Combining Yarns, Knitting & Crochet Gauges

Want to combine yarns together to achieve a given weight? Maybe you want to add a fuzzy yarn, create a marl, or use up all that fingering weight yarn in your stash, but don't know what gauge it will be when held together. This chart will give you a starting point for both knitting and crochet.

What are yarn weights? They are the thickness or grist of the yarn ,often thought of in terms of how many stitches you'll get to an inch or to 4 inches (10 cm). The chart below defines the yarn weights we as knitters and crocheters use, what tool sizes are appropriate, plus how you can combine yarns to get the equivalent yarn weight.

We understand that it is hard to memorize the order of yarn weights and their gauges. Never mind what yarn weights to combine to achieve a heavier weight or the recommended tool size for each of these weights. We've made a chart that combines all of this information and have then broken it down into three more charts.

You can download a pdf version of the full chart here.

The notes will give you information on how to use the chart and the assumptions we have made.

If your pattern gives a gauge and you are not sure of the weight of yarn you need, start by using the gauge column, either for knitting or crochet. For instance, the pattern calls for a gauge of 18 sc (single crochet stitches) to 4 inches. Looking at the chart we see a range of 16 - 20 sc is a common range for sport weight yarn. Start there and swatch to see if you get gauge and like the fabric you are getting. The chart will also recommend a range of tool sizes. In this case E4 - 7 (3.5 - 4.5mm).

When combining yarns you will need to calculate your yardage for each yarn in your combination. If you are combining 3 yarns you will need to full yardage (meterage) for each yarn. For example: your project requires 1000 yards of worsted weight and you are using 2 fingering yarns plus 1 lace yarn. You will need 1000 yards of each strand for a total of 2000 yards of fingering + 1000 yards of lace which will be held together to work as if they are one yarn.

The gauge ranges given for each yarn weight are based on garments where you want a fairly dense fabric for durability. If you want more drape, use a slightly larger gauge. For a drapey sweater go up a little bit, for a very drapey scarf, cowl, or shawl go up a bit more.  If you are making a lace shawl you may want to go up in gauge quite a bit. I have made a number of lace weight shawl on US 4-5 (3.25 - 3.5mm) knitting needles and fingering weight shawls on US 7 (4mm) knitting needles.

 

Just want the part on combining yarns together? You can download the pdf version here.

 

Just need the information on knitting gauges? You can download the pdf version here.

 

Just need the information on crochet gauges? You can download the pdf version here.

As always, if you have questions, corrections, or input please email me at maia@blacksquirrelberkeley.com.