If you’re not quite sure what ply you need, you’re definitely not alone. It’s one of the questions we’re asked most often in store, especially when a pattern uses different terminology to the yarn on our shelves.
In Australia, we usually talk about yarn in ply, while patterns from overseas might use terms like DK, worsted, fingering or bulky. They’re all describing the weight or thickness of the yarn, just in slightly different ways.
So, whether you’re choosing yarn for a new project or trying to find the right substitute for a pattern, here’s a simple guide to help.
A good place to start
8 ply is one of the most popular and versatile yarn weights in Australia. You’ll find it used for everything from jumpers and cardigans to baby knits, scarves and blankets. If you’re starting a project without a particular yarn in mind, 8 ply is often a great place to begin.
For something finer, like socks, shawls or delicate baby knits, have a look at our 3–4 ply yarn.
If you’d like something a little chunkier, or a project that works up more quickly, try 10 ply or 12 ply.
Whatever you choose, it’s always worth checking the recommended needle size and tension on your pattern and yarn label. And for anything that needs to fit, we really do recommend knitting a tension swatch first. A little time at the beginning can save a lot of unravelling later!
8 ply (DK)
If there’s an all-rounder of the yarn world, it’s probably 8 ply.
Known internationally as DK or double knitting, 8 ply is commonly knitted on needles around 4mm. It’s comfortable to work with, wonderfully versatile and appears in a huge number of Australian patterns.
For a classic wool jumper, Cleckheaton Country 8 ply is a lovely choice, while Patons Dreamtime Merino 8 ply is beautifully soft. Panda Magnum 8 ply is a popular everyday option, particularly when you need plenty of yarn for a larger project.
And if you’re looking for something a little special, Fiori DK IV brings beautiful hand-dyed colour to this very useful yarn weight.
You can explore all of our 8 ply yarn here.
10 ply (worsted / aran)
10 ply is a step up in thickness from 8 ply and is usually worked on needles around 5mm to 5.5mm.
It creates a lovely, substantial fabric and works up relatively quickly, making it a great choice for warm jumpers, beanies, scarves and blankets.
Heirloom Merino Magic 10 ply is a longstanding favourite, while Fiddlesticks Grange and Fiddlesticks Superb 10 ply are great everyday choices. For gorgeous hand-dyed colour, Malabrigo Rios is always worth a look.
Browse our full range of 10 ply yarn.
3 ply and 4 ply (fingering / sock)
At the finer end of the yarn shelf, 3 ply and 4 ply are often used for socks, shawls, colourwork and lightweight baby garments.
You’ll generally be working with smaller needles, often somewhere around 2.75mm to 3.75mm depending on the yarn and pattern. The finer weight creates a lighter, more delicate fabric and is also where you’ll find some truly beautiful hand-dyed yarns.
Malabrigo Sock and Fiori Hand Dyed Sock are lovely choices when you want something special. Fiddlesticks Superb 4 ply and Patons Dreamtime 4 ply are wonderful everyday options, while Patonyle is a tried-and-true choice for socks.
Explore our 3–4 ply yarn.
What about 5 ply and 12 ply?
Of course, not every pattern calls for 4, 8 or 10 ply.
5 ply, sometimes compared with sport weight yarn, sits between 4 and 8 ply and is commonly worked on needles around 3.75mm to 4mm.
One we’re asked about regularly is Patons Bluebell Merino 5 ply, which appears in many much-loved Australian patterns. If your pattern calls for 5 ply, it’s worth sticking with the correct weight rather than automatically substituting an 8 ply.
You can find our 5 ply yarn here.
12 ply is thicker again and is usually worked on needles around 5.5mm to 6.5mm. It’s warm, cosy and satisfyingly quick to knit.
Patons Jet 12 ply and Cleckheaton Verve 12 ply are two popular choices, with more to discover in our 12 ply collection.
We also carry some less common yarn weights, including 2 ply, 14 ply and 16 ply. If you have an older or unusual pattern and you’re not sure what to use, bring it in or send us a photo. We’re always happy to help find the closest match.
Translating overseas yarn weights
If your pattern comes from overseas, this is a handy starting point:
| Yarn weight category | US term | UK / Australian terms | Wraps per inch (WPI) |
|---|---|---|---|
 LACE
|
Lace | Crochet thread, 2 ply, lace weight | 30–40+ |
 SUPER FINE
|
Super Fine | Sock, fingering, baby, 3–4 ply | 19–30 |
 FINE
|
Fine | Sport, baby, 5 ply | 15–18 |
 LIGHT
|
Light | Double knit (DK), 8 ply, light worsted | 12–14 |
 MEDIUM
|
Medium | Worsted, aran, 10 ply | 9–11 |
 BULKY
|
Bulky | Chunky, craft, rug, 12 ply | 7–8 |
 SUPER BULKY
|
Super Bulky | Super chunky, 14 ply, 16 ply, roving | 5–6 |
 JUMBO
|
Jumbo | Ultra, roving | 1–4 |
These are useful equivalents, but they’re not always exact. Two yarns described as the same weight can still behave quite differently.
When substituting yarn, look at the recommended needle size, tension and metres per 100g as well as the yarn weight. And if you’re making a garment, a tension swatch is always worth the effort.
Still not sure? We’re happy to help
Choosing yarn should be one of the enjoyable parts of starting a new project, so if you’re staring at a pattern wondering what on earth you’re meant to buy, just ask us.
Bring your pattern into the shop, or send us a photo of the pattern or yarn label, and we’ll help you find something that works.
Our team loves knitting and crochet and we’re always happy to talk yarn, whether you’ve been making for years or you’re picking up the needles for the very first time.
You can start by exploring our yarn collection and filtering by ply, or simply get in touch and we’ll help point you in the right direction.
We offer Click & Collect from our Subiaco store and deliver Australia-wide, with free shipping on orders over $200.
