Yarn Weight Terminology: US vs UK vs European

Treat a yarn's weight name as a starting point. When buying abroad, compare the label's meterage, fiber content and suggested gauge with your pattern, then make a swatch. Two yarns described as DK can still produce different fabrics.

A compact reference

The Craft Yarn Council uses categories 0 through 7. Its common names help you browse, but they are not a guarantee that yarns within a category are interchangeable.

Read the Council's full reference for its gauge ranges and qualifications. Needle or hook size alone does not establish yarn weight.

UK names and ply labels

You may encounter names such as 4-ply, double knitting, Aran and chunky. A ply label can describe a conventional weight category or the yarn's construction, depending on context. Ask what the label means for that product instead of counting strands as a universal conversion.

Icelandic product names

Álafosslopi, Léttlopi and Plötulopi are different products in the Ístex range. Plötulopi is unspun wool; do not assume that a plate can replace a ball of another lopi yarn. Follow the pattern and manufacturer specifications.

Shop with a short checklist

• Your pattern and chosen size.
• Total meterage and the quantity needed in each color.
• Desired fiber, texture and care requirements.
• The finished fabric's gauge after washing and drying as instructed.
• Product name and dye lot for any later purchase.

Compare yarns with staff using the label and pattern together. If a substitution changes texture or construction substantially, start with a swatch rather than committing immediately to a garment.

Put it to use on your trip

Open the Stockholm, Oslo or Reykjavik guide for shop locations and practical visit notes. Browse all destinations for the stops on your own itinerary.