Yarns come in many different weights and sizes. The pattern you choose will generally recommend the type of yarn which works best to achieve the finished product.
WEIGHT and YARDAGE are not the same thing. If you plan to substitute one brand for another, be sure they’re consistent. For example, if you choose a 50 gram ball that has 100 meters, and you substitute it with 75/50gms, you’ll have an unpleasant surprise! Different dyes weigh more than others. Be sure to buy enough of the same dye lot for your project.
PLY and TWIST will make a difference in your yarn choice. Ply refers to the number of spun strands twisted together to make up a yarn, usually two, three or four. The number of plies does not tell you the diameter of the yarn because a ply can be large or small. Ply does not indicate either the type or size of yarn. Ply has a great deal to do with how yarns wear, and what their shapes are. (Yarn isn’t just round in shape.)
In WORSTED YARNS, fibers are parallel to each other and to the lenght of each strand (ply). Few fiber ends will be exposed to the surface of the yarn, making it smooth and less fuzzy. The threads are smooth and tightly twisted to form a very sturdy yarn. Worsted yarn is good for items that take a lot of abrasion, like socks and mittens.
In WOOLEN-SPUN STRANDS, fibers are spun crosswise to the length of the thread, sot that the fibers from a vortex around a core of air. The gives the yarn good insulating properties. These yarns works best for garments that don’t get a lot of abrasion, such as baby sweaters, hats and afghans.
YARN SIZES can be confusing, so several systems based on the diameter of yarn have been developed.
Fingering or fine-weight yarns are good for thin socks and light baby clothes.
Sport or medium-weight yarns are good for indoor sweaters, baby items, dresses and suits. Sport-weight yarn is smaller than knitting worsted and larger than fingering or sock yarn.
Worsted-weight or knitting yarns are good for outdoor sweaters, hats, mittens, afghans and slippers. Some manufacturers also have a DK, or Double Knitting size, which falls between sport yarn and worsted weight.
Bulky-weight yarn is used for rugs, heavy jackets and crafts.
Extra-bulky-weight yarns are mostly used for rugs.
SUBSTITUTIONS should be make with care. It’s not enough to know the class of yarn you’re buying. You should also take into account the length per ball, as well as the diameter of the yarn. Substituting one diameter of yarn for another is generally not a good idea. Making the gauge work is difficult, and calculating how much you’ll need is even harder. When substituting one brand of yarn for another, be careful in checking the yardage. For example, 50 grams of yarn that is 100 meters long won’t give you the same amount of yarn as 50 grams, 80 meters long.
WEIGHT and MEASURE EQUIVALENTS:
1 cm = 0.4 in.
10 cm = 4 in.
1 m = 1.1 yds.
100 m = 109 yds.
1 kg = 2.2lbs.
1 g = 0.04 oz.
25 g = 0.9 oz.
50 g = 1.75 oz.
100 g = 3.5 oz.
