Yarn Weights and Knitting Needle Handy Conversion Charts

by Caroline S.
(Perth, Western Australia.)

Hi there - I think what you are all doing is a great idea. I came across your website on the Lion Brand Yarn website. I live in Perth Western Australia and have knitted two squares already (since yesterday!).

The following are two charts printed in 'The Really Useful Little Reference Guide' printed by the British magazine 'Simply Knitting' which I subscribe to. I think they are definitely 'Really Useful' and hope you will agree!!

YARN WEIGHTS
Choose the right yarns to knit with.

1, 2 & 3 ply. Knit on 2-3.5mm needles. Use for delicate lace knitting and baby garments. Good for socks and gloves.

4 ply. Knit on 3-4mm needles. Great for more substantial baby clothes, heavier socks and lightweight tops.

Double knitting (DK). Knit on 3.5-4.5mm needles. Usually double the weight of 4 ply; this is the most widely used weight of yarn. Suitable for most garments and quick to knit up.

Aran. Knit on 4-5.5mm needles. Originally created for fishermen's jumpers. Use when DK isn't heavy enough yet chunky is too bulky. Perfect for outdoor or warm clothing.

Chunky. Knit on 5.5-7mm needles. Associated with outdoor wear and winter jumpers, chunky is great for oversized garments.

Super chunky. Knit on 7-12mm needles. A great weight for beginners as it produces quick results. Good for furnishings.

Big. Knit on 9-20mm needles. Super-sized yarn perfect for eye-catching scarves and coats, as well as cosy cushions and throws.



UK/US Conversion:

UK US
4 ply Sport
Double knitting Light Worsted
Aran Fisherman/Worsted
Chunky Bulky
Super Chunky Extra Bulky

KNITTING NEEDLE
Handy Conversion Chart:

UK Metric US
14 2.00mm 0
13 2.25mm 1
- 2.50mm -
12 2.75mm 2
11 3.00mm -
10 3.25mm 3
- 3.50mm 4
9 3.75mm 5
8 4.00mm 6
7 4.50mm 7
6 5.00mm 8
5 5.50mm 9
4 6.00mm 10
3 6.50mm 10-1/2
2 7.00mm -
1 7.50mm -
0 8.00mm 11
00 9.00mm 13
000 10.00mm 15
- 12.00mm 17
- 15.00mm 19
- 20.00mm 36
- 25.00mm 50

Incidentally, after experimenting with my tension I found that I could get exactly 8 inches (20cm) across if I cast on 36 stitches with 8 ply (double knitting) wool and size 4.00mm (UK 8) needles. I didn't actually count my rows, I just measured the length.

Another little tip that might be handy is that instead of darning your cast on yarn in with a sewing needle when you've finished the square, I just knit it in with my working yarn when I'm knitting my second row - so easy! This is a tip I picked up from one of my sock knitting books! Isn't knitting great fun (to the initiated anyway)!!!

Kind regards
Caroline S.

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Yarn Weights and Knitting Needle Handy Conversion Charts

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Jan 22, 2013
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Thanks for help NEW
by: Knitting Wool

Its nice to see the chart. Yarn Weight and needle styles matters a lot for knitting.
http://www.thecraftyyarnshop.co.uk/en/
Dec 24, 2012
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Yarn Ply NEW
by: Anonymous

I am so glad I found this site it helps me so much, I live in Spain and can't get the yarns I need from the Patter makers I do wish they would give us an alternative yarn. Katie
Jul 30, 2012
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		substitute NEW
by: jan

can i use dk instead of quick knit
Apr 30, 2012
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Most Helpful NEW
by: Anonymous

Thank you for the Chart. Very helpful
NSW. 1/5/2012
Jun 05, 2011
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		knitter wanna be
by: Anonymous

Hi I am a learner knitter, and found a pattern for a garter stitch baby blanket done with double knit wool, it says to use 2 different sized needles to get the ruffle affect, what size would I use please.
Apr 12, 2011
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starstarstarstarstar 		Yarn Weight and Knitting Needle Handy Conversion Chart
by: Christine

Thank you for your excellent yarn and knitting needle conversion charts. Now I will be able to knit some of the garments I find on the internet especially from the USA. Thanks once again for taking the time to put this on your website I am sure it helps lots of people.
Sep 06, 2009
Rating
starstarstar 		casting on yarn
by: Bernie

Hi again . . just read your tip, re knitting it in . . . I use it to start the sewing up of the garment . . .

Love reading your stuff . . .
Sep 06, 2009
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		conversion charts and terminologies, etc.
by: Bernie



I have lived in Africa, Namibia, the UK and now in the USA, and knitting is my most favourite thing to do, and I always get confused between the countries different sizes, terms, thicknesses of yarn, etc.

I found your information extremely useful. And have also passed it on to others in similar situations to my own.

Thank you so very much for this ! I now feel so much more confident when I walk into hobby/craft stores, and I actually know what I am talking about!
Feb 23, 2009
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Layout of Conversion Charts.
by: Caroline S.

Glad the charts have been useful Sandy - the layout of the tables though seems to have decided to jump around by itself! Originally the columns were spread out nicely and were easier to read - oh well - computers eh? As long as knitters can understand the information. Happy knitting everyone! Oh by the way, some of the ladies I work with are going to join the bandwagon - even the beginners are keen to contribute! Congratulations once again for organising such a great project.

Caroline S.
Feb 23, 2009
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Great Help
by: Valerie

your conversion chart is great and I love the tip of what to do with the tail when you first start knitting! I will try that with my next square. Thanks so much!
Feb 23, 2009
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Just what we were after
by: Sandy

Thank you Caroline for finding the time to input all this information. Your contribution will definitely be the starting (and perhaps end point too!) of the definitive comparison chart.

There has been a lot of correspondence on this and how to achieve an 8 x 8" square and while there a many variations (different wools, needle sizes and number of stitches), we really are looking for consistency to make the volunteer joiners work easier and the end blankets a consistent weight.

So I really appreciate your sharing this with us.

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