These are extremely fine yarns, often used more for crochet doilies and very open lacy shawls.
Machine knitting with one strand might present some difficulties in knitting off the needles. When using this weight on the 4.5mm flat bed knitting machine it’s recommended to use their fine knit bar.
This gauge is commonly used in double bed multi-color fabrics. When knitted in an open & loose fabric, it is a perfect, light & airy fabric for lace curtains and shawls.
Using 2 strands, or 3 strands together, or combine with other yarns works well on this machine with a recommended knit tension setting of 5 or 7.
A common gauge for dress weight yarns.
Perfect for slim fitting slacks & skirts, as well as flaring skirts and suits.
If the yarn allows you to tighten down to one tension, this will help to keep slacks and straight skirts from seating out. Return to your regular tension for the shells, tops, jackets & blazers.
These fine yarns are still good for easy 2-color jacquard. Will knit off smoothly and create warm afghans.
A common gauge for light weight jean sweaters. Excellent weight for fairisle sweaters without the added weight that fairisle usually produces.
Good for socks, summer sweaters, for babies and lightweight shawls. 2 strands roughly makes a DK weight, 3 strands roughly make worsted weight.
Fingering is such a popular weight and somewhat ideal yarn weight for baby items and summer lace items.
You may find you are knitting this at knitting machine tension 6 or tension 8. "Tension" is not a hard and fast rule. It just gives us a place to start when in doubt.
These are probably the most commonly used weights for the average machine knitter. Tension 7 & 8 are the ranges a lot of new machine knitters are taught in. And for easy, quick garments we continue to return to it.
This weight is popular with men's sweaters & cardigans.
Almost twice as thick as Fingering.
Excellent for all types of sweaters, cardigans & afghans.
Used on the standard bed and sometimes not, because even though the yarn says DK or Sport Weight, we will have variations within that range.
This weight and the following DK weight yarns are great on the mid-gauge knitting machines and make beautiful cabled and hand manipulated designs.
Some variations won’t work using every needle on the flat bed but may work if using every second needle - one must simply try the yarn on the machine to best determine.
I knitted my 2023 wedding dress on my flat bed knitting machine using acrylic “Micro Tam” which is classified as size 3 DK weight.
Light weight yarns are also known as DK weight or double knitting yarns. DK yarns are lightly heavier than fine weight yarns, and are typically used for projects such as sweaters, hats, scarves, and baby clothes.