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gypsy wagon knits: yarn weight guide
Yarn Weight can be a very confusing subject for some knitters. Even more confusing — there are different names for each weight! Here is some basic information to help you along with choosing the best yarn for your next knitting project.
There are 8 Standard Yarn Weight classifications. Yarn Weight refers to the thickness of the yarn, not by the weight of the skein or ball. And the type of fiber will factor into how many meters are in the skein. For Instance, a meter of mohair weighs less than a meter of wool, and therefore, a 50g skein of mohair will have more meters of yarn on it than a 50g skein of wool. So, best to always check both the weight and meters on the label
This is the standard weight legend that you will commonly see on a yarn’s band.
Yarn Weight
Lace (0)
This lightest weight yarn is lace. Most knitters use lace for openwork lace patterns — It is very fine and delicate, amazingly, can be quite strong. On order to create the open patterns, you need larger needles.
- Recommended needle size for Lace is 1.5 – 2.25 mm or 000-1
- 600 – 800m per 100g, on average
- Gauge: 8 – 8.5 sts = 1″ on US 1-3 needles
- Wraps Per Inch: 33 – 40
- 1 or 2 ply
- For LACE Yarn– CLICK HERE
Super Fine (1)
This is super popular for projects like lightweight lacy socks, scarves, and shawls. It is sometimes called fingering yarn, or sock yarn. There is a lot of yarn on each skein. 100g is usually enough for a pair of socks. There is a huge range, with some called light fingering”
- Recommend needle size for super fine is 2.25 – 3.25 mm, US 1 – 3
- Gauge: 7.5 – 8 sts = 1″
- Wraps per inch: 14
- 3 or 4 ply
- For SUPERFINE Yarn– CLICK HERE
Fine (2)
Also called as sport weight or baby yarn. This is just slightly heavier than the thicker superfine/sock yarn. Fine yarn is excellent for lightweight sweaters, baby clothes, and scarves. Knitters can use 3.25 – 3.75 mm needles when handling sports weight
- Recommend needle size for fine is 3.25 – 3.75 mm, US 3 – 5
- 300 – 350 m per 100g, on average
- Gauge: 6 -7 sts = 1″ on US 4 needles
- Wraps per inch: 12
- 3 or 4 ply
- For FINE Yarn– CLICK HERE
Light (3)
Typically called DK, double knitting, or light worsted. DK is an enormously popular yarn weight for sweaters, accessories, blankets, and shawls.
- Recommend needle size for light is 3.75 – 4.5 mm, US 5 – 6
- 220 m per 100g, on average
- Gauge: 5.25 – 6 sts = 1″
- Wraps per inch: 11
- 8 ply
- For LIGHT Yarn– CLICK HERE
Medium (4)
Very common, and just slightly heavier, it is also called Worsted, or Aran — I feel that Worsted is a bit lighter, and Aran is on the heavier side of the medium range. Very common for heavier sweaters, like Irish Guernseys and Jerseys.
- Recommend needle size for light is 4.5 – 5.5 mm, US 7-9
- 120 – 200 m per 100g, on average
- Gauge: 4 – 5 sts = 1″
- Wraps per inch: 8 – 9
- 10 ply
- For MEDIUM Yarn– CLICK HERE
Bulky (5)
Often called chunky, this is thick and warm. Great for outerwear and accessories like hats and scarfs. Other types of bulky yarn are craft and rug, but these are generally not suitable for clothing.
- Recommend needle size for light is 5.5 – 8 mm, US 9 – 11
- 80 – 120 m per 100g on average
- Gauge: 3 – 3.7sts
- Wraps per inch: 6 – 8
- 12 – 16 ply
- For BULKY Yarn– CLICK HERE
Super bulky (6)
Also called Roving and Jumbo. These yarns knit up quickly, and are perfect for hats, scarves and bulky sweaters. are perfect for hats and scarves for they knit up very quickly.
- Recommend needle size for light is 8 – 12.75 mm, US 11 – 17
- Under 80 m per 100g, on average
- Gauge: 2 – 3 sts on US 11 needles
- Wraps per inch: 5 – 6
- unknown ply
- For BULKY Yarn– CLICK HERE
I am Currently Working On:
Sweater#4
of 12 Sweaters for 2021
Pattern: Love Note
Cascade Sarasota
DK Weight
Colorway: No 11, Anthracite
Needles: Knitter’s Pride Dreamz US 10
FREE CANYON HAT PATTERN (CLICK HERE)
Thanks for stopping By! Click HERE to get 50% off a pattern of your choice when you use the coupon code HAPPY at checkout on my Ravelry Page.
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