are sock yarns (some lack nylon reinforcement), but they're the same weight category.