Be a Good Sport

If you have ever asked yourself, "what's the difference between a sport weight yarn and DK weight yarn" I am here to answer that question. Per the Craft Yarn Council Standard Yarn Weight System, sport is considered a "fine" yarn and falls right between a fingering weight yarn and a double knit yarn but if you look at the knit gauge range in the chart below (that I copied for quick reference) you'll notice that the gauge of sport and that of DK overlap pretty nicely.  I'm sure you've heard me say a time or two that Ash and I have sort of gotten into the habit of using these yarns interchangeably.  Since we typically gauge swatch (most) of our projects, we haven't ever run into trouble with it.

Categories of yarn, gauge ranges, and recommended needle and hook sizes

Yarn Weight Symbol  & Category Names
Type of Yarns in Category	Fingering 10-count  crochet  thread	Sock, Fingering, Baby	Sport, Baby	DK, Light Worsted	Worsted, Afghan, Aran	Chunky, Craft, Rug	Super Bulky, Roving	Jumbo, Roving
Knit Gauge Range* in Stockinette Stitch to 4 inches	33–40** sts	27–32 sts	23–26 sts	21–24 sts	16–20 sts	12–15 sts	7–11 sts	6 sts and fewer
Recommended Needle in Metric Size Range	1.5–2.25 mm	2.25— 3.25 mm	3.25— 3.75 mm	3.75— 4.5 mm	4.5— 5.5 mm	5.5— 8 mm	8— 12.75 mm	12.75 mm and larger
Recommended Needle U.S. Size Range	000–1	1 to 3	3 to 5	5 to 7	7 to 9	9 to 11	11 to 17	17 and larger
Crochet Gauge* Ranges in Single Crochet to 4 inch	32–42 double crochets**	21–32 sts	16–20 sts	12–17 sts	11–14 sts	8–11 sts	7–9 sts	6 sts and fewer
Recommended Hook in Metric Size Range	Steel*** 1.6–1.4 mm Regular hook 2.25 mm	2.25— 3.5 mm	3.5— 4.5 mm	4.5— 5.5 mm	5.5— 6.5  mm	6.5— 9 mm	9— 15 mm	15 mm and larger
Recommended Hook U.S. Size Range	Steel*** 6, 7, 8 Regular hook B–1	B–1 to E–4	E–4 to 7	7 to I–9	I–9 to K–10 1⁄2	K–10 1⁄2 to M–13	M–13 to Q	Q and larger
* GUIDELINES ONLY: The above reflect the most commonly used gauges and needle or hook sizes for specific yarn categories. ** Lace weight yarns are usually knitted or crocheted on larger needles and hooks to create lacy, openwork patterns. Accordingly, a gauge range is difficult to determine. Always follow the gauge stated in your pattern. *** Steel crochet hooks are sized differently from regular hooks—the higher the number, the smaller the hook, which is the reverse of regular hook sizing

This is why I think that the sport weight is just a little more versatile. It can take on the tasks of double knit projects with the lightness of a fingering weight yarn.  If you want to see what I mean check out my Hermione’s Fingerless Gloves knit in our MCN sport

or my Simply Socks DK. 

Ash and I had a meeting on Saturday (when I say "meeting" I mean we hung out on Facetime for a couple of hours and threw in a couple of work topics just so we could call it a meeting) and we talked briefly about refreshing our sample collection. On her last trip down she bestowed on me three skeins of sport weight because she knows how much I love it. I've been combing through Ravelry for ways of putting them to use and there are a bunch great patterns that call for sport weight yarn. I've created a top five fave list to share with you because getting you to love a good sport weight yarn is my new 2018 goal.

1. Striped Cuff Hat by Purl Soho
2. Drachenfels by Melanie Berg
3. Sleeping Cedars by Melissa Schaschwary
4. Anders by Sorren Kerr
5. Visser by Anna Maltz

Drachenfels is a strong contender for the three skeins that I'm holding onto.  Melanie is definitely a favourite designer of ours and I haven`t had a chance to knit any of her patterns.  I have a whole bunch of her patterns hoarded into my favourites and in my library waiting for me to pick up speed.  This might just be my opportunity.  When I cast on you guys will be the first to know and obviously there will be tons of pictures on Instagram so make sure you follow us there!

That`s it for me for this week! Until next, PEACE to you and your fam and happy knitting!