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More about Knitting Yarn

Once you have chosen your knitting yarn

material the next thing to consider is what weight is suitable for the project you are planning.

Knitting Yarn Weight

At first, I found weight one of the most confusing aspects of choosing yarn. The main reason for this is that different countries and different manufacturers use different terms to describe yarn.

This little summary will help you out.

Super Fine / Fingering / 3ply / 4ply / 5ply

This very lightweight yarn is used for baby items and socks. It suits needles sized 0-3 US (or 2 to 3.25 mm)

Fine / Sport / 8ply

This is another popular yarn for delicate items such as baby wear. This type of yarn requires needles sized 4-6 US (or 3.5 to 4mm)

DK / Light

DK yarn is suitable for a variety of items such as lightweight sweaters. The suggested needle size is 3-6 US (or 3.25 to 4mm)

Medium / Worsted / Aran / 10ply

This yarn is the ideal weight for numerous projects and continues to be the most popular weight for knitting. You will need needles sized 6-9 US (or 4 to 5.5mm)

Bulky / Chunky / 13ply

Bulky yarn is thicker than usual so you can knit garments very quickly with it. It suits needle sizes 10-11 US (or 6 to 8mm)

Super Bulky / 14ply

As you would expect Super Bulky Yarn is very thick and heavy. This requires the larger needle sizes from 11 US (or 8mm) upwards

Ball Band Instructions

Don’t miss the important information found on the paper band that most yarns come with. The band will give details such as:

* Fibre content

* Weight of ball

* Colour and dye lot

* Washing and Ironing recommendations

* Appropriate tension and needle size Remember to buy all the yarn you need for a project at the same time so it comes from the same dye lot. There is nothing more frustrating than running out of wool half way through a project and then finding that the new lot of wool you have bought is a slightly different shade!

Whichever yarn you choose, make sure you love it because that way you can be sure you will be proud of your knitted piece.

Find out more about knitting yarn materials

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