Choosing 8 Ply Yarn (DK Weight)
Frequently asked questions
Is 8 ply the same as DK?
Yes. 8 ply is the Australian term for DK (double knitting), which Americans call light worsted. A pattern written for DK can be knitted in 8 ply.
What needle size for 8 ply?
4mm is standard, giving about 22 stitches to 10cm in stocking stitch. Go up to 4.5mm for a looser fabric or down to 3.75mm if you knit loosely.
Can I use 8 ply for a 10 ply pattern?
Not without reworking it. 10 ply is thicker and knits at 18 to 20 stitches to 10cm, so an 8 ply garment would come out smaller. Match the ply the pattern names.
Which 8 ply is best for a baby?
Bambini 8 or Patons Dreamtime Merino 8 ply. Both are fine merino, soft on new skin and machine washable on a gentle cycle.
What is the most economical 8 ply?
Fiddlesticks Superb and Panda Magnum, both acrylic, in large balls at a low price per metre. They are machine washable and come in a wide colour range.
How many stitches to 10cm is 8 ply?
About 22 stitches and 30 rows in stocking stitch on 4mm needles. Your pattern gives its own tension; match that with a test square before you start.
Is 8 ply good for crochet?
Yes. It is the most common crochet weight for blankets, cushions and garments, usually on a 4mm or 4.5mm hook. Cotton and acrylic 8 ply suit amigurumi.
Which 8 ply is machine washable?
Most of ours on a gentle cycle: Fiddlesticks Superb, Panda Magnum, Patons Cotton Blend and Sierra, Cleckheaton Country and the merinos Bambini 8 and Patons Dreamtime. Check the ball band, and dry flat.