Which Ply?

by Debbie

How do I know what ply wool is from different countries. I have found a lovely beanie pattern which is in an American wool and I don't know what the equivalent is in Australia. It uses a 7 circular needle.

Be grateful for your help.

YOUR ANSWER

Unfortunately the only sure way to work it out is to combine a bit of guess work with knitting tensions squares. Your pattern should give you instructions as to the appropriate gauge or tension for the beanie.

Usually the tension is stated as the number of stitches and rows for a 10cm square of knitting over stocking stitch.

Does the pattern actually specify a ply?

If it does, see if you can scrounge up a ball of wool in that ply and knit a tension square. If your tension is close to that stated in the pattern, you can go out and buy the wool you need in that ply. You can then just adjust the needle size you need to use to get the tension exactly right.

If the pattern doesn't specify a ply, I suggest you try an 8 ply and a 12 ply for your tension squares. As it is an American pattern it might even be a 10 ply (which is difficult to buy in Australia!)

If you are still confused and not sure what to do, or you don't have scraps of wool in different plys lying around, drop me a line through my contact page with details of the tension stated in the pattern and I will have a play with it for you.

P.S. Just in case you were wondering, a US size 7 needle is 4.50mm in the metric sizing scheme and a UK size 7. If you would like more information on how the three sizing schemes compare, click on this link.