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Yarn Tensions

Tension Squares

We always suggest you do a tension square before you start. The size of a garment can vary enormously between different people even if they knit or crochet the same garment using the same yarn and needles or hook. Most patterns will tell you how to do a tension square but a typical instruction would be as follows.

22 sts and 28 rows = 10cm (4in) over stocking stitch using 4mm needles. For best results it is essential to obtain the correct tension. If there are too few sts on test swatch, use thinner needles; if there are too many sts, use thicker needles.

Typical Tension Square Details

These are generally the tensions that are most associated with each ply - but manufacturers can use slightly different figures - it is not an exact science. You should always check the ball band and your pattern for accurate figures.

Yarn	Square Size	Needles	Stitches	Rows
2ply	10cm x 10cm	2.25 to 3.25mm	30 to 34	approx 42
3ply	10cm x 10cm	2.75 to 3.25mm	27 to 32	approx 40
4ply	10cm x 10cm	3.25 to 3.75mm	23 to 28	approx 36
Quick Knit	10cm x 10cm	4mm	26	approx 32
Double Knit	10cm x 10cm	3.75 to 4.5mm	21 to 24	approx 28
Aran	10cm x 10cm	4.5 to 5.5mm	16 to 20	approx 24
Chunky	10cm x 10cm	5.5 to 8mm	12 to 15	approx 19
Super Chunky	10cm x 10cm	8mm or larger	Less than 12	16 or less

Fashion Yarns are usually yarns with a fancy finish and often do not have the exact tension details of a 'standard' ply yarn - below is a list of some past and present Fashion Yarns with their tension details

Yarn	Square Size	Needles	Stitches	Rows
Sirdar Baby Snowball	10cm x 10cm	6.5mm	6.5	12
Sirdar Bamboo	10cm x 10cm	5.5mm	19	25
Sirdar Bigga*	10cm x 10cm	15mm	6	9
Sirdar Big Softie	10cm x 10cm	10mm	9	12
Sirdar Blur	10cm x 10cm	5.5mm	16	22
Sirdar Boa	10cm x 10cm	4mm	20	27
Sirdar Confetti*	10cm x 10cm	7mm	11	15
Sirdar Curly Wurly	10cm x 10cm	6.5mm	11.5	17
Sirdar Denim Ultra	10cm x 10cm	10mm	9	12
Sirdar Duet*	10cm x 10cm	5mm	21	28
Sirdar Dune	10cm x 10cm	5.5mm	19	29
Sirdar Filigree*	10cm x 10cm	4mm	18	24
Sirdar Firefly*	10cm x 10cm	4mm	25	34
Sirdar Foxy	10cm x 10cm	7mm	12.5	17
Sirdar Frenzy	10cm x 10cm	8mm	12	16
Sirdar Fresco	10cm x 10cm	4mm	23	35
Sirdar Funky Fur	10cm x 10cm	4mm	22	32
Sirdar Gigi*	10cm x 10cm	4mm	25	34
Sirdar Hug*	10cm x 10cm	8mm	13	17
Sirdar Illusion	10cm x 10cm	6.5mm	15	21
Sirdar Indie	10cm x 10cm	12mm	8.5	12
Sirdar Juniper*	10cm x 10cm	7mm	13	16.5
Sirdar Medici	10cm x 10cm	6mm	15.5	21
Sirdar New Fizz	10cm x 10cm	5mm	18	24
Sirdar Nomad	10cm x 10cm	5.5mm	14	21
Sirdar Ocean*	10cm x 10cm	6mm	17.5	24
Sirdar Organza*	10cm x 10cm	12mm	10	13
Sirdar Persia	10cm x 10cm	5.5mm	14	19
Sirdar Reflection*	10cm x 10cm	4mm	23	32
Sirdar Surfer*	10cm x 10cm	7mm	17	22
Sirdar Tufty	10cm x 10cm	5mm	22	30
Sirdar Tuscany	10cm x 10cm	8mm	11.5	15.5
Sirdar Vegas	10cm x 10cm	5.5mm	16	21
Sirdar Wow!	10cm x 10cm	7mm	8	15
Sirdar Yo-Yo	10cm x 10cm	4.5mm	15	24
Sirdar Zanzibar	10cm x 10cm	5mm	20	26
elle Crochet No.5*	10cm x 10cm	2mm	30	44
elle Encore	10cm x 10cm	4.5mm	20	30
elle Furry Friends	10cm x 10cm	3.75mm	28	38
elle Galaxy	10cm x 10cm	8mm	10	14
elle Heaven*	10cm x 10cm	7mm	10	16
elle Lussuria*	10cm x 10cm	3.75mm	18	28
elle Monet*	10cm x 10cm	6.5mm	12	17
elle Pizzazz	10cm x 10cm	5mm	18	25
elle Plume	10cm x 10cm	4mm	18	26
elle Rustica Ultra	10cm x 10cm	6.5mm	11	17
elle Sensual*	10cm x 10cm	4mm	22	30
Stylecraft Alpine*	10cm x 10cm	12mm	7.5	11
Stylecraft Chloe*	10cm x 10cm	6mm	16	24
Stylecraft Fantasia*	10cm x 10cm	4mm	28	46
Stylecraft Loop the Loop*	10cm x 10cm	8mm	10	14
Stylecraft Milan	10cm x 10cm	8mm	9	14
Stylecraft Pompom*	10cm x 10cm	6mm	18	24
Stylecraft Super Chunky	10cm x 10cm	10mm	9.5	13
Sublime Kid Mohair	10cm x 10cm	5mm	19	25

Some countries use different names for their yarns - there is not usually a direct comparison but the following may be the typical tensions (we don't know what needles) - if anyone has any further details please let us know.

Yarn Weight	Square Size	Stitches
Fingering / Baby / Lace*	4 inch	27 to 40
Sports*	4 inch	24 to 26
DK*	4 inch	21 to 23
Worsted*	4 inch	19 to 20
Aran*	4 inch	17 to 18
Chunky*	4 inch	15 to 16
Bulky*	4 inch	12 to 14
Polar*	4 inch	8 to 11

* We do not stock these yarns - these details are for information only

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