Yarn Tensions
Tension Squares
We always suggest you do a tension square before
you start. The size of a garment can vary enormously between different people
even if they knit or crochet the same garment using the same yarn and needles or
hook. Most patterns will tell you how to do a tension square but a typical
instruction would be as follows.
22 sts and 28 rows = 10cm (4in) over stocking
stitch using 4mm needles. For best results it is essential to obtain the correct
tension. If there are too few sts on test swatch, use thinner needles; if there
are too many sts, use thicker needles.
Typical Tension Square Details
These are the tensions that most Sirdar Yarns use -
other yarns use slightly different figures. You should always check the ball
band and your pattern for accurate figures.
| Yarn |
Square Size |
Needles |
Stitches |
Rows |
| 2ply |
10cm x 10cm |
3.25mm |
34 |
42 |
| 3ply |
10cm x 10cm |
3.25mm |
32 |
40 |
| 4ply |
10cm x 10cm |
3.25mm |
28 |
36 |
| Quick Knit |
10cm x 10cm |
4mm |
26 |
32 |
| Double Knit |
10cm x 10cm |
4mm |
22 |
28 |
| Aran |
10cm x 10cm |
5mm |
19 |
24 |
| Chunky |
10cm x 10cm |
5.5mm |
14 |
19 |
| Super Chunky |
10cm x 10cm |
8mm |
12 |
16 |
Fashion Yarns are usually yarns with a fancy finish
and often do not have the exact tension details of a 'standard' ply yarn - below
is a list of some Fashion Yarns with their tension details
|
Yarn |
Square Size |
Needles |
Stitches |
Rows |
| Sirdar Bamboo |
10cm x 10cm |
5.5mm |
19 |
25 |
| Sirdar Bigga |
10cm x 10cm |
15mm |
6 |
9 |
| Sirdar Blur |
10cm x 10cm |
5.5mm |
16 |
22 |
| Sirdar Boa |
10cm x 10cm |
4mm |
20 |
27 |
| Sirdar Confetti |
10cm x 10cm |
7mm |
11 |
15 |
| Sirdar Curly Wurly |
10cm x 10cm |
6.5mm |
11.5 |
17 |
| Sirdar Denim Ultra |
10cm x 10cm |
10mm |
9 |
12 |
| Sirdar Duet |
10cm x 10cm |
5mm |
21 |
28 |
| Sirdar Dune |
10cm x 10cm |
5.5mm |
19 |
29 |
| Sirdar Filigree |
10cm x 10cm |
4mm |
18 |
24 |
| Sirdar Firefly |
10cm x 10cm |
4mm |
25 |
34 |
| Sirdar Foxy |
10cm x 10cm |
7mm |
12.5 |
17 |
| Sirdar Frenzy |
10cm x 10cm |
8mm |
12 |
16 |
| Sirdar Fresco |
10cm x 10cm |
4mm |
23 |
35 |
| Sirdar Funky Fur |
10cm x 10cm |
4mm |
22 |
32 |
| Sirdar Gigi |
10cm x 10cm |
4mm |
25 |
34 |
| Sirdar Hug |
10cm x 10cm |
8mm |
13 |
17 |
| Sirdar Illusion |
10cm x 10cm |
6.5mm |
15 |
21 |
| Sirdar Juniper |
10cm x 10cm |
7mm |
13 |
16.5 |
| Sirdar Medici |
10cm x 10cm |
6mm |
15.5 |
21 |
| Sirdar New Fizz |
10cm x 10cm |
5mm |
18 |
24 |
| Sirdar Ocean |
10cm x 10cm |
6mm |
17.5 |
24 |
| Sirdar Organza |
10cm x 10cm |
12mm |
10 |
13 |
| Sirdar Reflection |
10cm x 10cm |
4mm |
23 |
32 |
| Sirdar Surfer |
10cm x 10cm |
7mm |
17 |
22 |
| Sirdar Tufty |
10cm x 10cm |
5mm |
22 |
30 |
| Sirdar Tuscany |
10cm x 10cm |
8mm |
11.5 |
15.5 |
| Sirdar Vegas |
10cm x 10cm |
5.5mm |
16 |
21 |
| Sirdar Wow! |
10cm x 10cm |
7mm |
8 |
15 |
| Sirdar Yo-Yo |
10cm x 10cm |
4.5mm |
15 |
24 |
| Sirdar Zanzibar |
10cm x 10cm |
5mm |
20 |
26 |
| elle Crochet No.5 |
10cm x 10cm |
2mm |
30
|
44 |
| elle Encore |
10cm x 10cm |
4.5mm |
20
|
30 |
| elle Furry Friends |
10cm x 10cm |
3.75mm |
28 |
38 |
| elle Galaxy |
10cm x 10cm |
8mm |
10
|
14 |
| elle Heaven |
10cm x 10cm |
7mm |
10
|
16 |
| elle Lussuria |
10cm x 10cm |
3.75mm |
18
|
28 |
| elle Monet |
10cm x 10cm |
6.5mm |
12 |
17 |
| elle Pizzazz |
10cm x 10cm |
5mm |
18 |
25 |
| elle Plume |
10cm x 10cm |
4mm |
18
|
26 |
| elle Rustica Ultra |
10cm x 10cm |
6.5mm |
11 |
17 |
| elle Sensual |
10cm x 10cm |
4mm |
22 |
30 |
| elle Stretch |
10cm x 10cm |
4mm |
27 |
37 |
|
Georges Picaud Rebelle
|
10cm x 10cm |
3.75mm |
24
|
32 |
| Stylecraft Alpine |
10cm x 10cm |
12mm |
7.5 |
11 |
| Stylecraft Chloe |
10cm x 10cm |
6mm |
16 |
24 |
| Stylecraft Fantasia |
10cm x 10cm |
4mm |
28 |
46 |
| Stylecraft Loop the Loop |
10cm x 10cm |
8mm |
10 |
14 |
| Stylecraft Milan |
10cm x 10cm |
8mm |
9
|
14 |
| Stylecraft Pompom |
10cm x 10cm |
6mm |
18 |
24 |
Some countries use different names for their
yarns - there is not usually a direct comparison but the following may be the
typical tensions (we don't know what needles) - if anyone has any further
details please let us know.
| Yarn Weight |
Square Size |
Stitches |
| Fingering / Baby / Lace* |
4 inch |
27 to 40 |
| Sports* |
4 inch |
24 to 26 |
| DK* |
4 inch |
21 to 23 |
| Worsted* |
4 inch |
19 to 20 |
| Aran* |
4 inch |
17 to 18 |
| Chunky* |
4 inch |
15 to 16 |
| Bulky* |
4 inch |
12 to 14 |
| Polar* |
4 inch |
8 to 11 |
* We do not stock these
yarns - these details are for information only
| 