Picking the right yarn can be a bit difficult sometimes. The yarns can be listed as the same weight but stitch up differently, and worst of all, some manufacturers do not even attempt to give you the weight of the yarn that they sell. Also, the gauge that is usually provided on all labels to provide stitches per inch for the yarn is not consistent for yarns listed as the same weight.
Here are a few guidelines :
Try to pick a yarn that is listed as a 4 weight (medium). This designation is usually only listed on the labels of large yarn manufacturers.
Sometimes worsted is not used in countries other than the US. In this case Aran weight is very similar to worsted, so that would be your best bet. DK weight will be too thin and is designated as a 3 weight (light).
To really pin it down, try to match the typical mass to yardage for the worsted weight yarn I use quite often. The ratios are shown below:
- Wool {100g for 205m}
- Merino Wool (Frog Tree Melange) {100g for 185m}
- Merino Cashmere Blend (approximately 15% Cashmere) {100g to 200m}
This is a reasonable guide, but sometimes the yarn weight works out to be off. As you try out new yarns take note of how they stitch up and keep the labels to reference and compare with new yarns with a yet to be determined weight.
Much thanks to Emanation from Hay on Wye, Wales for inspiring this guide.
