Yarn weight

Hey, I bought yarn that is listed as 4 for weight, but it seems thin and seems to knit up like DK- so what would be the difference, is it just what the yarn is made of?

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That classification by numbers is rather broad and sometimes loosely defined by the individual yarn companies. I’ve seen yarn classified as worsted or bulky that didn’t seem to me to fit those categories or knit to that gauge range. Composition could figure into that as well.
https://www.craftyarncouncil.com/standards/yarn-weight-system

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It’s definitely subjective, at least nowadays. I’ve read somewhere that “ply” or yarn weight descriptions used to be more consistent in the past, but whether that’s true or not is another thing. I’m not old enough to know for certain :stuck_out_tongue:

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I’ve thought about this. My conclusion? Because that’s the way it is.

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I’ve had yarn sold as DK which feels and knits close to a fingering yarn I have and is very different to other DK yarns I’ve used. I quite often buy yarn for something then totally change my mind about what to make with it once it is delivered and I get to see and feel it.
The yarn that was more like fingering I still used the pattern I wanted to make (called for DK) but changed size to fit my fabric gauge, following a larger size stitch count worked out on the gauge I had.
Using various DK yarns I find there is quite a difference with some feeling thin, some quite thick. I’ve even had the same brand feel and knit differently just because it was a different colour. A striped sweater really highlighted the difference to me which I was very surprised about. So, yarns weights, I take as a guide to some extent.

I hope you find a pattern suitable for your yarn and enjoy your knit despite the yarn being not as expected.

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Sometimes the composition makes a difference. For example, cotton looks thinner in the strand than wool does for the same yarn weight or recommended gauge.

You can look at what the manufacturer recommends, look at how people have knitted it up (Ravelry), then make a swatch and block it.

Some yarns bloom, or expand slightly, on washing, filling in the gaps between stitches.

Differences between countries can be a problem too. Cascade 220, a popular US yarn, seems to be the same as DK weight yarns here in Australia. But the manufacturer suggests knitting it at a looser gauge than what I would usually use for DK weight.

In the end, it’s usually best to rely on your swatch. (And you can ask here too!)

I have a few yarns that I bought thinking would be suitable for a particular project but weren’t (online shopping hazard) but I can usually find another use for them.

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