Explaining Knitting Yarn Weight

Knitting yarn weight determines how many stitches it takes to knit 10cms (this is called a tension square).

Have a look on the ball band (or our yarn information box) for information on the number of stitches and the number of rows that a particular knitting yarn weight will need to produce a standard 10cm square.

eg this Merino Chunky needs you to cast on 14 stitches and knit for 20 rows to produce a 10cms square

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. 2, 3 and 4ply such as Wendy Roam (ie finer weights) take longer to knit that say a Super Chunky such as Rowan Big Wool (which is thicker or bulkier)

Oh and just to confuse you even more -The thickness of a given yarn is determined by the individual thickness of the plies, not by the number of plies. If the plies are very thin, a 4-ply yarn can be finer than a heavy, single-ply yarn.

Although there are no official categories for knitting yarn weights, many knitting books and yarn manufacturers use common terms to indicate a yarn’s thickness and the size of the needle with which you work on the yarn. 

This knitting wool conversion chart compares the knitting yarn weight terminology used in America, the UK and Australia  and shows you where the yarns that we stock sit in comparison to each other as well as giving suggested knitting needles sizes

Standard Yarn Weight System	USA	UK	Yarn	Aus	Suggested Needle Size
0 or Lace	Thread, Cobweb, Laceweight	1 ply	Wendy Air	2 ply	1.5 mm to 2.25 mm
1 or Superfine	Fingering	2 ply	Peter Pan 2 ply	3 ply	2.25 mm to 3 mm
	Sock	3 ply	Peter Pan 3 ply	3 ply	2.25 mm to 3.25 mm
2 or Fine	Sport	4 ply	Rowan Pure Wool 4 ply Peter Pan 4 Ply Bergere de France Caline Wendy Roam & Roam Fusion	5 ply	3.25 mm to 3.75 mm
		Light DK	Bergere de France Ideal Bergere de France Lima		3.5 mm
3 or Light	DK/Light Worsted	DK	Robin DK Rowan Pure Wool DK Bergere de France Chinaillon Bergere de France Cabourg Wendy Craft Cotton Wendy Cotton Supreme DK Peter Pan Baby plain & print Peter Pan Moondust Peter Pan Merino baby Rowan Soft Knit Rowan Tweed	8 ply	3.75 mm to 4.5 mm
4 or Medium	Worsted	Aran	Bergere de France Chatelle Bergere de France Magic + Bergere de France Recycline Bergere de France Alaska Bergere de France Eclipse Robin Aran	10 ply	4.5 mm to 5.5 mm
5 or Bulky	Bulky	Chunky	Bergere de France Cocoon Bergere de France Duvetine Bergere de France Boheme Wendy Merino Chunky Rowan All Seasons Chunky Rowan Alpaca Chunky British Sheep Breeds Chunky Rowan Cocoon	12 ply	5.5 mm to  8 mm
6 or Super Bulky	Super Bulky	Super Chunky	Rowan Big Wool Wendy Serenity Super Chunky	14 ply	8 mm upwards

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_{https://www.the-stitchery.co.uk/2013/11/learn-to-knit-knitting-yarn-weights}