Yarn classification for Machine Knitters.
Most coned yarn for knitting machines, both commercial and home machines is sold using the "worsted method" of counting. In this method, singles are spun to a certain lenth/pound. It is known as a 1, or 1's. This length varies by material as follows: (New Metric applies mainly to woolen singles, but can be applied to other materials too. The "new metric" system should be noted on the label or perhaps "NM". Most coned yarns for home knitters are sold using the "New Metric" system now days. Other methods exist, though, including denier (used mainly for cottons, non-expanded synthetics, and silks) and the TEX system. The TEX system is supposedly accepted internationally, but I've yet to discover a major supplier who uses it, including Chinese and Indian suppliers. . Most wools and animal-based fibers (at least for the home machine market) are still sold using the Worsted system, which is as follows.
2's would be twice the length of a single (560x2 or 1120 yds have
been spun),
or 1,000 meters (1094 yds) in "new metric"
8's would be 4480 yds, or 4,000 meters (4386 yds) in "new metric and so on.
The first number means the number of "folds" or plies,
the second number means lenth per pound.
So, 2/8 would mean 2 singles of 8's have been plied together. 8's would be
4000 meters/pound or
4386 yds/pound using New Metric way of counting. So there would be HALF that
length (2000 meters/lb
or 2,188 yds/lb) in the 2 ply finished yarn. It would also be identical in
length/wt to 4/16's.
If you actually had 1 pound of 8's, it would be "folded"
in half and plied to make the 2/8.
Usually, you are only referring to a hypothetical "pound", and the
number means the weight/yd only.
(note, 1/- means a single by itself, but with few exceptions this would not
make a very good machine knitting yarn).
Commonly found coned yarns are as follows:
Note: This chart assumes "new metric" way of counting.
Previously, in "old" method, the worsted length was 560 yards.
Now it is 500 meters, which is 547 yards.
Only a slight difference and probably can be ignored for most purposes.
My 50/50 yarn on the home page (booties are made of it) are 2/15's.
The IAGARB yarn is 2/4.5, too thick for standard gauge machines.
In my experience, you'll see mainly 2/20 & 2/24 from companies
who spin for both home and industrial use.
Thicker yarns are mostly spun for home machines. I've even seen pictures of
large "factories" consisting of any number of home type machines
each being used by textile workers, in a factory setting.
Hand knitting yarn is sometimes coned, but YOU CANNOT RELY UPON
THE LABELS INSIDE.
They do not spin for machines and are using a different system of numbering
entirely in most cases.
Perhaps some are using TEX.