Understanding Yarn Weights: A Crocheter's Guide

Why Yarn Weight Matters

Yarn weight, also known as yarn thickness, is a crucial factor in producing the results of crochet projects. Choosing the right yarn weight will determine the gauge, size, texture, drape and even the warmth of your finished piece. Read on to learn about the various yarn weights and their uses.

A Breakdown of the Different Yarn Weights

Let's first of all explore the common yarn weights from the thinnest through to the thickest:

Lace Weight:

• Also known as: (0), Extra Fine, 2ply

• Characteristics: The thinnest yarn, it’s extremely fine and delicate.

• Common Uses: Shawls, doilies, other intricate work.

• Hook: 1.5mm-2mm

• I recommend: Rowan Fine Lace, Zakami Fluffy Lace, Debbie Bliss Rialto Lace

Fingering Weight:

• Also known as: (1), Super Fine, 4ply, Sock Yarn, Baby Yarn (this is my favourite yarn weight!)

• Characteristics: Fine, but thicker than lace weight.

• Common Uses: Socks, hats, baby blankets, lightweight sweaters.

• Hook: 2.25-3.25mm

• I recommend: Hedgehog Fibres Sock Yarn, Coop Knits Socks Yeah, West Yorkshire Spinners 4ply Sock Yarn

Sport Weight:

• Also known as: (2), Fine, 5ply, Heavy Fingering, Light DK

• Characteristics: Versatile weight, not too heavy, not too light! More common in the USA than in the UK.

• Common Uses: Sweaters, shawls, afghans.

• Hook: 3.5-4.5mm

• I recommend: Mrs Moon Pudding, Drops Alpaca Sport, Manos Serena Sport

Double Knitting:

• Also known as: (3), DK,  Light Worsted Weight, 8ply

• Characteristics: The most common yarn weight, easy to work with.

• Common Uses: Blankets, hats, scarves, toys.

• Hook: 4.5-5.5mm

• I recommend: The Scottish Yarn Festival Clan DK, Debbie Bliss Rialto DK, Scottish Balmerino DK

Aran Weight:

• Also known as: (4), Worsted Weight, 10ply

• Characteristics: A very popular yarn weight, easy to work with.

• Common Uses: Blankets, hats, jumpers, scarves.

• Hook: 5.5-6.5mm

• I recommend: West Yorkshire Spinners The Croft Shetland Aran, Rowan Felted Tweed Aran, Uist Wool Meireal 

Chunky:

• Also known as: (5), Bulky Weight, 12-14ply

• Characteristics: Thicker yarn, perfect for quick projects!

• Common Uses: Cushions, rugs, oversized scarves.

• Hook: 6.5-9mm

• I recommend: Malabrigo Chunky, Drops Andes, Rowan Big Wool

Super Chunky:

• Also known as: (6), Super Bulky Weight, 16ply

• Characteristics: Extremely thick yarn, ideal for large, bold projects, works up very quickly.

• Common Uses: Rugs, household items such as cushions.

• Hook: 10-15mm

• I recommend: Manos Franca, Wool And The Gang Crazy Sexy Wool

If you'd like copy of my Yarn Thickness Guide Infographic, sign up to my mailing list and you'll receive an email with the download (plus 20% off your first order on my website and my Crochet Tips pdf!).

Pro tips on Yarn Weight:

• If the weight is unspecified, use the hook or needle size on the ball band or label as a clue to yarn thickness.

• The higher the meterage per 100g, the finer the yarn. Conversely, a lower meterage per 100g indicates a thicker yarn.

• If you’re substituting yarn for a pattern, choose something which is similar thickness for best results. If you’re looking for more information on substituting yarn, take a look at this previous blog post I’ve written on the topic.

• The size of the crochet hook you use will also affect the finished size and texture of your project. As a rule of thumb, a finer yarn requires a smaller hook, while a thicker yarn requires a larger hook.

How to calculate yarn thickness using a ruler: 

You can determine yarn thickness by wrapping yarn around a ruler, known as the wraps per inch method. Take the ruler and wrap the yarn snuggly around it, then count the number of wraps in a one-inch section. A higher number of wraps indicates a finer yarn, while a lower number signifies a thicker yarn, as follows;

Lace Weight: 14-30 wraps per inch  
Fingering: 12-18 wraps per inch  
Sport Weight: 11-15 wraps per inch  
Double Knitting: 9-12 wraps per inch  
Chunky: 6-9 wraps per inch  
Super Chunky: 5-6 wraps per inch

This wrapping method provides a quick and easy way to estimate yarn thickness for those times when you don’t have the label. However do keep in mind that these are guidelines, some variations may occur.

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Conclusion

If you’re a crocheter (or a knitter!), gaining a good grasp of yarn weights will unlock the key to your crochet and knitting potential. By selecting the appropriate yarn weight for your project, you will achieve the desired look and feel you envisioned. Once you know what you’re doing, you’ll then have the confidence to experiment with different yarn weights to create unique and stunning crochet projects.

Until next time, happy crocheting,

Marta xx

The Art of Yarn Substitution: Four tips to find your perfect yarn match!

 

Hello! Have you ever fallen in love with a crochet or knitting pattern, only to discover the specified yarn is unavailable, discontinued, or simply out of your budget? Don't worry, in this blog post I'll explore the topic of yarn substitution, a valuable skill that will allow you to personalise projects, overcome yarn limitations and equip you with the knowledge to confidently choose alternative yarns for your next project.

1. Finding the Perfect Match: Yarn Weight and Meterage

The foundation of successful yarn substitution lies in understanding yarn weight and yardage. Look for the meterage or yardage per unit of weight (e.g. metres/yards per 50g or 100g) in your chosen pattern. Aim for a substitute yarn with a yardage as close as possible to the original. A slight deviation of 20 meters per 100g is generally acceptable, but significant variations can impact the size, drape and yarn usage of your finished project.

2. Fibre Content Matters: Understanding Drape

The type of fibre used in the yarn significantly affects your project's final look and feel. Consider the fibre content (merino wool, cotton, alpaca, etc.) specified in the pattern and ask yourself questions such as whether the finished project is a flowing, floaty fabric or is it a stiff, structured material? When substituting, prioritise a yarn with similar fibres. This ensures your project maintains the intended drape, stitch definition, stretch, and care requirements. Many yarns are actually blends, so, if the pattern calls for 100% Blue Faced Leicester wool, a 70/30 blend of Blue Faced Leicester and Alpaca is a perfectly acceptable substitute.

Click here to subscibe

3. Swatching: Your Gateway to Success

This might sound boring, but trust me, swatching is the best thing to do when it comes to yarn substitution! Create a small square using your chosen substitute yarn. This allows you to assess its behavior when crocheted or knitted. Observe the drape, the stiffness, and the overall look. Does it match your vision for the project? Swatching helps you to make informed decisions before committing to an entire project with a potentially unsuitable yarn. To find out more about swatching, read this blog post with my 6 Tips for Better Swatches.

4. Resources for the Resourceful Crafter 

Navigating the world of yarn substitution can feel overwhelming, fortunately there are some valuable resources to guide you:

• Yarnsub.com: This website is has been a lifesaver for me so many times! You enter the yarn you want to substitute, and Yarnsub will suggest alternatives with a helpful match percentage rating. It's very user friendly, I totally recommend it!

• Ravelry Project Pages: If you have access to Ravelry, explore the project pages for your chosen pattern. See what yarns other creators have successfully used for inspiration.

• Social Media: Instagram and Facebook both have amazing crochet and knitting communities! Look for project hashtags or ask your followers for recommendations on suitable substitute yarns.

Conclusion:

By following my top tips and using the resources available, you'll be able to tackle yarn substitution with confidence! If you're following one of my patterns, please reach out to me with yarn substitution questions, I'm more than happy to help you make a good decision. Don't be afraid to experiment with a bit of trial & error to find the perfect yarn match to bring your vision to life.

Until next time, happy crocheting,

Marta xx

P.S. Share the love! Please spread the word about yarn substitution by sharing this post on social media. You'll find the image above is pinnable on Pinterest, or share to your Instagram stories. Thank you for your support!

Yarn Substitutes for my Gorse Cowl Pattern

Hello! Thank you so much for the positive response to my latest crochet pattern release - Gorse Cowl! Everything from your likes and comments on social media through to the pattern sales really do boost my small business and encourage me to keep doing what I'm doing, THANK YOU!

Also, I had a flurry of replies to my last post from folks in New Zealand telling me about how gorse is a real pest in that country. Sorry, I had no idea! 

You can find my Gorse Cowl pattern on my website here and on Ravelry here.

In this blog post I'd like to chat about the yarn I chose for this cowl and some possible substitutes for you if you want to use something different.

I bought the yarn for the project one snowy April day in Edinburgh. I'd gone through to Edinburgh for the day with my youngest son and I had my first pay packet from a new job so we visited Jenner's Department Store. There was a good selection of Di Gilpin Lalland in the store - it was the first time I'd come across it and I instantly fell in love with its lambswool softness!

I appreciate that you might not be able to get your hands on the Di Gilpin Lalland or it may simply be out of your budget, so here are a few ideas I have for substituting the yarn because it isn't listed on yarnsub.com.

Biches & Bȗches - Le Lambswool (100% wool). It's slightly thinner than the Lalland at 170m/ 50g but the feel of the yarn is similar.

Simply Shetland Lambswool & Cashmere (88% Shetland Wool/ 12% Cashmere). This yarn has a similar twist to the Lalland and is almost spot on for meterage.

West Yorkshire Spinners Pure DK (100% wool). Lovely and soft with a beautiful twist. Slightly thicker than the Lalland (112m/50g)

King Cole Merino Blend DK (100% wool). An excellent budget yarn which I've used many times in my designs. It is a bit thicker at 104m/ 50g.

Stashbust! This project could potentially be crocheted in most DK weight yarns. Why not pull together a collection of different coloured yarns with the same yarn base? Or you could even make a completely scrappy version - remember all your ends will be hidden inside! Yay!

If you'd like to read more on the topic of yarn substitution, check out this blog post of mine!

 

I hope this has given you some yarn inspiration for the Gorse Cowl, happy crocheting,

Marta xx