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Estimating Knitting Gauge Using WPI.
WRAPS PER INCH or by Yarn Size
This is meant to be a starting point for
sampling. Machine and hand knitters need to sample, with at least 4"
square. A difference of 1 stitch can add up to enormous size
differences. Not all yarns fit nearly into a single category, but with
adjustments to needle size you should get the correct gauge.
|
| Standard
Size |
British |
WPI |
Approx.
Gauge |
Needle
size |
approx.
yd/oz. |
approx.
yd/lb |
| Baby |
3 ply |
|
8-9
st/inch |
1-2 |
|
|
|
Fingering |
4 Ply |
16 wpi |
7 st/inch |
1-3 |
110-144 |
1700-2300 |
| Sport |
DK |
14 wpi |
5½
- 6½ st/inch |
4-6 |
75-110 |
1200-1600 |
| Worsted |
Aran |
12 wpi |
4-5 st./inch |
7-9 |
55-75 |
850-1100 |
| Bulky |
|
9 wpi |
3-3½
st./inch |
10-11 |
30-55 |
500-900 |
|
Lace
Gauge Varies. Fine knitting or crochet.
Knitting Machine: Tension 3-4 on 4.5mm machine (standard
bed) |
|
Sock, Baby, Fingering 1500 +
yds per lb.
14 wraps per inch. 94 yds+ per oz.
Needle size: 0-3 (2-3.25mm) Knit gauge 7 or more stitches
= 1"
Crochet Hook size: D/3-E/4 Crochet gauge: 22-28 stitches
= 4"
Machine Knit: Tension 7-8 on 4.5mm machine (standard bed) |
|
Sport 1200-1600 yds per lb. 12
wraps per inch. 75-100 yds per oz.
Needle size: 4-6 (3.5-4mm) Knit gauge: 7 sts = 1"
Crochet Hook size: F/5-G/6 Crochet gauge: 16-20 sts = 4"
Machine Knit: Tension 9-10 on 4.5mm machine (standard
bed)
Tension 3-6 on a 6.5 or 7.0 mm machine (mid-gauge bed) |
|
DK Double Knit 1200-1600 yds
per lb.
11 wraps per inch. 75-100 yds per oz.
Needle size: 5-7 (3.75-4.5mm) Knit gauge: 6 sts = 1"
Crochet Hook size: F/5-G/6 Crochet gauge: 16 sts = 4"
Machine Knit: Tension 5-7 on 6.5-7 mm (mid-gauge bed
machines)
Tension 0-1 on 9mm (bulky bed machines) |
|
Light - Medium Worsted 850-1150
yds per lb.
9 wraps per inch. 53-72 yds per oz
Needle size: 7-9 (4.5-5.5mm) Knit gauge: 5 sts = 1"
Crochet Hook size: H/8-J/10 Crochet gauge: 12-16 sts = 4"
Knitting Machine: Tension 5 on 9mm (bulky bed machines)
Tension 8-10 on 6.5-7mm (mid-gauge bed machines) |
|
Heavy Worsted or Bulky 500-900
yds per lb. 31-56 yds per oz
7-8 wraps per inch
Needle size: 9-11 (5.5-8mm) Knit gauge: 4 sts = 1"
Crochet Hook size: K10 ½-L (7mm) Crochet gauge: 8-12 sts
= 4"
Knitting Machine: Tension 7-9 on 9mm (bulky bed machines) |
|
Standard Yarn Weight
Yarn
Weight
Symbol &
Category
Names
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Type
of
Yarns in
Category |
Sock,
Fingering,
Baby
3-Ply
|
Sport,
Baby
4-Ply
|
Light
Worsted
DK
|
Worsted,
Afghan,
Aran
|
Chunky,
Craft,
Rug
|
Bulky,
Roving
|
Knit
Gauge
Range* in
Stockinette
Stitch to 4 inches |
27–32
sts
|
23–26
sts
|
21–24
st
|
16–20
sts
|
12–15
sts
|
6–11
sts
|
Recommended
Needle in
Metric Size
Range |
2.25—
3.25
mm
|
3.25—
3.75
mm
|
3.75—
4.5
mm
|
4.5—
5.5
mm
|
5.5—
8
mm
|
8
mm
and
larger
|
Recommended
Needle U.S.
Size Range |
1
to 3
|
3
to 5
|
5
to 7
|
7
to 9
|
9
to 11
|
11
and
larger
|
Crochet
Gauge*
Ranges in
Single Crochet
to 4 inch
|
21–32
sts
|
16–20
sts
|
12–17
sts
|
11–14
sts
|
8–11
sts
|
5–9
sts
|
Recommended
Hook in Metric
Size Range |
2.25—
3.5
mm
|
3.5—
4.5
mm
|
4.5—
5.5
mm
|
5.5—
6.5
mm
|
6.5—
9
mm
|
9
mm and
larger
|
Recommended
Hook U.S.
Size Range |
B–1
to
E–4
|
E–4
to
7
|
7
to
I–9
|
I–9
to
K–10 1⁄2
|
K–10
1⁄2 to
M–13
|
M–13
and
larger
|
* GUIDELINES ONLY: The above reflect the most commonly used
gauges and needle or hook sizes for specific yarn categories
|
|
