Yarn weight refers to the thickness of yarn used by knitters, weavers, crocheters and other fiber artists. Changing yarn weight or needle size can have a significant impact on the finished project, so standardized systems have been spread about, as well as conversion systems for regional standards (especially needle sizes).Yarn weight is important in achieving the correct gauge or tension for a particular project and can help with yarn substitution. The Craft Yarn Council of America has developed a system that seeks to standardize the labeled weights of yarn. Most yarns state their weight on the ball band. Some brands use a standardized numbering system that uses 7 ranges of relative thickness of yarn.
One way of determining the weight of an unknown yarn is to use the wrapping method.
Wrap the yarn around a large needle or a ruler. Make sure the yarn lies flat. Push the yarn together so there are no gaps between wraps. Smooth it out so it is neither too loose nor too tight. Measure the number of wraps per inch (2.5 cm). For better accuracy, measure the wraps at the centre of your yarn sample.
| Standard Yarn Weight System | Yarn Type (US) | Ply (UK, NZ, AU) | m/100g | Wraps Per Inch (WPI) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 or Lace | Thread, Cobweb and Lace | 1 - 3 ply | 600-800 | 18+ wpi |
| 1 or Superfine | Fingering | 4 ply | 400-480 | 14 wpi |
| 2 or Fine | Sport | 5 ply | 300-400 | 12 wpi |
| 3 or Light | DK | 8 ply | 240-300 | 11 wpi |
| 4 or Medium | Worsted | 10 ply | 120-240 | 9 wpi |
| 5 or Bulky | Bulky | 12 ply | 100-130 | 7 wpi |
| 6 or Super Bulky | Super Bulky | Less than 100 | 5-6 wpi |
Different terminology is used in different countries:
| USA | UK | Australia | Suggested needle (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laceweight | 1 ply | 2 ply | 1.5–2.25 mm |
| Fingering | 2 ply | 3 ply | 2.25– 3 mm |
| Sock | 3 ply | 3 ply | 2.25— 3.25 mm |
| Sport | 4 ply | 5 ply | 3.25— 3.75 mm |
| DK/Light Worsted | DK | 8 ply | 3.75— 4.5 mm |
| Worsted | Aran | 10 ply | 4.5— 5.5 mm |
| Bulky | Chunky | 12 ply | 5.5– 8 mm |
| Super Bulky | Super Chunky | 14 ply | 8 mm and up |
Famous quotes containing the word weight:
“Prose on certain occasions can bear a great deal of poetry; on the other hand, poetry sinks and swoons under a moderate weight of prose.”
—Walter Savage Landor (1775–1864)