Yarn Terms

Hello, dear designers
Every now and then I come across terms like “DK yarn,” “Aran,” and so on. Unfortunately, I don’t know what they mean (I know it has something to do with yarn weight—that much is clear to me, but…). Can anyone help me?
I wish everyone a wonderful Pentecost (with plenty of time for crafting, perhaps?)
Best regards
ChristinaE

It does indeed have something to do with yarn weight and is mainly found in English-language patterns. I haven’t found an equivalent term in German yet—but that doesn’t necessarily mean it doesn’t exist!
“Aran” refers to something on the thicker side, while “DK” is somewhere in the middle. I found a blog post that explains the different terms quite well.

We actually had a thread about this once. Unfortunately, I can’t find it anymore. But maybe someone else remembers it too?

Hi Christina,

there are various yarn weights that are usually referred to as follows:

1) Lace – e.g. Bobbel and similar \/ typically: 100 g – approx. 540 m 2) 4-ply sock yarn – usually 50 g – approx. 410 m 3) DK yarns – usually 50 g, between 120 m and 160 m \/
    this also includes 6-ply sock yarns
4) Aran – usually 50 g, approx. 70 m \/ 85 m running length
5) Chunky – 50 g, approx. 90 m \/ 100 m running length
6) Super Chunky – 50 g – approx. 60 m running length
7) Big – 50 g – less than 50 m running length

(LL = running length)

Lace yarns are the finest, increasing up to Big, which are the thickest yarns for needle sizes up to 20.

The respective classifications are determined by the manufacturers and depend on the type of yarn (mohair, merino, etc.) and how it is processed. The recommended needle sizes can be found on the yarn bands and can vary greatly – even within a single yarn-weight group.


Best
regards, Traudelina

I took this question as an opportunity and just wrote a blog post about it:

Yarn weights DK, Aran, etc. (click me)

Wishing everyone a lovely Pentecost.

Best wishes
Traudelina

@Traudi.
Very nice post. I’d also add a meterage specification for the “Lace” yarn weight. Standard lace yarn, such as that from Schoppel, has 800 meters per 100 grams. :-)

Thanks, Michaela—
of course, lace yarn can be reeeally thin—grins

Even thinner than that would be “Cobweb” — literally “spider webs” — and that’s already pretty darn close to sewing thread.... ;-)

Cobwebs—yuck—definitely don’t knit or crochet with those…
Or have you already?? ;-))))

Dear Traudelina, thank you very much for the great table!

Of course, Christina.
Have a lovely evening, and best regards
Traudelina