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A Question about "DK yarn"?? please?

I just received two books on making yarn toys that both were, apparently, written in England, and published in the UK. Both use the term "DK weight yarn" or "Double Knit" yarn. I am not familiar with this term...I did look in the knitting books I have, but cannot find the equivalent of this in "American" terms. What is DK yarn? Is it basically a "worsted weight" or is chunky? Or something else, altogether? The needles called for in these patterns (the average toy is around 10" to 16" tall) is a mere size 5 or 7 in "U.S." sizes (3=BE mm or 4=BD mm). That's pretty small. Most of the gauges (tension) I'm seeing give about 24 sts. and 32 rows to 4 inches. Would very much appreciate clarification...and perhaps some suggestions of equivalent yarns here in the U.S. since "DK" is not a type generally found here...or, specifically, certainly not in a warm climate like Florida! (Might be more common to have such designations in colder areas where knitting is more popular, such as CT, or NY, or WS, MN, etc. that might have a wider market for yarns from the UK and other parts of the world.)

Appreciate any and all help!!!

Thanks,

Emma

Reply to
emeleste
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Emma, In the UK, DK weight is what we call "worsted". HTH Katherine

Reply to
Katherine

Hello Emma, as a Brit, and a fan of Double Knitting yarn, I can tell you it's a bit lighter than US worsted weight, and it's great for light warm winter woolies, and for toys etc. Try looking on this website it tells you all about yarn weights

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that helpsLove Christine

Appreciate any and all help!!!

Thanks,

Emma

Reply to
Christine in Kent, Garden of

Emma, I was under the impression that it was a little more like "sport weight" yarn, rather than something like RedHeart worsted weight. Just my .02.

-- Carey

Appreciate any and all help!!!

Thanks,

Emma

Reply to
Carey N.

I agree, DK is like a skinny worsted weight. I've noticed that Red Heart is noticeably thicker than other brands. If you used a thin worsted or a thick fingering yarn you'll be fine, especially since a toy doesn't have to be quite as precisely sized as clothing. Just use whatever size needles gives a good tight gauge to keep the stuffing in.

=Tamar

Reply to
Richard Eney

DK is not as heavy as worsted, nor quite as light as sport. HTH!!! Noreen who LOVES DK, especially for crochet and the occasional machine knitting. Hand knitting too!

Appreciate any and all help!!!

Thanks,

Emma

Reply to
Noreen's Knit*che

a skinny worsted is a good description!!! Maggie, with my 2 cents!

Reply to
Maggie

DK weight is about 125-135 yards per 50 gram skeins (1-3/4oz) whereas worsted is about 95-105 yards per 50 gm skein. A little lighter than worsted and heavier than sport weight. About a #3-light- if you use the little yarn skein pictures now included on most skeins and knitting patterns. Posey

Appreciate any and all help!!!

Thanks,

Emma

Reply to
posey

Thank you all for your help!!! Now I have a better "fix" on what I need!! I agree that Red Heart IS a heavier "worsted" than some other brands. And, as pointed out...since these are toys, the gauge (tension) would not be as critical as it would be with clothing. It would change the size of the toy, of course, but one could manage with that, and one could try different needle sizes to accomodate. Also...thanks for the useful chart, Christine! I put it in my favorites folder. It really helped me "see" what we are talking about!

You all are the best! Thank you!

Emma

Reply to
emeleste

You're welcome, Emma! RCTY-ers are the 'bestest', grin! Noreen

Reply to
Noreen's Knit*che

A Worsted knits 20 sts to 4 inches A DK knit 22 sts to 4 inches A Sports knits 24 sts to 4 inches

For more info go to

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Reply to
Yarn Forward

I thought worsted was 18 sts to 4 inches. Example: Mission Falls 1824 yarn - which translates to 18 sts to 24 rows on 4.5 mm needles. I realize it's not something set in stone, especially with those new definitions you see in the knitting mags these days.

Shelagh

Reply to
Shillelagh

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