Yarn Weight (Thickness) Knitting and crochet yarns come in different weights, or thicknesses. Required fields are marked *. Use when DK isn’t heavy enough, and chunky is too bulky. The metric equivalent is 1.6-1.4mm for steel and the regular metric hook size of 2.25mm. Need to choose yarn for a project? Every yarn has a weight listed on the label. Thanks for stopping by. Knitting yarns come in a wide range of different thicknesses, or ‘weights’, and the weight of yarn you choose will have a big impact on the look and feel of your finished fabric. It’s generally knitted on size 3-4mm needles and is a popular choice for lace shawls as it knits up into a light but cosy fabric. If you’re looking at US yarn brands or patterns, you might see sport weight yarn mentioned. They are very thick, so you’ll need some pretty large hooks or needles to work with them! How do you know if the yarn you want to use is the right size for your project? You might also see it referred to as ‘sock’ or ‘baby’ weight because – you guessed it! As well spending her working life thinking about yarn, Sarah designs knitting patterns in her spare time, too! What weight of yarn to use for which garments. When choosing the right yarn for your project, size matters. Now you can easily find the right yarn size for your project based on gauge. The thickness of a yarn can have a huge effect on how your project turns out. If you’ve ever been yarn shopping, you know that there are loads of different types of yarn out there. 1. Bulky yarns are great for when you want to make a thick, squishy project in a short time. By: Sara Dudek, Posted on August 1, 2018 July 31, 2018. How do you know if your yarn is the right thickness? If you’ve ever untwisted or split your yarn while knitting, you’ll have seen these individual plies. For instance if two of #1 weight is equal to #3 weight and so on. If the yarn my pattern calls for has 127 yards in a 50 gram skein, and the yarn I want to use has 123 yards in a 50 gram skein, those two yarns will be very similar in thickness. So i have put together a simple guide to understanding yarn weights for your reference. The Jumbo category is relatively new. Worsted weight and Aran yarns fall into the #4 Medium category, but some Aran yarns tend to be slightly thicker than Worsted. #1 Superfine yarns include sock yarns and fingering yarns, and make a lightweight fabric. In the US, fine weight yarn is referred to as sport, while in Australia and New Zealand, it is called 5 ply. Oct 25, 2018 - Yarn weight guide and conversion chart. Read this first! 01 Aug. We’ll explain why a yarn’s weight has nothing to do with grams or kilos, reveal what is meant by fingering, sport and worsted weight, and help you choose the right yarn for your project with our yarn weight conversion chart. All rights reserved. The #2 yarns are often labeled as Sport Weight. Your email address will not be published. The photo below shows examples of 7 out of the 8 weight categories. The #0 category is for the thinnest of yarns. Notice how the yarn gradually gets thicker as the category number goes up. Learn how your comment data is processed. These categories help us know how thick a yarn is, and whether it will be suitable for use with the pattern we want to follow. Some manufacturers use the symbols provided by the Craft Yarn Council, which show a little picture of a skein of yarn with a number on it. Just because a pattern states what yarn it used, doesn't mean you have to choose that yarn. You can interchange yarns within the weight. No equivalent exists in the UK. The thicker the yarn, the heavier it will be. Jumbo Yarn, a relatively new member of the Yarn family is very thick and used in Arm knitting. Many baby yarns are sport weight. My mission is to share the joy of yarn crafts with makers of all skill levels by creating clear, thoroughly-explained video tutorials and modern, approachable projects. A 2ply yarn has two strands, a 3ply has three and so on. You want to wrap it around without pulling it tight (tutorial here). Discovered some unidentified yarn … This is an 8ply yarn below: My current favorite amigurumi yarns are Ricorumi DK weight yarn and Paintbox Yarns Cotton Aran. There are so many different colors, textures, and fibers that if you don’t know what to look for, it may be a bit overwhelming to choose just one yarn for your project. The Standard Yarn Weight System . However, some manufacturers only give the name of the yarn weight without the category number. Knit on 9 to 20mm needles. Please be kind enough to explain this to me. It's a range, from super fine to super bulky. The standard yarn weight system goes from a range of 0 to 7, with size 0 (or lace yarn) being the smallest weight (or thickness) and size 7 being the largest weight. Good for furnishings. Knit on 3½ to 4½mm needles. Note that the term ‘worsted’ can also refer to the way the yarn is processed – it can either be worsted spun or woolen spun – so you may see it used in the context of yarn manufacturing and spinning as well. Here are the yarn weights you’ll most commonly encounter in the UK, and our recommendations for what to knit with them. But don’t worry, we’re here to translate! These yarns make any project work up quickly. Whether you’re on your first project or just need a quick refresher, check out our knitting abbreviations for the common stitches you’ll find in our patterns. You may also share one photo from each post, as long as the photo is not altered or changed in any way. Yarn weight guide. For example, two yarns may both be labeled as #4 Medium, but one may be slightly thicker than the other. Now that you’ve mastered yarn conversions find a project to work on with our knitting patterns collection, and see our guides to the best knitting kits for beginners and knitting books for more inspiration. #5 yarns may also be labeled as Chunky, Craft, or Rug yarns. While every yarn isn't perfect for every project, learning about yarn weights will allow you a lot more creativity in your choices. Historically, yarn weights were named after these numbers, so the higher the ply the heavier the yarn, but today it’s more complex than that. That might not seem like a big deal, but sometimes, the weight categories are called by different names. To do this, you would take the doubled yarn and wrap it around a ruler, pencil, or knitting needle. Worsted yarns are medium thickness and knit up on 4-5½mm needles, making them a good choice for beginners and winter knits such as jumpers and blankets. Or, if you prefer ounces, you can divide the number of yards in the skein by the number of ounces to find the number of yards per ounce for each skein. However, I do not know all of the precise weights of all of the combinations. This weight of yarn is usually crocheted using the US hook size of 6/7/8 (steel) and B-1 of regular. Although beautiful pieces for babies have been made in nearly every size and type of yarn, traditionally, baby items are made with Size 1, 2, and 3 yarns. Getting a yarn that is the wrong thickness can throw off your gauge and ruin your project. The term ‘yarn weight’ refers to the thickness of the thread, not the weight of the ball or even of the thread itself. This popular yarn weight (it’s reportedly the most-used yarn in the US) is equivalent to UK aran. Happy Yarning! Yarns come in a standard range of sizes, but the names can vary from country to country. Search; News; Stay in touch. Copyright Yay For Yarn © 2019. However, if the yarn I want to use only has 105 yards in a 50 gram skein, even if it is still #3 DK weight, that yarn will be slightly thicker than the yarn called for in the pattern. However, the UK, Europe, and Australia use a different classification method for labeling yarn by its thickness. Yarn weight does not refer to how much the skein of yarn weighs in ounces or grams. If you’re yarn shopping in another country, you’ll want to check into the yarn weight system that is used there. SAVE up to 78% on US shop price and pay in $$! Lace weight yarns are made for making knitted or crocheted lace, which is often done on larger needles or hooks for an open, lacy look. Knitting; If you are a beginner who is learning how to knit or crochet then you are probably still figuring out yarn weights and categories. Use the Standard Yarn Weight System to find out! Think of it as how much do 100 yards of yarn weigh. When you hold two yarns together, it is much thicker. Usually double the weight of 4ply, this is the most widely used weight. Learn all you need to know about yarn weights and categories, with an infographic. The “weight” of a yarn actually refers to the thickness of the yarn. The Yarn Weight Chart below gives a handy comparison of different knitting and crochet yarns along with needle and hook sizes, approximate meterage to the 100g and WPI, using UK, US, German and Australian terminology. Whatever the case, we hope this helps you find the right yarn, gauge, and needles for your next adventure with Blue Sky Fibers. If you enjoyed this post, why not check out some of my other free patterns, tips, and tutorials? So when you want to follow a pattern, and you go to buy yarn for the project, make sure the yarn you’re getting is in the same weight category as the yarn used in the pattern. Be sure to purchase enough yarn to complete your project. If it’s too thin, your stitches will be too small, and your project won’t be big enough. The standard yarn weight system on our website is a handy chart that provides the size needles and hooks you should use for each weight yarn, as well as suggested gauge. CATEGORY 0: LACE (APPROXIMATE EQUIVALENT OF 1 PLY) This is the lightest weight of yarn used for making doilies and other lovely lace designs. You can find our guide to these weights below. This Yarn Weight Chart compares global, number system, UK and US yarn weight categories to aid in choosing substitute yarn for your knitting project. Yarn Weights demystified! Learn all you need to know about yarn weights and categories, with an infographic. Suitable for most garments and quick to knit up. Yarn weight conversion chart and beginner’s guide. Amigurumi Yarn & Hook Recommendations. This helpful chart also allows you to compare different yarns weights. Read our magazines on your phone, tablet or computer. These yarns are a bit thicker than Superfine / Fingering yarns, but still create a lightweight fabric. Standard Yarn Weight System Downloads of these graphic symbols are available at no charge. Yarn weight is categorized using a standard system of numbers, symbols and names. And why does nobody say ‘worsted’ in the UK? . Want to know the difference between DK and aran weight yarn? Perfect for outdoor or warm clothing. As different fibres have different densities, a metre of a fluffy aran wool may weigh less than a metre of 4ply cotton, even though the aran is the ‘heavier’ yarn. I would suggest using a ruler, laying the yarn out on the table, and rolling the ruler to wrap the yarn instead of wrapping it with your hand. So, whether you’re a newbie or you’ve been yarning for years, stick around and check out some of my FREE patterns & tutorials! We've got all the information you need right here! I hope this helps! See our disclosure for details. What's the difference between sock yarn and fingering weight yarn? Hi Becki. Buying yarn can be a tangly business. Bring back the magic - save up to 50% on a gift subscription! When it comes to the thickness of a yarn, the industry will talk about its weight. Yarn weight does not refer to how much the skein of yarn weighs in ounces or grams. Industrial counts. I would recommend holding the two yarns together and using the wraps per inch test to figure out what yarn weight it is now equivalent to. The best guide to Yarn Weigths + a free Yarn Weight Conversion Chart to have on hand when picking yarn for your projects. CATEGORIES 1, 2, AND 3: SUPER FINE, FINE, AND LIGHT (APPROXIMATE EQUIVALENT OF 2 TO 5 PLY) This is suited for small items like socks, gloves, hats, or garments for babies and children. This keeps the yarn wrapped around the ruler with as little tension as possible, so you can get an accurate measurement. As a yarn’s weight is determined by its thickness, a thin yarn such as lace is described as ‘light’, while a thick yarn such as super-chunky is ‘heavy’ – regardless of the overall weight of the ball. These standards (among others) were put in place by The Craft Yarn Council, an organization that represents the leading yarn companies in the yarn industry including Bernat, Caron, Lily … #4 yarns are very common in stores, and I think they are probably the most popular. Parts of a Crochet Stitch // 3. Name Ply (UK, NZ, AU) Wraps per inch Knit gauge (4 in / 10 cm) Crochet gauge Yarnstandards.com; Thread: 0 : Lace: Cobweb: 1 ply 0 : Lace: Lace: 2 ply 32-34 stitches Knit on 3 to 4mm needles. This is why it’s important to know the other names used to denote yarn weight, so you’ll know which category a yarn falls into, even if the number symbol is not given. A great weight for beginners, as it produces quick results. The yarn that UK knitters will be familiar with as ‘4ply’ usually goes by the name ‘fingering’ in the US. Most yarns state their weight on the ball band but some may not, only giving the composition. The Standard Yarn Weight System is mainly used in North America. As mentioned in the article above, DK yarns are in the #3 Light category, which is also called Light Worsted. A Simple Guide to Yarn Weights. Yarn weight determines how many stitches it takes to knit 1 inch. Hi Dana. Light worsted is the same as DK in the UK. Weight #1 or Super Fine includes yarn types of sock, fingering and baby. And a singles (1ply) yarn could be lace weight, big or somewhere in between. Cast on and off loosely. This popular yarn weight (it’s reportedly the most-used yarn in the US) is equivalent to UK aran. Perfect for eye-catching scarves and coats, as well as cosy cushions and throws. Tension is measured as the number of stitches and rows per 10cm/4inches. Although the weight categories give a guidelines for yarn thickness, there is still some variation in thickness, even among the same category. There are all kinds of numbering systems to describe and compare yarns. Light worsted is the same as DK in the UK. While using a yarn weight guide is extremely helpful, remember that these are guidelines and estimates, always test and confirm your own gauge. I have not tried working with Jumbo yarn yet, but if I do, I’ll be sure to post a photo. Here’s a conversion chart comparing Standard Yarn Weight to the other terms used around the world. These yarns may be labeled as DK weight or Light Worsted, but both terms refer to yarns of the same thickness. Here’s our at-a-glance guide to the most common yarn weights in the UK and US, and the needles to use with them: If you’re new to knitting, patterns can look like they’re written in another language. Understanding yarn weights can be a little confusing for crocheters of all skill levels. Aug 24, 2016 - Perhaps you want to make use of spare yarn in your stash, or maybe you feel like improvising. Addi Express Knitting Machine Tips and Techniques, Addi Express King Size Knitting Machine Projects, Addi Express Professional Knitting Machine Projects, How to Make the Hexagon Flower Afghan on your Addi Express Professional Knitting Machine, Speckled Stripes Infinity Scarf – Free Knitting Pattern, Dots & Dashes Cowl – Free Crochet Pattern, Moss Stitch Hat – Free Knitting Pattern in Worsted or Sport Weight Yarn, Convertible Diamond Wrap – Free Knitting Pattern, Simple Slouchy Sweater – Free Knitting Pattern, Afternoon Stroll Cowl – Free Knitting Pattern, Shortcut Brioche Pom Pom Hat – Free Knitting Pattern, Easiest Knitted Hat – Free Knitting Pattern for Beginners. You are welcome to share a link to any of my posts on your own website. Try 6 issues of Simply Knitting magazine for £9.99. However it’s not as complicated as you might think. But there’s another thing to consider before you decide which yarn to use: thickness. Thread Weight vs. Yarn Weight: A Guide to WPI and Yarn Substitution. Use the Standard Yarn Weight System to find out! Worsted yarns are medium thickness and knit up on 4-5½mm needles, making them a good choice for beginners and winter knits such as jumpers and blankets. Thank you! Knit on 2 to 3½mm needles. Size 10 crochet thread also falls into the Lace weight category. Too thick, and your stitches will be too large, making the project come out bigger than you wanted. Need to choose the right needles for the yarn you've bought? Need to choose yarn for a project? Therefore, treat it gently to avoid tangling or breakage. 8 ply would normally refer to double knitting yarn. Especially if you fancy swapping out the yarn in your pattern for a yummier one. There’s no direct equivalent in the UK as sport weight sits between two categories: heavier than 4ply but lighter than DK. Yarn plies are confusing as they can … If squeezing yarn, collecting yarn, or making stuff from yarn is your thing, you’ll feel right at home here. Now we’re starting to get into the medium weight and heavier weight yarns. What exactly does DK mean, after all? The Craft Yarn Council has designated 8 different yarn weight categories. Yarn weight is important in achieving the correct gauge or tension for a particular project and can help with yarn substitution. Size 3 yarns is the typical end of the Baby Yarns spectrum. Knit on 4 to 5½mm needles. Fine weight yarn is 12 wpi. From ‘alt’ to ‘yo’, it’s all there…. When you wrap the yarn tightly, or put a bit of tension on it as you wrap, that stretches the yarn a bit and causes it to measure thinner than it actually is. The Craft Yarn Council of America has developed a system that seeks to standardize the labeled weights of yarn. Originally created for fishermen’s jumpers. The other end of the scale is Lace yarn which is one of the thinnest yarns you can find. Especially when reading patterns from around the world. If you love this Guide to Yarn Weights, you might also like to check out these other great crochet tutorials. This system (wraps per inch ) always has confused me. Yarn weight refers to the thickness of the yarn. Knit on 5½ to 7mm needles. As a result you can generally use it as a substitute for both weights, but make sure you swatch, swatch, swatch first to check that your tension is a good match! Knitting and crochet are my passion, and I love helping others create beautiful things from yarn. However, if you want to be even more precise with your yarn substitution, you can look at the ratio of yarn length to skein size. Great for baby clothes, heavier socks and lightweight tops. The most important thing in identifying a yarn thickness is the needle size you’ll be using. The thickness of your yarn (among other factors) has a huge impact on the look of your knitted or crocheted fabric — and certainly the amount of time it takes to complete it. The Craft Yarn Council has designated 8 different yarn weight categories. A 4ply yarn might not have four plies – it could have more or fewer. Hi Theda! – it’s an ideal weight for socks and baby garments. To get the best results it’s a good idea to use the weight of yarn specified in your pattern, although tools such as YarnSub can help if you want to find a substitute. About to buy some yarn? If the yarns you are looking at do not come in the same size skeins, say, if one comes in 50 gram skeins and the other comes in 100 gram skeins, you can just divide the numbers on the 100 gram skein in half to know how much yardage would be in 50 grams. Yarn weight is important in achieving the correct gauge or tension for a particular project and can help with yarn substitution. Weight #0 or Lace includes yarn type fingering 10-count crochet thread.