Knitting buying guide

This is the thickness of the wool. Yarn can be made up of a single strand of fibre, or a number of strands twisted together. Thicker yarns are made of more tightly spun strands.

From lightest to heaviest weight, wool is classed as:

• Baby: designed for babies, this fabric is less fluffy, which helps stop the fibres going into a baby’s mouth. It’s generally lightweight, delicate and soft
• 2/3 Ply: refers to the number of strands twisted together. It should be used for projects like gloves or socks, where accuracy is important for fit
• 4 Ply: also known as sport, this type is suitable for baby clothes or lacy garments
• Double Knitting (DK): the most versatile and widely used yarn, it’s called DK as it’s double the weight of 4 Ply yarn. It’s sometimes referred to as Light Worsted and is suitable for all kinds of garments
• Aran: named after traditional knitting from the Aran Isles and also known as Fisherman, this type is ideal for chunky jumpers
• Chunky: chunkier styles create quicker, thicker knits, so they’re a good choice for beginners. Sometimes known as Bulky, they make cosy jumpers and outerwear
• Super Chunky: a great ‘quick-knit’ yarn and a good choice for beginners, it’s also known as Super Bulky
• Fashion: these more unusual yarns are perfect for projects like statement scarves

For clothing and accessories, choose fibres that are non-scratchy and soft against the skin. Look for sturdy, durable fibres for rugs and home accessories.

The blend mix will show you the exact percentages of different materials within yarn. When shopping for wool, filter your choices by clicking on specific blend types. This will quickly narrow down the right wool for you.

• Animal fibres: Wool, alpaca, silk and mohair are popular, traditional choices for knitters as they’re warm and cosy. Silk, alpaca and mohair have a beautiful handle and a luxurious feel. Mohair and angora have a fluffy feel; to work with them, you might require larger needles
• Plant-based fibres: Cotton, bamboo and hemp are practical and versatile fibres that are hard-wearing and breathable
• Synthetic fibres: Easy-care fibres like acrylic, nylon, polyester and viscose are usually machine washable and good value. Acrylic is a practical choice for baby garments that need regular washing
• Speciality yarns: Chenille produces a velvet-like texture; bouclé yarns work for textured knits; metallic yarns make an ideal choice for evening wear; ribbon yarn has a flat strip shape that’s great for spring and summer garments
  

If you’ve already bought your wool, you’ll find the recommended needle size on the packaging. Matching the wool and needles ensures you create the right tension in your knitting, so it’s not too loose or too tight and the finished project turns out at the planned size.

• Straight needles are the most common type, used in pairs. They’re suited to flat knitting.
• Double-pointed needles have points that allow you to knit from either end. They’re generally sold in packs of four or five; by using more than two together you can create circular knitting for socks and sleeves.
• Circular needles are two needles tapered at one end and joined at the end by a flexible cord. Used to create fabric without seams, these needles create a continuous spiral and the longer the tube that connects the needles, the wider the knit.
  

Length: Longer needles have room for more stitches, producing a wider knit. If you’re a beginner working on a small project, you might find shorter needles more manageable.

Diameter: The diameter of your needles determines the size of the stitches you’ll create. Generally, the wider the needle, the thicker the yarn needed, though you can use a wider needle with a thinner ply yarn to knit an open, loose fabric.

Needle size conversion table:

• Metal is generally more hard-wearing than bamboo or wood
• Bamboo or wooden needles are quieter than metal and warmer to hold