I’ve get questions about yarn weights and thicknesses all the time – and with readers from around the world, I know not every yarn label follows the same system! So I put together a handy printable and Pinterest ready chart for your reference!
To download this chart or print a copy, just CLICK HERE to open just the graphic! I’ve kept the graphic itself quite simple, so you can print it in color or black and white, without using all your ink!
I did a lot of research, checking several sources to give you the most accurate and up to date information I could find. I hope that this chart helps you navigate the wild world of wool (and other yarns) a little easier!
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Pamela
Thanks! When I first started crocheting, I would get so confused about the word ply because it could refer to the thickness of the yarn AND the individual strands making up the yarn. Great reference to have!
Tamara Kelly
Yes! It used to be a good indicator of thickness, but no longer, as you can have 2 ply Jumbo yarn! But in the UK ply just refers to weight, from what I an tell. 🙂
Jess | MakeAndDoCrew.com
This is so useful! Pinning the heck out of this graphic 😉
The Bug
Thanks! Definitely pinning this one!
Tamara Kelly
Glad you like it! 😀
Naomi Wong
Thank you so much for this chart. Really useful here in Australia where we have a mix of US and English yarns and patterns and our own yarns and patterns as well which generally follow the English scheme of ply. I printed some copies for the older ladies in our crafting group who had been struggling with some of yarn terms in the newer patterns. They were delighted and say the symbols now make more sense to them. Thank you once again for a simple, clear and informative chart.
Tamara Kelly
Thank you Naomi, I’m so glad to hear it! 😀
Holly
So what does ply refer to? Is this an old term that isn’t really relevant or is there more to know?
Tamara Kelly
Like too many English terms, it’s a word with two meanings. Ply can refer to how many strands of yarn are twisted together to make the finished yarn. When you look at a strand of yarn closely, you will often see where it looks like lots of thinner strands twisted together – those are the plys, and from what I understand, this is the beginning of the term. It is still used this way when talking about the makeup of the yarn itself, particularly by spinners.
However – ply had since evolved to also mean just the total thickness of the yarn. For instance, in the UK, if you wanted to buy what an American would call a worsted weight yarn, you’d look for something that says 10-12 ply on the label. That doesn’t mean there are 10-12 tiny strands wound up in there though – that’s just the overall “weight”. Which gets confusing in itself, since when we talk about worsted weight or sport weight, we aren’t really referring to ounces or grams, but again, to the thickness.
Clear as mud? 😉 Hopefully that helps a bit!