What Weight is two-ply (UK to US help)

[OffJumpsJack]

I found a crochet pattern for a :cool: men's cabled sweater vest here (http://crochetme.com/patterns/adventuring-sage-cable-vest) but some of the terms are quite different.

Since the measurements are given in metric, I am wondering if there is a UK English to US English translation required. :eyebrow2:

"Two-ply yarn" What weight is this? would it be a fingering weight or sport? :think:

"dblpst" This I recognize as a front post dc (fpdc) and later I would call it a fptr for crossover of cables. :)

"Yarn: 1,495 meters" 1,635 yd (is that typical for a sweater vest?) :shrug:

"men’s large (44 in chest)." Okay, 44 inch? but everything else was metric. :??

The hook size given is E or 3.5 mm (quite small) and the swatch appears to be 42 sts by 37 rows for 21 cm (8 1/4") by 15 cm (6")

I'm still trying to learn what the different yarn sizes mean, I picked up a two ply yarn (color: denim/rag) but didn't have the pattern while at the store so only bought five skeins (about 800 yds). It seems to be a worsted weight so now what can I make from it?

Would 800 yd be enough to knit a sweater vest? I don't have any dpn's :sad: and have only 10" size 8 needles (other than the bamboo chopsticks I carved into needles). :roll:

--Jack

[Jan in CA]

Well, here's a few links that might help with some of your questions..
http://www.yarnstandards.com/weight.html
http://www.fiber2yarn.com/info/how_much_yarn.htm

[brittyknits]

First of all, 2-ply is a very fine fingering weight, or sock yarn-- you can expect 8 - 9 sts per inch. Which explains the 1600+ yards required for that vest-- which is fantastic, by the way! I wish I crocheted. . .

800 yds for a vest. . .yes, for a smallish size, and depending on the pattern. I just checked in my copy of Best of Knitter's Magazine Guy Knits, and their vest patterns require 800 yds in the smaller sizes. BUT that's for knitting, and I believe crocheting takes more yarn? If you're looking for a crochet pattern, or a larger size, can you get something in a matching or contrasting color in which to do the armhole and neck bands, or a couple of stripes thrown in, or something?

I'm big on investing in needles. Using the right size makes all the difference because you get the right gauge. The fit and drape can change incredibly with the right/wrong size needles.

[OffJumpsJack]

Jan,

Thank you for those very handy resources. I have them bookmarked now. (As I realize how much of my knowledge is simply linked by a very tenuous bookmarks, I may have cause to worry. But that is an entirely different matter.) They confirmed my interpretations of the language used in the pattern.

Brittyknits,

Contrasting color? I hadn't considered that. Of course all I can picture at the moment is a belted galloway... :doh: :roflhard: 50159

Thank you for the translation or interpretation (was it indeed Brittish to American?) that I needed. I have not found any list or document of Brittish vs. American knitting or crochet terms.

Thank you both for your comments.

-- Jack

[brittyknits]

Of course all I can picture at the moment is a belted galloway... Attachment 50159
:roflhard: :roflhard: :roflhard:

I just did a search and looky what I found!:
http://www.kcgtrading.com/conversioncharts.html

Oh, and yes-- the ply thing is distinctly British. The more plies, the thicker the yarn. Which must have something to do with the old system that the higher the number, the thinner the knitting needle.:oo: :??

[suzeeq]

Plies for yarn weight is also very common in Australia and NZ.