Part 2 – Yarn ply, weight & Length?
In New Zealand and Australia Ply is almost always now used to refer to the thickness of the yarn not to the number of strands twisted together. Used this way a higher ply number means a thicker yarn.
North America, Europe and UK may still use “ply” as meaning number of strands.
The table below gives the modern “Ply” number as used in NZ, a description of use, and equivalent North America & International categories.
|
New Zealand, Australia (& UK) |
Description & NZ Usage |
North America |
International Category (CYC) |
NZ 'Standard' Wool Length to Weight |
|
1 ply, Cobweb |
Extremely fine, used for delicate lace projects. |
Lace |
0 / Lace |
|
|
2 ply, Lace |
Very light, fine heirloom shawls, prem baby singlets, & lace work. |
Light Fingering |
0 / Lace |
335 metres / 50 grams |
|
3 ply, Baby |
Super-Fine, commonly used for newborn baby singlets and other garments and light shawls. |
Light Fingering / Sock |
1 / Super Fine |
225 metres / 50 grams 235 metres / 50 grams |
|
4 ply, Baby |
Fine, used for baby clothes and blankets, light children's or adults’ garments. |
Fingering |
1 / Super Fine |
165 metres / 50 grams 175 metres / 50 grams |
|
3 ply - 4 ply, Sock |
Typical sock knitting yarn in NZ. Also to knit colourful baby garments and blankets. |
Sock |
1 / Super Fine |
400 metres / 100 grams 430 metres / 100 grams |
|
5 Ply, Sport |
Between 4 ply & 8 ply, in older patterns, not widely available. |
Sport |
2 / Fine |
135 metres / 50 grams |
|
6 Ply |
In some very old patterns, can use a longer length / lighter 8-ply |
|
|
Not available |
|
8 ply, DK, Double Knit |
Most widely used yarn in NZ. For baby, childrens & adult garments & blankets - all year round. |
Light Worsted |
3 / Light |
100 metres / 50 grams (to 135 metres / 50 gm) |
|
10 ply, Aran |
Medium-weight yarn, warmer than 8-ply. Common in North America knitting patterns. |
Worsted |
4 / Medium |
85 metres / 50 grams |
|
12 ply, Triple Knit |
Medium-thick yarn for autumn to winter garments to add warmth without extra bulk. |
|
5 / Bulky |
75 metres / 50 grams 150 metres / 100 grams |
|
12 ply, Mohair |
Light-weight yarn with a high-loft ('halo' or fluffy) knitted on bigger needles Can also be used as an 8-ply for warmer garment. |
|
|
100 metres / 50 grams 135 metres / 50 grams |
|
14 ply, Bulky, Chunky |
A thick yarn that knits up quickly for children's and adult winter jumpers, cardigans and hats |
Bulky |
5 / Bulky |
60 metres / 50 grams 120 metres / 100 grams |
|
18+ ply, Super-Bulky Super-Chunky |
Usually used for slippers, fashion garments, thick blankets and other fast oversized projects. Usually 100-gram balls |
Super Bulky |
6 / Super Bulky |
Variable - can be from 50 metres to 100 metres per 100 grams. |