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What is sport weight yarn? If you’re looking at US yarn brands or patterns, you might see sport weight yarn mentioned. There’s no direct equivalent in the UK as sport weight sits between two categories: heavier than 4ply but lighter than DK.
Sport weight yarn and DK (double knitting) weight yarn are often viewed as interchangeable, but they do have a slight difference. As you will see on the criteria listed with the icons to the right, sport weight yarn is a teeny bit lighter or finer than DK weight.
DK (double knitting) or Light Worsted yarns are generally above fingering/sock weight, but below worsted or aran weight. They are often about the same size as “sport” weight yarns, but are not necessarily interchangeable. Be sure to check gauge carefully.
Sport weight is a number 2 on the scale, heavier than fingering weight but lighter than dk weight yarn. It has enough heft to show stitch definition and isn’t too heavy for most garments, making it great for baby blankets or sweaters.
If you were wrapping a yarn with a funky texture as mentioned above and you wrapped extra inches, just do a little bit of math to find your WPI. If your eyelash yarn wrapped around the pencil 30 times in 2 inches, for instance, just divide 30 by 2 to find that your WPI is 15, making your eyelash yarn sport weight.
Worsted weight yarn is a medium weight yarn that sits in the middle of the yarn weight family. It’s thicker than sock and sport weight and thinner than bulky weight yarn. Its medium thickness means that it’s great for knitting sweaters, hats, scarves, mittens, blankets and beyond!
US yarn weight | NZ/UK equivalent | Gauge/tension guide (stitches per 10cm, or 4in) |
---|---|---|
DK, Light worsted | 8 ply, DK | 21-24 |
Worsted, aran, afghan | 10 ply, aran, 12 ply | 16-20 |
Chunky, craft, rug | 12 ply, 14 ply, chunky | 12-15 |
Bulky, roving | Super chunky | 6-11 |
This durable acrylic blended yarn is great for baby clothing and blankets, as it feels super soft but hold up against the test of, well, everything a baby has to throw at it.
Different weights of yarn generally fall into the following ranges of WPI: Lace weight 35+ Fingering weight (traditionally 4ply) 19-22. Sport weight 15-18.
2 strands of DK = Worsted or Aran. 2 strands of Worsted = Chunky. 2 strands of Aran = Chunky to Super Bulky. 2 strands of Chunky = Super bulky to Jumbo.
Medium weight, worsted weight yarn, is the most common thickness in knitting and crochet. Yarns of this weight will print the yarn label with the #4 weight symbol and will say “medium”. Worsted weight yarn is ideal for all kinds of knit and crochet apparel, accessories, blankets and other home decor items.
Sport weight yarn is a fine weight of yarn used for knitting and crochet projects. Sometimes called double knitting (DK), it’s the third thinnest yarn after lace and baby weight yarns, and just under worsted in thickness. … Novelty sport yarns often have flecks of texture and color added to a solid background.
Yarn Weight | Types of Yarn | Knit Gauge/Needle Size |
---|---|---|
#1 | Sock, Fingering | 27-32 sts to 4″ on US 1-3 needles |
#2 | Sport, Baby Weight | 23-26 sts to 4″ on US 3-5 needles |
#3 | DK, Light Worsted Weight | 21-24 sts to 4″ on US 5-7 needles |
#4 | Worsted, Aran Weight | 16-20 sts to 4″ on US 7-9 needles |
Double knitting yarn is defined as an 8-ply thread that has between 11-14 wraps per inch resulting in around 200-250 meters per 100 grams. The recommended needle size is 3.75 – 4.5 mm to achieve a gauge range in stockinette stitches of between 21-24 stitches per 4 inches. You’ll often find it abbreviated to DK.
That thick, puffy yarn ball will be 100 grams. Now look around for some thin stuff. Its probably labeled as sock yarn and check the label. I bet you its 100 grams too. Most commercially available yarn is sold in 100 gram balls/skeins.
In the US yarn is sold by weight, so this skein is 7 ounces or 198 grams. The yardage given is an estimate and is the least amount of yarn you will encounter in the skein; the actual amount may be more. Since yarn is sold by weight and not by yardage no two skeins of yarn will have the exact same yardage.
While they’re both considered medium weight yarns, worsted yarn is finer than aran weight yarn. Worsted yarn is often knit on 4.5mm needles with a gauge of 4.5-5 stitches per inch. Aran weight yarn is thicker and often loftier than worsted yarn.
DK (Double Knit) is a light yarn, for example of 50 grams. DK yarns are thinner than Aran yarns and are often used for projects that require lightweight yarns, such as a summer sweater, cap, accessories or children’s clothing.
Worsted is thicker than DK. Worsted is sometimes known as 10 ply yarn, while DK is referred to as 8 ply. … Although DK is lighter than worsted, they are both considered to be medium weight yarns, and they’re often used for the same kind of projects.
Red Heart Yarn Super Saver 100% Acrylic Worsted Weight Yarn for Knitting and Crocheting – Yarn Pack of 6, 7oz Each (Black)
Aran weighted yarns (sometimes known as 10-ply or worsted) is usually knitted on 5mm needles. If you love a fast knit, aran weights bring all the joys of finer yarn but work up faster than other lightweight yarns. Ideal for garments, accessories and homewares.
2—Fine (Sport, Baby) Sport weight yarn works best for items such as socks, wraps, heirloom sweaters, and other delicate accessories. It is also used for lightweight afghans. 3—Light (DK, Light Worsted) Slightly heavier than a fine weight yarn, this weight is used for items such as garments and heavier baby items.
Worsted Weight Yarn is the most commonly used weight of yarn, slightly thicker than DK weight and thinner than bulky yarn. Worsted weight yarn includes Aran weight yarn and heavy worsted weight yarn. Worsted weight yarn is a great choice for sweaters, afghans, accessories and more.
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