Knitting Secrets From Sarah Beth Wilkinson

Knitting Tips and Secrets to Help You Improve Your Knitting Skills
from the Author of "Knitting Secrets" Available at KnittingTips.com

Wednesday, October 06, 2004

Yarn Weight

Today we're going to talk about weight

Not yours, the yarn’s. There are several specific weights of yarn, each of which corresponds to different types of projects. You can use unconventional weights for projects when you have a little more experience manipulating it, but for now you’ll want to stick to these guidelines:

Worsted weight : This is the most adaptable weight of yarn and therefore the most popular. You can make just about anything with worsted weight, which gives you the added bonus of having more colors and textures from which to choose.

Sport weight : If you like basic projects and find yourself sticking mostly to worsted weight, you can easily switch to sport weight for a lighter, more summery feel. It’s a little thinner, so it works perfectly for wispier projects like shawls.

Fingering weight : Some of the most popular knitting projects are for babies, and this thinnest yarn weight is ideal for the smaller, more delicate work involved in baby blankets and clothing. It can also be softer than worsted and sport weights which makes it gentler on baby’s skin.

Chunky weight : At a heavier weight than worsted, these yarns usually come in fun, bold colors perfect for making thick sweaters, hats, and other winter clothing. As an added bonus, they also work up more quickly than worsted weight.

Bulky weight : The biggest, fattest yarn available. If you’re looking for a yarn that can become a fully-formed project in about the time it takes you to make and eat a PB&J sandwich, this is it. (It’s also fun to pair with big, fat needles and pretend you’re a giant!)

Double knit weight : This weight has become rarer to find in shops since it toes the line between sport and worsted weights. However, it does give you the flexibility to make projects in either of the other two weights without having to adjust the patterns

Next week we'll cover yarn packaging...till then!