List of yarns for crochet and knitting
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Depending on the exact yarn weight and the gauge of the knitter or crocheter and how tight or loose the yarn is held, the gauge listed below can vary. The type of yarn can also affect the look of the item, so if it’s thicker yarn the item will look bulkier compared to yarn that is thinner. For this reason it is important to check the gauge of the pattern being used to be sure so the finished project is the desired size. Most patterns have a listed gauge to create an item of the size(s) indicated in the pattern.
| Category name[1] | Symbol | Description | Crochet gauge (single crochet to four inch)[2][1] | Metric hook size [1] | US hook size [1] | Knitting gauge (number of stitches per four inches)[1] | Metric knitting needle size[1] | US knitting needle size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lace | fingering, crochet 10-count thread | 33 - 40 sts | 1.5 - 2.25 mm | B-1 | 33 - 40 sts | 1.5mm - 2.25mm | ||
| Super fine | sock, fingering, baby | 21 - 32 sts | 2.25 - 3.5 mm | B-1 - E-4 | 27 - 32 sts | 2.25mm -3.25mm | ||
| Fine | sport, baby | 16 - 20 sts | 3.5 - 4.5 mm | E-4 - 7 | 23 -26 sts | 3.25mm - 3.75mm | ||
| Light | DK, light worsted | 12 - 17 sts | 4.5 - 5.5 mm | 7 - I-9 | 21 - 24 sts | 3.75mm - 4.5mm | ||
| Medium | worsted, Afghan, Aran | 11 - 14 sts | 5.5 - 6.5 mm | I-9 - K-10 1/2 | 16 - 20 sts | 4.5mm - 5.5mm | ||
| Bulky | chunky, craft, rug | 8 - 11 sts | 6.5 - 9 mm | K-10 1/3 - M-13 | 12 - 15 sts | 5.5mm - 8mm | ||
| Super Bulky | bulky, roving | 5 - 9 sts | 9 - 15mm | M-13 - Q | 7 - 11 sts | 8mm - 12.75mm | ||
| Jumbo | jumbo, roving | 6 sts and fewer | 15mm and higher | Q and larger | 6 sts and fewer | 12.75mm and higher |
Terminology
Common terms used to describe knitting and crochet yarn properties.
| Term | Description |
|---|---|
| Absorbency | The ability of a fiber to hold water, determines sweat absorption and suitability for warm weather wear. |
| Breathability | How readily air passes through the fiber. |
| Dyeability | How well the fiber accepts and holds color. |
| Hand/Handle | Tactile description: softness, resiliency, etc. |
| Loft | The amount of air between fibers. |
| Resiliency (elasticity) | The tendency of a fiber to resume its original shape after stretching. |
| Thickness | The diameter of the fiber in micrometres. |
