Osprey yarn is a lightweight, soft and durable yarn that is commonly used for knitting and crocheting projects. The weight of Osprey yarn can vary slightly depending on the specific type and ply. Generally speaking, Osprey yarn is classified as a light or fingering weight yarn, meaning it has a thinner diameter than medium or worsted weight yarns. The recommended knitting gauge for Osprey yarn on size 4-6 needles is 21-32 stitches over 4 inches.
Osprey Yarn Weights
There are a few different lines of Osprey yarn that are labeled with different weights:
Osprey Superfine Merino
The Osprey Superfine Merino yarn line is an extra fine, single ply merino wool yarn. It is approximately lace weight, with a recommended knitting gauge of 32-42 stitches over 4 inches on size 0-2 needles. A 50 gram hank of Osprey Superfine Merino yarn is approximately 440 yards. So 1 yard of the yarn weighs about 0.11 ounces or 3.2 grams.
Osprey Merino Light
Osprey Merino Light is a light fingering weight, 2-ply merino wool yarn. It knits to a gauge of 26-32 stitches over 4 inches on size 2-4 needles. The yardage varies slightly by color, but a 50 gram hank averages approximately 230 yards. That equates to 1 yard weighing around 0.22 ounces or 6 grams.
Osprey Wool Sock
The Osprey Wool Sock yarn is a fingering weight single ply wool yarn that is intended for knitting socks. It knits to a gauge of 28-32 stitches over 4 inches on size 1-3 needles. A 100 gram skein contains approximately 465 yards, meaning each yard weighs about 0.21 ounces or 6.2 grams.
Osprey Wool DK
Osprey Wool DK is a double knitting weight yarn with 100% wool content. It knits to a gauge of 24-26 stitches over 4 inches on size 5-7 needles. A 100 gram hank contains approximately 255 yards, so 1 yard weighs around 0.39 ounces or 11 grams.
Yarn Weight Categories
Yarn weights are grouped into standard categories, from finest to thickest as follows:
Category | Recommended Needle Size | Gauge (Stitches per 4″) |
---|---|---|
Lace | Size 0-2 | 27-32 |
Super Fine | Size 1-3 | 27-32 |
Fine / Fingering | Size 2-5 | 21-32 |
Light / Sport | Size 3-5 | 23-26 |
Medium / Worsted / Aran | Size 4-8 | 16-20 |
Bulky | Size 6-9 | 12-15 |
Super Bulky / Roving | Size 8-11 | 7-12 |
As you can see, Osprey yarns fall into the lace, fingering, and DK weight categories. The finer the yarn, the lighter it is in terms of ounces per yard. Lace weight yarns are extremely fine and airy, while bulky or super bulky yarns are thick and heavy.
Factors Affecting Yarn Weight
There are a few factors that determine the weight per yard of yarn:
Fiber Content
The fiber that makes up the yarn affects how light or heavy it is. For example, a laceweight yarn made of linen will feel slightly heavier than laceweight merino wool. Heavier fibers like alpaca and linen will yield thicker yarns at the same gauge.
Ply
Ply refers to the number of strands that are twisted together to create the finished yarn. A single ply yarn with one strand will be lighter than a 3-ply yarn made of three twisted strands. More plies equal a thicker yarn.
Spinning Method
How the fibers are spun and how tightly they are twisted also impacts the thickness and weight of the yarn. Tightly spun and tightly plied yarns are denser and heavier. Loose spinning and plying creates air pockets and a lighter feel.
Gauge
The knitted gauge listed on the yarn is a key indicator of the weight and thickness. Yarns that knit to a gauge of fewer stitches per inch are thinner and lighter than yarns knit at a tighter gauge. Laceweight yarns knit at 32-42 stitches per 4″, while bulky yarns knit at 7-12 stitches per 4″.
Uses for Different Osprey Yarn Weights
The weight and thickness of the yarn determines what kinds of projects it is best suited for. Here are the common uses for Osprey yarns at different weights:
Laceweight Osprey Yarns
– Lace shawls
– Lightweight openwork sweaters
– Scarves
– Wraps and ruanas
Fingering Weight Osprey Yarns
– Socks
– Gloves
– Hats
– Intricate colorwork
– Sweaters
DK Weight Osprey Yarns
– Hats
– Gloves
– Socks
– Sturdier sweaters and garments
– Rugs and textiles
Substitution Information
If you want to substitute a different weight of yarn than the pattern calls for, you’ll need to calculate gauge swatches and use the appropriate needle size to match the gauge as closely as possible. Here are some equivalents to keep in mind:
– 1 laceweight = 2 fingering
– 1 fingering = 1 sport
– 1 sport = 3 fingering
– 1 DK = 1 light worsted
– 1 worsted = 2 sport
So you can substitute 2 strands of fingering weight for laceweight, and 1 strand of worsted for 2 strands of sport weight. Make sure to knit gauge swatches to get the right fabric and drape.
Conclusion
In summary, Osprey yarn is a high quality wool yarn that comes in a range of weights from lace to DK. The specific weight per yard differs slightly between the product lines, but generally Osprey yarns fall in the light and airy categories rather than heavy bulky yarns. The fiber, ply, spinning, and gauge all contribute to the weight per yard. Lighter Ospreys like Superfine Merino work well for lace and detailed colorwork, while the heartier DK weight makes nice hats, socks, and garments. Knowing the typical uses for each weight will help knitters and crocheters select the right Osprey yarn for their next project.