Different Yarns for Different Knitting Machines
Different Size Yarns for Different Size Knitting Machines
Which Size Yarn should I use with this Knitting Machine
or How to select the knitting machine for my yarn stash
Learn which knitting machine uses the different sizes of yarns. Chart also includes hand knitting needle sizes, crochet hooks, Yarn Standard's symbols, ply and stitches per inch.
Angelika's Table of Knitting Machines and what size knitting yarns each uses.
This knitting machine table was charted out, designed, tracked and maintained by Angelika
Feel free to print a copy for your use.
Please do not copy for use on your website, commercial or noncommercial
nor for use in any printed materials.
If in doubt, email me. I'm pretty easy to get along with.
by Angelika Burles with lots of help from Kathleen Kinder
and major education on ply & count from Carole Ingram.
The most common question I get regarding knitting machines is "I want a knitting machine that will knit . . . ".
It is not about which knitting machine will knit what knitted garments. The question that should be asked is "Which knitting machine will knit the weight of yarn I want to knit?". In hand knitting and crochet, the knitting needle size and crochet hook size is different for different sizes of yarns. In machine knitting we currently have 3 gauges of knitting machines. Only 3 knitting machines cover yarns as small as lace weight up to bulky weight yarns.
Knowing the classifications of yarn sizes (yarn standards) that hand knitters use is important, so that we can use these wonderful yarns on our knitting machines. Fingering, sport, DK, and worsted and bulky weight yarns can be used on our knitting machines. But if you use too large a yarn on a knitting machine designed for finer yarns, the knitting machine can be damaged, and for sure your knitting carriage will jam.
Understanding which yarn size range each knitting machine covers is the most important detail to understand, before a knitting machine is purchased.
But first a little about me . . . My first knitting machine in 1984 was a standard gauge punch card. It was labeled a Studio, but today those machines are imported under the name Silver Reed. I was very pregnant with my first son. I just dived in and learned by my mistakes. First mistake don't use worsted weight yarn on a standard gauge machine. It comes out so tight it is unusable. I was lucky I didn't damage my machine! 2nd mistake, if you want something to come out to a specific size, SWATCH! It may take a few swatches to get the knit piece you like. Don't depend on blocking to make your pieces to the size you want.
From there, I dove into knitting Christmas stockings, baby outfits, and welcomed another son along the way! In 1987, I partnered with a local yarn shop and became a knitting machine dealer. Since then, I've been passionately selling and promoting knitting machines. I've even had the pleasure of seeing a few of my designs published in magazines, with one proudly featured on a cover.
This journey has been incredibly rewarding, allowing me to share my love for knitting with others. It’s been amazing to see how my passion has grown from a simple hobby into a fulfilling career. I’m excited to continue creating, teaching, and inspiring others in the world of knitting for years to come.
|
L A C E LACEWEIGHT YARNS |
Hand knit needles US 0000-3 |
TENSION 3-4 on 4.5mm knitting machine (standard bed) |
|
This section is for extremely fine yarns, which are used more often for crochet doilies and very open lacy shawls. YARN SUGGESTIONS: Cascades Alpaca Lace and any yarn classified as lace weight. See other lace weight yarns on my Yarn Standards Page. Silver Reed Standard Bed Knitting Machines |
||
|
S U P E R F I N E
LIGHT FINGERING WEIGHT |
Hand knit needles US 1-3 |
TENSION 5-6 on 4.5mm knitting machine (standard bed) |
|
A common gauge for dress weight yarns. Perfect for slim fitting slacks & skirts, as well as flaring skirts and suits. If the yarn allows you to tighten down to one tension, this will help to keep slacks and straight skirts from seating out. Return to your regular tension for the shells, tops, jackets & blazers. YARN: Cascade's Heritage Sock or Heritage Silk, as examples, and any yarn classified as fingering weight. See other fingering weight yarns on my Yarn Standards Page. Silver Reed Standard Bed Knitting Machines |
||
|
S U P E R F I N E
|
Hand knit needles US 1-3 |
TENSION 7-8 on 4.5mm knitting machine (standard bed) |
|
Good for socks, summer sweaters, for babies and lightweight shawls. 2 strands roughly makes a DK weight, 3 strands roughly make worsted weight. See other fingering weight yarns on my Yarn Standards Page. |
||
|
Silver Reed Standard Bed Knitting Machines |
||
|
F I N E
|
Hand knit needles US 4-5 |
TENSION 9-10 on 4.5mm knitting machine (standard bed) TENSION 2-4 on a 6.5 or 7.0 mm knitting machine (mid-gauge bed) |
|
Almost twice as thick as Fingering. YARNS: Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sport or Hikoo Rylie are just a few examples. See other sport weight yarns on my Yarn Standards Page. |
||
|
Silver Reed Standard Bed Knitting Machines Silver Reed Mid-Gauge Bed Knitting Machine |
||
|
L I G H T
|
Hand knit needles US 5-6 |
TENSION 5-7 on 6.5-7mm (mid-gauge bed knitting machines) TENSION 0-1 on 9mm (bulky bed knitting machines) |
|
The most popular gauge being hand knit and machine knit today. Can sometimes be classified as a Light Worsted or Heavy DK. YARNS: Elsebeth Lavold's Silk Wool and Cascade's Cherub DK are just a few examples. See other DK weight yarns on my Yarn Standards Page. |
||
|
Silver Reed Mid-Gauge Bed Knitting Machine SK155 9.0mm, Punch Card, Chunky Knitting Machine |
||
|
M E D I U M
|
Hand knit needles US 7-9 |
TENSION 5 on 9mm (bulky bed knitting machines) TENSION 8-10 on 6.5-7mm (mid-gauge bed knitting machines) |
|
About 3 times as thick as Fingering, hand knitters work them on size 7, 8 & 9 American needles. They usually have 4.5 or less stitches per inch. Produces a heavier fabric real popular for couch afghans and jackets. YARNS: Lorna's Laces Shepherd Worsted and Cascade 220 just for starters. See other worsted weight yarns on my Yarn Standards Page. |
||
|
Silver Reed Mid-Gauge Bed Knitting Machine Silver Reed 9.0mm Bulky Bed Knitting Machine |
||
|
B U L K Y
|
Hand knit needles US 10-11 |
TENSION 7-9 on 9mm (bulky bed knitting machines) |
|
In your local yarn stores, you can find wonderful quality bulky weight yarns. Mohair with long strands knit at this gauge. The stitches need to be loose enough for the to fur. See other bulky weight yarns on my Yarn Standards Page. |
||
|
Silver Reed 9.0mm Bulky Bed Knitting Machine |
||
SUPER BULKY WEIGHT YARN
|
Hand knit needles US 10-17 |
TENSION 10 mm (maybe) (bulky bed knitting machines) |
|
This gauge of yarn skyrocketed in popularity. The big stitches meant faster knitting and less intense concentration, thus causing this knitting to be very relaxing for the working person. |
||
|
Some of these yarns are so bulky they will not knit on the bulky knitting machine, even on every other needle. |
||
In conclusion:
This is just a beginning. Experienced knitters may find this too general & often vague, with many exceptions. But for new knitters this may bridge the gap of how yarns they have been exposed to, relate to yarns commonly used in machine knitting. The final judge of what knitting machine tension to knit a yarn at is to cast on and knit 20 rows using the above categories as a starting point. Adjust the tension if necessary and knit another 20 rows.
For hand knitters looking to purchase a knitting machine, this guide is perfect for them to rule out the knitting machines that will not knit the yarns that they desire to use on their future knitting machine. This is one of the best ways to narrow the search down.
There will certainly be yarns that should fit the Tension 5 category that seem happier in the Tension 7 category. Yarns that are fuzzy are an example of this. Sometimes cottons that won't stretch need to go up in tension to knit smoothly. I hope this classification helps you to feel more comfortable with trying a new yarn. If you have any questions feel free to email me.
I want to thank Kathleen Kinder & Carole Ingram for their assistance. I also want to thank Donna Lamb for producing such an informative book.
Ply & Count
According to Carole Ingram at Yarns and . . . . sometimes the ply & count on cones can be misleading. And some companies just to keep the confusion down, do not mention yarn counts. Carole says, "In the example of 3/9 wool or acrylic, the first number is the number of plies. A ply is a single strand, so this is 3 strands of yarn. The second number of the fraction is the yarn thickness." The higher the thickness number the finer the yarn. It seems backwards to me and that is probably why most of us have trouble with ply & count.
Copyright by Angelika Burles. All rights reserved.