Converting Yarn Weights

Do you want to use Rocking Yak yarn with a pattern you’ve already picked out? Here’s how to choose the right yarn for your project.

Check the chart

Rocking Yak Yarn Weights Standard Yarn Weights Knitting Needle size
Bulky Chunky, Craft, Rug 9 – 11 US / 6 – 8 mm
Medium Worsted, Afghan, Aran 7 – 9 US / 4.5 – 5.5 mm
Light Light Worsted, DK 5 – 7 US / 3.75 – 4.75 mm

Double-check

Rocking Yak yarn and some knitting needlesFind the weight they ask for in the pattern in grams and yards and then find the similar sizing on our labels. For example, if the pattern says 140g is 250yds, take 250yds, divide by 140g and multiply by 100g. (Our standard size balls are 100g.) In this example, the length you are looking for in our 100g balls is 178yds. That would be our Fall Medium yarn which is approximately 100g/180yds.

Knit a swatch

Choose the correct weight of yarn from the Rocking Yak and then knit a swatch. Change your needle size to get the right gauge. If you have too many rows and stitches, use a smaller needle. If you don’t have enough, try a slightly larger needle. Hand-spun yarn can have some variations so make sure your swatch is somewhat larger than 5 x 5 inches or 12 x 12 cm.

For more details on our various yarn weights check out our gauge chart.