Beginner's guide to yarn weights and types

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Don't know how to tell your lace weight from your worsted? We've got you covered with this handy guide to common yarn weights. Lace Yarn

When it comes to knitting, crocheting or any kind of wool or yarn craft, it can be easy to get overwhelmed by the sheer amount of possibilities you have for projects and the seemingly foreign language that goes along with it all.

This guide to the different types and weights of yarn is going to help clear up some of that confusion and get you well on your way to stitching up a storm.

Additionally, if you're a complete beginner, we've also got some fab guides to help explain the abbreviations used in both knitting patterns and crochet patterns, common knitting mistakes you might encounter, and run downs of the basic stitches to get you started on your first project.

There are so many different types of yarn and wool available on the market in a dizzying array of textures, colours and fibres, but the most important thing to look at when buying supplies for a new pattern or project is the weight of the yarn.

Yarn weight is determined by its thickness, the thickness of the yarn affects the number of stitches per inch and the recommended needle size. The weight of yarn you choose can impact the drape, texture, and overall look of your finished piece so it’s important to get the right one.

The most common yarn weights are lace, fingering, sport, DK, worsted, and bulky. Each weight has its own unique characteristics and is best suited for specific types of projects.

Lace weight yarn is the lightest weight yarn available, it is made up of two plies of very fine yarn twisted together. Lace weight yarn is very thin and delicate, which makes it ideal for creating an airy fabric and intricate projects such as shawls, doilies, and other lacy items.

When working with lace weight yarn, it is important to use small needles or hooks to create a tight and even stitch. This will help to prevent the yarn from splitting or snagging. It is also important to be patient and take your time, as lace weight yarn can be quite fiddly to work with, but if you have the patience and skill to work with it, you can create stunning pieces that are sure to impress.

Suggested needle size: 2.25mm or 3.25mm knitting needles work best with lace weight yarn

Lace weight yarn is great for making light flowy garments such as shawls and wraps. It's also perfect for intricate crochet work to make things such as doilies and lace style trims.

If you're looking for a lightweight yarn that's perfect for delicate projects, then fingering weight yarn is an excellent choice. The yarn is tightly spun, which gives it a smooth texture and excellent stitch definition, making it ideal for creating intricate lacework, socks, and lightweight garments.

Fingering weight yarn can be used to make intricate stitch patterns but it's essential to use the right size needles or hook to achieve the correct gauge. Like lace weight yarn, it can be a bit trickier to work with due to the thinness of the yarn but with patience and practice it can be used to make some beautiful projects.

Suggested needle size: 2.5mm or 3.5mm knitting needles work best with fingering yarn

Fingering weight yarn is thin but durable making it a great option for clothing such as socks as well as a variety of crochet projects.

Sport weight yarn is a popular choice for many knitting and crochet projects. It is a versatile yarn that can be used for a number of things, including baby clothes, shawls, and lightweight sweaters.

Sport weight yarn is slightly thicker than fingering weight yarn, but thinner than DK weight yarn. It is easy to work with and is a good choice for projects that require a finer gauge, as it produces a more delicate and detailed finished product.

When working with sport weight yarn, it is important to choose the right needle size to achieve the desired gauge. A smaller needle size will produce a tighter fabric, while a larger needle size will produce a looser fabric.

Suggested needle size: 3.25mm or 3.75mm knitting needles work best with sport weight yarn

Sports weight yarn offers a good middle ground between light and medium weight yarn, it's great for garments that can be worn all year round and also for baby clothing.

If you're looking for a yarn that's somewhere between light and bulky, DK weight yarn might be just what you need. DK stands for "double knitting", which means that it's a versatile weight that can be used for a variety of projects such as sweaters, scarves, hats, and blankets.

One of the benefits of using DK weight yarn is that it's often easy to find in a wide range of fibers, including wool, cotton, acrylic, and blends. This means that you can choose a yarn that's perfect for your project, whether you're looking for warmth, softness, or durability.

When you're working with DK weight yarn, it's important to pay attention to the gauge and adjust your needle size as needed to ensure that your finished project has the right size and drape. You may also want to consider using stitch markers or a row counter to help keep track of your progress.

DK weight yarn is a great choice for a wide range of knitting and crochet projects. With its versatility and range of available fibres, it's a weight that's sure to become a staple in your yarn stash.

Suggested needle size: 3.75mm or 4.5mm knitting needles work best with DK yarn

DK weight yarn is great for pretty much any project you can think of and it's very beginner-friendly to work with.

Worsted weight yarn is another popular and versatile yarn. It is a medium weight yarn that is thicker than DK weight and thinner than bulky weight yarn. It’s a great option for beginner knitters and crocheters, as it is not too thin or too thick meaning it’s easy to work with and produces a nice, even stitch.

Worsted weight yarn is perfect for knitting and crocheting a wide range of garments and accessories, including hats, scarves, shawls, sweaters, and more. It is also a great choice for home decor projects, such as blankets and pillows.

Whether you are a beginner or an experienced crafter, worsted weight yarn is a reliable choice for a wide range of projects and will produce beautiful results.

Suggested needle size: 4.5mm or 5.5mm knitting needles work best with worsted weight yarn

Worsted weight yarn has enough thickness to make it suitable for winter garments such as jumpers, hats and scarves as well as being great to use for cosy homewares like blankets.

If you are looking for a yarn that can create quick and cozy projects, bulky weight yarn might be a great choice. This type of yarn is thicker, heavier and warmer than other yarn weights, making it ideal for knitting or crocheting winter accessories, such as scarves and hats, or home decor pieces such as blankets.

The thicker yarn means that you will need fewer stitches to cover the same area,and you can create a finished project in a relatively short amount of time. This chunkier style of yarn is also perfect for using in other crafting projects such as loom weaving to create stunning wall hanging decor.

Suggested needle size: 5.5mm or 8mm knitting needles work best with bulky weight yarn

Bulky weight yarn can be super fun to work with for homeware and decor projects.

Yarn can be made from animal fibres, plant fibres or synthetic fibres. Each type has its own unique characteristics and preferred uses

Animal fibre yarns are popular because of their warmth and durability but it's important to make the right choice on type of animal fibre for a project as some are nice and soft while others can be a bit scratchy.

Wool – Wool is the most well known type of animal fibre yarn. It's great for winter garments as it is naturally insulating but it can vary in texture depending on what breed of sheep it has come from so be sure to double check the texture before purchasing.

Alpaca – Alpaca is very similar to sheeps wool and is great for winter garments but it has the added bonus of being less scratchy, making it a great choice for children's clothing.

Silk – Silk has a very thin strand structure that gives a beautiful sheen to its fibres. It's best suited to lightweight projects like scarves and shawls.

Mohair – Mohair is a fluffy and soft textured yarn that is great for using to make scarves and jumpers.

Plant fibre yarns are a popular choice with many crafters as they are lightweight and breathable, while also being eco-friendly and biodegradable.

Cotton – Cotton is a durable, absorbent and soft material which makes it ideal for a whole host of projects. It makes great lightweight clothing and is also excellent for making functional home ware projects such as teatowels and napkins.

Bamboo – Bamboo is a soft, anti-bacterial fibre that has a very slight sheen to it. It drapes nicely making it a good choice for light garments such as tops and shawls. It has also become very popular for making socks due to its anti bacterial properties.

Linen – Linen is a strong and durable fibre that becomes softer the more it is washed. It's a popular yarn for making homewares out of such as table clothes, napkins and tea towels.

Hemp – Hemp has the roughest texture out of the natural fibres but it is gaining traction as a popular option due to how eco-friendly it is. It's great for making practical items that need a bit of sturdyness, such as bags.

Synthetic fibre yarns are made from man-made fibres. They are cheaper to produce than natural fibre yarns, are more durable and easier to care for which is what makes them the most affordable and popular choice for most crafters.

Acrylic – Acrylic is the staple choice for crafters when it comes to synthetic yarn. It's machine washable, comes in any colour you could imagine and is hard wearing making it ideal for all sorts of creative projects. However, it's not always the best choice for garment making as it's not as breathable as an animal or plant fibre yarn.

Nylon – Nylon is a very strong fibre that is often added to other yarns to give them added strength and durability.

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