California Yarn
Company

Home

Books
Patterns
Free custom    pattern

Yarns
Knitting
Kits

Close-Out
 Yarn
Sale Yarn

Needles
Buttons
Eucalan

Useful
Info

Contact Us

 

Useful Information

Sweater Sizes

Terms & Abbreviations

Yarn Type &
Needles Sizes

Changing Gauge

Sizing

Chest Measurement

Baby

Children

Women

Men

up to 18" (5-10 lbs)

Newborn

-

-

-

up to 20" (11-18 lbs)

6 months

-

-

-

21 "

-

size 2

-

-

up to 22" (19-24 lbs)

12 months

size 3

-

-

23"

-

size 4

-

-

25"

-

size 6

-

-

26.5"

-

size 8

-

-

28"

-

size 10

size XXS

-

30"

-

size 12

size XS

-

31.5"

-

size 14

-

-

32 - 34"

-

-

size Small

-

34 - 36"

-

-

-

size Small

36 - 38"

-

-

size Med

-

38 - 40"

-

-

-

size Med

40 - 42"

-

-

size Large

-

42 - 44"

-

-

-

size Large

44 - 46"

-

-

size 1X

-

46 - 48"

-

-

-

size 1X

48 - 50"

-

-

size 2X

-

50 - 52"

-

-

-

size 2X

52 - 54"

-

-

size 3X

-

 

Terms & Pattern Abbreviations

alt = alternate

approx = approximately

beg = begin(ning)

BO = bind off

CC = contrast color

ch = chain(s)

cm = centimeter(s)

cn = cable needle

cont = continu(e)(ing)

dc = double crochet (British tr = treble crochet)

dec = decreas(e)(ing)

dpn = double-pointed needle(s)

EOR = every other row

foll = follow(s)(ing)

g = gram(s)

garter st = garter stitch (knit every row)

hdc = half double crochet (British htr = half treble crochet)

in(s) = inch(es)

inc = increase(e)(ing)

K = knit

k2tog = knit two stitches together

kw = knitwise

LH = left-hand

lp(s) = loop(s)

m = meter(s)

M1 = make one stitch by picking up horizontal loop before next stitch and knitting into the back of it (the picked up horizontal loop will be twisted)

M1 p-st = make one purl stitch

MC = main color

mm = millimeter(s)

oz = ounce(s)

P = purl

p2tog = purl two stitches together

patt = pattern

pm = place marker

psso = pass slipped stitch over

p2sso = pass 2 slipped stitches over

pw = purlwise

rem = remain(s)(ing)

rep = repeat

rev = revers(e)(ing)

rev St st = reverse stockinette stitch

RH = right-hand

rnd(s) = round(s)

RS = right side(s)

sc = single crochet (British dc = double crochet)

sk = skip

SKP = slip 1, knit 1, pass slip stitch over knit 1

SK2P = slip 1, knit 2 together, pass slip stitch over k2tog

sl = slip

sl st = slip stitch (British sc = single crochet)

sp(s) = space(s)

ssk = slip, slip, knit

sssk = slip, slip, slip, knit

st(s) = stitch(es)

St st = stockinette stitch

tbl = through back of loop

tog = together

tr = treble crochet (British dtr, double treble crochet)

WS = wrong side(s)

w&t = wrap and turn

wyib = with yarn in back

wyif = with yarn in front

yd(s) = yard(s)

yfwd = yarn forward

yo = yarn over

yon = yarn over needle

yrn = yarn round needle

* = repeat directions following * as many times as indicated
[ ] = repeat directions inside brackets as many times as indicated

 

Yarn Types

Yarn Type

Gauge

Recommended
Needle Size

Ultrafine
(Lace or Baby Weight)

8+/inch
32+/10cm

00 - 2

Fine
(Fingering)

6-8 sts/in
24-32/10 cm

2-4

Medium
(Sport Weight)

5-6/inch
20-24/10cm

4 - 6

 

Heavy
(Worsted Weight)

4-5/inch
16-20/10cm

7 - 9

Bulky

3-4/inch
12-16/10cm

10 - 10 1/2

Very Bulky

2-3/inch
8-12/10cm

13 - 15

 

Changing Gauge

You can knit two strands of a yarn together to obtain a different gauge. A useful rule of thumb is to multiply the single-strand gauge by .72 to get the approximate gauge for what the yarn would knit up with as 2 strands. For example, one strand of fingering yarn has a typical gauge of 28 sts/4" (10 cm); 28 x .72 = approx. 20; so, two strands of fingering wt. yarn would knit to an approximate gauge of 20 sts/4" (10 cm), which falls within the range of gauges for typical worsted wt. yarns. Therefore, 2 strands of fingering wt. yarn could be substituted for one strand of worsted wt. yarn.

 

To place an order, email us with your order and we will provide you with the total price, including shipping. Payment is made with Paypal.

California Yarn
Company

Home

Books
Patterns
Free custom    pattern

Yarns
Knitting
Kits

Close-Out
   Yarn
Sale Yarn

Needles
Buttons
Eucalan

Useful
Info

Contact Us