Hi, after looking at patterns for scarves I have come across some that say to use worsted wool which is confusing me, I need to know what specifically is worsted wool? DK, Aran, Chunky etc. Can anyone help me please.
Many thanks Blondie
Worsted wool ??
What is the name of your pattern or one of the patterns you’re looking at? Does it give a gauge for the scarf?
Worsted can refer to the way yarn is spun, either worsted spun or woolen spun or it can refer to the weight or thickness of the yarn, worsted weight. Worsted weight usually knits at ~19-21sts per 4 inches, typically 20sts/4".
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Hi, this is one of them which is on Lovecrafts as a free pattern to download.
Archer Scarf
By Scarlett “Kiki” Geiger
Thank you
Blondie
When worsted weight is called for in a pattern like this it’s a US yarn weight category. I think worsted is the same as Aran in UK terms, but often in the US it is used for yarn on the thicker side in the worsted category. The gauge is what you need to know and for a scarf it isn’t crucial to be exact. Looking at the gauge, that is a pretty tight knit for worsted. I’ll add a link about yarn weight categories.
https://www.craftyarncouncil.com/standards/yarn-weight-system
Ravelry link for reference
ETA yarn thickness within a category can vary a lot. Your gauge is what’s important and knowing how close is close enough. For a scarf if you like the fabric it makes and the size of the piece, that’s close enough.
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Thank you for your reply, tihnk I will go for Aran as that makes sense for a scarf.
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As a spinner, let me add a bit to what others have said. Worsted, as already noted, generally means a 4 ply yarn thicker than sport weight, but not chunky.
In spinning it refers to a technique whereby the fibers are spun - all being rouughly aligned along the length of the yarn. It is more compact, therefore a bit heavier per yard than its cousin, woolen technique.
Woolen spinning draws fiber from a fold in the middle, with both ends being free. The home spinner takes a lock of fiber, folds it over her finger & the fiber draws into the yarn from the fold. It is fluffier and less dense than worsted. It is also more prone to pilling and shedding.
I do not know if UK spinners classify wool yarn in this way. But in the USA, worsted generally refers to a certain girth of the yarn.
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