BellaOnline Forums Hobbies and Crafts Crochet Yarn/thread weights

I'm a new "poster" to this board, but have been lurking and reading for a while. Anyway, time for me to say hello and pose a question.

"Hello!"

Question: I'm confused by yarn and thread weights. I see that "sportweight" LusterSheen is, according to the gauge chart, supposed to work up to 22 dc and 10 rows in a 4" square, with an F hook. However, in order to get it to this size, I ended up dropping down to a C hook, and then the resulting work was really "dense" and not what I wanted for a light, airy summer top.

I also tried it with Sinfonia (which I really LOVE) but same result.

What's up? Is it me? Does anyone else have this problem?

Thanks!

Susan (MomToLabs)

I totally understand!!!

I've never really understood the difference between sport weight vs. worsted weight, cotton worsted weight vs. acrylic worsted weight.

I was sooo glad when I finally began to use thread (it's been five years). I only use sizes 5 and 10, and I can usually get away with just referring to the sizes. Because I still don't know the difference between Speed Cro Sheen or Luster Sheen.

And I'd like to know what Knit cro sheen is equivalent to:) we don't get it in the UK so it's going to have to be substitute a Pearl cotton if you want to do a Knit cro sheen pattern.

Okay, so it's NOT just me. That's a relief, at least. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I'm cool with the numbered thread weights (size 3, 5, 10, etc.) but what "size" is Aunt Lydia Denim? And what about DMC Traditional? (sigh)

Now that I think on it, I guess I really have two concerns -- confusion about thread thickness or bulk, in general, and various weights (Luster Sheen and Sinfonia) not working up in the sizes expected.

Thanks for any clues!

Susan

Please go to www.bernat.com where they have a yarn converter, it may help you to see the difference. Basically it is all based mostly on how many strands (worsted weight has 4 and sportsweight has 3)