Yarn weight hub · CYC standard
Light and DK weight yarn (CYC 3)
DK and light worsted yarns (CYC 3): CYC hook and gauge, real meters per 100 g and 30 verified yarns to sort, compare and buy.
- CYC hook 4.5–5.5 mm
- CYC gauge (sc in 10 cm) 12–17
- Average m per 100 g 252 m
- Yarns in our database 30
What is DK (light) weight yarn?
Light (CYC 3) covers DK (double knitting) and light worsted yarns, around 8 ply in UK and Australian terms. It is one of the most versatile weights for crochet: quick enough for blankets, yet fine enough for garments with good drape.
Standard specs and real data
The Craft Yarn Council standard places 3 – Light yarns with a recommended crochet hook of 4.5–5.5 mm and a gauge of 12–17 single crochet stitches in 10 cm (4 in). Use these ranges as a starting point: the hook and gauge printed on each ball band, listed in the table below, always take priority.
Our database lists 30 yarns in this group from 13 brands. Their linear density averages 252 m per 100 g, ranging from 150 to 380 m per 100 g, and the average ball holds 187 m in 72 g.
Manufacturers recommend hooks from 3 to 5.5 mm for these yarns. 15 of them publish a reference gauge, averaging 20.8 stitches in 10 cm.
Most common main fibres in the group: Acrylic (9), Blend (7), Cotton (6).
All Light / DK yarns (CYC 3) in our database
| See colors & stock on Amazon → | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bernat Softee Baby | 3 | 100 % acrylic | 140 g · 331 m | 236 | 4 mm | 22 | See colors & stock on Amazon → |
| Cascade Yarns Ultra Pima | 3 | 100 % cotton (mercerized) | 100 g · 200 m | 200 | 4 mm | — | See colors & stock on Amazon → |
| DMC Happy Cotton | 3 | 100 % cotton | 20 g · 43 m | 215 | 3 mm | — | See colors & stock on Amazon → |
| DROPS Belle | 3 | 53 % cotton, 33 % viscose, 14 % linen | 50 g · 120 m | 240 | 4 mm | 21 | See colors & stock on Amazon → |
| DROPS Cotton Light | 3 | 50 % cotton, 50 % polyester | 50 g · 105 m | 210 | 4 mm | — | See colors & stock on Amazon → |
| DROPS Cotton Merino | 3 | 50 % wool, 50 % cotton | 50 g · 110 m | 220 | 4 mm | 21 | See colors & stock on Amazon → |
| DROPS Karisma | 3 | 100 % wool | 50 g · 100 m | 200 | 4 mm | — | See colors & stock on Amazon → |
| DROPS Lima | 3 | 65 % wool, 35 % alpaca | 50 g · 100 m | 200 | 4 mm | 21 | See colors & stock on Amazon → |
| DROPS Merino Extra Fine | 3 | 100 % wool | 50 g · 105 m | 210 | 4 mm | 21 | See colors & stock on Amazon → |
| DROPS Muskat | 3 | 100 % cotton (mercerized) | 50 g · 100 m | 200 | 4 mm | — | See colors & stock on Amazon → |
| DROPS Sky | 3 | 74 % alpaca, 18 % nylon, 8 % wool | 50 g · 190 m | 380 | 4 mm | 21 | See colors & stock on Amazon → |
| Hobbii Amigo | 3 | 100 % acrylic | 50 g · 175 m | 350 | 4 mm | 22 | See colors & stock on Amazon → |
| Hobbii Rainbow Cotton 8/8 | 3 | 100 % cotton | 50 g · 75 m | 150 | 4–4.5 mm | — | See colors & stock on Amazon → |
| Knit Picks Swish DK | 3 | 100 % wool | 50 g · 112 m | 224 | 4.5–5.5 mm | 22 | See colors & stock on Amazon → |
| Lion Brand Coboo | 3 | 51 % cotton, 49 % bamboo | 100 g · 212 m | 212 | 4 mm | 18 | See colors & stock on Amazon → |
| Lion Brand Mandala | 3 | 100 % acrylic | 150 g · 540 m | 360 | 4 mm | — | See colors & stock on Amazon → |
| Lion Brand Truboo | 3 | 100 % bamboo | 100 g · 220 m | 220 | 4 mm | 18 | See colors & stock on Amazon → |
| Paintbox Yarns Cotton DK | 3 | 100 % cotton | 50 g · 125 m | 250 | 4 mm | — | See colors & stock on Amazon → |
| Paintbox Yarns Simply DK | 3 | 100 % acrylic | 100 g · 276 m | 276 | 4 mm | — | See colors & stock on Amazon → |
| Premier Yarns Anti-Pilling Everyday DK | 3 | 100 % acrylic | 100 g · 250 m | 250 | 4 mm | 22 | See colors & stock on Amazon → |
| Rico Design Ricorumi DK | 3 | 100 % cotton | 25 g · 58 m | 232 | 3–3.5 mm | — | See colors & stock on Amazon → |
| Rico Design Ricorumi Nilli Nilli | 3 | 100 % polyester | 25 g · 65 m | 260 | 3 mm | 19 | See colors & stock on Amazon → |
| Schachenmayr Bravo | 3 | 100 % acrylic | 50 g · 133 m | 266 | 3.5–4.5 mm | — | See colors & stock on Amazon → |
| Scheepjes Colour Crafter | 3 | 100 % acrylic | 100 g · 300 m | 300 | 4 mm | — | See colors & stock on Amazon → |
| Scheepjes Scrumptious | 3 | 50 % polyester, 50 % acrylic | 100 g · 300 m | 300 | 4 mm | 20 | See colors & stock on Amazon → |
| Scheepjes Softfun | 3 | 60 % cotton, 40 % acrylic | 50 g · 140 m | 280 | 3–3.5 mm | — | See colors & stock on Amazon → |
| Stylecraft Bambino DK | 3 | 100 % acrylic | 100 g · 268 m | 268 | 4 mm | 22 | See colors & stock on Amazon → |
| Stylecraft Life DK | 3 | 75 % acrylic, 25 % wool | 100 g · 298 m | 298 | 4 mm | — | See colors & stock on Amazon → |
| Stylecraft Naturals Bamboo + Cotton | 3 | 60 % bamboo, 40 % cotton | 100 g · 250 m | 250 | 4 mm | 22 | See colors & stock on Amazon → |
| Stylecraft Special DK | 3 | 100 % acrylic | 100 g · 295 m | 295 | 4 mm | — | See colors & stock on Amazon → |
Tap a column header to sort. Data from the manufacturers' ball bands; gauge only where the manufacturer publishes it.
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Most searched comparisons: Light / DK yarns (CYC 3)
- ⚖️ Cascade Yarns Ultra Pima vs DROPS Muskat 100 %
- ⚖️ DROPS Karisma vs DROPS Lima 100 %
- ⚖️ Scheepjes Colour Crafter vs Stylecraft Special DK 97 %
- ⚖️ Hobbii Amigo vs Lion Brand Mandala 95 %
- ⚖️ Paintbox Yarns Simply DK vs Stylecraft Bambino DK 95 %
- ⚖️ Paintbox Yarns Cotton DK vs Stylecraft Naturals Bamboo + Cotton 93 %
- ⚖️ DROPS Cotton Light vs DROPS Cotton Merino 92 %
- ⚖️ DROPS Cotton Light vs Lion Brand Coboo 92 %
- ⚖️ DROPS Karisma vs DROPS Merino Extra Fine 92 %
- ⚖️ DROPS Lima vs DROPS Merino Extra Fine 92 %
- ⚖️ Schachenmayr Bravo vs Stylecraft Bambino DK 92 %
- ⚖️ Scheepjes Scrumptious vs Stylecraft Life DK 92 %
Best projects and how much yarn you need
DK is the go-to weight for granny squares, baby blankets, cardigans, tops and amigurumi in acrylic or cotton. Many popular blanket CALs are designed for DK acrylics because of their wide colour ranges.
With the average ball of this group (187 m), a 1,100 m throw blanket needs about 6 balls and a 220 m hat about 2 balls. For an exact figure for your pattern, size and stitch, use the yarn calculator.
How to choose and substitute
Compare yarns by meters per 100 g rather than by brand or ball weight: two yarns within about 10 % of each other in density, with overlapping hook ranges, usually give the same fabric. Sort the table by density or hook size to find close matches quickly.
Before swapping yarns in a pattern, convert the number of balls by total length, buy every ball from the same dye lot and work a 12 × 12 cm swatch. Our side-by-side comparisons below show the exact ball conversion and a technical verdict for the most searched pairs.
Calculate yarn for a whole project → Granny square blanket calculator →
Frequently asked questions
Is DK yarn the same as 8 ply?
Yes, DK (CYC 3) is generally equivalent to 8 ply. Some DK yarns are close to light worsted, so check the meters per 100 g: the yarns in this group range widely, as the table shows.
How many Light / DK yarns (CYC 3) does CrochetMetrics compare?
Our database currently lists 30 Light / DK yarns (CYC 3) with verified ball band data, from 150 to 380 m per 100 g. Every yarn links to its own data sheet with substitutes and a ball converter.
Can I swap one yarn of this group for another?
Usually yes, if their meters per 100 g are within about 10 % and the hook ranges overlap. Convert the number of balls by total length, not by weight, and always check your gauge with a swatch before starting.