So you’ve decided to learn to knit or crochet - wonderful! Or maybe you’ve been making things for a while but the world of yarn weights still makes your head spin a little. Either way, you’re in the right place.
Choosing yarn should be one of the great joys of this craft. But walk into a shop (or open an online store) and you’re suddenly confronted with labels full of numbers, symbols, and terminology that seems designed to confuse. 4ply? DK? Worsted? 8ply? What does any of it mean, and how do you know which one to buy?
Let’s clear it all up.
What does ‘yarn weight’ actually mean?
Despite the name, yarn weight has nothing to do with how heavy your ball of yarn is. It refers to the thickness of the yarn strand. Thicker yarn knits up faster into chunkier fabric; finer yarn produces a more delicate, lightweight result.
In Australia, we have our own naming system based on ‘ply’ - so you’ll see labels like 4ply, 8ply, 10ply, and 12ply. International patterns (particularly from the US and UK) use different names for the same weights, which is where the confusion often starts.
The Australian Ply System - and its international equivalents
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2ply / 3ply- Lace weight. Very fine, used for delicate shawls and lace projects. Not recommended for beginners.
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4ply - Known as ‘Fingering’ or ‘Sock weight’ internationally. Great for socks, lightweight garments, and delicate accessories.
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5ply / Sport - A step up from 4ply. Great for baby garments and light accessories.
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8ply - The Australian equivalent of DK (double knitting) weight. The most popular weight for garments, hats, and everyday projects. A brilliant starting point for beginners.
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10ply - Known as ‘Aran’ or ‘Worsted’ internationally. A satisfying medium-chunky weight that knits up quickly. Great for jumpers, cardigans, and accessories.
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12ply - Chunky weight. Fast to knit, bold fabric. Wonderful for scarves, beanies, and home accessories.
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14ply+ - Super chunky or bulky. Very quick to knit - a whole beanie in an evening is very achievable.
What weight should a beginner start with?
If you’re just starting out, we always recommend beginning with 8ply or 10ply yarn. The stitches are big enough to see clearly, the needles are a comfortable size to hold, and projects work up at a satisfying pace that keeps you motivated.
At the Woolshed we’d suggest starting with something like Bellissimo 8ply - a gorgeous Australian extra fine merino that’s a pleasure to work with - or Cleckheaton Echo if you want an Australian-made option at excellent value.
How to read a yarn label
Every ball of yarn comes with a label packed with useful information. Once you know what to look for, it tells you everything you need:
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Fibre content - What the yarn is made from. This affects how it feels, how it washes, and how warm it is.
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Weight / Ply - How thick the yarn is, usually shown as a number (8ply) or a small yarn symbol.
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Metreage - How many metres are in the ball. More useful than grams when comparing yarns, and essential when calculating how much to buy.
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Needle / Hook size - The recommended needle or hook size. A great starting point, though you may need to adjust based on your tension.
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Gauge - How many stitches and rows fit into a 10cm square. Critical when making garments to size.
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Dye lot number - When buying multiple balls, always buy the same dye lot. Even small batches can vary slightly in colour.
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Care instructions - The washing symbols tell you whether it’s machine washable, hand wash only, or dry clean.
Superwash vs. non-superwash wool
Superwash or machine washable wool has been treated to prevent it from felting in the wash. Untreated wool will shrink and felt if agitated in warm water - wonderful if you want to make felt, devastating if it’s your finished jumper.
For beginners, or for baby garments and items washed frequently, superwash merino is a brilliant choice. Bellissimo 8ply, Heirloom Merino Magic, and Shepherd Merino DK are all great examples we stock.
The main fibre types
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Merino wool - The gold standard for next-to-skin softness. Warm, breathable, and wonderful to knit with. Superwash merino is machine washable.
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Regular wool - Great elasticity and warmth. Excellent for colourwork and cables. Some wools can be scratchy - best for outer layers.
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Alpaca - Extraordinarily soft and warm with a beautiful drape. Less elastic than wool, which makes it lovely for garments.
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Cotton - Breathable and cool. Great for summer projects and baby items. No stretch, so suits simple shapes.
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Blends - Combine the best of multiple fibres. Wool-alpaca blends are popular for softness; wool-nylon blends add durability for socks.
Come and feel the yarn
There’s really no substitute for holding yarn in your hands. Come and visit us at Shop 2B, Manuka Court, 11-17 Bougainville Street, Griffith in Canberra - our team will be delighted to help you find the perfect yarn for your first (or fiftieth) project. Or shop our full range online.