The simplest way to find out yarn weights so far....

by Jeanne
(Dryden, NW Ontario, Canada)

First, may I tell you I am very excited to find your project. I came to it through my subscription to Lion Brand's website. This is perfect for me, 8" squares, as I now have Chronic Fatigue and larger projects are overwhelming for me. Now, regarding yarn weights:

There apparently is a tool out there called a WPI, or Wraps Per Inch tool. I haven't found one in my small town yet but the minute I get to a city I'm buying one. I gather they are not cheap, running up to $10 each. It is rather like a spindle or short dowel according to the crochet mag I read of it in.

You wrap the yarn in question around the spindle, count the number of wraps of yarn it took to reach a specific "inch" mark on the WPI and it will give you the corresponding real weight of the yarn you're using. This is invaluable since what is marked "Worsted Weight" can vary from bulky to sport weight in truth!

Trust me, that made a huge, and I do mean HUGE difference years ago when I crocheted an afghan for my daughter's University Dorm Bed. I faithfully followed the pattern but it ended up being called "The afghan that ate New York". It entirely covers a double bed or 6-8 adults sitting on a couch watching movies! After that I viewed anything saying "worsted weight" with a VERY jaundiced eye, lol.