UK Yarn Weights Explained. What is DK? What is 4ply yarn? Is Aran the same as Worsted? 

Chunky. As a nervous new knitter I feel safer using it. Also I see project happening quicker.

I'm old-ish, 68 tomorrow, Yay. My favourite is 4 ply now that 3 ply comes only in boring pastel shades. When I was little it was common and I love the definition and amount of stitches you can get per inch on the needles for colour work. Sadly those days are gone with lace weight too fine and 4 ply as little thick for many of my stash of inherited patterns. Incidentally, now nearly 99 and blind, my mother still knits by feel rather than vision. She can carry a huge range of patterns and stitches in her head, turning out lace stitch baby clothes in pastel 3 ply from memory because she has been knitting them since childhood, though she now relies on me to block and sew them up. Strange as she no longer remembers what she ate three hours before, but what a joy for her to be able to still have a hobby now that she can't get around, read or do other things she used to enjoy. Keep knitting, people!

That's also mine

Now as an ex teacher this is perfect! Great way of remembering haha. Yeah fingering/4ply Is lovely - the definition. But I think Aran has got my heart

Aww Akasha! what a lovely message to read. That has made my day! If ever you need anything asked, or ideas for for content you would like to see, just message!!

Aww thank you Jeni! and YES! Exactly that. Thrilled - go for it!!!! Keep us updated of any new projects! I do a LIVE once a month on the channel. Would be lovely to hear what you get up to. Stuart

heehee - cheers Carol! Lovely having you watch. Your feedback is much appreciated. I need to make a few more vids like this. So if there's anything that's always puzzled you let me know! Stuart

I am a Crochet person because when my gran tried to teach me knitting and crochet, my knitting always had holes in it. So I reasoned that as crochet is meant to have holes in it, I would stick to that!@@TheWoolpatch

Haha brilliant!

Thank Jen, Oh my generalisations where nothing compared to the history that's out there! All well here - spent the day editing the next vlog. What are you up to? Stuart

Aww thanks Kimberly, Glad it helped, when I was researching this topic for a video I found there was't much out there, and those that are, were mainly American. So I think this filled a gap! Thanks for letting me know, it means a lot. Stuart

Why thank you very much Jan for your kind words and for watching and taking the time to comment! Cheers :)

Aww I'm pleased! Thank you for watching and taking the time to let me know. Stuart

Wonderful! Glad it helped in someway! Thanks for letting us know...much appreciated. :). Stuart

You're very welcome! Thanks for taking the time to comment :)

Glad it was helpful!

You're very welcome! There is....I'm still learning myself!

Awwthanks for letting me know Meryle! Please it's helped in someway :). Stuart

Wonderful to hear Clare! It is sometimes be very overwhelming, so glad it helped :). Stuart

Oh this a lovely comment to come to and read! Thank you very much for taking the time to let me know. If you need any other information or need anything else demystified, let me know :). Stuart

Wonderful to hear! Thanks for letting me know :) Stuart

What a wonderful comment to come to! Thank you Lynda and I'm thrilled it helped. I know what RU-vid can be like and some people no matter how well it's filmed, I still struggle to comprehend, yet others, a different style and 'boom' I understand. Thank you also for taking the time to subscribe too. It helps my bricks and mortar shop no end. Thanks. Stuart :) (if you ever want specific videos just let me know :)

What a lovely comment to read Pat! Thanks. I'm thrilled that the video has helped in some way! If ever you want anything clarified, just comment or email me at the shop. As for shipping....I know. I try and keep my prices down regardless and now I only have 2 prices regardless of the weight. Happy weaving! Stuart

Cheers. you're very welcome.

I'm glad it helped! Thanks for your kind words and feedback and welcome to the channel! We love that our fans come from all over the world so welcome from South Africa! 👌👍Hope you enjoy - Stuart

Yes, I very much agree. I have a big customer base in their 60's+ who will only use 4ply for gamrnets. They wouldn't ever use Chunky. I get the odd customer asking for 3ply but sadly it is not asked for enough to stock. Yes, the good o gansey! Aran is very popular at my shop. I'm actually looking at stocking some sort of Shetland - Jameisons or someone. Are you a knitter Peter? Stuart

Do you know which one they used for sock knitting? I knit only socks, 4 ply fingering weight, and wonder if Britain uses more ply. Thank you from BC Canada.

4ply/fingering weight is used for socks on the whole and yarn with 25% nylon in for the strength. 👍🏼👍🏼

@@TheWoolpatch Thank you for the repy, was wnndering if there was another weight they used that might be fun to try and spin. Have a good one.

Been knitting since the age of eight , now in my seventies, always preferred 3ply, but you can't get the colours now.

Cheers, really appreciate you telling me - thanks for taking the time and to get involved.

Glad it helped! The wonders of RU-vid hey. And good on you for still finding the time to do some knitting!!! Just shout if you ever want any information. Stuart

Lovely to hear thanks Leslie! This was before covid, so the shows have changed a lot and I don't see Áine as much so it's just me. But there is plenty in the back catalogue with us both. It was Áine that got me into it at the start! Any questions just shout and thanks for subscribing. Any video requests just say :). Stuart

@@TheWoolpatch Sorry to hear to lost your partner in crime. But it's a new year and a time to start a new chapter in life. Best wishes😃

Ooo now I can't remember what I said on the video! and now I'm doubting what I said haha. Did I say 2 strands of DK? 2 stands of DK held together would really be replacing a chunky yarn weight - which you would call weight 5 or 6. 2 strands of 4ply, make 8ply which would be DK. Let me know. Hope I've not confused things more! Stuart

Thank you!

You're very welcome! If you get stuck at all, comment or email me, I'd be happy to help. I bet hold 2 DK yarns made it nice and squishy too!! Stuart

Aww thanks for your kind words Tracey - from one curly to another :) I'm still new to the knitting world myself - have learned it all over the past 4 years. So many terms and techniques. WYS is a fave for me. Love the Country Birds Signature 4ply. Yes, I just watched one of your vids with the HUGE balls of Aran and am in the middle of leaving a comment. Lovely jumper!!! Glad I've found your channel too! RU-vid and Instagram is a wonderful thing for us crafters and learners. Stuart (Curly three haha)

@@TheWoolpatch Fantastic, I didn't realise you had a RU-vid podcast as well, how exciting. That's my morning sorted then! Emma (Curly One) x

Yeah, Metric all the way. Though the US still love Imperial in the patchwork word. Good point on the lace weight, it does take an age to knit up - a certain type of patience needed for that...I'm still going with my 4ply Paris Toujour! I'm now closed and in Social distancing here in the UK in a bid to flattern the curve. 12 weeks!!! Plenty of time to get this shawl nailed!! Stuart

Good one isn't it.

Haha good to hear....well not about your knitting however! Just shout/email if you ever have queries!! Don't worry either about the knitting unravelling....still happens to me and Iv'e been knitting a few years now hahaha.

Glad it's helped! The wonders of RU-vid! Good luck with the crochet. I love crocheting! I'm doing a crochet blanket as we speak with DK Cotton. Lots of granny squares with motifs on - for kids. Love it.

Thanks Poppy, thanks for taking the time to leave a comment! Hope it was useful in someway. Stuart

Aww Cheers Ali. More coming now I'm in Social Distancing mode. 12 weeks of it. May doing some art work like you! Stuart

Wonderful news! That's the beauty of RU-vid hey, so much information out there. Glad to be of help. Happy knitting :) Stuart

I would do a test swatch first to be sure.

You're welcome!

You're very welcome

AWw thank you for your kind words! Thrilled to hear the video helped. The beauty of RU-vid hey! Anything you want to know about, let me know and I'll do another vid. Cheers

Oh wow! Triple Knit! so that's chunky weight then? I bet that will be anice warn to knit with all those strands...very warm?

What a great idea!! I can do this. Stuart

@TheWoolpatch I always thought the hook sizes directly corresponded to the needle sizes - i.e., a mm is a mm no matter which type of device you use. Is that not true???

Yes your correct here, if you’re using dk yarn which recommends 4mm then a 4mm in a needle or a hook is the size too use. Just not everyone is aware of this. However there is great chance of this changing a little due to tension issues in crochet. I’ve found tension varies a lot more in crochet than knitting. 👍🏼👍🏼

You're very welcome! Thanks for watching Beverley! Glad I could help. Stuart

You’re very welcome! Great question!! big Big wool is the next category after Super chunky!! So I’d call that super super chunky haha. Think that’s what Rowan must have been thinking and called it big big wool. So super chunky is anywhere around 9mm to 10mm so big big wool - 12mm needles for sure

Aww thanks for letting us know Mary! You're very welcome. As for your next project. Why not try 4ply/Fingering weight for a shawl or a scarf. Take a look at the ZickZack Scarf on one of my latest vids ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-W7sL763QQaE.html. 22mins in. It's all knit, and just has a simple increase/decrease to make the chevrons. It's great fun to do! Stuart

Ahh what a good idea Kaz - I'll have to do another video sometime doing that!

Greetings from the UK! thank you for leaving such a lovely comment - I'm thrilled it was able to help. So a 4ply /fingering yarn, I'd actually usually use 3.50, or 3.25 or 3mm. (UK 8 is imperial, that's equivalent to 4mm metric - Id usually use 4mm hook for that) But you are right to say go down a hook size to make the stitches more close, especially if it's a toy and you are going to stuff it. So I'd try 3mm. Give it a test and see what the first few rows look like. You won't want the stuffing to show through. However...if it's for a garment, like a nice top to wear in the summer, then, actually having a 4mm hook may be nicer, it will make what you make, floppyier, drapeyier, and look loose. Does that help? If not, give me an email and I'll help further. info@thewoolpatch.com. :). Stuart

I would indeed and it’s not just me saying that - many other crafters would say the same. However just a note - you do have to consider your own tension with crochet. I find this differs more from person to person than knitting. So if you’re a tight crocheter then go up a hook. You may also want to deviate from this if you want a more ‘Lacey effect’ so for example - the virus shawl, which is a lovely crochet garment (very apt too) I would use a 4mm hook for a standard DK yarn (like a 4mm knitting needle) but if I wanted the shawl to be a bit more wafty and ‘holeyer’ I may experiment with crocheting it up with a 4.5mm or a 5mm hook - it will be come out bigger too and floppyer. (And use more yarn however) hope that helps. 👍🏼👍🏼

You're very welcome. Thanks for taking the time to let us know - much appreciated. As for recommendation, I'm a firm believer in knitting/crocheting with whatever yarn that 'sings to your heart' when buying. So if a colour jumps out at you, or you fall in love with the softness of another yarn then get it, regardless - then find a pattern. 4ply yarn makes for wonderful shawls.....you get lovely stitch definition, but it takes much longer to knit/crochet up. A chunky yarn much quicker, but you'll get a different 'drape' and 'feel' of fabric when complete. So if I was looking, I'd look at 4ply's and choose a yarn from that category! hope that helps. Good Luck! Stuart

Thanks Gwyn, I'm glad it helped, I would say 4ply and fingering are in the same category, it seems to me (from my experience at the shop with brands etc) that 4ply is mainly a British term, and Fingering is a US term. Some brands would say that fingering is a little 'lighter' than 4ply, but I don't think there is much in it. Maybe if it was a fingering 'single' then yes, that would be a little thinner than a general 4ply. It also seem that the term fingering is often associated with indie dyed yarn in hanks and has connotations of 'high end' compared to the term 4ply which is usually used with commercial companies. :) Stuart

@@TheWoolpatch thanks so much, that makes sense now! 😊

Aww thanks for taking the time to let me know :) Stuart

Thrilled this been helpful for you. This is the wonder of RU-vid. 4ply is in the same category as Fingering. The Americans will use the term fingering more than here in the UK, and also, Indie Dyers will often use 'fingering yarn' for 4ply. HOWEVER - if you go into even more detail, you could argue that technically, fingering weight is a little thinner than 4ply - but again, depends on the company who has spun the yarn. In general however, 4ply and Fingering - same. I'm a fan of King Cole and stock a few of their yarns in my shop. Cotton is lovely and can be even more drapey when done with a bigger hook. Happy Crocheting! Stuart :)

Thanks for your question Gill....hmmmmmmmm now that has me stumped. We can work it out however.....what needles does the pattern ask for and does it give a yarn? Let me know which one (or both) and I'll work it out for you. Also let me know the pattern too. I'd love to help - love a challenge. Stuart (you can email me too if that helps, stuart@thewoolpatch.com

Depends really - fingering/4ply and DK is what I see used often. Some people will use two yarns together through the gun to get a real full effect. Get yarn on a cone or wind it yourself into a ball as this helps. It's such a good effect. I can't wait to try this myself, way easier and quicker than by hand using a punch needle :) Stuart

@@TheWoolpatch thank you for fast reply. Keep up the good work

You sure can. It will just take you a long time as traditional 4ply (not the actual plies but the name) is thin. It's below DK. Yardage is very good on balls of 4ply. You'll have to cast on lots of stitches, so I'd use circular needles with an 80cm/100cm cable for ease. Remember you can use any yarn to knit in. you use whatever you like to work with. :) hope that helps. Stuart

Hey, thanks for your comment. I'm not sure what you are saying. Sorry. When you twisted it? Or did you mean when you untwisted it you saw 3 plies? Yarns can be made up of many plies. Yes, in the olden days, DK literally was doulble knit so had 8 plies, but now with machines and tech, DK can have 1 ply, or 3, or whatever. Same with Aran. Each company will spin their yarns differently and have different plies. So that's why '4ply yarn' or fingering weight yarn can throw many people due to this reason. If I've still got misunderstood your question, just comment again and I'll try again. Stuart - Thanks for watching :)

I sure can. Worsted Weight or No 4 is in between our DK and Aran weight. So you you could buy a thick DK and which could work for a Worsted, or you could by a thin aran and get away with it. Does depend on the yarn. I'm sure you know that some companies Aran is another companies DK - the sizing can differ a lot between yarns of the same 'weight'. You would have to do a swatch. When I was knitting 'The Montrealer' by Design by Delz - it asked for a worsted weight yarn. I tried Drops Nepal on a 5mm needle, but it was a thick aran and too big. So I tried a DK which was a 'thicker' DK compared to some and it worked a treat. Hope that helps :) Stuart

The Woolpatch thank you 🤗

Oh yes, great tip that. :)

Not sure how they would ply it to be honest, all I know is that it takes lots of work and a lot more twists, hence shy we don't see actual 10ply yarn anymore because of the work needed. It would be sooooo warm though! Glad you enjoyed it! Happy Knitting.

@@TheWoolpatch Thank you for your reply. Being a wool spinner I will attempt a 10 ply yarn for the fun of it Since I spin thin yarns with lots of twst to knit socks with, if 10 ply is warmer, this is what we need up here in northern BC. All the best.

Hey Aries, thanks for the message. Sorry for the delay, you've probably sorted it by now. 3ply and 4ply is very popular for baby booties yes. Baby yarn isn't really anything special. Just a commercial/marketing tool. If it's marketed as baby yarn, it tends to be acrylic or some sort of man made fibre and not wool. I expect if yours was much smaller than hers and you were using 3ply, then I expect she was using 4ply. And yes, the yarn can effect what you're doing and the end result. Depends on how it's spun and how you move your hand, do the yarn overs. I've found with some yarns, I literally 'unply' it due to the motion of my hand and hooking the yarn, it can go 'against' the way the yarn has been made. So it could be that. How have you got on anyway? Stuart

It's an odd one isn't it. Sport weight or 5ply as it's often called elsewhere in the world is thicker than 4ply (hence the 5ply name) but not as thick as DK. a 3.5/3.75 needle maybe. Basically a thin DK or a thick 4ply haha.

Oh sorry Peter, just re-read your comment again and think you weren't asking me what sport weight was....you were just saying that no one in the states couldn't tell you what sport weight was. Sorry, if I was patronising in the first comment, wasn't my intention if this was what you meant :). Stuart

You just need to approach the companies as you’ll need to buy wholesale. you have to decide who you want to sell, what yarn you like…are you going acrylic? Wool? So think of brands like king cole, sirdar or Rowan etc or are you going indie dyers and high end with hanks? Some wholesalers won’t sell to people who are selling from their ‘house’ however. Some will only sell if you have a bricks and mortar shop. Hope that helps

@@TheWoolpatch I was thinking of cygnet because they do 100% acrylic but also I needed the yarn to be very chunky. I went on their website and submitted my email but I'm not sure how to contact they directly. I will also be selling my items online, in person and in stalls do you still think they would class me as a 'home' seller? If so do you know the wording I can get around that?

Aww I’m thrilled it’s helped and everything now is demystified….i may do another on 5ply - as I’m now muddled with this and where it sits….happy knitting. 👍🏼👍🏼

No, it is just the name. The wool is actually peruvian wool. Hope that helps :). Stuart

Yup sure is and it's a lovely yarn too! :) Hope the video was helpful. Stuart

I know, you’re right! Lace weight needs a video all to itself! 👍🏼👍🏼

A mega Ball! Love that sound of that. :) Cheers Freida

Years ago you had a thing called 'crochet cotton' and my nan, and many in that generation only crocheted with cotton. It was sooooo thin! You can still get it. Quite big in Europe still but many yarn shops won't stock it as it just doesn't sell. Most people now crochet with ANY yarn. So yeah, these yarns I talk about use for Crochet. Use whatever you like, Linen, Wool, Acrylic, Mixes, Alpaca etc. I go with colours I like or what it feels like, and also cost! So go for it and crochet with what ever you like :). Hope that helps. Stuart

@@TheWoolpatch Thank you so much Stuart!! Didn't expect a reply! Was going to go on a whole shopping spree for yarn, so thanks a lot!

Ooo not heard of DK 4 (not sure if that was a typo) DK is 8ply. Some places (Australia/New Zealand) call is 8ply rather than like us calling it Double Knit (DK). America has their own numbering system, and 3 is the same as DK. 4 would be Worsted (a slightly thicker DK) But some companies DK is another companies thin worsted. That help? Just message if you need more. Stuart

Heehee or as they say smuggling peanuts! haha. 😉

You're very welcome, thank you for taking the time to say so and for watching. :)

You're very welcome Sandra, thanks for taking the time to comment. It all helps :) Stuart