Collection: Aran Yarn

Aran weight yarn typically uses a 5mm knitting needle or crochet hook to get the desired tension. 

The typical tension for a  aran yarn per 10cm square is 18 sts by 24 rows. Aran yarn is usually used for adult sweaters, lightweight blankets and winter accessories

All yarn is categorised by weight and this refers to the thickness of the stand of yarn itself not the physical weight!

All different weights of yarn can be made from many different fibre compositions, typically an acrylic and wool blend or 100% wool or 100% acrylic or cotton. Other animal fibres such as alpaca, mohair can be spun with wool to add different properties. 

When you are browsing the web for yarn ideas you may see yarns from America, Europe, the UK and Australia. Confusingly most of these geographical areas use different category names for the different yarn weights. But websites from the UK will most likely use the same categories. The most popular yarn weights in the UK are

1 ply or lace, 2 ply, 3 ply or sock weight, 4 ply, double knit, aran, chunky, super chunky.

Click on this Blog of mine for a chart showing UK, United States and Australian terms.