Yarn Weight Guide
Here is our handy yarn weight guide!
Discovering the right yarn weight for your project is crucial. Utilise the standard yarn weight system to ensure the perfect thickness for your knitting, weaving, or crochet.
The thickness of yarn can have a significant effect on how your project will turn out. When shopping for yarn, one may notice the wide variety available, including different colours, textures, and fibre options. Understanding the yarn weight system is crucial, especially for beginners following a pattern.
We have a handy yarn weight guide for you below, including the Porta Craft yarns associated with this type of yarn.
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Superfine yarn is also commonly known as sock, fingering, or baby weight yarn. It is used to produce a variety of knits, including shawls, socks, light baby clothes and accessories, and more. In the UK, this yarn weight is also known as 2ply but is considered 3ply in Australia. It measures 420 to 580 meters per 100 grams and makes about 14 to 30 wraps per inch. This yarn is compatible with 2.25mm to 3.25mm (1-3) knitting needles and 2.25 to 3.5mm (B-1 to E-4) crochet hooks. |
3ply |
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Commonly referred to as sport weight or baby weight, fine weight yarns are used to create light sweaters, baby garments and accessories, socks, wraps, and more. In the UK and Australia, this yarn weight is also known as 4ply. It measures 260 to 400 meters per 100 grams and makes about 12 to 18 wraps per inch. This yarn is compatible with 3.25mm to 3.75mm (3-5) knitting needles and 3.5 to 4.5mm (E-4 to 7) crochet hooks. |
4ply |
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Lightweight yarn is also called light worsted or jumper yarn. It is used for lightweight sweaters and scarves for adults and heavier baby items. In the UK, this yarn weight is called DK (double knit), while it is known as 8ply in Australia. It measures 210 to 250 meters per 100 grams and makes about 11 to 15 wraps per inch. This yarn is compatible with 3.75mm to 4.5mm (5-7) knitting needles and 4.5 to 5.5mm (7 to I-9) crochet hooks. |
8ply Premium Acrylic Yarn |
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Commonly known as worsted and Afghan weight, or Aran weight in the UK, medium weight yarn is used for making blankets and outdoor wear, such as sweaters, scarves, hats, and mittens. In Australia, this yarn weight is equivalent to 10ply. It measures 130 to 200 meters per 100 grams and makes about 9 to 12 wraps per inch. This yarn is compatible with 4.5mm to 5.5mm (7-9) knitting needles and 5.5mm to 6.5mm (I-9 to K-10 1/2) crochet hooks. |
10ply |
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Bulky yarn is called craft, rug, and heavy worsted yarn, or chunky in the UK. It is used to make sweaters, jackets, blankets, chunky hats, and many more. In Australia, this yarn weight is equivalent to 12-14ply. It measures 90 to 120 meters per 100 grams and makes about 6 to 9 wraps per inch. This yarn is compatible with 5.5mm to 8mm (9-11) knitting needles and 6.5mm to 9mm (K-10 1/2 to M-13) crochet hooks. |
12-14ply |
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Super bulky or roving yarn is called super chunky in the UK and 16ply in Australia. It is used to make heavy blankets and rugs and cold-weather garments, like jackets and sweaters. It measures 40 to 80 meters per 100 grams and makes about 5 to 6 wraps per inch. This yarn is compatible with 8mm to 12.75mm (11-17) knitting needles and 9mm to 15mm (M-13 to Q) crochet hooks. |
16ply |
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Jumbo weight is referred to as super chunky and roving in some countries, which tends to create confusion between jumbo and super bulky. In Australia, this yarn weight is equivalent to 20ply. Great for making heavy blankets and rugs, as well as arm knitting projects, this yarn measures 40 to 80 meters per 100 grams and makes about 1 to 4 wraps per inch. It is compatible with 12.75mm and larger (17 and larger) knitting needles and 15mm and larger (Q and larger) crochet hooks. |
20ply |
