| Yarn Swapping Part 1: Common Yarn Weights and Gauges Yarns generally fall into seven categories of weight and gauge. Many online yarn shops list their yarns using these naming conventions, so it's important to know the general category of yarn your pattern calls for. Keep in mind that these are general categories only, and that you'll still need to narrow down the results within any one group. Terms Defined
Gauge or Needle Size? The gauge is your most important number for a pattern. Needle sizes are given as guidelines only. The idea is that you'll use whatever needle size it takes to achieve the desired gauge. Gauge Gotchas Although most patterns specify gauge in terms of stockinette stitch, a few note the gauge in terms of a specific stitch pattern. If this is the case with your pattern, you'll need to look up the manufacturer's given gauge for the yarn in question. You can do this either online or at a shop. My favorite online shops for yarn research are Patternworks, Yarns-And.com, and eKnitting.com. If you're using an older pattern that calls for long-gone yarns, try checking Laurie Kynaston's online list of older, discontinued yarns. She includes fiber content, skein weight, and yardage. Failing this, you can also post a query in our forums and see if others can help you. Sizing Conventions Patterns also differ in the size of their gauge swatches. You'll normally find gauge given in terms of stitches per inch, but you'll also see it in terms of stitches per 2 inches and per 10 cm. square, which roughly translates into 4 inches. There's no harm in pulling out a calculator! Let It Be Most important, try to respect a yarn's given gauge. Forcing a yarn into a tighter or looser gauge simply because you like the yarn isn't always a wise choice. Imagine a tea bag designed to make the perfect 8-ounce cup of tea. Use it in only 4 ounces of water, or drown it in 16 ounces, and it won't taste the same. In the case of knitting, you can easily end up with fabric that's awkwardly loose or, conversely, so tight that it stands up by itself. A general rule of thumb is to stay within a half-stitch-per-inch range of the yarn originally specified in the pattern. Time to Shop! Once you've determined the yarn weight and gauge your pattern needs, you can begin investigating your yarn options. If you don't have a store near you, go online instead. eKnitting.com lets you search for yarns by specific gauge, while Patternworks presents its yarn inventory by category.  Next page
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